After a relatively quiet beginning to the offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers completed a five-player trade this week, sending Adrian Gonzalez, Brandon McCarthy, Scott Kazmir, Charlie Culberson and cash considerations to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Matt Kemp.
The move was made by the Dodgers in order to get below the luxury tax threshold in 2018. Gonzalez ($22 million), McCarthy ($12 million) and Kazmir ($16 million) are all on expiring contracts. The Dodgers did take significant salary back with Kemp, who still has two years and $43 million on his deal.
But, his second stint with the team may not last long as Los Angeles reportedly is attempting to trade the 33-year-old.
The players who were traded away had great memories while with the Dodgers, as they were all part of multiple division-winning teams. Gonzalez and Culberson both took to Twitter to thank the organization and fans in recent days.
Upon returning from vacation, McCarthy delivered a similar message via Twitter:
The Dodgers were a truly wonderful organization from top to bottom and it will forever be one of the great honors of my life to have worn that jersey.
— Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) December 20, 2017
The Dodgers originally signed McCarthy to a four-year, $48 million deal in December 2014. He made just four starts before undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery.
McCarthy was productive in his first full year back from the surgery, as in 19 games (16 starts) this year, he went 6-4 with a 3.98 ERA, 3.28 FIP and 1.25 WHIP. McCarthy struck out 72 and walked 27 in 92.2 innings of work.
With the Braves rotation being filled with young arms, McCarthy should provide a veteran presence and if he has a strong season, could draw some interest in free agency a year from now.
