San Diego The Dodgers have remained mostly silent as Tuesday’s Trade Deadline drew closer. However, they made a move on Monday and acquired two players they had long desired.
The Dodgers acquired right-hand pitcher Michael Kopech from the White Sox, utilityman Tommy Edman, and Minor League right-hander Oliver Gonzalez from St. Louis as part of a huge three-team transaction with the White Sox and Cardinals.
The Dodgers sent prospects Jeral Perez and Alexander Albertus, who were both listed in L.A.’s Top 30 Prospects by MLB Pipeline, as well as Miguel Vargas to the White Sox in exchange for both players. Vargas was one of the Dodgers’ best position prospects last season, but he had graduated from the prospect lists.
TRADES PRICING INFORMATION
RHP Erick Fedde, OF Tommy Pham, and financial considerations are received by the Cardinals.
Dodgers are sent RHP Oliver Gonzalez, RHP Michael Kopech, and INF/OF Tommy Edman.
INF/OF Miguel Vargas, INF prospect Alexander Albertus (LAD No. 23 prospect), INF prospect Jeral Perez (LAD No. 17 prospect), and a player to be named later or monetary considerations are received by the White Sox.
Amed Rosario was also acquired by the Dodgers from the Rays in a different transaction later on Monday. Returning for a second stint, Rosario was traded by Los Angeles from the Guardians at the previous year’s Trade Deadline. Triple-A RHP Michael Flynn will be sent to the Rays in exchange.
The Dodgers made acquiring Edman and Kopech a top priority since both players are anticipated to start right away. Edman, who has missed the whole season due to a sprained right ankle, is hoping to return soon after his rehabilitation assignment was somewhat disrupted last week.
According to Edman, the Cardinals’ Triple-A club had him playing second base on Tuesday.
“I feel good,” Edman said on Monday. “I’ve completed a few weeks of inpatient treatment. Ankle is feeling better, so when I travel to Los Angeles, I’ll be reevaluated and we can discuss our options.
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When healthy, Edman can help the Dodgers make up ground at shortstop as Miguel Rojas and Mookie Betts recuperate from their respective illnesses. Edman can play all over the diamond and will get time at second base, third base, and as a corner outfielder until Betts and/or Rojas return.
The Dodgers spoke with St. Louis about a possible trade for the 2021 Gold Glove Award winner over the summer. The Dodgers have spent months trying to land Edman. On Monday, they finally got the native Californian.
Over the last four seasons, however, Edman has found it difficult to stay consistent at the bat. Edman has not finished with an OPS above.725 in any of his past four seasons, after an impressive debut year. His offensive readiness is also unknown after surgery on his right wrist over the summer, which has kept him out of the starting lineup for the entire ’24 campaign. Until the conclusion of the next season, he is under team control.
Conversely, Kopech provides the Dodgers with a another strong arm in the bullpen. With a 4.74 ERA this season and 59 strikeouts in 43 2/3 innings, the former top prospect has profited from his shift to the bullpen at the beginning of the season.
The 28-year-old’s predicted batting average against is in the 89th percentile and his fastball velocity is in the 99th percentile. The Dodgers search for pitchers who fall into the 86th percentile in all three categories, including whiff percentage.
The Dodgers have relied a lot on their relievers over the last several weeks as their starting pitching hasn’t performed as the team had hoped. The Dodgers now have a much-needed alternative in Kopech, who might help guard against injuries over the next two months.
The Dodgers will now concentrate on the starting pitching market after acquiring Edman and Kopech, but it’s uncertain who will be available over the next 24 hours. Garrett Crochet, the left-hander for the White Sox, has been a target for weeks, but a club may not be able to meet his asking price, given that Crochet has reportedly said that he would not pitch in the playoffs without a contract extension.
The Dodgers have also been talking a lot about Tigers ace Tarik Skubal. However, the current favourite to win the American League Cy Young Award, who is under club control until the 2026 season, would need to be defeated by an overpowering combination of players and prospects.