Dodgers Tried to Package Michael Busch in Blockbuster Trade Before Sending Him to Cubs

Should the Dodgers have been stingier with their asking price?

Last week, the Dodgers traded Michael Busch and Yency Almonte to the Chicago Cubs for left-handed pitcher Jackson Ferris and outfielder Zhyir Hope. Los Angeles had to do this to clear room on their 40-man roster to officially sign Teoscar Hernández.

Busch ranked second in the Dodgers' farm system and was a consensus top 50 prospect in all of baseball. So, the return package of a couple of prospects surprised many who expected Busch to be traded for a major league-ready player.

According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, it appears president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman did try to include Busch in a package to the other team from Chicago.

"Before trading infielder

Michael Busch

to the

Chicago Cubs

, the Dodgers included him in some of their offers to the White Sox for Cease, according to sources briefed on the discussions."

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic

The Dodgers have already committed over $1 billion in salary this offseason. So, many speculated Friedman would turn to the trade market to address additional pitching needs.

Busch likely headlined most of those trade packages for a quality starting pitcher. Busch, 26, had a 1.049 OPS and cranked 27 home runs in Triple-A last year. However, since everyone knew the Dodgers needed to trade him, his market lowered significantly. 

This does not take Los Angeles out of the market for another starting pitcher. They still have top prospects that other teams would covet, such as Miguel Vargas, Nick Frasso, and Diego Cartaya to name a few. 

Not to mention, Friedman could double dip a little and use the newly acquired Ferris or Hope in another trade package. 

As it stands, the Dodgers have one open spot on the 40-man roster if they want to sign someone else. If Friedman is still looking for starting pitching, there's a certain left-handed, future first-ballot Hall-of-Famer who would be welcomed back.