Late Monday, the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired utility player Amed Rosario from the Tampa Rays and the Pittsburgh Pirates added left-handed reliever Jalen Beeks in a trade with the Colorado Rockies.
Rosario gives the Dodgers a versatile veteran with a lot of middle infield experience amid the best offensive performance of his career. It’s the second straight summer he’s been acquired by the Dodgers.
The 28-year-old is batting .307/.331/.417 in 76 games and has swiped nine bases. The Dodgers may view Rosario as an upgrade to Nick Ahmed after Miguel Vargas was sent to the Chicago White Sox in the three-way deal that landed right-hander Erick Fedde in St. Louis and infielder Tommy Edman in L.A.
Rosario also played over 150 innings in the outfield for the Rays this season to mixed results.
Right-hander Michael Flynn is the return for Tampa Bay. He’s 27 and a pure reliever now with his fourth team since the Pirates made him their sixth-round pick in 2018.
He’s 94-98 with a four-seam fastball setting up a high-spin, low-80s slider, and low-90s cutter. It’s well below-average control and command, limiting Flynn to the bullpen but also holding back in Triple-A despite the plus stuff.
Rosario remains a viable infielder, showing average at second and third and at least playable at shortstop. He’s owed just under $500,000 the rest of the way. This is a terrific deal for the Dodgers with Flynn the lone piece on his way to Tampa.
The Rays have a knack for maximizing pitching tools, and Roasrio was headed for free agency in the fall so it’s difficult to dislike the trade from their end, too.
TRADE GRADES (20-80 Scale)
Los Angeles: 60
Tampa Bay: 50
The Rockies have now traded two relievers with the deal to ship Beeks to Pittsburgh. They sent right-hander Nick Mears to the Milwaukee Brewers over the weekend.
The Pirates added a left-on-left weapon for the middle innings in Beeks, who has held left-handed batters to a .182 average and just two extra-base hits.
Beeks, 31, will be a free agent once the 2024 season concludes.
The Rockies received 23-year-old left-handed reliever Luis Peralta in return. He’s a converted starter thriving in shorter work, reaching Double-A this season with above-average stuff despite below-average control.
Peralta projects to the middle innings, but improved command could offer some high-leverage seasons.
TRADE GRADES (20-80 Scale)
Pittsburgh: 50
Colorado: 50
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