The Dodgers have traded infielder/outfielder Darnell Sweeney to the Reds for future considerations, tweets J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group.
Los Angeles has now traded Sweeney twice, the first time coming when it sent him to Philadelphia in 2015 to acquire second baseman Chase Utley. Then, the Dodgers got Sweeney back last offseason as part of the return they received from the Phillies in trading veteran infielder/outfielder Howie Kendrick. Sweeney returned to LA in the deal with infielder Darin Ruf. Given that Ruf is now playing in the Korea Baseball Organization, the Dodgers have nothing to show for the Kendrick trade anymore.
Sweeney, a 26-year-old switch-hitter, has seen major league action in one season – 2015 – and hit .176/.286/.353 during that 98-plate appearance showing with the Phillies. The plurality of his work has come at Triple-A, where he owns a .250/.314/.383 slash in 1,100 PAs (including a .227/.290/.412 line in 131 Pacific Coast League plate trips this season). While Sweeney hasn’t gotten on base much in the minors, he is somewhat of a threat when he does, having swiped 141 bags at Triple-A (albeit with 67 caught stealings). Defensive versatility is a selling point for Sweeney, who has lined up at second, short, third and two outfield positions (left and center) in the minors.
Dodgers must regret not letting Kendrick leave in free agency for a comp pick.
They wouldn’t have given Kendrick a QO though.
They made him a qualified offer and he declined
The only reason he resigned with the Dodgers is no one was willing to part with the pick. He really didn’t have a market.
Ding, ding, ding, you, B_P_D_LA, good sir are spot on correct!! lol
Kendrick was one of those tweeners that teams didn’t feel like he was good enough to forfeit that pick that was attached to him. So, in the end, he resigned with the Dodgers.
Didn’t he use to be a top prospect?
Don’t think so. He was ranked as high as 16th best prospect in the Dodgers farm in 2014. Prior to that he was in the mid 20s.
Never ranked on Top Prospect list to my knowledge.
Reds stockpiling young infielders hoping one turns out
He’s soon to be 27, no longer a young prospect.
Sweeney could be the missing piece to reach the championship. Go Bats!
AAA depth that’s all
Agree LA, just filling out a roster
The Reds don’t have a lot of AAA depth at SS and CF (despite a surplus at 2b and COF), so I think Darnell Sweeney is a good pickup. Arismendy Alcantara is currently the third string SS (behind Cozart and Peraza) and CF (behind Hamilton and Schebler) for the Reds, but Darnell Sweeney might be the most direct replacement if Alcantara gets hurt.
Versatile non-roster bench candidates are always welcome. Hopefully he’s a late bloomer who starts hitting with the change of scenery. It’s much easier to imagine a use for him than recent waiver claim Peter O’Brien.
Future considerations…. would that be like promising to call your mother on her birthday?
More like callin a girl who’s a 4 on a slow drunk nite….
Any word on the return for Sweeney?