The Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland Athletics matched up on a blockbuster trade on Monday, getting a five-player deal done hours before the MLB trade deadline.
The Dodgers agreed to acquire left-handed starting pitcher Rich Hill and outfielder Josh Reddick, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. But it took a pretty penny to get those solid Major League pieces. The Athletics received three very good right-handed pitching prospects in exchange for Hill and Reddick: Grant Holmes, Frankie Montas and Jharel Cotton. The Dodgers have been in the market for both an outfielder and a starting pitcher this deadline season, exploring all options. In this trade, they get both in one swoop. Both Reddick and Hill are rentals. They will be free agents at the end of the season. However, the Dodgers have a great farm system, especially considering their financial muscle that allows them to go after top international prospects. Looking forward, Reddick likely will play in right field for the Dodgers, where Yasiel Puig has been for most of the season. This trade could make Puig expendable in the trade season's final few hours. The 29-year-old Reddick has been a mainstay in the Athletics' lineup over the past five seasons. He's having his best offensive season to date, hitting .296/.368/.449 with eight home runs and 28 RBI in 272 plate appearances. According to FanGraphs, he has been worth 1.0 WAR. As for Hill, the Dodgers are dealing with lots of injuries to their starting pitchers. Clayton Kershaw, Hyun-jin Ryu, Alex Wood and Brett Anderson are all on the disabled list right now. In fact, Hill is dealing with a blister and he will go on the DL when first joining Los Angeles too. But he should recover in the 15-day timeframe and provide good depth the rest of the year. The 36-year-old Hill has had a complete revival over the past two seasons, making him one of the most attractive arms on the trade market this July. He's 9-3 with a 2.25 ERA and a 90-28 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 76 innings pitched (14 starts). According to FanGraphs, he has been worth 2.5 WAR but is dealing with his aforementioned blister. As for the Athletics' return, they snagged two of the Dodgers' top 10 prospects (MLB.com), with all three of the prospects dealt ranking within their top 15. Grant Holmes, 20, is pitching at Class-A Advanced, where he has pitched in 20 games (18 starts). The Dodgers' 2014 first round pick has a 4.02 ERA and a 100-43 strikeout-to-walk ratio there in 105 1/3 innings, projecting as a starter. He is the Dodgers' No. 5 prospect. Frankie Montas, 23, is currently on the Triple-A disabled list but ranks as the Dodgers' eighth-best prospect. The right-hander has a 2.25 ERA and a 22-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 16 innings pitched this season. He can hit 102 MPH on the gun with his fastball. Jharel Cotton, 24, is also at Triple-A. The Dodgers' No. 13 prospect has a 4.90 ERA and a 119-32 strikeout-to-walk ratio there over 97 1/3 innings pitched. The U.S. Virgin Island native has a good fastball, which he can use to strike lots of guys out. He and Montas project as relievers. Now, this is a deal. --Devan Fink
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