CHISOX, DODGERS, ROYALS SWAP 6 PLAYERS
In a three-team trade, the Chicago White Sox acquired pitcher Joakim Soria and cash from the Kansas City Royals, and pitcher Luis Avilan and cash from the Los Angeles Dodgers; Los Angeles acquired pitcher Scott Alexander from the Royals, and infielder Jake Peter from the White Sox, and Kansas City acquired pitcher Trevor Oaks and infielder Erick Mejia from the Dodgers.
What does it give the Chicago White Sox
This is an interesting trade for the rebuilding White Sox, since both Soria and Avilan are veteran relievers who may or may not spend all of 2018 with Chicago. Soria could be the early favorite to close for the Pale Hose, while Avilan will likely emerge as the top left-hander out of the bullpen. Chicago did also receive a reported $3 million in cash to help off-set the salaries of both Soria and Avilan. Both relievers are candidates to be moved before the July 31 trade deadline if the Sox are not in postseason contention. Still, Chicago did not give up much here in an attempt to bolster their mediocre 'pen.
What does it give the Los Angeles Dodgers
For the Dodgers, this deal is mostly a wash since they dealt away a left-handed reliever and minor-league infielder and received back a left-handed reliever and minor-league infielder. Obviously, they like Alexander's potential more than Avilan's, and that goes ditto for Peter over Mejia. Peter, who turns 25 years old in April, could be a candidate to serve as a utility man for the Dodgers (a role perfected in recent years by the likes of Enrique Hernandez and Chris Taylor). Meanwhile, Alexander could serve a prominent role in the LA bullpen as the team's No. 1 or 2 lefty (along with Tony Cingrani).
What does it give the
The Royals did not make this trade simply to add two average prospects in Oaks and Mejia, though Oaks has a chance to win a spot in the Kansas City rotation in spring training and Mejia is viewed as a decent utility infielder. The main movitation for KC here was to shed Soria's salary (or most of it) in an attempt to keep free-agent first baseman Eric Hosmer. Reports suggest KC sent $1 million to Chicago to complete the deal, which means the Royals still save around $8 million here. This deal will turn into a clear win for the Royals if they are able to keep Hosmer into the fold. Otherwise, they lose.
Fantasy impact
Soria, Avilan and Alexander are all better off in their new digs, though none have automatic fantasy upside. Still, all three should have more value now than they did before the complex trade. Ditto Oaks and Peter, who could have a more prominent role with their new organizations. As for Mejia, his value is fairly low regardless of the organization he toils for. In Hosmer's case, his value stays roughly the same if he now chooses to re-sign with Kansas City. However, his value would decrease somewhat if he chooses to sign with the San Diego Padres.
