San Diego Padres add another late inning arm in Keone Kela

The San Diego Padres have continued to be busy in their quest to overtake the Dodgers. They had added to their bullpen on Friday by signing Mark Melancon, adding a proven weapon in the ninth inning to their relief corps. But one had a sense that they would not be content with just making that one addition.

On Sunday, the Padres brought in another arm. They have signed Keone Kela, a move that had originally been announced by Kela on his Instagram.

San Diego Padres keep pace with Keone Kela

There is a degree of risk in this signing for San Diego. Kela made just three appearances in 2020, missing time due to a positive COVID test and a later trek to the Injured List due to forearm tightness.

When healthy, he provides the Padres with another potential option for the ninth inning. Kela has posted a 3.24 ERA and a 1.122 WHiP in his 216.2 innings, striking out 266 batters with 83 walks. He did reasonably well in his one stint as a closer, notching 24 saves in 25 chances for Texas in 2018.

But there is risk with Kela that goes beyond the diamond. He has been suspended twice in 2019, receiving a ten game ban for instigating a brawl when he threw at Derek Dietrich, and a two game suspension from the Pirates after an altercation with one of their coaches.

Perhaps a change of scenery will make a difference. It is clear that Kela and the Pirates were not a good mix, although he was acquired with the idea that the team would contend in 2019. Heading to a team that is not just expected to contend for a postseason berth, but is one of the favorites to reach the World Series, could make a difference.

The San Diego Padres are continuing to add to their bullpen. Keone Kela is the latest piece as they are putting together a late inning buzzsaw.