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The Dodgers have traded outfielders Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig to the Cincinnati Reds. Starting pitcher Alex Wood and catcher Kyle Farmer are also included in the deal.
Friedman noted the surplus the Dodgers had in OF/SP and how today's deal helped gain flexibility and strengthen the system. “We still feel like we have a really good team but feel like we want to continue to add to it before we get to Spring Training."
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) December 21, 2018
Friedman said the Dodgers' outfield situation "is much more functional at this point" after the trade of Puig and Kemp. He said having six-plus outfielders "isn't fair to anybody."
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 21, 2018
The Dodgers acquired right-handed pitcher Homer Bailey, along with prospects Jeter Downs and Josiah Gray. Bailey, who is owed $28 million, will be released by LA after the trade.
Homer Bailey was released as a condition of waiving his 10-and-5 rights, Andrew Friedman said
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) December 21, 2018
According to MLB.com, Downs is the Reds’ No. 7 prospect, with Gray being No. 20.
UPDATE: David Hood wrote his thoughts on the two new minor league players here.
The Dodgers will also send $7 million to the Reds in the deal. LA will save about $17.5 million towards the 2019 luxury tax payroll.
Puig spent six seasons in Los Angeles. After a historic opening month to his rookie campaign, he instantly became a fan-favorite. During his tenure in LA, Puig hit 108 home runs and drove in 331, while posting a slash of .279/.353/.478/.831.
Kemp returned to LA in 2018 for his second tenure with the team. He was traded to San Diego after the 2014 campaign, but was traded back to LA in December of 2017. The feel-good story of 2018, Kemp made the all-star team, after many thought he wouldn’t even suit up for LA. He hit .290, with 21 home runs and 85 RBI last season.
After a 2017 season in which Wood went 16-3 and made his first career All-Star game, 2018 was a different story for the left-hander. His ERA hovered around four during majority of the season, ultimately ending up in him being demoted to the bullpen during September.
Farmer spent time going back-and-forth between Triple-A and the big-leagues. Over the course of two years, he only accumulated 97 at-bats with LA.
The Dodgers didn't have a big role laid out for Kyle Farmer in 2019. Of the catcher position, Andrew Friedman said, “I still expect us to add someone from the outside.”
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) December 21, 2018
Bailey was abysmal in 2018. He went 1-14, with an ERA of 6.09. He owed $23 million in 2019 and has a $5 million buyout owed to him if his 2020 option was not picked up.
Downs, 20, was the No. 32 pick in the 2017 MLB draft. He is considered to be a near-top 100 prospect. In 2018, the infielder spent time in single-A with the Dayton Dragons. He hit .257 with an OPS of .753. He hit 13 homers, drove in 47, as well as stole 37 bases.
Gray, 21, was taken in the second round of the 2018 MLB draft. He spent last season in the Appalachian League, going 2-2 with a 2.58 ERA. He had 59 strikeouts in 52 1⁄3 innings, with a WHIP of 0.879.
What are your thoughts on the blockbuster trade between the Dodgers and Reds?
— True Blue LA (@truebluela) December 21, 2018
LA acquires: Homer Bailey, Jeter Downs (Reds' No. 7 prospect), Josiah Gray (Reds' No. 20 prospect)
CIN acquires: Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Alex Wood, Kyle Farmer, $7M cash