Joe Kelly

Los Angeles Dodgers, Relief Pitcher
Age: 36y-6m-12d (Jun 09, 1988)
Exp: 12.029 Years
Country: US
College: California-Riverside
Drafted: Round 3 (#98 overall), 2009
Agent(s): Levinson brothers (ACES)
INACTIVE

2024-2024 free-agent-xxb

Joe Kelly signed a 1 year , $8,000,000 contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, including $8,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $8,000,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $8,000,000
Average Salary:
$8,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2025 / UFA
Year Age PayrollAnnual Luxury Tax Tax % League Tax Cash Annual Cash Cumulative
2024 36 $8,000,000 $8,000,000 3.38% $8,000,000 $8,000,000
2025 37
UFA
Year Age Service Base Salary Incentives Likely Incentives Unlikely Payroll Salary Luxury Tax
2024 36 11.029 $8,000,000 - - $8,000,000 $8,000,000
2025 37 --
UFA
Year Age Base Salary Cash Total Cash Cumulative Cash Remaining AYC Cumulative AYC Remaining
2024 36 $8,000,000 $8,000,000 $8,000,000 - $8,000,000 $8,000,000
Source: MLB contract specifics generally collected from verified reports.

2022-2024 free-agent-xxb

Joe Kelly signed a 2 year , $17,000,000 contract with the Chicago White Sox, including $17,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $8,500,000.
Contract Terms:
2 yr(s) / $17,000,000
Average Salary:
$8,500,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2025 / UFA
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2019-2022 free-agent-xxb

Joe Kelly signed a 3 year , $25,000,000 contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, including $25,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $8,333,333.
Contract Terms:
3 yr(s) / $25,000,000
Average Salary:
$8,333,333
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2018-2018 Arbitration

Joe Kelly signed a 1 year , $3,825,000 contract with the Boston Red Sox, including $3,825,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $3,825,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $3,825,000
Average Salary:
$3,825,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2017-2017 Arbitration

Joe Kelly signed a 1 year , $2,800,000 contract with the Boston Red Sox, including $2,800,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $2,800,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $2,800,000
Average Salary:
$2,800,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2016-2016 Arbitration

Joe Kelly signed a 1 year , $2,600,000 contract with the Boston Red Sox, including $2,600,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $2,600,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $2,600,000
Average Salary:
$2,600,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2015-2015
Pre-Arbitration

Joe Kelly signed a 1 year , $603,000 contract with the Boston Red Sox, including $603,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $603,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $603,000
Average Salary:
$603,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2014-2014
Pre-Arbitration

Joe Kelly signed a 1 year , $523,000 contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, including $523,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $523,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $523,000
Average Salary:
$523,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2013-2013
Pre-Arbitration

Joe Kelly signed a 1 year , $493,000 contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, including $493,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $493,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $493,000
Average Salary:
$493,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2012-2012
Pre-Arbitration

Joe Kelly signed a 1 year , $480,000 contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, including $480,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $480,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $480,000
Average Salary:
$480,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2009-2009 Signing Bonus

Joe Kelly signed a 1 year , $341,000 contract with the Boston Red Sox, including $341,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $341,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $341,000
Average Salary:
$341,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Spotrac Premium Tools
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Seasons

12.029 Years

Career Earnings thru 2025

$47,970,210

Earnings w/ Different Teams

4 teams

Earnings Per Year

Year Age Team(s) Status Cash Total Cash Cumulative Awards
2009 21
Signing Bonus
$341,000
$341,000
2012 24
Active
$304,262
$645,262
2013 25
Active
$493,000
$1,138,262
2014 26
Active
Retained
$171,475
$351,525
$1,309,737
$1,661,262
2015 27
Active
$514,032
$2,175,294
2016 28
Active / Arb Avoided
$2,600,000
$4,775,294
2017 29
Active / Arb Avoided
$2,800,000
$7,575,294
2018 30
Active / Arb Avoided
$2,601,613
$10,176,907
 Champion
2019 31
Active
$3,000,000
$13,176,907
2020 32
Active
$3,148,148
$16,325,055
 Champion
2021 33
Active
Buyout
$8,500,000
$4,000,000
$24,825,055
$28,825,055
2022 34
Active
$7,000,000
$35,825,055
2023 35
Active
$3,145,155
$38,970,210
2024 36
Active
Buyout
$8,000,000
$1,000,000
$46,970,210
$47,970,210
Total      
$47,970,210
$46,970,210
$47,970,210
Total
$47,970,210

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Incentives Cash Cumulative
6 $8,687,120 $341,000 - $9,028,120
3 $1,148,787 - - $1,148,787
5 $30,793,303 - - $30,793,303
1 $7,000,000 - - $7,000,000
Year Team(s) Age Base Signing Incentives Cash Total Cash Cumulative
2009
21
$341,000
$341,000
$341,000
2012
24
$304,262
$304,262
$645,262
2013
25
$493,000
$493,000
$1,138,262
2014
26
$171,475
$351,525
$171,475
$351,525
$1,309,737
$1,661,262
2015
27
$514,032
$514,032
$2,175,294
2016
28
$2,600,000
$2,600,000
$4,775,294
2017
29
$2,800,000
$2,800,000
$7,575,294
2018
30
$2,601,613
$2,601,613
$10,176,907
2019
31
$3,000,000
$3,000,000
$13,176,907
2020
32
$3,148,148
$3,148,148
$16,325,055
2021
33
$8,500,000
$4,000,000
$8,500,000
$4,000,000
$24,825,055
$28,825,055
2022
34
$7,000,000
$7,000,000
$35,825,055
2023
35
$3,145,155
$3,145,155
$38,970,210
2024
36
$8,000,000
$1,000,000
$8,000,000
$1,000,000
$46,970,210
$47,970,210
Total
$47,629,210
$341,000
$47,970,210
$46,970,210
$47,970,210
Total
$47,629,210
$341,000
$47,970,210

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Incentives Cash Cumulative
6 $8,687,120 $341,000 - $9,028,120
3 $1,148,787 - - $1,148,787
5 $30,793,303 - - $30,793,303
1 $7,000,000 - - $7,000,000

Injuries

Year Dates Reason
2024 LAD Aug 31, 2024 - Sep 18, 2024 Shoulder
2024 LAD May 06, 2024 - Jul 19, 2024 Shoulder
2023 LAD Aug 13, 2023 - Sep 13, 2023 Arm
2023 CHW Jul 06, 2023 - Jul 22, 2023 Elbow
2023 CHW Apr 10, 2023 - Apr 24, 2023 Groin
2022 CHW May 26, 2022 - Jun 14, 2022 Hamstring
2022 CHW Apr 04, 2022 - May 09, 2022 Biceps
2021 LAD Aug 10, 2021 - Aug 25, 2021 Undisclosed
2021 LAD Apr 01, 2021 - May 06, 2021 Shoulder
2020 LAD Aug 10, 2020 - Sep 10, 2020 Shoulder
2017 BOS Jul 15, 2017 - Aug 05, 2017 Hamstring
2016 BOS Apr 19, 2016 - May 21, 2016 Shoulder
  • Dec 02, 2023 Signed a 1 year $8 million contract with Los Angeles (LAD)
  • Nov 05, 2023 Los Angeles (LAD) declined a $9.5 million option for 2024 ($1M buyout)
  • Jul 28, 2023 Traded to Los Angeles (LAD) from Chicago (CHW) with Lance Lynn for Nick Nastrini, Jordan Leasure and Trayce Thompson
  • Mar 12, 2022 Signed a 2 year $17 million contract with Chicago (CHW)
  • Nov 06, 2021 Los Angeles (LAD) declined a $12 million option for 2022
  • Jul 29, 2020 Suspended 5 games for intentionally throwing at Houston (HOU), forfeiting $234,936 in 2020 salary with Los Angeles (LAD)
  • Dec 13, 2018 Signed a 3 year $25 million contract with Los Angeles (LAD), including a $12M option for 2022
  • Apr 12, 2018 Suspended 6 games for his role in a brawl against New York (NYY), forfeiting $123,387 in 2018 salary with Boston (BOS)
  • Jan 12, 2018 Signed a 1 year $3.825 million contract with Boston (BOS), avoiding arbitration
  • Jan 13, 2017 Signed a 1 year $2.8 million contract with Boston (BOS), avoiding arbitration
  • Jan 15, 2016 Signed a 1 year $2.6 million contract with Boston (BOS), avoiding arbitration
  • Mar 08, 2015 Signed a 1 year $603k contract with Boston (BOS)
  • Jul 31, 2014 Traded to Boston (BOS) from St. Louis (STL) with Allen Craig for John Lackey, Corey Littrell and $1.75 million
  • Mar 03, 2014 Signed a 1 year $523,000 contract with St. Louis (STL)
  • Mar 01, 2013 Signed a 1 year $493k contract with St. Louis (STL)
  • Jun 10, 2012 Contract purchased by St. Louis (STL)
  • Jun 17, 2009 Signed a contract with St. Louis (STL)
  • Jun 09, 2009 Drafted by St. Louis (STL): Round 3 (#98 overall)
Year Team GP GS H R ER BB K HR W L SV IP ERA WHIP WAR
2024 LAD 35 0 31 19 17 16 35 4 1 1 0 32.0 4.78 1.47 -0.43
2023 LAD 42 0 29 22 18 18 60 3 2 5 1 39.3 4.12 1.20 -0.32
2022 CHW 43 1 36 26 25 23 53 2 1 3 1 37.0 6.08 1.60 -0.58
2021 LAD 48 0 28 16 14 15 50 3 2 0 2 44.0 2.86 0.98 0.78
2020 LAD 12 1 8 3 2 7 9 0 0 0 0 10.0 1.80 1.50 0.21
2019 LAD 55 0 49 31 26 22 62 6 5 4 1 51.3 4.56 1.38 -0.55
2018 BOS 73 0 57 34 32 32 68 4 4 2 2 65.7 4.39 1.36 0.21
2017 BOS 54 0 42 19 18 27 52 3 4 1 0 57.7 2.81 1.20 1.25
2016 BOS 20 6 44 23 23 24 48 5 4 0 0 40.0 5.18 1.70 -0.14
2015 BOS 25 25 145 76 72 49 110 15 10 6 0 134.3 4.82 1.44 0.91
2014 STL 17 17 88 48 45 42 66 8 6 4 0 96.3 4.20 1.35 0.29
2013 STL 40 15 123 42 37 44 79 10 10 5 0 124.0 2.69 1.35 2.94
2012 STL 29 16 112 50 42 36 75 10 5 7 0 107.0 3.53 1.38 0.60

Calculated Market Value

$3.2M Avg. Annual Salary

Market Value

  • 1 years, $3,230,361
  • Avg. Salary: $3,230,361
  • MLB Rank: 280
  • RP Rank: 39

Current Contract

  • Free Agent: 2025
  • Avg. Salary: $8,000,000

Comparable Players

We've selected the following players based on their age, contract status, and statistical production to compare Joe Kelly to.

Player Length Value Avg. Salary Age When Signed
Caleb Thielbar 1 $3,225,000 $3,225,000 36
Luis Garcia 1 $4,250,000 $4,250,000 36
Ryan Brasier 2 $9,000,000 $4,500,000 36
Chris Martin 2 $13,500,000 $6,750,000 36
Averages 2 $7,493,750 $4,681,250 36.0

Base Calculated Value

After adjusting the above contracts as if signed at Kelly's current age (36), a linear regression is performed, providing us with the following initial value.

Length Value Avg. Salary
2 $10,495,000 $5,247,500

Statistical Comparisons

Now we'll compare our variables and Kelly statistically over the two seasons prior to their signing. In this case we're analyzing: GP/Yr, SV, ERA, WHIP, K/9, BB/9, FIP, WAR

Player GP/Yr SV ERA WHIP K/9 BB/9 FIP WAR
Caleb Thielbar
2022-2023
 51.50 0.01 3.36 1.05 11.35 2.24 3.44 0.83
Luis Garcia
2022-2023
 62.00 0.02 3.73 1.30 9.01 3.06 3.44 0.20
Ryan Brasier
2022-2023
 63.50 0.02 4.40 1.16 8.84 2.38 3.38 0.27
Chris Martin
2021-2022
 53.00 0.03 3.50 1.13 9.37 1.02 2.82 0.88
Average 57.50 0.02 3.75 1.16 9.64 2.18 3.27 0.55
Joe Kelly
2023-2024
 34.50 0.01 4.61 1.38 12.15 4.21 3.47 -0.32
Pct Change -40.00 -50.00 -22.93 -18.97 26.04 -93.12 -6.12 -158.18
Median Prime % Change -31.47%
Average Prime % Change -45.41%

Calculated Market Value: Joe Kelly

After applying our Prime % figures into our base calculated value, we're given two values. The average of these values becomes our current calculated market value.

Terms Avg. Salary
1 years, $3,230,361 $3,230,361

FEATURED PLAYER NEWS

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2025 MLB Offseason Contract Breakdowns

Spotrac details the largest free agent signings and contract extensions across MLB throughout the 2025 offseason. READ MORE

TRANSACTIONS

Dec 02, 2023
Signed a 1 year $8 million contract with Los Angeles (LAD)
Nov 05, 2023
Los Angeles (LAD) declined a $9.5 million option for 2024 ($1M buyout)
Jul 28, 2023
Traded to Los Angeles (LAD) from Chicago (CHW) with Lance Lynn for Nick Nastrini, Jordan Leasure and Trayce Thompson
Mar 12, 2022
Signed a 2 year $17 million contract with Chicago (CHW)
Nov 06, 2021
Los Angeles (LAD) declined a $12 million option for 2022
Jul 29, 2020
Suspended 5 games for intentionally throwing at Houston (HOU), forfeiting $234,936 in 2020 salary with Los Angeles (LAD)
Dec 13, 2018
Signed a 3 year $25 million contract with Los Angeles (LAD), including a $12M option for 2022
Apr 12, 2018
Suspended 6 games for his role in a brawl against New York (NYY), forfeiting $123,387 in 2018 salary with Boston (BOS)
Jan 12, 2018
Signed a 1 year $3.825 million contract with Boston (BOS), avoiding arbitration
Jan 13, 2017
Signed a 1 year $2.8 million contract with Boston (BOS), avoiding arbitration
Jan 15, 2016
Signed a 1 year $2.6 million contract with Boston (BOS), avoiding arbitration
Mar 08, 2015
Signed a 1 year $603k contract with Boston (BOS)
Jul 31, 2014
Traded to Boston (BOS) from St. Louis (STL) with Allen Craig for John Lackey, Corey Littrell and $1.75 million
Mar 03, 2014
Signed a 1 year $523,000 contract with St. Louis (STL)
Mar 01, 2013
Signed a 1 year $493k contract with St. Louis (STL)
Jun 10, 2012
Contract purchased by St. Louis (STL)
Jun 17, 2009
Signed a contract with St. Louis (STL)
Jun 09, 2009
Drafted by St. Louis (STL): Round 3 (#98 overall)

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