Amed Rosario trade details: Dodgers add Guardians shortstop for Noah Syndergaard
The Dodgers have found their answer at shortstop.
Los Angeles is acquiring Amed Rosario from the Guardians in exchange for right-hander Noah Syndergaard and cash considerations, the Dodgers announced on Wednesday.
The Dodgers have had a revolving door at shortstop all season, even turning to right fielder Mookie Betts for spot appearances at the position. Gavin Lux was expected to be the starting shortstop following the departure of Trea Turner in the offseason, but Lux tore an ACL in spring training, ending his season before it began.
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Rosario was in his third season with the Guardians and his sixth season overall in the big leagues. He was acquired by Cleveland in the 2021 offseason in the trade that sent Francisco Lindor to the Mets.
Here’s everything you need to know about the trade.
Amed Rosario trade details
- Dodgers receive: SS Amed Rosario
- Guardians receive: RHP Noah Syndergaard, cash considerations
On a team with few flaws, shortstop stood out as one of the most prominent for Los Angeles. Lux’s injury left a vacuum that Miguel Rojas and Chris Taylor have struggled to fill. The team has combined for 1.0 fWAR from the position (23rd) with a 72 wRC+ (25th) and combined .217/.279/.348 slash line.
Rosario represents a slight upgrade. He has slashed .265/.306/.369 this season with three home runs and nine stolen bases. He has hit double-digit home runs and stolen double-digit bases in three of his past four seasons and has hit at least .282 in three of the past four campaigns. Overall, he has an 86 wRC+.
His biggest struggles have been on defense. Among qualifying shortstops, Rosario ranks last with minus-15 defensive runs saved (DRS). According to Fangraphs, anything at or below minus-15 DRS is considered “awful” defense.
But Rosario will be an offensive upgrade, and he will allow Taylor and fellow acquisition Enrique Hernandez to fill their customary utility roles.
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Coming back to Cleveland is Syndergaard, who has been out since June 7 with a finger injury. The Dodgers signed him to a one-year deal hoping he would regain the ace form he showed during his time with the Mets.
Instead, Syndergaard has posted his worst season to date. He has a 7.16 ERA, 5.54 FIP, 15.4 percent strikeout rate and 17.9 percent home run per fly ball rate, all of which are career worsts for a full season. His average fastball velocity of 92.4 mph is well below his 2017 peak of 98.3 mph.
After Shane Bieber’s injury, which will keep the Cleveland ace out until September, the Guardians need starting pitching help. They have largely turned to bullpen games every fifth day to replace Bieber, with Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee, Logan Allen and Aaron Civale making the other starts.
Bieber, Triston McKenzie and Cal Quantrill are all on the injured list, while Zach Plesac, Hunter Gaddis and Peyton Battenfield (also on the IL) have struggled in previous starting opportunities.
The Dodgers will be adding $2 million along with Syndergaard to ensure Cleveland is paying the same amount in salary it would have to Rosario had he stayed in Cleveland.
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Cleveland is in the midst of a race for the AL Central title, so trading its starting shortstop might seem odd on its face. But the Guardians are loaded with shortstop options that can provide more upside than Rosario. In limited playing time, Tyler Freeman has slashed .293/.349/.373 with three steals in the majors. The team’s top prospect, Brayan Rocchio, has posted an impressive .295/.385/.419 slash line with two home runs and 19 steals with an 11.5 percent walk rate and 12.8 percent strikeout rate in the minors. He’s also currently riding a 16-game hitting streak.
With Rosario now traded, the Guardians can start to see what they have in Freeman, Rocchio and major league utility infielder Gabriel Arias — who are 24, 22 and 23, respectively — and decide whether any of them are ready to be the franchise’s long-term shortstop.