The Los Angeles Dodgers have been among the more active clubs under president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Farhan Zaidi. The duo has not only focused on upgrading the Major League roster, but also depth throughout the organization.
That factor, coupled with the Dodgers’ needs and desire to win now, had many expecting the team to be active prior to, and after, the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline. Los Angeles acquired Rich Hill and Josh Reddick from the Oakland Athletics, and continued working the phones into August.
Considering their previous efforts to trade Yasiel Puig, some believed the Dodgers would put the 25-year-old outfielder on waivers and attempt to negotiate a deal if he was claimed. Puig was indeed placed on revocable waivers last month, and he was claimed by multiple teams.
Based on waiver-wire rules, the Milwaukee Brewers were awarded the claim on the mercurial outfielder. They reportedly attempted to work a trade with Ryan Braun and Puig involved.
More details have since emerged as the Dodgers reportedly included Brandon McCarthy in trade talks that went up to the key deadline at the end of August, per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com:
According to a source, one scenario would have netted the Brewers Puig and two prospects along with pitcher Brandon McCarthy, whose departing contract would have helped offset the Dodgers’ luxury tax hit for adding Braun. The source said Braun remained at Miller Park with some teammates after the Brewers’ Aug. 31 game against the Pirates while the Brewers and Dodgers continued talks up to 11:59 p.m. ET — a minute before the Trade Deadline to acquire players and have them eligible for the postseason. In the end, they simply ran out of time.
Unlike Puig, Braun went unclaimed on waivers. That comes as little surprise as he’s owed $76 million over the next four years. For McCarthy to have been shopped is also an indication he too cleared waivers.
McCarthy has two years and $20 million remaining on his contract after this season. He pitched well in four starts after returning from Tommy John surgery but suffered a hip injury that’s compromised his command and results.
Meanwhile, Braun is batting .308/.370/.539 with 22 doubles, 26 home runs, 81 RBI, .379 wOBA and 134 wRC+. He ranks among the top hitting outfielders in recent seasons and would have been an answer to the Dodgers’ search for a right-handed hitter to combat lefties.
It’s certainly plausible, if not probable, the Brewers and Dodgers will revisit talks come the offseason when they’ll have more time and options to hammer a trade out.
