Dodgers: Everything you need to know about the three-team trade
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Dodgers pulled off another sneakily good trade on Thursday. Here is everything you need to know about the three-team deal.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been relatively quiet this offseason. When they do make moves though, they often come without any prior speculation and showcase the front office’s sneakily good ability to find gems. The Dodgers three-team deal with the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals was no different.
Los Angeles agreed to terms with Kansas City and Chicago that accomplished various different things for each of the three teams. The White Sox received Luis Avilan from the Dodgers and Joakim Soria from the Royals; both veteran relievers.
Kansas City received Trevor Oaks and Erick Mejia from the Dodgers; both of which were in the Dodgers farm system; Oaks a AAA starting pitcher, Mejia a utility infielder who spent most of his time in AA last season.
What the Dodgers received in the deals trumps what they gave. Los Angeles acquired Scott Alexander and Jake Peter; Alexander a left-handed bullpen arm and Peter a big league ready minor league infielder.
These guys may not be household names to many, but Dodger fans should be more than excited for this deal. Thus, here is everything you need to know about the three-team trade.
The Dodgers kept at their luxury tax agenda
The ultimate goal for the Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason has been to not pay luxury tax fines. This is the same motive that stopped the team from going after Giancarlo Stanton – it is the same motive that influenced the team to reacquire Matt Kemp from the Atlanta Braves.
Over the last five seasons, the Dodgers have paid $113.5 million just in luxury tax fines. Because they are multiple time offenders, the Dodgers must pay at a 50% rate for any payroll that is over the $197 million threshold in 2018.
Right now, the Dodgers are looking at $157 million in payroll. However, that number will natural creep back up towards $197 once arbitration salaries come into effect.
Los Angeles managed to free up more salary cap space with this deal; something the Kansas City Royals were also trying to accomplish. In the deal, the Dodgers freed up $2 million in cap space. While it may not be a significant number on the surface, it offsets the $2 million the team is set to pay new reliever Tom Koehler next season.