Dodgers acquire reliever John Axford for minor league pitcher

The second trade the Dodgers made today was with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Dodgers traded Oklahoma City Dodger right-handed pitcher Corey Copping for right-handed pitcher John Axford.

Axford had pitched in 45 games, including one start, for the Blue Jays. In 51 innings, he had allowed 44 hits, 27 runs (25 earned) and walked 20. Axford had 50 strikeouts in his 51 innings pitched.

Axford has always pitched better against left-handed batters than right-handed batters. In 2018, there is a significant difference. Left-handed batters are hitting .147/.244/.309 against Axford. Right-handed batters are hitting .283/.353/.400 against Axford in 2018.

Axford led the National League in saves with 46 in 2011 and he had 25 saves in 2015. He has not recorded a save since 2016.

The Blue Jays signed Axford to a one-year contract for $1.5 million in February.

Corey Copping was drafted out of Oklahoma University in 2015. The 31st round pick pitched at Ogden (Pioneer League) in 2015. In 2016, he pitched in Ogden and Rancho Cucamonga (California League).

Copping spent the entire 2017 season at Tulsa (Texas League). He started the 2018 season in Tulsa, he was recently promoted to Oklahoma City (Pacific Coast League).

Copping’s combined pitching statistics for both Tulsa and Oklahoma City are 35 games, 53⅔ innings pitched, 44 hits, 18 runs (15 earned) and 26 walks. Copping has 59 strikeouts.

Unless he is put on Blue Jays 40-man roster, Copping will be eligible for the Rule 5 draft in December.