The Dodgers are re-signing righty reliever Joe Kelly, which is a very clear indication that they are pivoting from Shohei Ohtani. After all, Kelly wears No. 17 and you can’t have two guys with the same number. Given how the Yankees took care to 18 open all last year in anticipation of luring Yoshinobu Yamamoto, it’s obvious the Dodgers care little for catering to their next would-be superstar.
Robert Murray of Fansided was first with the news that the Dodgers were “very close” to a deal with Kelly, then WEEI’s Rob Bradford reported that the deal is done pending a physical.