Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
While there probably won’t be a lot of roster movement before the new Collective Bargaining Agreement is agreed to, there have been a few 40-man roster moves in the last couple days.
Dodgers decline Kelly’s $12 million option
The Dodgers declined their $12 million club option on reliever Joe Kelly. Instead, they’ll pay him a $4 million buyout.
Kelly hurt his right bicep in Game 5 of the NLCS against the Braves, and he dealt with injury issues in his 3-year stint as a Dodger. Still, he pitched relatively well in his time as a Dodger.
- 3.59 ERA
- 3.46 FIP
- 26.9 K%
- 9.8 BB%
- 59.9 GB%
Honestly, it’s probably a lot better than a lot expected when the Dodgers signed him in the 2018-19 offseason.
There is thought that the Dodgers could bring him back at a reduced rate, which would seemingly imply that his injury is a bit more severe. Otherwise, I’m sure the Dodgers would have just exercised the option, seeing as $8 million (difference between $12 million option and $4 million buyout) a season is about the going rate for a solid, non-closer reliever these days.
Dodgers outright Alexander, two others
The Dodgers also outrighted three players off their 40-man roster on Friday — Scott Alexander, Andy Burns and Jimmie Sherfy.
Alexander was arbitraiton-eligible for the third time and was projected to make $1.3 million. Instead of that, the Dodgers exposed him to waivers and he went unclaimed. If he’s still with the org come the start of next season, he’ll likely be in Triple-A.
Burns was the injury replacement for Justin Turner in the NLCS, but the Dodgers felt comfortable jettisoning him off the 40-man. I’m not sure I laid the sarcasm on thick enough, but this is no big loss. He’s a career Quad-A/utility player.
Sherfy pitched for both the Giants and Dodgers last season, but he finished last season on the 60-day injured list. His tour of the NL West could continue next season. He still has Colorado and San Diego on the list.
The 40-man roster is currently at 36 players, with 60-day IL guys still to be added to the roster.
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Sorry the roster news wasn’t more exciting. I wouldn’t expect anything big for the time being … unless the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw agree to a deal before the CBA expires. It doesn’t seem likely, but eventually, it’s something that needs to happen.
