White Sox keeping Craig Kimbrel, sign Joe Kelly to fortify bullpen

The Chicago White Sox bolstered their bullpen by signing former Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly.

The Chicago White Sox won the AL Central last season but were eliminated in the Divisional Round by the Houston Astros. With the MLB lockout over, the team made a move on Saturday to help fortify their bullpen.

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the White Sox and veteran relief pitcher Joe Kelly have agreed to terms on a two-year contract, which will be finalized pending a physical.

White Sox keeping Craig Kimbrel, signing Joe Kelly to fortify bullpen

The Kelly signing was not the only news to take place on Saturday. Earlier, manager Tony La Russa was asked whether Craig Kimbrel will be a part of the Opening Day roster, to which he replied, “yes.”

At the trade deadline last year, the White Sox acquired Kimbrel from the Cubs in exchange for second baseman Nick Madrigal and right-handed pitcher Cody Heuer. Kimbrel was used as a set up pitcher with Liam Hendriks locked in as a closer. Through 24 games, Kimbrel recorded a 5.09 ERA, a 1.217 WHIP and 36 strikeouts over 23.0 innings of work.

Earlier in the offseason, the White Sox exercised Kimbrel’s option for the 2022 season, which is worth $16 million. At season’s end, Kimbrel will be an unrestricted free agent.

Back to Kelly, he spent the past three seasons in the Dodgers bullpen. After posting a 4.56 ERA in 2019, Kelly rebounded in 2020 with a 1.80 ERA in 12 appearances in the truncated season.

In 48 appearances last season, Kelly recorded a 2.86 ERA, a 0.977 WHIP and 50 strikeouts over 44.0 innings.

With Kelly now in the fold, the White Sox are looking to make a run at consecutive AL Central titles and a chance to compete in the World Series.