The White Sox announced that right-hander Joe Kelly has been activated from the 15-day injured list. In the corresponding move, righty Bryan Shaw was designated for assignment.
Kelly was dealing with inflammation in his throwing elbow, but the issue fortunately proved to be pretty minor, as he has only been out of action since July 5. After missing just beyond the 15-day minimum, Kelly will now return to Chicago’s bullpen for what might be a nine-day audition for rival teams in advance of the trade deadline. This is the final guaranteed season of Kelly’s two-year, $17MM contract, and while the White Sox hold a $9.5MM club option ($1MM buyout) on his services for 2024, it is probably safe to view Kelly as a rental piece unless he performs extremely well down the stretch.
Despite a 30.8% strikeout rate, 8.3% walk rate, 56.9% grounder rate, and a 2.90 SIERA, Kelly’s bottom-line numbers haven’t been nearly as good as his secondary stats would indicate. The reliever’s 4.82 ERA is almost a full two runs higher than his SIERA, and Kelly also has only a 56.6% strand rate, while a .319 BABIP has somewhat counteracted his success at keeping the ball on the ground. Still, opposing teams are very aware of Kelly’s advanced metrics, so the White Sox figure to draw some attention from bullpen-needy clubs.
Shaw signed a minor league deal with Chicago in late April, which came on the heels of another minors contract earlier in the offseason that resulted in the White Sox releasing the veteran at the end of Spring Training. Shaw was selected to the 26-man roster earlier this month, but he has a 9.39 ERA over 7 2/3 innings and six appearances in a White Sox uniform. Over 276 innings since the start of the 2018 season, Shaw has a 5.35 ERA while pitching with the Rockies, Mariners, Guardians, and White Sox, and he hasn’t been particularly effective apart from a solid 2021 season in Cleveland.
Now in his 13th MLB season, Shaw has more than enough service time to reject an outright assignment to Triple-A if he clears waivers, though it isn’t known if he’ll again test free agency, or if he’d accept an outright and remain in Chicago’s organization. It is also possible the White Sox could release him altogether if he clears waivers, and even Shaw’s lack of results this year, it seems unlikely that another club might make a waiver claim.
The Orioles could use a Bryan Shaw just for his veteran presence
I don’t think he would add much help to, well, any team including the Orioles. I saw him pitch the last few days and he hasn’t been let go three times this year for no reason.
I brought it to the Orioles fans attention on MASN and the reaction was tepid at best. Still a veteran presence could help and he knows how to pitch
Now whether he can execute anymore is debatable
However, Baker hasn’t been too good recently either
Lefty: It goes really for any contender, but as far as WSox bullpen Graveman is the arm of substance to help your club. He can take on some high leverage spots to reduce the appearances/wear and tear on O’s dynamic duo.
The Dynamic duo need help
Let him pitch batting practice to boost hitter morale.
As long as he is gone by next month…
When they bring him in, I change the channel.
They should have just DFAd Kelly.
They are trying to show Joe Kelly off really quick and get some trade interest in hkm.
Yup. This is a trade deadline showcase for Kelly. Chicago might need to eat some of his salary, but if he pitches well over the next 7 days, there’s no doubt he will be moved.
Hard to think of many worse signings than Kelly, who was injured at the time and didn’t even start the ’22 season the first few weeks, to two years, 17M. 5.54 ERA in Sox uniform. Woof.
Look out Houston
Head hunter Joe Kelly is Active
Dude used to be really good? 12-17 then Boston ’18 championship run he was lights out? And again with LA in ’20? Definitely loves the big moment?
Joe Karen Kelly. Hope he has those crybaby faces ready to return to action as well.
Living rent free in those Cheatro heads
Head hunter Joe Kelly Baby
Head hunter Joe Kelly with those baby tears?
Altuve is like “It’s your chance to do your dance at the space jam”
And please don’t rip off my uniform
Kelly wants to grab a parachute to get out of that moribund organization. Joe Kelly Fight Club return for a 9 day crescendo? You’ve been Hahned.
Welcome to the Cardinals Bryan Shaw
What did the Cardinals ever do to you?
I’m a Cardinals fan. But they have been snapping up all the lousy AAAA pitchers recently in anticipation of selling off
Bryan Shaw is one of those guys that always ends back up with Cleveland. I wouldn’t be shocked at all to see him signed to a minor league deal once he clears waivers.
Could be, but I doubt it right now. They’re running with a 9 man bullpen as is, and will need to demote someone for a starter at some point (unless they’re building X up?). They also have Cody Morris and James Karinchak ready in AAA and on the 40. And theoretically they’re in contention.
I would like to see Shaw catch on with a non contender like the Athletics, and pile up some appearances. He’s not a backend guy at all, but he is still a rubber arm guy who can soak some innings and that can be beneficial for a team that isn’t trying to win right now.
The Guardians are in contention, there’s no “theoretically”to it.
The reason I say theoretically:
They’ve been floated more as sellers (Bieber, Civale rumors) than as buyers.
Their second half schedule is much tougher and there’s reason to suspect they’ll fade
They’re a sub .500 team
So yes, you’ll have lots of arguments about it. You’ll have people claiming they’re not in contention for anything but a first round exit, that they’re not “serious” contenders, etc. Claiming without qualification that they’re contending/buying is to invite argument.
Activated Joe Kelly just in time to trade him. Not sure if the Braves need bullpen help but trade him there for cash. Lol
Most of us realists knew the Sox were done before July, but for the ones holding out for a miracle run in the 2nd half of the season, feel free to stick a fork in them, there is no chance of that happening now. Great job Sox for making a AAAA team look like the reigning WS champs in a must-sweep series.
And since I’m giving out praise, great job Grifol, for making the 2022 LaRussa look like the ’89 version. None of us thought anyone would touch TLR as the worst Sox manager of the decade, but Grifol proved us wrong. More amazing is how quickly he did this so quickly after TLR’s departure.
Let the sell-off begin!