Report: Dodgers, Yankees Working On Trade To Clear Roster Space
The Dodgers must make space on their 40-man roster for two-way star Shohei Ohtani and pitcher Joe Kelly. Both have been confirmed as free agent signings for the Dodgers, but they currently have no room to officially add either.
It appears the Dodgers will make space for Ohtani and Kelly by trading players off their 40-man roster to an American League East rival:
The trade is, in effect, a formality. The Dodgers had no intention of blocking Ohtani and Kelly’s path to a major league roster spot. The same cannot be said for players on the back of their 40-man roster, and the Dodgers’ 40-man roster presents several intriguing trade candidates.
The Dodgers recently promoted pitchers Nick Frasso and Landon Knack, and catcher Hunter Feduccia, to their 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 draft. While it’s possible any one of the three could be traded, it’s more likely the Dodgers intend to bring the three players to spring training to see what they have.
Infielder Jorbit Vivas and outfielder Andy Pages have yet to make their major league debuts, and it’s possible the Dodgers would free them to get their chance in New York.
Infielders Michael Busch and Miguel Vargas have been the subject of trade speculation all winter. While it’s possible the Dodgers could trade one or both in exchange for a highly-ranked prospect, rumors have focused on using Busch and/or Vargas to acquire a major-league starter.
Since the Dodgers can’t officially add Ohtani and Kelly to their 40-man roster without making a corresponding move, expect resolution on this trade rumor soon.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
How are you still here? Saw this trade reported elsewhere but now that you are on the story, I am skeptical anything is afoot.
Glad to read your explanation of recent events. Thanks for that. Rock on. Go Blue.
Come on Mojo, give it a rest. He already addressed and apologized for the whole thing. Half the stuff reported here is rumor and speculation and most of us understand that. The Friday report was not stated as absolute fact but that normally reliable sources had said this. And then of course it took on a life of it’s own! I didn’t take it as a done deal.
Nothing criminal, but the credibility of this site is pretty much junk. Its not so much that they way over-speculate and always get it wrong, its just that some speculations, like their interest in Trout, or their never-ending obsession with Arenado, are so obviously ridiculous to anyone who understands the dodgers method of operation, that to me it has become annoying. I know, nobody forces me to read it, I’m pretty much there, and I’m sure for them to me, its good riddance.
“The Friday report was not stated as absolute fact”
You have got to be joking Dave. Not sure if you work for JP or are him but when you start your article with “The wait is over: Shohei Ohtani is signing with the Toronto Blue Jays.” how else are you supposed to take that? Saying “it took on a life of it’s own!” is just gaslighting readers into thinking they spread misinformation themselves. Please give it a rest.
Come on Mojo, give it a rest. He already addressed and apologized for the whole thing. Half the stuff reported here is rumor and speculation and most of us understand that. The Friday report was not stated as absolute fact but that normally reliable sources had said this. And then of course it took on a life of it’s own! I didn’t take it as a done deal.
why don’t you read my latest?
Dave, See my post of 12:42 today.
Why make a trade like this to make roster space when they are planning to make a trade for a pitcher? Use the same players mentioned here and a couple others to trade for a pitcher and a rh corner outfielder.
PS I’m a different Dave than DaveW