11:45am: The two teams have announced the trade.
11:02am: The Athletics and Dodgers are in agreement on a trade that’ll sent lefty Adam Kolarek and minor league outfielder Cody Thomas from L.A. to Oakland in exchange for infielder Sheldon Neuse and minor league righty Gus Varland, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports (via Twitter).
Kolarek, 32, will be an immediate boost to an Oakland bullpen that has lost Liam Hendriks and Joakim Soria this winter and could yet lose Yusmeiro Petit (still a free agent) as well. Kolarek has emerged a ground-ball specialist capable of utterly overwhelming left-handed hitters in recent years, pitching to a combined 3.07 ERA and 3.61 SIERA with a below-average 17.4 percent strikeout rate but strong walk (5.7) and ground-ball (63.3) percentages. He’s controllable for four seasons and won’t be eligible for arbitration until next winter, so he’s a cost-efficient add for an A’s team that has aggressively slashed payroll this winter while eschewing any real expenditures.
The near-term piece headed back to L.A. is the 26-year-old Neuse, who made his MLB debut with Oakland in 2019 but didn’t appear in the Majors this past season. Neuse saw sparing action in his brief debut, taking 61 trips to the plate and batting .250/.295/.304 with a 31 percent strikeout rate. It wasn’t a particularly encouraging debut, but Neuse posted big numbers in his last season of Triple-A ball, hitting .317/.389/.550 with 27 big flies — good for a 126 wRC+.
Neuse has seen some time at second base, but his best position is probably third base, which left him blocked by Matt Chapman in Oakland. His presence gives the Dodgers something of a fallback option in the event that Justin Turner ultimately decides to sign elsewhere, but it’s unlikely that Neuse’s acquisition in any way closes the door on a reunion with Turner. Neuse has a pair of minor league options remaining, making him the type of depth the Dodgers tend to stockpile: a formerly high draft pick who’s a bit old to be a prospect now but has some defensive versatility and a solid upper-minors track record at the plate.
Turning to the minor league pieces in the swap, the A’s will acquire Thomas, a 26-year-old corner outfielder with plenty of power but some swing-and-miss tendencies that limit his overall upside t the plate. The former 13th-round pick hit .236/.308/.443 (108 wRC+) in a Double-A environment that proved to be a hitters’ wasteland in 2019 and batted .285/.355/.497 a year prior in Class-A Advanced.
Thomas went unselected in this year’s Rule 5 Draft, illustrating that he’s far from a premium prospect, but he’s a near-MLB bat with a career .219 ISO (slugging minus average) in the minors. It’s conceivable that he could emerge as a big league option in 2021-22.
Varland, 24, was the Athletics’ fourth-round pick back in 2018 and still has just 64 1/3 professional innings under his belt. He didn’t rank prominently among Oakland’s top prospects, though Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs gives him the potential for an above-average heater and slider — albeit with work to do in terms of control and improvement of a third pitch. Varland pitched just 26 1/3 innings at the Class-A Advanced level in 2019, working to a 2.39 ERA and 4.00 FIP with a 27-to-8 K/BB ratio and 37 percent ground-ball rate.
Well…..Simce the Dodgers took him.
Sheldon Neuse instantly turns into Kike Hernandez or Max Muncy.
Place your bets.
Maybe a Justin Turner or Chris Taylor?
It’s good to be a dodger fan.
That’s not the dodger news i have been waiting for.
Dodgers just got Bauer… What else do you want?
Likely referring to the third base situation and, more specifically, Turner. I have been waiting for that as well. Neuse is probably more of a utility replacement for Hernandez than anything.
Did you not read? Literally says he torched minors but was blocked by chapman. Primarily plays 3rd, numbers look excellent in minors. I think turner is gone, he will sign for less with another team but he feels dodgers owe him something spectacular at age 36. Time to brace for dodgers to move on
Dodgers just got a’s 5th and 28th best prospects for kolarek.
Quote from mlb pipeline.
“That athleticism allows him to be an effective defender at a number of positions. Blocked by Matt Chapman at third, his best position, he showed he could handle second base during his time up with Oakland, can still play an acceptable shortstop in a pinch and even is an adequate left fielder. “
Looks like you may have not read the entire last paragraph, at least not competently. Regardless, I highly doubt acquiring Neuse means the Dodgers are moving on from Turner, and my initial comment was posted when only the first paragraph of the article was posted, so “reading” the article was not an issue when I commented, as it was when you did. Also, the quote you posted supports the idea that Neuse is more of a utility replacement for Hernandez, as does the fact that he still has minor league options. The first lesson is free…
Chief two hands but no class:
Couldn’t you just disagree with him without having to add insults and condescension?
Why is everyone such a petty little B on here nowadays?
I responded in kind to his response. Get over it. Also, the hypocrisy in your post is comical, ABStract.
It’s the bravery and righteous indignation of the interwebs.
@Abstract this is the same guy that has beefs with almost everyone on here. Can you see why? I’m guessing this is laughing @ you’s alt account. Angry individual, who’s opinion is the only valid one despite being often wrong.
You couldn’t be more wrong. Keep spouting that nonsense, though. I don’t even have a “beef” with you, and I certainly don’t have any other accounts.
I mean, Chief Two Hands is correct here.
Matt Chapman
Wait what
I like Cody a lot. But you have to trust the Dodgers these days, implicitly.
From stats looks like he has some pop, but a ton of strikeouts.
Joey Gallo light.
Why do other teams allow the Dodgers to fleece them?
Kolarek is by far the best player in this deal.
He’s decent, but relievers come and go. The Dodgers obviously didn’t think he was that outstanding since he only threw 2/3 of an inning in a 6 game World Series.
Putting him into a WS game even though they didn’t think he was outstanding makes zero sense to begin with. L.
The Cubs used Mike Montgomery and Carl Edwards in the World Series in crucial moments. They were both hot garbage. Every pitcher that makes an appearance in the World Series is not good.
Youre making an illogical argument here, it makes no sense at all. Just enjoy your ring and be quiet lol
As Usual, Marty is posting nonsense.
Define hot garbage. Edwards Jr and Montgomery weren’t lights out but they were fairly reliable in 2016.
Edwards was always inconsistent in finding the strike zone. Was he better that year than others? Sure, but his command and control still were not great. I never felt confident with him on the mound.
Montgomery.. he’s just a journeyman lefty swing guy. He was in that bullpen because the Cubs had such crap outside of Chapman as it was.
Put it this way, that season was the statistical height of those two careers… and now they are both battling to find minor league deals.
Both of those pitchers were a big part of the bullpen in 2016 and beyond. Montgomery was a primary bullpen swing man for 3 years
Kolarek is going to lose effectiveness with the three batter rule. Dodgers used him well last year, but he struggles against RHHs
He didn’t lose effectiveness under the rule last year.
The Dodgers used him well, like I said. He still struggled against RHHs and was not used in the playoffs because they clearly didn’t trust him
He made four postseason appearances. Imagine it might have been more if the first one hadn’t been so brutal. All relievers are used situationally so I don’t know what more can be read into it, especially when his season numbers were otherwise excellent. I don’t see this trade being about the Dodgers souring on Kolarek so much as he being squeezed out by the Bauer signing.
They must be high on Neuse, who has high upside. Kolarek has done a great job but a lefty specialist has less value these days. Could be a win-win situation. Too many bullpen arms and enough lefty bullpen arms.
He is great against left handed hitters but as evident by his spilts right handed hitters hit him for .295 .365 obp .835 ops 152 tOPS+ meaning he is solely used against lefties where he shoves. Dodgers are well covered to absorb the lose.
“Kolarek was perhaps the most pleasant surprise for the Dodgers in 2020. After being mostly a lefty-lefty specialist with the Rays, Kolarek was solid against righties last season, holding them to a .737 OPS. He remained dominant against lefties, holding them to three hits in 40 plate appearances.
Perhaps most impressive is that Kolarek was one of just three pitchers with at least 50 batted ball events who didn’t allow a barreled ball, per Statcast.”
Where was the fleecing downsr?
2 college teammates traded for one another as well.
So much for the Matt Chapman to Mets rumors (made by a shock jock radio DJ with no actual connections), Neuse was most likely going to be the A’s 3B in that scenario.
Kolarek is a great add, but Beane needs to relax going after lefty bats, and instead focus on good hitters instead. Going after lefties who hit slightly better against the split isnt worthwhile unseating an everyday player.
This is a great deal for both sides. Kolarek might be the A’s closer now, but they should at least use some of that Davis money on Rosenthal too.
Is it still Beane? I thought he left to run some sports money/management conglomerate or something like that.
Beane hasn’t left yet. But Forst has been doing most of the moves for awhile now.
Beane is behind a great deal of the moves, Forst also makes moves, but he has to present them to Beane to sign off on them.
That deal fell through or you’d be talking about “part owner of the Boston RedSox” Billy Beane.
Billy Bean is with the A’s until further notice which BTW is not coming any time soon.
Bully Bean is not with the A’s. Billy Beane is.
A’s give up two pretty decent young players for a reliever, when there’s 30 decent relievers still available via free agency and guys like Steve Cishek are signing minor league deals.
Varland isnt “pretty decent” he’s a 14th round draft pick who is 24 and hasn’t pitched over A-ball. Neuse is blocked by Chapman.
The A’s certainly need more relievers via FA too, no argument there, but Kolarek is better than a lot of them.
Dodgers are selling high on Kolarek. Had good stats in 2020 on a small sample size. Lefty specialists are devalued due to 3 batter minimum. Good move by the Dodgers I think.
I think Kolarek is a victim of a stacked roster, and the Dodgers need to replace Hernandez with Neuse-types more than anything. This is a nice trade for both sides, I see nothing wrong with it fundamentally either way, but Kolarek is by far the best player in the deal, that much is for sure.
Marty go take a look at his spilts righty versus lefties. He gets crushed by right handed hitting, he is a situational lefty lefty match up only. This is why dodgers barely used him in playoffs. Right handed hitters crushed him for a tune of .295 avg .836 ops and ops+ of 152. Not great.
“Kolarek was perhaps the most pleasant surprise for the Dodgers in 2020. After being mostly a lefty-lefty specialist with the Rays, Kolarek was solid against righties last season, holding them to a .737 OPS. He remained dominant against lefties, holding them to three hits in 40 plate appearances.
Perhaps most impressive is that Kolarek was one of just three pitchers with at least 50 batted ball events who didn’t allow a barreled ball, per Statcast.”
He was a 4th round draft pick. Not a 14th rounder. Also, he hasn’t make it past high A because he had TJ surgery followed by a season where there was not any minor league baseball.
That combination is ripe for exploiting and Friedman is a master at exploiting them.
The A’s gave up two minor league players that most likely will never smell the 40 Man Roster let alone make an appearance for the A’s at the major league level for a LHP who will be the linchpin of their bullpen for the next several years without having to pay free agent prices.
Zach I’d advise you to take a look at his career spilts. Dodgers won this deal easily.
Nobody has won this deal because Sheldon Neuse could easily be utterly useless. He has great PCL numbers which are good for just about nothing.
The Dodgers didn’t need Kolarek. They can use another utility type. A’s need relievers desperately. This guy obviously isn’t your shutdown late inning option though. He’s a pick and play lefty specialist. Too early to call. Likely ends up being a marginal win for whoever gets the best out of the deal.
Neuse is currently on the 40 man roster and played in the big leagues in 2019. Great prediction otherwise.
If this isn’t a precursor to signing JT (by opening Kolarek’s spot on the 40 man), then I really don’t get it. Thomas was dealable depth, but Kolarek was insurance against Scott Alexander’s health.
Dodgers have a lot of reliever depth. If a dude is out of options and might not make the squad, move him before losing him for nothing on waivers.
I don’t think that this is a 40 man roster move as Neuse will have to be on Dodgers 40 man roster. Looks like Dodgers had a surplus of lefty relievers with emergence of Victor Gonzalez. They also have Scott Alexander and Cleavinger, and maybe Urias if he gets moved to the pen. Ferguson is done for the year if not most of the year but he’s another lefty bullpen option in 2022.
Urias won’t be moved to the pen but May and Gonsolin have nowhere else to go but there, or the minors. So that’s what this deal actually confirms IMO.
Gonsolin could potentially get sent down to AAA for starting pitching depth or bullpen. A lot of different factors. Urias could be the best bullpen arm. He’ll likely be a starter but if the Dodgers want May to start there aren’t enough slots for Urias. Unless they want to go 6 starters but how long can they keep that up where all 6 remain stretched out.
Could be but they have others more suited to minors depth than Gonsolin. He, May and certainly Urias all should be starting in the majors. Something’s gotta give here, it’s just a question of what and when.
Jury still out for Gonsolin as a starting MLB pitcher in my opinion. It is evident that all three cannot start for the Dodgers from a law of numbers and won’t be surprising if only one of the three is a full-time starting pitcher next season. After the big three you have Price at #4 unless he’s traded, and one starting slot for the three mentioned. If you want starting depth in case of injuries it would be silly to have remaining two are not starting in the bullpen. What if you have a June injury? By that time the two bullpen arms won’t be stretched out to fill in. They’ll have to go to White or Gray at AAA. Also you have too many relievers if you put both May and Gonsolin in the pen, assuming Dodgers go with 8 man bullpen with two lefties.
Varland was 22 in A Ball pre-pandemic, which is standard age for A Ball. He has put up exceptional numbers in the minors so far.
He also had Tommy John in 2019
Dodgers needed room in their pen for May and Gonsolin anyways, and Kolarek is a victim of the 3-batter minimum rule. Neuse had a great AAA in 2019, so hopefully he can build on that and be Hernandez/Taylor/Muncy 2021. Oh and if you haven’t seen Passan’s own reply to his tweet announcing this trade, it made me laugh out loud.
Just saw and thanks for the heads up, LOL he spittin facts!
Yep waiting for turner
Turner is going to be waiting for the phone to ring for a long time if he doesn’t drop his four year contract demand. While the acquisition of Neuse may not “in any way close the door on a reunion with Turner” it certainly makes it easier to let him go elsewhere
It’s funny how all of the players in this deal – I feel – are perfect fits for either team. This is a good quality trade, and I am now scared to see Kolarek face us lol.
Kolarek is good, but for Neuse? great deal for the Dodgers.
A’s had no room for Neuse simply put. Oakland needs to focus on signing Petit, just a proven pure controlled innings eater…
Except nurse was versatile and looked like a potential replacement for Chapman at some point. I wouldve signed any number of cheap free agent relievers and kept neuse
Always good to have a versatile nurse iykwim
Neusse would beat out Chad Pinder for playing time.
Classic move for Dodgers. I always thought Nuesse is an OPS+110 guy, with about 15 HR, and extremely solid defense. And he’s athletic enough to move to 2B if needed. Varland has done very well in age-appropriate leagues (including the nightmarish, for pitchers, Cal League).
Kolarek’s a typical LH reliever; All Star today, waiver wire tomorrow. Jake McGee Part Deux. Thomas hits home runs, is useless otherwise. And he really stunk in the Fall League, against better competition.
Lots of uncertainty here, but it looks like the Dodgers pulled a fast one.
Jake McGee consistently performs outside of COL.
always liked Neuse- for some reason this reminds me of when they picked up Chris Taylor.
This deal probably works out for both teams as it plays to both teams strengths. The A’s have the ability to take garbage relievers and turn them in to very good bullpen pieces and Closers (Liam Hendricks owes every cent of the $54 million he got from the White Sox to Bob Melvin and his coaching staff). The Dodgers have the ability to middling Infielders struggling to get a foothold in the Majors and turn them into solid everyday contributors (Muncy, Turner, Hernandez, Taylor). Kolarek could certainly end up the A’s next Closer since that appears to be an open competition. Neuse could be the replacement for Turner. Neuse also allows for Taylor to share 2B with Lux as they now have a second RH who can play multiple Infield positions
easier for Dodgers to keep him on roster with 28 spots last year vs the 26 this year. a lefty specialist may be too much of a luxury trying to get a staff through 162 games again.
Neuse was pick #56 in 2016. just ahead of Bryan Reynolds, Nick Solak, Pete Alonso and Bo Bichette.
Guessing Neuse is the new utility for the Dodgers alongside Taylor.
I think Neuse is the opening day starter at 3B honestly
I don’t think the Dodgers are going to trust him on a full time role.
That’s what Spring Training is for….
If Turner doesn’t return it would be Rios. McKinstry is the utility guy
I would be shocked if Friedman went that route. That would significantly weaken the lineup and team. At this point, it’s either Turner, Bryant or someone else. I don’t think you can role in with Rios, McKinstry or anyone else in the current roster.
Rios will be opening 3B, if Turner doesn’t return Neuse if there is a left-handed pitcher, We will see how Neuse and Dodgers hitting coaches do with him.
Right or wrong, I have this sentiment that the A’s often acquire young players, such as Neuse — they get a cup of tea in the bigs, but never give them a real shot — then they deal them, Barreto is another recent example — not to say he was destined for stardom, but he received a total of 211 sporadic abs before being shipped out.
Barreto has 228 career AB’s and 200 of them awful, with 100 of them ending in strikeouts. His minor league numbers don’t exactly set the world on fire either. Unfortunately as you say, they get these young players, give them a cup of coffee to see if there’s anything there and then jettison them off the team and bring back the Jed Lowrie’s of the world multiple times
Barreto was given sporadic playing time, but that’s still 3 years of getting chances in the big leagues and just being completely unable to stop striking out. I’m sure with more consistent playing time he’ll put something together, but this isn’t some guy who got a handful of AB’s and then never came back up. He was given a lot of chances, and never managed to put it together for us. You gotta move on eventually.
Kolareks usage is really affected by the three batter rule unfortunately but I wish him well
And yet last year it wasn’t at all.
Too small of a sample size. He was lit up in playoffs. If you add those stats to his regular season stats those stats are no longer elite. He’s a good lefty specialist but over a longer season he’ll get hit. Dodgers selling high.
An even smaller sample size. I don’t think I made an argument that he is elite, but that he’s been effective, and also the theory that he’d be nuked by the three batter rule just didn’t pan out.
Point being his ERA goes from 0.95 to 2.82 if you include playoffs. That’s over only 22 innings pitched. Over his career he allows 0.835 OPS to right handed batters vs 0.465 to left handed hitters. That spread was wider in 2020. Put him out there long enough an he’s going to get absolutely whacked around. He made a lot more sense when the left handed specialist role mattered. It doesn’t as much anymore. Selling high. Smart move.
And the A’s are totally clueless. The only explanation.
Every single trade has people arguing here which team “won” the deal. Here’s a novel idea: it was beneficial for BOTH clubs
As added outfielder Tom in rule 5 draft and Thomas in this trade. Age 26 yr old outfielders with minimal experience above AAA. Meanwhile have already outfielderslike Seth brown, skye bolt, Dustin Fowler, Luis Barrera, Greg deichmann already waiting for a chance. Maybe more trades?
Neuse looks like he could be a steal for LA if he can translate some of his minor league success to the majors. I mean he didn’t just put up ok numbers in the minors the past couple of seasons… he’s raked! Kind of surprised he really didn’t get much of a chance at all in the majors outside of the 61 at bats in 2019. Granted he struggled in those 61 ABs but still… like I said. It’s not like he was just ok in AAA… he was crushing it down there, particularly for a guy capable of playing multiple INF positions. Varland is also another guy who, albeit in small samples (assume he’s battled injuries since being drafted) has put up some very impressive numbers in the minors as well. I understand that Kolarek is the most reliable/sure thing involved in this 4 player deal BUT I think the Dodgers are getting some REALLY impressive potential back… and if either/both of those guys can translate some of their minor league success to the majors. They could be major winners in this trade.
Jeff, you got me excited with your post here. I like it when I’m excited. Go Neuse….see you, JT.
I’m not big on this trade. It will mean that Victor Gonzalez better have been for real last year. They will also now have to count on either Scott Alexander or Garrett Cleavinger to be the 2nd LH reliever in the bullpen. They also have non-roster LH guys like James Pazos, who was decent with the M’s in 17 & 18 and Enny Romero, who was OK with the Nats in 17 and then played in Japan the last two years. We will see.
Im very big on Pazos if healthy
We re fine out of the pen. Urias is the beast who can mow down righty or lefty hitters. Add Victor….that’s two beast LHP.
Watch Neuse become the next Max Muncey.
I wonder if Guy Varland pronounces his name as if he’s French as in Gi or Gwa. (Insert thinking emoji here)
It’s GUS Varland my friend. Remember that name.
Liljoe approves.the trade. Prospect w lots of upside for a situational reliever? All day every day…
As of today, Dodger infielders: Muncy, Lux, McKinstry, Seager, Rios, Beatty. All lefties.
Of course, Chris Taylor can and will play some 2B and back up short and he’s a righty.
But that’s the easy explanation for Neuse!
I don’t see Turner coming back now. Neuse is a 3B
Why would they give the starting job to someone that has never hit well at the MLB level? Neuse will most likely be at AAA beginning of 2021 season.
He only batted 61 times in MLB, He batted .250. Give the kid a chance…he’s proven himself in the minors.
I won’t shed a tear if JT doesn’t return. He’s on the decline, injured a bit. If he doesn’t want a 2 year deal, go find 3 years elsewhere. We have Rios and Neuse now.
I think this a precursor to a Kris Bryant trade. Cubs looking for future 3rd baseman, Dodgers leading with another former MVP. A’s weren’t a fit with Cubs so Dodgers facilitated a deal for a Cub need. We’ll see.
Or Hoese to Cubs in a bigger Bryant trade and Neuse sticks in LA.
Hoese and Price for Bryant and ?
Dodgers can’t afford Bryant’s $19 million salary with out unloading David Price and with the Cubs signing Jake Arrieta its doubtful the Cubs want to add $32 million in payroll for Price ( and thats with the Red Sox paying the other $32 million of the $64 million he’s owed). Neuse fits right in with the Dodgers. No reason to trade him away for a player they can sign as a free agent next winter if the want to
Dodgers can afford Bryant even without trading Price.. It would just mean that they’re over the $250mm threshold and will get taxed heavily on anything above $250mm and draft 10 spots down for their first pick. Bryant would be a tough sign after this year, since they already have others to consider next year and the year after. IMO it would strictly be a one year rental. If the price is too steep all the more reasons they’ll go with Turner on a two-year.
I like this trade for the A’s. Kolarek has some potential and Neuse fit in only at a crowded 2b with Kemp and Pinder. Pinder hits the ball hard per Statcast and deserves playing time. This helps free up at bats.
Except I’d take neuse over all their 2b options. And he would’ve been your plan B if they trade chapman eventually. A’s brought in neuse, baretto, profar, Mateo, Wendle, etc in trades and traded all of them. Now all that remains for the middle infield options of pinder, kemp, machin, andrus which on paper doesn’t seem good. Meanwhile, they accumulated too much outfield depth that is blocked and regressing in value
Nick Allen should be ready at some point this season, if not the beginning of next season. Jordan Diaz becomes next in line to Chapman at 3B though i don’t think the A’s are in a hurry to trade him when they are still probably the best team in the AL West right now
Meanwhile I’m buying the $hit out of Neuse rookie cards on ebay after what they accomplished with Turner and Muncy amongst others.
Rios and Neuse both a good shot at 3b in spring training. If Turner comes back, Turner will play less than 120 games at third., I like Neuse against LH pitchers and Rios against RH pitchers. Good backup plan if Turner doesn’t leave the DH.
Rios and Neuse could form a good lefty-righty platoon at 3rd base.
I agree. I’m tired of waiting for JT….so here’s hoping the Rios/Neuse platoon works.
Great thinking. I’m on board with this too.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Varland ends up being the hidden gem in this deal. His draft position was largely a result of coming from a smaller upper Midwest college, but he had sustained success competing against top tier college hitters in the Northwoods League in 2017, and then exploded out of the gate with an 0.95 ERA and 11.8 K/9 in 13 games across 3 levels of the A’s minor league system in 2018. He continued that run of success in High-A ball in 2019, before injuring his elbow and undergoing Tommy John surgery. He was cleared to resume throwing last Fall and his stuff was back and on full display in the AZ instructional league.
Varland has upside as a starter if he can finish developing a third pitch, or could find success as a reliever if the Dodgers choose to go that route. He features a mid-90s fastball with a big breaking slider, exceptional command (despite what FanGraphs had to say), and easy, repeatable mechanics. Simply put, the kid pounds the zone with plus stuff. I’ve seen him pitch probably 10-12 times over a 3-year period, and the reason I’m so bullish on him is that he’s a fierce competitor and elevates his game to meet the moment. Now that he’s healthy again, I think this kid is going to thrive with the Dodgers.