It’s taken two days to get done — as trades involving 13 players typically do — but the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and Miami Marlins have completed a blockbuster trade, according to ESPN’s Jim Bowden.
LAD get Latos,Wood,Avilan,Johnson, Peraza, Morse, Arroyo ATL get Olivera,Rodriguez,draft pick,Bird FL save16-18m, Araujo,Guzman,Brigham DONE
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowden_ESPN) July 30, 2015
The key pieces acquired by the Dodgers are Mat Latos of the Marlins and Alex Wood of the Braves. The Dodgers were in need of starting pitching depth behind Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke. Latos was 4-7 with a 4.47 ERA in his first season in Miami, but had a 3.31 ERA over the previous three seasons with the Cincinnati Reds. Wood, the second-round pick out of the University of Georgia, has a 21-20 record but 3.10 ERA in 86 career games. The 2015 season has been his first season working exclusively as a starter, and he has posted a 3.54 ERA in 20 starts. The left-hander changes speeds effectively and moves the ball well in the zone. The Dodgers’ package is also highlighted by Jim Johnson, who is in the midst of a resurgent season, top prospect Jose Peraza, and Michael Morse, who could provide some pop off the bench.
Atlanta receives Cuban infielder Hector Olivera. The Braves pursued Olivera this offseason, but he ultimately elected to sign with the Dodgers. Olivera is signed to a six-year, $62.5 million deal. In 19 games this season, the 30-year-old has batted .348/.392/.493 with two home runs. The Dodgers had already advanced him to Triple-A, and he could be ready for a September callup. The Braves also receive relief pitcher Paco Rodriguez, who has a 2.53 ERA in 124 career games, prospect Zachary Bird, and a draft pick from the Marlins.
The Marlins will not receive a player already in the Major Leagues. They receive pitchers Kevin Guzman, Jeff Brigham, and Victor Araujo, none of whom have advanced beyond the Double-A level. In addition to the prospects, the Marlins will save $16 to $18 million by shedding the contracts of Latos and Morse.
On the whole, this trade is a win for all parties involved. The Dodgers receive two starters in Latos and Wood who will slot into their rotation behind Kershaw and Greinke, and will have control of Wood through the 2020 season. There had been initial speculation that the Dodgers would try to flip Wood in return for David Price, but with Price going to Toronto, that is out of the question. The Braves get the player in Olivera that they coveted this winter, and the Marlins save money on Morse, a player who did not appear likely to live up to his contract.
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