The Dodgers bolstered their roster on Monday by acquiring infielder/outfielder Tommy Edman from the Cardinals and right-handed pitcher Michael Kopech from the White Sox in a three-team deal. As part of the trade, Chicago pitcher Erick Fedde will join the Cardinals, according to multiple reports.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Russell Dorsey of Yahoo Sports, and Juan Toribio of MLB.com report that Miguel Vargas will be heading to the White Sox. Additionally, the Dodgers will send infield prospects Jeral Perez, Noah Miller, and Alexander Albertus to Chicago, per Nightengale.
The trade has not yet been finalized or officially announced.
Ken Rosenthal and Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reported Sunday night that the Dodgers and Cardinals were discussing a potential trade. Katie Woo at The Athletic noted that St. Louis, one game out of a wild card spot in the tightly contested National League, was seeking financial flexibility to acquire starting pitching.
Edman, who signed a two-year contract in January covering his final two years of salary arbitration, is set to earn $7 million this season and $9.5 million in 2025. With 63 days remaining in the season, Edman’s remaining salary for this year is approximately $2,370,968.
The 29-year-old Edman won a Gold Glove at second base in 2021 and a Fielding Bible award as a multi-position player in 2022. Throughout his career, he has started games at second base, shortstop, third base, and all three outfield spots. By Outs Above Average and Defensive Runs Saved metrics, Edman has been average or above defensively at all six positions.
Edman underwent arthroscopic wrist surgery in October and has played eight rehab games with Double-A Springfield, recording six hits, including a double, in 29 at-bats, along with four walks as a designated hitter. His rehab assignment was briefly interrupted due to a sprained ankle, which required an anti-inflammatory shot, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Since returning last week, Edman has played in four games at Double-A, going 2-for-15 with a double and two walks.
Edman has a career .265/.319/.408 batting line with a 99 wRC+. The switch-hitter has a career 117 wRC+ against left-handed pitching and 93 wRC+ against right-handers. Over the past three seasons, Edman averaged 12 home runs, 32 doubles, and 30 stolen bases in 150 games, totaling 11.7 bWAR and 10.7 fWAR from 2021-23.
Kopech, who transitioned from a starter to a reliever this year, has posted a 4.74 ERA and 3.90 xERA in 43 relief appearances, with 59 strikeouts and 24 walks in 43 innings. He is earning $3 million this season, with approximately $1.02 million remaining, and is eligible for salary arbitration for one more season in 2025.
Vargas, without a defined position for the Dodgers due to the presence of MVP candidates at first base and designated hitter, has primarily played left field against left-handers this season. He has hit .239/.313/.423 with a 108 wRC+ and three home runs in 30 games.
