Red Sox Reportedly Tried To Trade For Former Fan-Favorite Fireballer This Season

The Boston Red Sox almost had a reunion earlier this season.

Boston seemingly was linked in some way to every big-name player available around the 2023 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline, although the team ultimately didn’t make any major moves. One player the Red Sox reportedly attempted to trade for is former fan-favorite Joe Kelly, according to WEEI’s Rob Bradford.

“Another current member of the Dodgers’ bullpen that the Red Sox tried to trade for this past offseason? The co-author of ‘A Damn Near Perfect Game: Reclaiming America’s Pastime, Joe Kelly,” Bradford said.

“Since rejoining the Dodgers, Kelly has managed a 1.74 ERA and .088 batting average against in 11 outings, striking out 19 in 10 1/3 innings.”

Kelly joined the Chicago White Sox in 2022 after three years with the Dodgers. The 35-year-old was a part of the White Sox’s firesale around the trade deadline and was traded back to Los Angeles, along with former All-Star starter Lance Lynn.

Boston had been linked to the fireballer around the trade deadline but ultimately didn’t pull the trigger on a deal to bring him back to town.

The 35-year-old has a club option in his contract for the 2024 season and it wouldn’t be too surprising if the Dodgers opted to hang on to him after impressing once again after re-joining the team.

If Los Angeles decides to cut ties with Kelly, he could become a free agent once again and reunion with Boston could make perfect sense. Boston will be busy this offseason and Kelly could be a name to watch out for to improve the bullpen.