It does not involve Matt Chapman, as most Dodgers fans had hoped, but the organization and the A’s completed an intriguing four-player trade on Friday.
The deal sends striker Sheldon Neuse and right-hand man Gus Varland to Los Angeles, while left-handed Adam Kolarek and fielder Cody Thomas are on their way to Oakland.
Los Angeles also sends right-hander Dylan Floro, who has appeared in 104 games for the Dodgers over the past three seasons, to the Miami Marlins for left-handed pitcher Alex Vesia and right-hander Kyle Hurt of the Minor League.
Trade breakdown
Dodgers get: INF Sheldon Neuse, RHP Gus Varland
Get A’s: LHP Adam Kolarek, OF Cody Thomas
Dodgers get: LHP Alex Vesia, RHP Kyle Hurt
Marlins get: RHP Dylan Floro
Neuse, 26, was a second pick by the Nationals in 2016 after a strong collegiate career in Oklahoma. He was one of the key pieces in the agreement that Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson sent to Washington in 2017. Since then, Neuse has continued to develop in the Minors, including a 27-homer season with Triple-A Vegas in the hitter-friendly. Pacific Coast League in 2019.
According to MLB Pipeline, Neuse was the overall prospect in the A organization, and his ability on the board is a big reason why. Varland was the number 28 prospect in the A organization.
Due to Chapman’s presence at third base, Neuse has not yet had many opportunities to make an impact on the big leagues. He made his Major League debut in 2019, hitting 0.250 with seven RBIs in 56 innings. He got no playing time last season and spent the time at the A’s alternative training ground. Noses have two more option years left.
The addition of Noses does not close the door for a reunion with Justin Turner or the pursuit of another right-hander. Nose gives the Dodgers a much-needed depth piece on the position and a player who is able to fill in nicely on several positions, including the second base and left field. Zach McKinstry and Chris Taylor are expected to play the role of the late Enrique Hernández in the handyman role. Noses give them another option.
In the seemingly unlikely case that the Dodgers will not add another third baseman to the rankings, Los Angeles will give Edwin Ríos most of the playing time, with Neuse as a good right-handed peloton option on the position. However, the club is probably not ready to add this off-season.
Varland (24) is 2-2 with a 1.54 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 18 minor games in his career. He gives the Dodgers another depth in the Minors.
Vesia (24) made five appearances for Miami in 2020 and allowed nine runs in 4 1/3 overs while hitting five, and Hurt (22) was the Marlins’ fifth round in the MLB 2020 draft of the University of the South -California. .
The trade in Kolarek and Thomas was not an easy decision for the Dodgers, but it is a representative of what the organization of Neuse thinks. Kolarek, 32, won 3-0 last season with an ERA of 0.95 in 20 appearances with Los Angeles. He won 5-0 in his Dodgers career with a 0.88 ERA. Kolarek was especially excellent against left-handed players and kept them at an average of .077 last season. He will always be remembered for his duels against superstar Juan Soto in the post-season. Noses will replace Kolarek in the 40s.
With Kolarek no longer in the rankings, the Dodgers will rely on Victor González, Scott Alexander and Garrett Cleavinger to be the best left-handed lighteners this season.