It doesn’t involve Matt Chapman, as most Dodgers fans expected him to do, but the organization and the A’s completed an intriguing four-player operation on Friday.
The deal sends pitcher Sheldon Neuse and right-hander Gus Varland to Los Angeles, while left-hander Adam Kolarek and camper Cody Thomas head to Oakland.
Los Angeles also sent Dylan Floro, who has appeared in 104 games for the Dodgers over the past three seasons, to the Miami Marlins for left fielder Alex Vesia and right fielder Kyle Hurt.
Trade breakdown
Dodgers get: INF Sheldon Neuse, RHP Gus Varland
To get: LHP Adam Kolarek, OF Cody Thomas
Dodgers get: LHP Alex Vesia, RHP Kyle Hurt
The Marlins get: RHP Dylan Flower
Neuse, 26, was a national team second-round pick in 2016 after a strong college career in Oklahoma. It was one of the key pieces of the deal that sent Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson to Washington in 2017. Since then, Neuse has continued to develop in the minors, including a 27-homer season with Triple-A Vegas in the 2019 Pacific Coast League friendly championship.
According to MLB Pipeline, Neuse was number 5 in the overall perspective of the A organization, and his skill on set is one of the most important reasons. Varland was the No. 28 prospect of the A.D.
Due to Chapman’s presence at third base, Neuse has not had many opportunities to make an impact at the big league level. He made his Major League debut in 2019, reaching .250 with seven RBI in 56 bats. Last season he didn’t get any playing time, spending his time at the A.A.’s alternate training post. Neuse still has two years of option left.
Add Neuse doesn’t close the door on a meeting with Justin Turner or looking for another right-handed bat. Neuse provides the Dodgers with a much-needed depth piece in position and a player capable of filling very well in several positions, including second base field and left field. Zach McKinstry and Chris Taylor are expected to take over from the late Enrique Hernández in the role of utility man. Neuse gives them another option.
In the seemingly unlikely event that the Dodgers do not add a third baseman to the roster, Los Angeles would give most of the playing time to Edwin Rios, with Neuse as a good right-hander option in the position. The club, however, are unlikely to end up adding this low season.
Varland, 24, is 2-2 with 1.54 ERAs and 77 attacks in 18 minor league games. Give the Dodgers another piece of depth to the Minors.
Vesia, 24, made five appearances in Miami in 2020, allowing nine runs in 4 1/3 innings, while eliminating five, and Hurt, 22, was the fifth round of the selection of the Marlins in the 2020 MLB draft of the University of Southern California.
Negotiating Kolarek and Thomas was not an easy decision for the Dodgers, but it is representative of what the organization thinks about Neuse. Kolarek, 32, went 3-0 with a 0.95 ERA in 20 appearances with Los Angeles last season. He won 5-0 with an ERA of 0.88 in his Dodgers career. Kolarek was particularly excellent against the left-handers, keeping them at an average of 0.077 last season. He will always be remembered for his duels against superstar Juan Soto in the postseason. Neuse will replace Kolarek on the 40-man roster.
Since Kolarek is no longer on the list, the Dodgers will rely on Victor Gonzalez, Scott Alexander and Garrett Cleavinger to be the best left-backs this season.