Earlier in the offseason, the Dodgers decided to decline the option for veteran relief pitcher Joe Kelly, making him a free agent. The team agreed to pay him $1 million to buy him out, but there is interest in possibly bringing him back.
The Dodgers likely weren't comfortable with the price point on Kelly, so if they do bring him back, it'd have to be for cheaper. Kelly was in and out of the LA bullpen after being acquired at the trade deadline, something that probably factored into their decision.
"The Dodgers’ decision would seem to imply that Kelly’s market is less than the $9.5 million he would’ve made on the club option. If the Dodgers bring him back, it would be safe to assume it’s for less than $8.5 million for next year (acknowledging the $1 million buyout already guaranteed). Kelly might be at the one-year deal stage of his career, especially if he wants to keep his market wide open."
LA will be focused on upgrading the starting rotation, with the bullpen being a distant priority. They had one of the better bullpens in the game in the second half of the season, so they may elect to bring the band back together.
Kelly would provide them with a solid veteran piece that the organization knows and trusts. As long as he doesn't cost too much, LA likely tries to bring him back.
"His last two trips in free agency have been profitable (three years, $25 million with Los Angeles in 2018; two years, $17 million with Chicago in 2021). There is likely still mutual interest between the two sides in working out a deal with the Dodgers, though."
It makes sense for him to return, especially considering that they keep bringing him back after he leaves. It'll be interesting to see how this all plays out, and how their other moves impact the possibility of Kelly returning.
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