Dodgers include Kopech, Edman in 3-team deal
San Diego -At this time the Dodgers were relatively still as the Trade Deadline neared.
By Juan Toribio
July 30, 2024, 01:07 02:07
San Diego — Until this time the Dodgers were not very active until the Tuesday Trade Deadline neared. On Monday, however they landed two players they’ve desired.
In a huge three-team swap that included the White Sox and Cardinals, the Dodgers have landed utility player Tommy Edman and Minor League right-hander Oliver Gonzalez from St. Louis and right-handed pitcher Michael Kopech from the White Sox.
In the exchange of both players, the Dodgers swapped Miguel Vargas and prospects Jeral Perez and Alexander Albertus Alexander Albertus, both of whom were ranked in the top tier of L.A.’s Top 30 prospects according to MLB Pipeline, to the White Sox. Vargas was a graduate of the prospect list however, he was among the Dodgers most promising position players last season.
TRADING DETAILS
Cardinals get: RHP Erick Fedde and OF Tommy Pham, cash considerations
Dodgers receive: INF/OF Tommy Edman, RHP Michael Kopech, RHP Oliver Gonzalez
White Sox receive: INF/OF Miguel Vargas, INF prospect Jeral Perez (LAD No. 17 prospect), INF prospect Alexander Albertus (LAD No. 23 prospect) the player who will be identified later or cash considerations
In a separate deal later on Monday The Dodgers also purchased Amed Rosario, who was previously with the Rays. Rosario is returning for a second time at Los Angeles, who dealt to him to the Guardians in the last Trade Deadline. The Rays will get triple-A RHP Michael Flynn in return.
Finding Edman as well as Kopech was a top priority for the Dodgers because both players are expected to fulfill the immediate needs. Edman who hasn’t played since the start of the season and is hoping to return soon following a right ankle strain slight change in his rehab schedule the week before.
Edman stated that his scheduled game was at second base with the Cardinals Triple-A affiliate on Tuesday.
“I’m doing well,” Edman said Monday. “I’ve had a few weeks of rehabilitation in my back. Ankle is getting better and I’ll be evaluated as soon as I arrive in L.A. and then see what we can do next.”
If fit, Edman can help the Dodgers to make things better at shortstop as Mookie Betts or Miguel Rojas recover from injuries. If Betts or Rojas come back, Edman has the ability to play across the field and could get a chance to play at third base, second base, and as an outfielder in the corner.
In the offseason, Dodgers approached St. Louis regarding the possibility of buying Edman, the 2021 Gold Glove Award winner. Finding Edman is a goal to the Dodgers for a number of months. The team finally signed Edman California player on Monday.
Edman however has had a difficult time finding consistency in his plate play over the past four seasons. After a stellar rookie season, Edman has not had an OPS above .725 during any of the four years of his playing career. It is also to determine how well to play offensively following his right-hand surgery offseason, which kept him out of the starting lineup for the entire season of ’24. He’s under the control of the team until the end of the next season.
Kopech is, who is the opposite is a source of Dodgers another weapon of power within the bullpen. Kopech was a top-ranked prospect prior to making the switch to the bullpen at beginning of the season. He has seen a boost from the change with an impressive 4.74 ERA this season but striking out 59 batters across 43 1/3 innings.
The 28-year-old is within the 99th percentile for speed of his fastball and is at the bottom of the 90th percentile of expected batting average. The whiff percentage of his is at the 86th percentile, every aspect that Dodgers seek out when they evaluate an pitcher.
In the past few weeks, as the starting pitching not performing as the Dodgers were hoping, the team has relied on relievers extensively. The addition of Kopech will give the Dodgers an option that is needed and will be able to shield them from injuries in the coming two months.
After acquiring Edman and Kopech after acquiring Kopech and Edman, the Dodgers are now turning their attention to the pitching market. However, it’s not clear who will be available in for the next 24-hour period. White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet has been in the spotlight for some time however, the price may be too high for teams to take particularly in light of the reported claim that he’s not going to pitch in the postseason unless he is given an extension to his contract.
Tigers star Tarik Skubal has been the subject of much debate for the Dodgers however it will need a huge number of prospects and players to secure the current favourite to take home the American League Cy Young Award and is in the team’s control until in 2026’s season.
