White Sox in full fire sale mode, deal Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly to Dodgers

As the trade deadline approaches, the Chicago White Sox are in full fire sale mode, cleaning out their bullpen and picking up prospects from all over the league. Just a couple of days after sending Lucas Giolito to the Angels, the White Sox have struck a deal with Los Angeles’ other team, sending right handed starter Lance Lynn and right handed reliever Joe Kelly to the Dodgers.

The Dodgers have been on the hunt for arms to prop up their injury-hampered rotation, and Lynn was one of the top-touted arms on offer in the league. He is struggling this season with Chicago, with a 6 and 9 record and a stout 6.47 ERA, but he has a respectable 144 strikeouts in 119.2 innings pitched and has made himself a regular fixture in the top six of the Cy Young voting of recent years.

For Joe Kelly, this will be a reunion, as he was part of the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series winning team. He has struggled with injury this season, however, and is only 1 for 7 in save opportunities, although his ERA is a respectable 4.97 with 41 strikeouts in only 29 innings pitched.

The White Sox have taken outfielder Trayce Thompson and Minor League right-handed prospects Nick Nastrini and Jordan Leasure.

This deal will bolster the Dodgers’ rotation and bullpen, handing them a two-fer as they defend their three game lead on the Giants in the NL West. While their bats have been lively enough, in tight games where pitching is the difference, Los Angeles have struggled. Lynn and Kelly should give them a head start on hanging on to the division and give the Blues a running jump at the post season.