In a three team trade today, the Chicago White Sox acquired RHP Joakim Soria from the Kansas City Royals, plus LHP Luis Avilan and cash from the Los Angeles Dodgers, with the cash covering Avilan\’s salary. The Dodgers received LHP Scott Alexander from K.C., and INF Jake Peter from the Sox. The Royals received RHP Trevor Oaks and INF Erick Mejia from the Dodgers.
For the White Sox, this deal gives them two relievers to add to their beat down bullpen. In fact, Soria will get a good shot to be their closer. They only gave up Peter in this deal.
Soria, 33, had a 3.70 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, one save and 64 strikeouts in 56 innings for the Royals in 2017. In his MLB career for the Royals, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates, Soria has a 2.86 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 613 strikeouts and 204 saves in 573.2 innings.
Avilan, 28, had a 2.93 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 52 strikeouts in 46 innings for the Dodgers in 2017. In his MLB career for the Dodgers and Atlanta Braves, Avilan has a 2.97 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 225 strikeouts in 263.1 innings.
For the Royals, they get two prospects for two relievers. Soria, their closer back in 2007-2011, wasn\’t that great in his two year return to K.C. Alexander is coming off a nice 2017, but as they enter a rebuild, trading away some relievers is a nice start.
Oaks, 24, had a 3.64 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 72 strikeouts in 84 innings for the AAA Oklahoma City Dodgers in 2017. In his minor league career, Oaks has a 3.27 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 292 strikeouts in 404 innings.
Mejia, 23, has a .333 batting average with one RBI in 17 Plate Appearances in the Dominican Winter League. In his minor league career, Mejia has a batting average of .279, with 13 homers, 130 RBIs and 101 stolen bases in 1586 Plate Appearances.
For the Dodgers, they upgrade a lefty reliever from Avilan to Alexander, and get a prospect in Peter in the process. Yes, they give up Oaks and Mejia, but it\’s not a bad deal.
Alexander, 28, had a 2.48 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 59 strikeouts, plus four saves in 69 innings for the Royals in 2017. In his MLB career, all for the Royals, Alexander has a 2.78 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 78 strikeouts in 94 innings.
Peter, 24, had a .279 batting average, 13 homers, 49 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in 516 Plate Appearances between AA and AAA in 2017. In his minor league career, Peter has a .282 batting average, 24 homers, 185 RBIs and 44 stolen bases in 1884 Plate Appearances.
I think everybody wins this trade. The Dodgers get a better reliever, the White Sox get some trade bait, and the Royals sell some relievers. So, everybody wins.
CarterHud 