The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t make a splash during the Winter Meetings in Nashville, but the weekend brought about big news with Shohei Ohtani announcing he was signing a 10-year, $700 million contract with the team.
Ohtani signing with the Dodgers is all but a formality, though the deal is not yet official. Part of the delay is Ohtani needing to undergo a physical and the Dodgers also needing to create room on their 40-man roster as well.
That additionally applies to Joe Kelly, who agreed to a one-year contract for the 2024 season at the beginning of the month.
With the Dodgers needing to make room on their 40-man roster for the signings of Kelly and Ohtani, they are on the verge of completing a trade with the New York Yankees, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
Dodgers working on trade with Yankees to create spots on 40-man roster for Shohei Ohtani and Joe Kelly, sources tell @TheAthletic. Expectation is the Yankees will receive two 40-man players for a prospect not on their 40. Names not yet known.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 10, 2023
The Yankees are expected to receive a pitcher and Dodgers prospect in the trade, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post:
Can confirm @Ken_Rosenthal report, Yankees and Dodgers have a 2-for-1 trade agreed upon that enables LAD to clear 2 40-man roster spots for Joe Kelly/Ohtani. Heard the deal is in physical review. If goes expect NYY would trade a prospect for end of roster pitcher plus a prospect.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 10, 2023
Part of the Dodgers’ 40-man roster becoming full was due to decisions with their arbitration-eligible players and also protecting Nick Frasso, Landon Knack and Hunter Feduccia from potentially being taken in this year’s Rule 5 Draft.
Re-signing Jason Heyward was the most recent transaction the Dodgers officially completed, which brought their 40-man roster full.
Dodgers trade candidates
With the Dodgers looking to free up room on their 40-man roster and plenty of depth in the bullpen, Victor González could be a prime candidate to get traded to the Yankees. Bryan Hudson is another possibility and Gus Varland may be a Dodgers trade chip as well.
On the position player side, Jonny DeLuca would help solve the Yankees’ need for a defensive upgrade in their outfield in the wake of trading for Juan Soto.
Additional Dodgers prospects who could get traded include Michael Busch, Jorbit Vivas, Andy Pages and Ricky Vanasco. Though, Vanasco was re-signed this offseason to a Major League contract after joining the team on a Minor League deal earlier in the year.
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