Dodgers acquire catcher Shawn Zarraga from Brewers

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers acquired minor league catcher Shawn Zarraga from the Brewers on Thursday in exchange for outfielder Matt Long and pitcher Jarret Martin. Long was acquired on Thursday from the Angels as the player to be named later in the trade of catcher Drew Butera to the Angels on Dec. 9.

Zarraga, who turns 26 in January, hit .309/.416/.389 with 18 doubles and one home run between Double-A Huntsville and Triple-A Nashville in 2014. He was promoted to Triple-A in late June, but after hitting .213/.304/.255 (10-for-47) in 17 games was demoted back to Double-A for the final month of the season.

In the last three years, the switch-hitting Zarraga has hit .314/.414/.404 as a left-handed batter and .263/.325/.350 from the right side. Here is video proof of his existence from July, with Nashville:

After nine passed balls in only 44 games behind the plate in Double-A in 2013, Zarraga improved to two passed balls in 67 games in 2014, and threw out 16 of 47 runners trying to steal (34.0 percent).

Zarraga was drafted by the Brewers in the 44th round in the 2007 draft. He is not on the 40-man roster, but will add to the catching depth in the organization, which is razor thin.

Martin, 25, was 1-1 with a 3.29 ERA in 46 games for Double-A Chattanooga in 2014, with seven saves. He struck out 64 batters in 54⅔ innings, but also walked 48 and the left-hander was passed over by the Dodgers for a September promotion to the big club.

"I was falling off the mound on the side, which I had never done in my career. I've always been a step straight, drive toward home kind of pitcher," Martin said. "I was frustrated because I knew I was doing it but I had to do it. I wanted to stay on the field, I wanted to keep pitching, hopefully put a good streak together and get a call.

Martin also had two stints on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation, though he said it hasn't affected his offseason program.

"Last year was a step back," Martin said. "It's unfortunate and it's disappointing, because I know I'm better than that."

The Dodgers designated Martin for assignment on Nov. 22, removing him from the 40-man roster, and he was outrighted to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Dec. 1.

"The Dodgers are trying to win right now and they are looking at bringing guys in. I'm at the bottom of the totem pole for a roster spot. I understand the way the business works," Martin said. "It just makes me more motivated to work harder."

Long, who turns 28 in April, hit .249/.340/.384 with 19 doubles and 10 home runs in 116 games, all but two with Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Salt Lake in 2014. He played 91 games in center field, nine games in left field, four in right field, six games at third base, one at second, and seven games at designated hitter.