Between Latos and Morse, the Marlins will save somewhere in the neighborhood of $14 million in salary through the end of 2016, plus the extra jet fuel it takes to fly 13 feet and 500 pounds’ worth of ballplayer around the country. As reported by Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Friday’s trade doesn’t mean the Dodgers won’t still pursue a top starter like David Price or Cole Hamels. Miami has other players they’re shopping, most notably Dan Haren, but received the young prospects their farm system needed to begin yet another rebuild.
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“The Marlins agreed to send the 6’6” righty to the Los Angeles Dodgers along with first baseman Mike Morse and a competitive balance pick in exchange for a package of prospects. Dodgers will have a deadly starting rotation with the addition of Latos, already having Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke. He has a 2.96 ERA in seven starts and 45 2/3 innings since coming back from a DL stint in mid-June.
While Latos struggled in the first half of the 2015MLB season for the Marlins, he’s pitched much better recently. He has hit four home runs, with 12 RBIs and a.214/.277/.314 slash line.
In return for dumping the salaries of both Latos and Morse, the Marlins will give up their number 34 draft pick, as noted by Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
It is unclear at this time what role Morse will fill as the Dodgers are covered at first base with Adrian Gonzalez and have a stacked outfield.
The value of the draft pick heading the Dodgers’ way shouldn’t be overlooked, because it’s basically a late first-round pick in the top 40 overall. They could flip Morse to another team or simply release him.
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Morse has had a awful season, but he will be a nice right-handed pinch-hitting option off the bench with his ability to hit the ball out of the ballpark. Strikeouts have been an issue for Morse though, with 121 last season in his 438 plate appearances.
