With the Milwaukee Brewers having already traded Hunter Renfroe to the Los Angeles Angels, speculation involving Kolten Wong began to quickly gain steam.
The Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly had interest in Wong, and a potential trade was going to encompass the team still signing a top shortstop and also moving Gavin Lux to third base. The scenario was a curious one at best, but presumably could have also stemmed from the Dodgers’ reported interest in Willy Adames.
While the Dodgers have more of a need at shortstop, possibly acquiring Wong has already been ruled out.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Brewers traded Wong to the Seattle Mariners for Jesse Winker and Abraham Toro:
Mariners acquiring Kolten Wong from Brewers for Jesse Winker and Abraham Toro, sources tell @TheAthletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 2, 2022
The deal also includes the the Mariners receiving $1.75 million in cash considerations, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan:
The Seattle Mariners and Milwaukee Brewers are finalizing a trade that will send outfielder Jesse Winker and infielder Abraham Toro to the Brewers for second baseman Kolten Wong and around $1.75 million in cash, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. It’s at the finish line.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 2, 2022
Wong is coming off a bit of a down season both at the plate and in the field. He batted .251/.339/.430 with 24 doubles, 15 home runs and 47 RBI over 134 games, and tied a career worst with 17 errors.
Despite Wong’s shortcomings this year, the Brewers exercised their $10 million team option for 2023 rather than paying a $2 million buyout.
Similarly, Winker was affected by injuries and had a down year after an All-Star season with the Cincinnati Reds in 2021. In his first year with the Mariners, Winker batted .219/.344/.344 with 15 doubles, 14 home runs and 53 RBI.
Toro is just 25 years old but has yet to meet expectations and is now set to play for a third team in his young career.
Dodgers lose Chris Martin in free agency
The Dodgers finalized the signing of Shelby Miller to a one-year contract, but they weren’t able to retain Chris Martin as he reportedly agreed to join the Boston Red Sox on a two-year, $17.5 million deal.
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