12 Former Red Sox Available in Free Agency
By Ryan Bunton
5. Joe Kelly
Another former Boston Red Sox turned Los Angeles Dodger, Kelly will hit free agency following a title-winning season with the Dodgers.
Kelly was acquired by the Red Sox from the St. Louis Cardinals at the 2014 trade deadline, along with Allen Craig. Boston sent John Lackey and Corey Littrell to St. Louis to complete the trade.
Kelly arrived in Boston as a starter – making 25 starts for the Sox in 2015 – before being converted to a reliever in 2016. In five seasons with the Red Sox, Kelly posted a cumulative record of 26-11 with a 4.33 ERA and eight strikeouts per nine innings in 182 appearances.
Kelly was a strong postseason performer in Boston, only allowing one earned run in 20 innings of work. In the 2018 World Series, Kelly struck out 10 Dodgers batters while appearing in every game of the series.
Following the 2018 World Series, Kelly joined Los Angeles on a three-year, $27 million deal. After three years with the Dodgers, the veteran signed a two-year, $17 million deal with the Chicago White Sox in March 2022. Kelly was sent back to Southern California in a July 2023 trade and has remained with the Dodgers since.
In 35 appearances in 2024, Kelly recorded a 4.78 ERA while striking out 9.8 batters per nine innings. Following the Dodgers' 2024 title over the New York Yankees, Kelly didn't hold back in his assessment of the Yankees (which will also be music to the ears of Red Sox fans).
Joe Kelly on the Yankees-Dodgers World Series:
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) November 4, 2024
"It was a mismatch from the get-go. If we had a playoff reranking, they might be ranked the 8th or 9th best playoff team.
You're putting the Padres ahead of them, you're putting the Phillies ahead of them, you're putting the Mets… pic.twitter.com/AsFlMkCr4m
Kelly has confirmed that he is not retiring and is planning to pitch in 2025. The 13-year vet turned 36 in June.