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The Royals, White Sox, and Dodgers worked out a three-way trade on Thursday evening. Here is how it breaks down for each team.
- Dodgers get reliever Scott Alexander (from Royals) and infielder Jake Peter (from White Sox).
- Royals get pitcher Trevor Oaks (from Dodgers) and infielder Erick Mejia (from Dodgers).
- White Sox get Joakim Soria (from Royals), Luis Avilan (from Dodgers), and $3 million.
Even though the six players involved aren’t impact players, they do provide some changes, especially to the back end of all three bullpens. Here is a look at how each team is affected.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Scott Alexander (7.7 K/9, 2.48 ERA, 74% GB%) probably has the most impact of any player traded. While not a strikeout machine, his 74% GB% means the opposing team will often need three or four hits to get a run home while not hitting into a double play. He’s probably Kenley Jansen’s setup man. While Jansen has been reliable, Alexander could end up with some saves if Jansen suffered an injury.
Alexander likely bumps Tony Cingrani or Ross Stripling down the depth chart. Neither were great closing options.
As for Jake Peter, he looks to be a Triple-A middle infield option with a small chance of getting a major league call as a bench bat.
Kansas City Royals
With the trade, the Royals lost their top two setup men. Now, it seems like Brandon Mauer will set up closer Kelvin Herrera. Mauer, or whoever ends up being the setup man, has a reasonable chance for saves since the Royals may look at trading Herrera if they’re not in contention.
Trevor Oaks projects to be a back-of-the-rotation, groundball, control-type pitcher. After the trade, MLB.com slots him in as the No. 19 prospect in a weak Royals system.
Erick Mejia is an athletic middle infielder who stole 28 bags in the minors last year with a 9% BB%. He could be a decent source for steals if the 23-year-old gets a call to the bigs.
Chicago White Sox
Joakim Soria (3.70 ERA and 10.3 K/9 last season) and Luis Avilan (2.93 ERA and 10.2 K/9) add some much-needed depth to the White Sox’s bullpen. While Juan Minaya projects to close for the Sox, he’s not a lockdown arm. Soria or Avilan could get some saves if/when Minaya struggles or goes on the DL.
Previous Hot Stove Analysis
Rockies Fill Closer Vacancy with Wade Davis
Arizona Adds Bullpen Depth with Yoshihisa Hirano
Indians Fill First-Base Void with Yonder Alonso
Brewers Bolster Rotation with Jhoulys Chacin
Orioles Lose Zach Britton, Brad Brach Likely Closer
Giants Add Evan Longoria, Rays Create a Mess
Red Sox Bring Back Mitch Moreland
CC Sabathia Returns to Yankees
Dodgers-Braves Make Five-Player Trade
Angels in the Infield: Zack Cozart Signs with Los Angeles
Phillies Ink Carlos Santana to Three-Year Deal
Everyone’s Signing Relievers, But Who Will Close?
Cardinals Finally Get Their Marlins Outfielder
Cubs and Twins Gamble on Smyly and Pineda
Chase Headley Gets Dumped on Padres
Cubs and Cardinals Add Potential Closers
Giancarlo Stanton Joins Yankees
Welington Castillo Inks Deal with White Sox
Potential Closers Traded: Boxberger and Johnson