7:12pm: The Dodgers are together with some money within the deal, reviews Jon Heyman of the New York Publish (Twitter link).
6:43pm: Cleveland receives struggling starter Noah Syndergaard in return, as first reported by Pat Ragazzo of Sports activities Illustrated (on Twitter).
6:03pm: The edges are in settlement on a deal pending medical opinions, reviews Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic (Twitter link).
5:58pm: The Dodgers are engaged on a commerce that will see them purchase shortstop Amed Rosario from the Guardians, in keeping with a report from Jeff Passan and Jesse Rogers of ESPN. It’s unknown right now what different elements are concerned within the discussions.
Rosario’s time in Cleveland wraps up after two and a half seasons. Cleveland acquired the previous high prospect from the Mets within the Francisco Lindor blockbuster going into the 2021 marketing campaign. Andrés Giménez has been the very best a part of that deal for Cleveland, however Rosario has capably held down shortstop for a pair seasons.
The fitting-handed hitter posted common offensive numbers in every of his first two seasons with the Guardians. He related on 11 house runs in each years whereas hitting round .280, although meager stroll totals saved his on-base share proper round league common. Over the two-year stretch, he mixed for a .282/.316/.406 line in over 1200 journeys to the plate.
Rosario’s third season with the Guardians hasn’t been as productive. In 94 video games, he’s hitting .265/.306/.369. That’s largely attributable to a frigid begin, as he put up a .233/.280/.327 slash via the top of Could. Because the calendar flipped to June, he owns a way more spectacular .301/.335/.415 line.
By and huge, Rosario’s underlying marks align along with his profession trajectory. His 5.3% stroll charge and 18.7% strikeout share are proper in step with his profession averages. His 42.1% laborious contact charge and 88.6 MPH common exit velocity are on the increased finish of his total marks. Middling begin apart, Rosario appears largely the identical offensive participant he’s been all through his time in Cleveland — a high-contact hitter with an aggressive strategy and fringe energy.
That hasn’t been the case on the opposite aspect of the ball. Rosario’s defensive scores have cratered this yr. Each Defensive Runs Saved and Statcast have rated him because the worst defensive shortstop within the majors, pegging him someplace between 12 and 15 runs under common. He has dedicated the sixth-most errors (11) on the place.
Public defensive metrics have typically pegged Rosario as a below-average defender all through his profession. This yr’s marks are a personal-worst, although, and it appears possible the Dodgers will bounce him across the diamond. Rosario has transient expertise within the outfield. He’s by no means performed an infield place other than shortstop, however the majority of shortstop-capable gamers can kick over to second or third base with out subject.
As with Enrique Hernández, whom the Dodgers acquired from the Purple Sox final night time, Rosario provides a versatile right-handed bat to Dave Roberts’ roster. Rosario has a superb .304/.346/.475 slash in 463 plate appearances towards left-handed pitching courting again to the beginning of 2021. The Dodgers have been clear about their want so as to add some stability to a lineup during which incumbent righty-swinging center infielder Miguel Rojas and Miguel Vargas have underperformed offensively.
Vargas’ struggles pushed him again to Triple-A. Rojas stays the favourite for shortstop enjoying time on the power of his glove. Rosario gives a bat-first various on the place who might reduce into the enjoying time for utility varieties like Chris Taylor and Yonny Hernández. Including a pair righty-swinging infielders additionally permits the Dodgers to make use of Mookie Betts extra regularly within the outfield than at second base towards lefty pitching, additional limiting David Peralta’s and James Outman’s publicity to same-handed arms.
Cleveland figures to show shortstop over to one in every of plenty of youthful gamers within the higher minors. Tyler Freeman, Gabriel Arias and Brayan Rocchio are all pretty latest highly-regarded prospects who’ve reached the massive leagues. Freeman, who’s at present on the MLB roster, may be the primary alternative because of a superb .329/.468/.482 displaying in Triple-A. He’s a superb contact hitter who has expertise all through the infield. He’s maybe higher fitted to second base, however Giménez might kick throughout to the left aspect of the infield.
Arias can also be at present on the massive league membership. He’s seen as a plus defensive choice at shortstop however hasn’t produced a lot offense in a multi-positional position. In 162 journeys to the plate, the right-handed hitter owns a .179/.290/.300 line whereas hanging out greater than 32% of the time. Rocchio is in Triple-A, the place he has a strong .295/.385/.419 slash over 83 video games.
The Guardians are comfy sufficient with that group of kids to relinquish Rosario in trade for a buy-low roll of the cube on Syndergaard. The fitting-hander hasn’t managed to recapture his All-Star kind since present process Tommy John surgical procedure prematurely of the 2020 season. He missed virtually of 2020-21, then returned with a positive however unexceptional 3.94 ERA in 25 appearances between the Angels and Phillies final yr.
Los Angeles took a shot on a rebound in free company. The Dodgers inked Syndergaard to a one-year, $13MM assure and put in him into the season-opening rotation. The transfer didn’t pan out, as he had a relatively forgettable 12-start stint in Dodger blue. By means of 55 1/3 innings, he posted a 7.16 ERA. A blister on his proper index finger despatched him to the injured listing on June 8 and apparently marked the top of his L.A. tenure.
Syndergaard started a minor league rehab stint two weeks in the past. He’s made a pair Triple-A appearances, reaching 77 pitches in a begin final Friday. It stands to motive he’ll be capable of make a return to an enormous league rotation within the close to future.
A number of months in the past, the notion of the Guardians buying and selling for a short-term rotation improve would’ve appeared far-fetched. Cleveland has been hit laborious by accidents, although, dropping every of Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie and Cal Quantrill to prolonged points. That leaves Aaron Civale and the rookie trio of Gavin Williams, Logan Allen and Tanner Bibee beginning video games for now.
Extra to return.
