Dodgers and White Sox Make Blockbuster Trade
The Chicago White Sox have traded outfielder Trayce Thompson, minor league pitching prospects Nick Nastrini and Jordan Leasure, and right-handed pitchers Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
About Trade
- Name: Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly trade
- Date: July 28, 2023
- Teams involved: Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox
- Players traded:
- Dodgers to White Sox: Trayce Thompson, Nick Nastrini, and Jordan Leasure
- White Sox to Dodgers: Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly
- Impact:
- Dodgers: Added two proven veterans to their pitching staff
- White Sox: Got a good haul of prospects
The trade is still pending approval from the commissioner’s office.
The Dodgers will be responsible for the remaining salary for Lynn and Kelly.
The White Sox are expected to designate Thompson for assignment.
The trade is a major one that will have a significant impact on both teams. It will be interesting to see how it plays out in the coming months.
Why the Dodgers Made the Trade
Dodgers
- Name: Los Angeles Dodgers
- Founded: 1883
- Home stadium: Dodger Stadium
- League: National League West
- World Series championships: 6 (1955, 1956, 1959, 1963, 1965, 1981)
- Current manager: Dave Roberts
- Current star players: Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger, Clayton Kershaw
The Dodgers made the trade to address two of their biggest needs: starting pitching and the bullpen.
Two-time All-Star pitcher Lynn has been among the American League’s most reliable pitchers in recent years. He has made 21 starts this year and has a record of 6-9 with a 6.47 ERA, but in his career he has had a 3.43 ERA and three top-six finishes in the Cy Young voting.
Kelly is a hard-throwing reliever who has recently played a significant role in the Dodgers’ bullpen. He has made 31 appearances this season and is 1-1 with a 4.97 ERA, but he has a career 3.38 ERA and is renowned for his ability to get strikeouts.
Even though the Dodgers are presently leading the National League West, they have been attempting to strengthen their pitching staff in advance of the trade deadline. The Dodgers’ rotation and bullpen should benefit right away from the additions of Lynn and Kelly.
What the Dodgers Gave Up
The Dodgers gave up Thompson, Nastrini, and Leasure in the trade.
Thompson is a former top prospect who has had some success in the major leagues. He is hitting .260 with 12 home runs and 37 RBIs this season.
Nastrini is a right-handed pitcher who is ranked as the Dodgers’ No. 9 prospect by MLB Pipeline. He has a 2.45 ERA in 11 starts at Double-A this season.
Leasure is a right-handed pitcher who is ranked as the Dodgers’ No. 14 prospect by MLB Pipeline. He has a 2.75 ERA in 12 starts at Double-A this season.
What the White Sox Got
White Sox
- Name: Chicago White Sox
- Founded: 1901
- Home stadium: Guaranteed Rate Field
- League: American League Central
- World Series championships: 3 (1906, 1917, 2005)
- Current manager: Tony La Russa
- Current star players: Tim Anderson, Luis Robert, Yasmani Grandal
The White Sox got a good haul of prospects in the trade.
Thompson is a former top prospect who has some upside. Nastrini and Leasure are both ranked in the Dodgers’ top 15 prospects, and they both have the potential to be major league contributors.
The Trade’s Impact
The Dodgers benefit greatly from the move. They expanded with two seasoned veterans who will boost their pitching staff right away. The Dodgers should benefit from Lynn and Kelly White Sox‘s contributions as they continue to lead the National League West and advance far in the postseason.
For the White Sox, the deal results in a small loss. They lost Lynn and Kelly, two solid pitchers, and received no players who were ready to play in the major leagues. The White Sox, on the other hand, are in a rebuilding stage and might be hoping to go younger and more reasonably priced.
