Los Angeles Dodgers President of Baseball Operations, Andrew Friedman, has just completed a trade with his former team, the Tampa Bay Rays. The Dodgers have traded right-handers Jose Dominguez and Greg Harris to the Rays for right-hander Joel Peralta and left-hander Adam Liberatore.
Peralta, who will be 39 at the start of the season, has been a workhorse for the Rays. He is averaging 67 innings per season and 74 appearances the last four seasons for the Rays while posting a 3.58 ERA and a 9.8 K/9. Last season, Peralta had a 4.41 ERA while his FIP was only 3.40. He is a fly ball pitcher so playing at the pitcher-friendly Dodger Stadium should help him, and he provides the team with much needed bullpen help. Peralta is set to make $2.5 million this season, and he has club options for 2016 and 2017 at the same price.
Liberatore, 27, pitched in AAA last season for the Rays, posting a 1.66 ERA with 86 strikeouts and only 15 walks in 65 innings pitched. The Dodgers also added him to their 40-man roster.
Dominguez, 24, is a hard throwing right hander that has struggled with control in his young career. In 2013, he posted a 2.16 ERA in 8.1 innings for the Dodgers, and he struggled in 2014 with a 11.37 ERA in 6.1 innings. Dominguez, who can reach 100 mph with his fastball, could be a very effective pitcher if he can cut back on his walks. In 318 minor league innings, he has a 4.25 ERA, 353 strikeouts, and 153 walks.
Harris, 20, has a 4.69 ERA, 114 strikeouts, and 37 walks over 121 innings pitched in his two minor league seasons.
This is a great trade for both teams. The Dodgers get much needed bullpen help, and the Rays get two young pitchers with some potential.