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    Dodgers add Tommy Edman, Michael Kopech in three-team trade
    • July 29, 2024

    The Dodgers made a three-team trade they hope will help them in at least two ways.

    On one leg of the deal, they acquired switch-hitting utilityman Tommy Edman from the St. Louis Cardinals. On the other, they added right-handed reliever Michael Kopech from the Chicago White Sox. The Dodgers also received 17-year-old right-hander Oliver Gonzalez who is currently pitching in the Dominican Summer League.

    In exchange, they gave up Miguel Vargas, once considered the top prospect in the Dodgers’ system, and two infielders from Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, Jeral Perez and Alexander Albertus. Both Perez and Albertus were ranked among the Dodgers’ top 20 prospects by Baseball America. Perez appeared in the All-Star Futures Game earlier this month.

    Also in the deal, the St. Louis Cardinals acquired right-handed starter Erick Fedde and outfielder Tommy Pham.

    In Edman, the Dodgers add a former Gold Glove winner (at second base in 2021) who was also a finalist in 2022 and 2023 when a utility position was added to the award – but one who hasn’t played a major-league game in 2024.

    Edman had surgery on his right wrist last October and missed the first half of this season while recovering. He began a rehab assignment in Double-A earlier this month but his return was pushed back when he suffered a sprained ankle while doing defensive drills. He resumed his rehab assignment after the All-Star break and has played eight games – but only as a DH.

    When healthy, Edman is an excellent defender who has played six positions – second and third base, shortstop and all three outfield positions. He could fill in at shortstop until Miguel Rojas returns or give the Dodgers another option in the outfield with Vargas traded and neither James Outman nor Andy Pages providing consistent offense.

    Edman represents an upgrade over Chris Taylor (who is currently on the Injured List) and Kiké  Hernandez (batting .204 in 80 games this season) who have not been productive offensively in utility roles this season. As a switch-hitter, Edman has been slightly better batting left-handed.

    In Kopech, the Dodgers add a hard-throwing right-hander who converted from starter to reliever full time this season.

    The 33rd overall pick in the 2014 draft, Kopech threw a pitch 105 mph in Class-A in 2016 and was a key part of the trade package the Boston Red Sox sent to Chicago for Chris Sale that year. Kopech made the majors for four starts in 2018 but missed the rest of that season and all of 2019 recovering from Tommy John surgery then skipped the 2020 season during the COVID pandemic.

    In the White Sox rotation for the most part in 2022 and 2023, he went 10-21 with a 4.52 ERA and led the American League in walks last season when he had a 5.43 ERA. Moved to the bullpen this season, Kopech’s fastball has averaged 98.5 mph and he struck out 59 in 43 ⅔ innings but his ERA was 4.74.

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    He joins a bullpen that has been breaking under a heavy workload recently with Evan Phillips, in particular, struggling. Over the past 11 games, the Dodgers’ bullpen has a 6.16 ERA.

    Neither Edman nor Kopech can become a free agent until after the 2025 season. Edman signed a two-year contract in January that will pay him $7 million this season and $9.5 million in 2025. Kopech will be arbitration eligible for the final time this offseason.

    ALSO

    The Dodgers also traded right-hander Ricky Vanasco to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for cash considerations. Vanasco was designated for assignment last week. Vanasco made two relief appearances with the Dodgers this season, his first major league action.

    UP NEXT

    Dodgers (RHP Tyler Glasnow, 8-6, 3.47 ERA) at Padres (RHP Matt Waldron, 6-9, 3.64 ERA), Tuesday, 6:40 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM

    ​ Orange County Register 

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