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MLB Trade: Dodgers, Braves, and Marlins complete three-team blockbuster

By Kyle Franzoni

Jul 27, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Alex Wood (40) throws a pitch in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 27, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Alex Wood (40) throws a pitch in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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As the MLB Trade Deadline approaches, the Marlins, Braves, and Dodgers got together on a 12-player deal.

As teams continue to try and beat the MLB Trade Deadline, the flurry of activity will only increase as the 4:00pm Eastern deadline approaches on Friday afternoon. If Wednesday night’s volume was any suggestion, Friday is going to come with a bang and may rock the MLB landscape.

Next: 5 teams that could shape the MLB Trade Deadline

And like Wednesday, it may leave a few heads shaking while wondering just happened.

An initial deal was agreed upon between the Marlins and Dodgers that would have sent Mat Latos, Mike Morse, and a competive balance to the L.A. for a pitching prospect or two. It was the classic cost-cutting deal that Marlins specialize in, built more around shedding a salary (Morse) that the team had made a mistake in handing out in the first place than in landing a premium prospect in return for Latos.

Of course, it had to fall through due to medicals.

Well, that wasn’t the end of the deal though, as both the Marlins and Dodgers appeared motivated to get something done. It just took a third team to get everything done, with the Atlanta Braves joining the mix and turning it from a three-player swap to a twelve-player bonanza.

As originally reported, the Dodgers will in fact receive Mat Latos and Michael Morse from the Miami Marlins. Los Angeles will also receive highly-regarded second base prospect Jose Peraza, starter Alex Wood, and relievers Jim Johnson and Luis Avilan from the Atlanta Braves. The Marlins will receive three pitching prospects from the Dodgers in Kevin Guzman, Jeff Brigham, and Victor Araujo. Going to Atlanta will be prized Cuban infielder Hector Olivera, lefty Paco Rodriguez, and prospect Zachary Bird (Dodgers #15) from Los Angeles, while the Braves will also acquire the Marlins’ #35 overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft (Competive Balance A Round).

This deal works extremely well for the Dodgers, who essentially used their financial swing in order to buy out Morse’s deal and add Latos for next to nothing, while also flipping a surplus piece in Olivera – albeit an expensive one – to land two quality starters, a pair of capable set-up men for the bullpen, and a solid middle infield prospect in Peraza. And they did it without having to touch a single prospect within the club’s top 10. Latos will be a rental, but in acquiring Wood, they land a solid mid-rotation arm that is still pre-arbitration eligible and under team control through 2019.

Meanwhile the Braves get Olivera, and infielder they were competitive in bidding for last winter, but without having to pay the signing bonus for him. He’s received a late start to his minor league career, but has looked solid in his first 19 games by slashing .348/.392/.493 with a pair of home runs and seven RBI. Whether the Braves keep the 30-year-old Cuban in the minor leagues or immediately promote him remains to be seen, as does the position he’ll likely play in Atlanta.

The Braves also get a pair of arms in the deal. Rodriguez has been a steady reliever over parts of four seasons with the Dodgers, and owns a lifetime ERA of 2.53, an FIP of 2.98, and a K/9 ratio of 9.6 over 124 appearances. Zachary Bird was the Dodgers’ #15 prospect in the most recent MLB.com rankings. Bird can stretch his fastball into the high-90’s and also has the makings of a decent curve, slider, and change-up. However, control has not been a friend to the 21-year-old and he’s averaged 4.7 BB/9 over his minor league career.

As mentioned for the Marlins, this deal was all about shedding Michael Morse’s contract, which had 1+ year and $11.28 million remaining. In order to do so they moved a pitcher that others had been rumored in seeking (Latos) AND gave up a competitive balance pick. In return, they land three fringe prospects, none of which ranked within the the Dodgers’ top 30.

In this deal, the Dodgers become big winners, getting the pitching they needed while also holding on to bigger chips to potentially land David Price. The Braves also manage to get a bit better by also dealing from a surplus (pitching). Meanwhile, Marlins fans are left to scratch their heads again as to what direction this team is truly going in and if their front office truly has a plan that stretches any further than day-to-day.

Next: Baseball's Untouchable Prospects at the MLB Trade Deadline

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