Dodgers’ Interest in Joe Kelly Has Fans Frantic About Team’s Shohei Ohtani Pursuit

The Dodgers’ potential reunion with Joe Kelly created some irrational reaction from fans over the team’s pursuit of Shohei Ohtani.

The Dodgers are looking to bring back a familiar face. 

Los Angeles is “finalizing” an agreement on a contract with relief pitcher Joe Kelly, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Robert Murray of FanSided first reported that the sides were nearing an agreement.

The Dodgers and Joe Kelly are finalizing a one-year deal, per source. @bradfo and @JonHeyman were on it.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 2, 2023

But not all Dodgers fans were excited for the reunion, as news of the potential Kelly signing sent fans into a panic regarding the team's potential pursuit of top free agent Shohei Ohtani, who has been a rumored target of Los Angeles’s for over a year now. 

Surely there was a good reason for this panic? 

Joe Kelly wears the number Shohei wears https://t.co/umWt9kMOIK pic.twitter.com/NAZ0uIOkvx

— kenough of this (@j_fx201) December 2, 2023

Wow the Dodgers must know they're out on Ohtani so they're pivoting to Joe Kelly that's wild https://t.co/7ijpxg0oQP

— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) December 2, 2023

Wait…. Joe Kelly’s number is 17 and Ohtani wears 17 on the angels … pic.twitter.com/XN8kASrPFb

— Jeremy (@YungJeremy33461) December 2, 2023

Fans instantly jumped to conclusions, imagining that the Dodgers’ signing of Kelly, who wore number 17 during his first stint with the team, rules them out of the Ohtani sweepstakes, given that the two-way superstar wears the same number. One fan had it all figured out, though. 

Joe Kelly signing to claim #17 before Ohtani does is very smart. He will definitely capitalize $$$ on it

— Michael (@Wittman7) December 2, 2023

In this scenario, not only does Kelly cash in on a one-year deal with the Dodgers, but he adds to his riches by selling the jersey number to Ohtani. 

In all seriousness, the Dodgers, who are reportedly still in the mix for the star, could either have Ohtani or Kelly simply wear a different number. A jersey number mix-up won’t stop L.A. from bringing in Ohtani, who won his second American League MVP award this year. 

Fret not, Dodgers fans.