The Los Angeles Dodgers traded Caleb Ferguson to the New York Yankees in exchange for left-handed pitcher Matt Gage and right-handed pitching prospect Christian Zazueta Jr.
Gage made five appearances for the Houston Astros last season, striking out eight batters in 6.2 innings. He has been in the Majors for parts of two seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays (2022) and Astros (2023), allowing four runs in 19.2 innings for a 1.83 ERA with 20 strikeouts.
In nine Minor League seasons, the 30-year-old is a combined 47-44 with a 4.22 ERA with 663 strikeouts in 777 innings. He was originally drafted in the 10th round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants out of Siena College.
Zazueta pitched in 12 games for the Dominican Summer League Yankees last season, making 12 starts and allowing 19 runs in 52 innings while striking out 50. He went 3-2 and posted a 3.29 ERA and limited batters to a .211 batting average against.
The Navajoa, Sonora, Mexico native spent two seasons with the DSL Yankees, recording a 3-5 record with a 4.54 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 73.1 innings.
The 19-year-old is the son of Mexican League standout Christian Zazueta, who completed his 19th season in the Mexican League with Veracruz last year. He was signed by the Yankees on January 17, 2022 as an international free agent.
Ferguson went 7-4 with a 3.43 ERA last season in 68 games for the Dodgers. He posted career-highs in wins, losses, innings pitched (60.1), strikeouts (70), saves (3) and starts (7) as he finished his fifth campaign with Los Angeles.
In parts of five seasons, he went a combined 18-9 with a 3.43 ERA and 247 strikeouts in 207.1 innings.
The left-hander experienced some ups and downs during his time in L.A., which included missed time with Tommy John Surgery and some struggles in the second half of 2023. However, he was also arguably their best left-handed reliever over the past few seasons.
One of the factors behind the Dodgers trading Ferguson likely was team control. Ferguson is due to become a free agent after the 2024 season and with five years of Major League service time, cannot be optioned to the Minors without approving it.
Gage has one option year remaining but has yet to go through the arbitration process and won’t reach free agency until 2030.
Dodgers re-sign Ryan Brasier
Following the report of the Ferguson trade, the Dodgers also agreed to terms with Ryan Brasier on a new two-year contract, according to multiple reports.
Because Gage will take a spot on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers will still need to clear space for Brasier to officially be signed.
Starting Thursday, the Dodgers can begin placing players on the 60-day injured list, with Tony Gonsolin, Nick Frasso and Dustin May expected to be placed on it.
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