The Los Angeles Dodgers were close to acquiring Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman at the Winter Meetings, but the deal was put on hold as Chapman is currently being investigated by Major League Baseball for an alleged domestic violence incident in October.
On Wednesday, the Dodgers and Reds managed to complete a trade, which also included the Chicago White Sox.
The Dodgers sent prospects Brandon Dixon, Jose Peraza and Scott Schebler to Cincinnati, with All-star third baseman Todd Frazier being sent to the White Sox.
The Dodgers received White Sox prospects Micah Johnson, Frankie Montas and Trayce Thompson.
According to Jon Heyman of CBS, the Reds coveted Peraza, as the utility man was part of the Chapman trade:
reds love peraza. he was part of the chapman deal that was called off.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 16, 2015
The Dodgers acquired Peraza at the 2015 trade deadline in the three-team deal with the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins.
The speedy second-baseman batted a combined .293 with four home runs, 42 RBIs and 33 stolen bases between Triple-A Oklahoma (Dodgers organization) and Triple-A Gwinnett (Braves organization).
The 21 year old was called up to the Majors by the Dodgers shortly after the trade, and in 22 at-bats he hit .182 with one RBI and three stolen bases. Peraza’s season came to an early finish due to a hamstring injury.
With Howie Kendrick unlikely to be re-signed, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman identified Peraza as an option to start at second base next season. He may instead get the opportunity to fill that role for the Reds as they are on the verge of trading Brandon Phillips to the Washington Nationals.
