The Dodgers acquired closer Michael Kopech from the Chicago White Sox, infielder Tommy Edman and minor-league pitcher Oliver Gonzalez from the St. Louis Cardinals, as part of a three-team trade on Monday morning.
Los Angeles also dealt right-handed pitcher Ricky Vanasco to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for cash considerations.
In the three-team deal, the Cardinals acquired Erick Fedde (7-4, 3.11 ERA) and outfielder Tommy Pham. The White Sox received utility player Miguel Vargas and Dodgers infield prospects Jeral Perez and Alexander Albertus.
Kopech, 28, (2-8, 4.74) was converted to the team's closer this season with mixed results, which may place him in a non-closer position with the Dodgers while still seeing some high-leverage innings based on experience.
Converting nine of 14 save opportunities in 2024, the reliever has been notably more successful in non-save situations with a 1.98 ERA in 27 1/3 innings, compared to his 9.37 ERA (16 1/3 IP, 17 ER) in save situations.
Edman, 29, is a versatile switch-hitter who played multiple infield positions and all three outfield spots throughout his career. He had his best defensive year in 2021, winning a Gold Glove award at second base.
He has been sidelined this year because of a spring ankle injury and offseason wrist surgery. He has been the designated hitter on an injury rehab assignment at Double-A Springfield but has yet to play a game in the field.
Edman is under a two-year, $16.5 million contract and will become a free agent after the 2025 season.
He has batted .258 with a .316 OBP and .400 SLG over the past two seasons for the Cardinals, hitting 26 home runs with a 100 wRC+ and 7.8 fWAR. Edman also plays elite defense at multiple positions, making him a potential upgrade from Cavan Biggio.
Gonzalez, 17, is a Panamian right-handed pitcher who signed with the Cardinals for $400,000. He has pitched in the low 90's with solid feel for landing a quality curveball. In 21 1/2 innings in the Dominican Summer League, he has struck out 26 with just seven walks, while holding a 2-0 record and 4.22 ERA.
Vargas is expected to receive ample playing time in Chicago and should feel more comfortable playing in the infield after being used in the outfield by the Dodgers. He is batting .239 with three home runs and nine RBIs.
Vargas was demoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City during the All-Star break last year and didn't get much playing time. This season, he has been learning the game from a different perspective, with Dodgers legend Andre Ethier mentoring him.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has been shifting him to left field in an effort to get him in the lineup.
Surrendering two prospects in the three-team trade, the Dodgers sent minor league infielders Alexander Albertus and Jeral Perez to the White Sox.
Albertus, 19, is an offense-minded infielder who is projected to be a solid hitter though lacks much defensive value due to his below-average speed and defensive range. Scouts have been impressed with his physical development over the past calendar year which has helped him tap into some average-or-better raw power.
Promoted to Low-A Rancho Cucamonga in late June after a stellar performance in the Arizona Complex League, he hit .229 with a .646 OPS in 19 games with Rancho Cucamonga. He was ranked the 16th best prospect in the Dodgers system by Baseball America in their mid-season prospect rankings update.
Perez, 19, has similar offensive projection to Albertus as a rounded hit-and-power corner infielder with more defensive value at third base. Hitting double-digit home runs in back-to-back seasons, he was hitting .264 with an .800 OPS with 10 home runs in 75 games with Low-A Rancho Cucamonga. He was ranked the 18th best prospect in the Dodgers system by Baseball America in their mid-season prospect rankings update.