Dodgers Trade Reliever to Yankees for 2 Pitching Prospects

The Dodgers aren't done making moves.

The Los Angeles Dodgers didn't waste time lighting up the transaction wire after Saturday's DodgerFest.

The Dodgers traded southpaw reliever Caleb Ferguson to the New York Yankees. Jon Heyman of the New York Post was the first to report the Dodgers' side of the trade. Two prospects, left-handed pitcher Matt Gage and right-handed pitcher Christian Zazueta Jr., joined the Dodgers.

Ferguson has spent his entire career with the Dodgers, since his improbable rise from a 38th-round draft pick in 2014 to the major league bullpen in 2018. When healthy, Ferguson was one of Los Angeles's more formidable and reliable relievers. 

In his Dodger tenure, he posted a 3.43 ERA with an 18-9 record, 247 strikeouts and a 1.29 WHIP in 201 appearances.

Gage was on the Yankees' 40-man roster, so the move did not clear a spot on the 40-man.

Matt Gage is on the Yankees’ 40-man roster, so the Dodgers will still need to clear a spot on the 40-man for Ryan Brasier.

If they wait until Feb. 8 to officially sign Brasier, they’ll be able to clear spots by placing Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin and Nick Frasso on the 60-day IL. https://t.co/M5cMOJLgr5

— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) February 5, 2024

It was then reported that the Dodgers were re-signing right-handed pitcher Ryan Brasier. They'll have to clear a 40-man roster spot for him, which they can do on Feb. 8 when the 60-day injured list becomes available for right-handed pitchers Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin and Nick Frasso.

Zazueta, 19, put up an ERA of 3.29 in 12 starts over 52 innings with the Yankees' Dominican Summer League team last year. He has an intriguing breaking ball in his arsenal, as evidenced in this video:

Some video of new #Dodgers pitching prospect Christian Zazueta Jr.

That curve/slider and changeup both look pretty good for his age pic.twitter.com/1QkLo7p5fj

— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) February 5, 2024

The Dodgers sent their public thanks to Ferguson via social media Monday:

Thank you @Im__Ferg for your time with the Dodgers and for your contributions that helped lead to a World Series title. Best of luck in New York. pic.twitter.com/F3nJflt82V

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 5, 2024