The Braves are on the verge of consummating a 3-team, 12-player trade that will send starting pitcher Alex Wood, relievers Jim Johnson and Luis Avilan and infield prospect Jose Peraza to the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to multiple reports.
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The Miami Marlins gave up Michael Morse and his now dead-weight salary along with promising starter Mat Latos to the Los Angeles Dodgers, but with no money paid, chances are the Fish will not receive much in return. The Atlanta Braves will also send Alex Wood, Bronson Arroyo, Luis Avilan, Jim Johnson and Jose Peraza to Los Angeles.
The Marlins will get minor league pitchers Jeff Brigham, Kevin Guzman and Victor Araujo from the Dodgers.
The Braves also get the Marlins’ Competitive Balance Round A pick, now pick No. 35, in the deal.
But, bottom line, the Marlins wanted to dump those salaries and get some prospects back with the hope that at least one of those three pitchers develops into a major-leaguer or a usable trade chip.
Clinging to a half-game lead over San Francisco, the Dodgers acquired right-hander Mat Latos from the Marlins and left-hander Alex Wood from the Braves, two pitchers who can move right into the rotation behind aces Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke.
Morse, who is signed through 2016, is hitting. Peraza was as a top prospect in the Atlanta organization, and he assume that title in the Los Angeles organization, too. The Dodgers also add Johnson to the bullpen, a reliever who did well for the Braves after struggling greatly with the Tigers in 2014.
The deadline for making trades without waivers is 4 p.m. today, and the Braves may not be done.
If Latos has his head on straight and pitches like he did from 2010 to 2013, the Dodgers could ride their rotation deep into October.
With two vacant roster spots following the trade, Hill said Donovan Solano would be reinstated from the paternity list Friday, and that the team would discuss how to fill the other.
Olivera was someone the Braves wanted badly during the offseason, but they weren’t able to come close to what the Dodgers were offering. Morse can play both left field and first base. A short DL stint in late May appears to have reinvigorated his arm, especially his velocity and bite on his off-speed stuff.
Moments later, Morse was summoned away by Latos, presumably to get the word from the Marlins that they were gone. He is 3-3 this year with a 5.40 ERA in High Class-A ball. The Dodgers will have control of Wood’s contract for a few more years, but Latos is a free agent after this year.
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Olivera received a $28 million signing bonus and $2 million for 2015, so the Braves would be responsible for far less than the overall total. He now is sidelined by a left hamstring injury. Los Angeles will assume all of the remainder of both Latos’ and Morse’s salaries, according to reports.
