The Dodgers have scratched Clayton Kershaw from his Wednesday night start against the A’s and have acquired Mat Latos and Michael Morse from the Marlins in exchange for three minor league players. The move was first reported by Miami Herald sports writer Clark Spencer. Kershaw’s scratch is presumed to be hip-related, although details are still being gathered from Los Angeles Dodgers team spokespeople.
The Marlins managed to shave $17 million from the books over two seasons with Cishek, Latos and Morse heading to a contending team. The Dodgers will also receive comp pick #34, the second consecutive season the Marlins threw their comp pick into a trade package. Miami sits 42-58 before Wednesday action, a significant distance from the second wild card spot with little hope of improving in two months. All told, the Dodgers will gobble roughly $24.4 million in salary for Latos in 2015, and Morse for 2015-2016, although official confirmation is pending.
Latos, 27, began his promising MLB career with San Diego in 2009. He’s compiled an overall 64-52 record between San Diego, Cincinnati and Miami, but isn’t having an outrageous 2015. To date, he’s 4-7 with a 4.48 ERA in 88.1 innings of work. Presuming Bolsinger starts tonight’s game, Latos could see action by Friday and could push Carlos Frias back into long relief. His young age makes him especially attractive if the Dodgers can negotiate past 2015.
Michael Morse, 33, is having an uncharacteristic down year with Miami. He broke into the bigs with Seattle in 2005, seeing minimal playing time before heading to Washington. His best hitting year was 2011 with the Nationals, blasting 31 homers and knocking home 95 runs. For his career, he’s hit 103 homers with 345 RBIs and could contribute heartily for the Dodgers in either a DH role against AL foes, or platoon with Adrian Gonzalez. Morse will be under Dodgers control through 2016.
The Dodgers were expected to add bats and possibly an arm before Friday, and have accomplished both. Miami has other players they’re shopping, most notably Dan Haren, but received the young prospects their farm system needed to begin yet another rebuild. The official announcement of the trade could come this afternoon, including how much salary and what minor league players will move.
Amidst the trade deadline chaos, the Dodgers are expected to be still all-in with Cole Hamels, although several new candidates have emerged.