If you heard a shock around baseball today, it was the White Sox front office's doing.
In a gigantic move, the White Sox acquired two-time All-Star third baseman Todd Frazier from the Cincinnati Reds in a three-team trade that included the Los Angeles Dodgers as well.
Overall, seven players exchanged hands, with Cincinnati receiving three prospects by way of Los Angeles. Jose Peraza, Brandon Dixon, and Scott Schebler all head to the Reds. The Dodgers acquired three more prospects, Frankie Montas, Micah Johnson, and Trayce Thompson, from Chicago.
In a gigantic move, the White Sox acquired two-time All-Star third baseman Todd Frazier from the Cincinnati Reds in a three-team trade that included the Los Angeles Dodgers as well.
Overall, seven players exchanged hands, with Cincinnati receiving three prospects by way of Los Angeles. Jose Peraza, Brandon Dixon, and Scott Schebler all head to the Reds. The Dodgers acquired three more prospects, Frankie Montas, Micah Johnson, and Trayce Thompson, from Chicago.
Obviously, the centerpiece of the deal is Frazier. His offensive production makes him one of the better third baseman in baseball, posting a 118 wRC+ over the past two years (ranking 8th).
Last season especially Frazier made a big impact in Cincinnati.
He hit .255/.309/.498 with 35 home runs and 89 RBIs in 678 plate appearances in 2015. Frazier also won the Home Run Derby in July, being crowned champion in his now-former home of Great American Ballpark.
One concerning factor for Frazier, however, is that he was a much better performer at home than on the road. Over his career, his OPS is nearly 100 points higher at Great American than it was on the road, in a comparable amount of plate appearances (1,253 at home; 1,271 on the road).
Frazier also has not been good against American League opponents, posting just a .606 OPS in 298 plate appearances against inter-league teams and homering just eight times in 72 games.
But the White Sox are taking Frazier's upside and hoping he produces at U.S. Cellular Field, which is known to be a pitcher's park.
But Frazier is definitely a worthwhile investment. While Chicago did have to give up some top prospects, they still have Frazier for two seasons. He will make $7.5 million in 2016 (signed extension) and be eligible for arbitration for the final time in 2017.
The team has had an active offseason, signing Alex Avila and acquiring Brett Lawrie from the Athletics. They look to climb in the American League Central, where they finished 4th in 2015.
The Reds' rebuild is definitely kickstarted with this trade.
They got a solid prospect package that is highlighted by the 21-year-old Peraza. MLB.com named Peraza as the No. 24 prospect on their Top-100.
Peraza was moved midseason in a trade from Atlanta to Los Angeles and appeared in the big leagues in September with the Dodgers.
Peraza could pan out to be an above-average regular in the Majors. He could have the opportunity to win the second-base job in Cincinnati in 2016, especially if Brandon Phillips is traded in the next few weeks.
As for the Dodgers, it is possible that they found their much-needed rotation depth in 22-year-old Frankie Montas, who pitched in seven games for Chicago last season.
He is praised for a really good fastball-slider combination and posted a solid 2.39 strikeout-to-walk ratio while in the minors. The righty could make the Dodgers' rotation in 2016.
The bottom line is that the White Sox want to contend, the Reds want to rebuild, and the Dodgers get a young arm. It will be interesting to see how this trade pans out down the road, but for now, the consensus among analysts is that Cincinnati could have gotten more for Frazier than they truly did.
--Devan Fink
Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan first reported that the Dodgers and White Sox made a deal. C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Inquirer reported that Frazier was in the deal.
Last season especially Frazier made a big impact in Cincinnati.
He hit .255/.309/.498 with 35 home runs and 89 RBIs in 678 plate appearances in 2015. Frazier also won the Home Run Derby in July, being crowned champion in his now-former home of Great American Ballpark.
One concerning factor for Frazier, however, is that he was a much better performer at home than on the road. Over his career, his OPS is nearly 100 points higher at Great American than it was on the road, in a comparable amount of plate appearances (1,253 at home; 1,271 on the road).
Frazier also has not been good against American League opponents, posting just a .606 OPS in 298 plate appearances against inter-league teams and homering just eight times in 72 games.
But the White Sox are taking Frazier's upside and hoping he produces at U.S. Cellular Field, which is known to be a pitcher's park.
But Frazier is definitely a worthwhile investment. While Chicago did have to give up some top prospects, they still have Frazier for two seasons. He will make $7.5 million in 2016 (signed extension) and be eligible for arbitration for the final time in 2017.
The team has had an active offseason, signing Alex Avila and acquiring Brett Lawrie from the Athletics. They look to climb in the American League Central, where they finished 4th in 2015.
The Reds' rebuild is definitely kickstarted with this trade.
They got a solid prospect package that is highlighted by the 21-year-old Peraza. MLB.com named Peraza as the No. 24 prospect on their Top-100.
Peraza was moved midseason in a trade from Atlanta to Los Angeles and appeared in the big leagues in September with the Dodgers.
Peraza could pan out to be an above-average regular in the Majors. He could have the opportunity to win the second-base job in Cincinnati in 2016, especially if Brandon Phillips is traded in the next few weeks.
As for the Dodgers, it is possible that they found their much-needed rotation depth in 22-year-old Frankie Montas, who pitched in seven games for Chicago last season.
He is praised for a really good fastball-slider combination and posted a solid 2.39 strikeout-to-walk ratio while in the minors. The righty could make the Dodgers' rotation in 2016.
The bottom line is that the White Sox want to contend, the Reds want to rebuild, and the Dodgers get a young arm. It will be interesting to see how this trade pans out down the road, but for now, the consensus among analysts is that Cincinnati could have gotten more for Frazier than they truly did.
--Devan Fink
Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan first reported that the Dodgers and White Sox made a deal. C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Inquirer reported that Frazier was in the deal.
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