Michael Kopech, Tommy Edman traded to Dodgers

SAN DIEGO — Up to this point, the Dodgers had been relatively quiet as Tuesday’s Trade Deadline neared. But on Monday, they struck and landed two players they have long coveted.

As part of a massive three-team trade with the White Sox and Cardinals, the Dodgers landed utilityman Tommy Edman and Minor League right-hander Oliver Gonzalez from St. Louis and right-handed pitcher Michael Kopech from the White Sox.

In exchange for both players, the Dodgers traded Miguel Vargas and prospects Jeral Perez and Alexander Albertus, both of whom ranked among L.A.’s Top 30 Prospects per MLB Pipeline, to the White Sox. Vargas had graduated from the prospect ranks, but was one of the Dodgers’ top position prospects last season.

TRADE DETAILS
Cardinals receive: RHP Erick Fedde, OF Tommy Pham, cash considerations
Dodgers receive: INF/OF Tommy Edman, RHP Michael Kopech, RHP Oliver Gonzalez
White Sox receive: INF/OF Miguel Vargas, INF prospect Jeral Perez (LAD No. 17 prospect), INF prospect Alexander Albertus (LAD No. 23 prospect), a player to be named later or cash considerations

In a separate trade later on Monday, the Dodgers also acquired Amed Rosario from the Rays. Rosario returns for his second stint with Los Angeles, who dealt for him from the Guardians at last year’s Trade Deadline. The Rays will receive Triple-A RHP Michael Flynn in return.

Landing Edman and Kopech was a priority for the Dodgers, as both players are expected to fill an immediate need. Edman, who has not played all season long, is hopeful to be back soon after a right ankle sprain slightly altered his rehab assignment last week.

Edman said he was scheduled to play second base for the Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate on Tuesday.

“I’m feeling good,” Edman said Monday. “I’ve gotten a couple weeks of rehab under my belt. Ankle is feeling better, and I’ll get re-evaluated when I get to L.A. and see where we go from there.”

When healthy, Edman can help the Dodgers patch things up at shortstop while Mookie Betts and Miguel Rojas recover from injuries. Once Betts and/or Rojas return, Edman has the ability to play all over the diamond and will see time at second base, third base and as a corner outfielder.

During the offseason, the Dodgers reached out to St. Louis about potentially acquiring the 2021 Gold Glove Award winner. Landing Edman has been a priority for the Dodgers for months. They finally got the California native on Monday.

Edman, however, has struggled to find consistency at the plate over the last four seasons. After a dominant rookie campaign, Edman has not had an OPS over .725 in any of the last four seasons of his career. It also remains to be seen how ready he is offensively after undergoing offseason right wrist surgery that has kept him out of the lineup the entire ‘24 campaign. He is under team control through the end of next season.

Kopech, on the other hand, gives the Dodgers another power arm in the bullpen. The former top prospect made the transition to the bullpen at the start of the season and has benefited from the move, posting a 4.74 ERA this season but striking out 59 batters over 43 2/3 innings.

The 28-year-old ranks in the 99th percentile in fastball velocity and in the 89th percentile in expected batting average against. His whiff percentage is also in the 86th percentile, all areas the Dodgers look for in a pitcher.

Over the last few weeks, with the starting pitching not producing the way the Dodgers anticipated, the club has leaned on their relievers heavily. Adding Kopech now gives the Dodgers a much-needed option who could protect them from any injuries over the next two months.

After landing Edman and Kopech, the Dodgers will now turn their focus to the starting pitching market, though it’s unclear who would be available over the next 24 hours. White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet has been a target for weeks, but the asking price might be too much for a team to bite, especially considering the left-hander’s reported claims that he will not pitch in the postseason unless given a contract extension.

Tigers ace Tarik Skubal has also been a hot topic of discussion for the Dodgers, but it would take an overwhelming package of players and prospects to land the current favorite to win the American League Cy Young Award, who is under team control through the 2026 season.