Cubs Acquire LHP Antoine Kelly from Dodgers for Cash

As their search for pitching help continues, the Cubs have acquired lefty Antoine Kelly from the Dodgers for cash considerations. The Chicago-area native and Maine East High School alum signed a minor league deal with LA back in November after stints in the minors with the Rockies, Rangers, and Brewers. Milwaukee drafted him in the second round with the 65th overall pick out of Wabash Valley College in 2019, then traded him to the Rangers in the Matt Bush deal at the 2022 deadline.

Kelly had been named to the Futures Team less than a month earlier on the strength of some huge strikeout numbers, but he’s never been able to put it together for a shot at the highest level. Though he’s struck out 391 batters over 303.1 innings pitched, mainly in relief, he’s also walked 200 and given up 250 hits. That inability to keep runners off the bases has resulted in a 4.78 overall ERA that is inflated by a 6.33 mark over 91 innings at Triple-A.

The Cubs are hoping they can figure something out with the 97 mph fastball, 96 mph sinker, and 85 mph slider, though this feels very much like a lottery ticket.