Latos was initially linked to a trade that sent just him and Mike Morse to the Dodgers, but that was put on held for what’s now been revealed as a 13-player, three-team trade.
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When Olivera was first added to this blockbuster, it shocked many and sparked what is now an even bigger deal that it was initially, growing the trade to a point where completion may be on the horizon.
Jose Peraza, INF-OF, Braves to Dodgers: The best-known traditional prospect involved, Peraza is a 21-year-old Venezuelan hitting.294/.318/.379 in 96 games for Gwinnett in the Triple-A global League. Still, at only 27 and finishing a contract year, he is a low-risk option that didn’t take much to pick up in terms of player cost, and still represents an improvement over the platoon of Carlos Frias and a rehabbing Brandon Beachy in the rotation’s 5-hole as they gear up for a stretch run with the San Francisco Giants only a half-game back in the NL West a day before the trade deadline.
The other issue is with the starting pitcher, Wood.
Latos likely will pitch for the Dodgers on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels.
Originally drafted in the second round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Florida, Rodriguez made his Major League debut that season, pitching in 11 games for the Dodgers.
In the deal, the Braves are receiving 30 year old 3B Hector Olivera who was signed out of Cuba last year on a 6 year, $62 million deal by the Dodgers.
Miami’s motivation was to dump salary, and the Marlins will receive significant salary relief (more than $14 million) as a result of the deal. But the rest of it – $32.5 million for 2016-20 – now belongs to the Atlanta Braves. Going to the Braves will be Hector Olivera, Paco Rodriguez and Zack Bird. With more than $28 million of that shaved off the top, Atlanta’s front office clearly felt the price was right. The Braves were said to highly covet him, but could not afford to bid against the Dodgers for his services. Olivera’s bat is what has interested the Braves the most, although he certainly comes with a certain amount of risk given his age and his injury history. The 24-year-old has been on the shelf since the end of May, and he is on the 60-day DL, following surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow.
Though there are bound to be some rocky moments over the closing months of the season, the Braves are happy to embrace the role of spoiler and try to improve as they focus on 2016.
The dealing of Wood comes as particularly stunning.
Atlanta can also say that it added a bit by subtraction.
Latos would provide Los Angeles with a veteran No. 3 starter behind All-Stars Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke and also should fortify a Dodgers rotation that has been ravaged by injuries. Both Morse and Arroyo have little value for L.A. More than anything, they’re eating the money for the Braves and Marlins. It’s clear John Hart and company like extra picks.
Atlanta gave up a lot in the deal. But as valuable as that is, the key to this is how productive Olivera can be, and how quickly. The Marlins will receive three minor-leaguers, the Miami Herald reported.
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For Los Angeles, this trade seems to be mostly about pitching depth.
