Atlanta Braves Trade Bud Norris to Dodgers
Last week the Dodgers were said to be pursuing “elite pitching”. That might or might not still be the case, but today they acquire Bud Norris to start filling in their considerable gaps.
It's a moving day: confirm @Ken_Rosenthal Norris going from #Braves to #Dodgers
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) June 30, 2016
That tweet says a lot, as suddenly the Rumor Mill shifts from ‘Neutral’ into ‘Overdrive’ today.
In literally about 30 minutes, we’ve caught wind of the following news:
- Padres sending Fernando Rodney to Miami
- Marlins sending Brady Shoemaker to White Sox
- Now this: Bud Norris heading West… ostensibly to replace Clayton Kershaw, believe it or not
Kershaw was placed on the disabled list after receiving an epidural procedure to relieve pain in his lower back. The Dodgers will be using that time – and through the All-Star break – to get their horse healthy again. Norris will fill in… and probably do so for multiple pitchers on their staff along the way.
Can We Open Our Presents Now???
Patience… patience.
Braves get 2 pitching prospects in Norris deal from LAD
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 30, 2016
No matter who we’re talking about, that’s good news. Norris has turned himself from the brink of release into an actual tradable pitcher since coming back into the Atlanta rotation in June.
In those last 5 starts, he’s allowed 7 earned runs in 27.1 innings. That’s a 2.32 ERA over that span, which is better than anyone the Braves have run out there not named Teheran.
Okay, you can open your gifts now:
#braves are getting LHP Phillip Pfeiffer and RHP Caleb Dirks from #dodgers
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) June 30, 2016
No, you’re not gonna find these kids on the Dodgers’ MLB Prospects chart. But relievers seldom get that nod.
Philip Pfeifer – with only 2 f’s – is a nearly 24-year-old LHP drafted in 2015’s Round 3 (101 overall). He ahs pitched sparingly for the Dodgers, but in 24 inning at the High-A level (think Carolina), he’s striking out a ton of batters, walking half a ton, and yielding 3.33 runs per 9 innings.
Pfeifer hailed from Knoxville, TN and Vanderbilt University… a teammate of Dansby Swanson, and received a $222.5K bonus.
Caleb Dirks is coming back to the Atlanta Braves. Originally drafted in 2014’s 15th round, he went to the Dodgers with Jordan Paroubeck in last Summer’s deal that netted the Braves an International Bonus Pool slot from that trade.
At the AA level, he’s throwing to a 1.44 ERA this season with 35 K’s in 31 innings against just 7 walks. He’s also been closing games for Tulsa, too… 6 saves while finishing 16 in his 28 appearance. That’ll work… and it matches up well with 13 innings spent there at the end of 2015.
Bud Wait, There’s More
#Dodgers have acquired RHP Bud Norris, OF Dian Toscano, a player to be named later and cash considerations from the Atlanta Braves.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 30, 2016
Oh. Dian Toscano, International Man of Mystery, never took off at all as expected and was floundering in AA, hitting just .226 in 177 AB.
The cash considerations could simply be the rest of either Toscano’s or Norris’ contract for the rest of the season. Norris is on a $2.5m base deal, plus significant escalators for 8/12/15/20/24/28 starts. Toscano is set to make $1.3m in 2017, $1.5m in 2018, with a $200K buyout in 2019.
The Player to be named later? I guess we have to wait until later.
Next: All is Ready: Play Ball!
So: sounds like two promising relievers. Not a bad deal for Norris.