Dodgers Rumors: Joe Kelly not returning to LA in 2022?

If not for the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ bullpen, this team might’ve been eliminated in the NL Wild Card Game. Time and time again, the starters were unable to give length and the offense was unable to produce runs.

That forced the crew of relievers to pick up the slack and keep countless games close, which they did. But that unit could be facing a number of departures this offseason.

Closer Kenley Jansen is a free agent. So is Corey Knebel, who established himself as a valuable arm for LA in his lone season with the team. And don’t forget about Joe Kelly’s $12 million team option. That complicates things a bit.

Kelly left Game 5 of the NLCS with a biceps injury and was replaced by David Price on the playoff roster, and it appears that ailment might put his future with LA in doubt.

Here’s what Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times said of Kelly’s situation:

"Kelly isn’t officially a free agent yet. The reliever has a $12-million team option with a $4-million buyout. The Dodgers will pay him the $4 million. A reunion at a cheaper price might then be possible. Though erratic, Kelly is also electric and posted a 2.86 ERA in 48 appearances this season.His status is complicated by the significant biceps strain he suffered in Game 5 of the NLCS. He won’t be ready for the start of next season, according to a person with knowledge of the situation."

In a world in which Kelly was fully healthy, we’re probably looking at the Dodgers picking up his option, considering he still remains a valuable weapon for manager Dave Roberts. He still got a number of key postseason outs despite his inconsistency since signing on back in 2019.

But with so many other financial commitments that need to be made and other such situations that need to be dealt with, freeing up an extra $8 million by letting Kelly go and not worrying about how much he’ll be able to contribute in 2022 helps eliminate two headaches for a front office that will be busy all offseason.

That said, the Dodgers will then need to find another bullpen weapon to supplement Kelly’s production, which featured a 3.59 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 115 games. Those aren’t the greatest numbers in the world, but they’re hard to replicate, especially for someone who was constantly pitching high-leverage innings.

Knebel won’t be able to do that by himself. Jansen coming back would also be great, but that doesn’t help the bridge the Dodgers utilize to get to him. Perhaps they trust one of Alex Vesia, Mitch White, Phil Bickford, Evan Phillips or Justin Bruihl to take a leap?

Start preparing for some answers because it seems Kelly won’t be pitching for the Dodgers come next season.

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