A THREE-TEAM BASEBALL TRADE!
In a three-team trade, the St. Louis Cardinals acquired pitcher Erick Fedde, outfielder Tommy Pham and cash considerations from the Chicago White Sox; the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired infielder/outfielder Tommy Edman and pitcher Oliver Gonzalez from the Cardinals, and pitcher Michael Kopech from the White Sox; and Chicago acquired outfielder/infielder Miguel Vargas, infielders Jeral Perez and Alexander Albertus, and a player to be named later or cash from the Dodgers.
What does it give the St. Louis Cardinals
The new-look Fedde has excelled this season after returning from pitching in Korea. He has been one of the few bright spots on the White Sox. Sporting a 108:34 strikeout/walk ratio and a 3.11 ERA, he could become the Cardinals' second-best option in the rotation behind Sonny Gray. Getting Pham helps off-set the loss of Tommy Edman. St. Louis has a lot of left-handed hitters that Pham will be able to platoon with. Adding both players, while only giving up an injured Edman and a prospect, should greatly increase the Cardinals' playoff chances.
What does it give the Los Angeles Dodgers
Edman has not played in a game this season due to a lingering wrist issue. Once healthy, he should give the Dodgers options. Eventually, Edman should provide some speed and contact-hitting ability to the Dodgers lineup. Kopech has been the White Sox' primary closer. With a fastball that is consistently over 100 mph leading to plenty of strikeouts, he will become another late-game option for LA. Gonzalez was just signed as an international free agent this past February. The Dodgers must have wanted him then, so they get him now.
What does it give the
In the midst of their second 14-game losing streak of the season, the White Sox have begun to sell and add prospects. Vargas should join the big club right away and see more at-bats than he did in LA. A bat-first player, he is under team control through 2030. Perez has performed well in Single-A, mainly playing third base. He has 10 HRs and 42 RBI in 75 games. Albertus has hit .298 in the minors this season. He projects as a contact-first bat who can play all around the infield. Both players are only 19 years old, so the rebuilding White Sox will be patient.
Fantasy impact
Fedde, a fantasy surprise this season, should be able to continue his success with the Cardinals. Pham's role will also stay the same. Expect him to be in the lineup versus left-handed pitching. His value is capped in that role. In LA, nobody knows how Edman will do coming back from his injury this late in the season. He will likely hit in the bottom of the order. His value will come from his stolen bases and runs scored. With so much uncertainty surrounding the closer role in LA, Kopech has a great opportunity. His value should skyrocket if he becomes the closer. Even as a setup man, there will be plenty more leads for him to protect than before. Vargas is the only fantasy-relevant player joining the White Sox at this time. More opportunity should lead to more production. He will be drafted much higher next year than he has in past years.
