Dodgers make 2-for-1 trade with Yankees to 'make room for Ohtani'

The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a trade to make room for Shohei Ohtani, 29, who was acquired in a $700 million deal, the most expensive in North American professional sports history.

The Dodgers announced on Wednesday (July 12) that they have agreed to a two-for-one trade with the New York Yankees, sending reliever Victor Gonzalez and infielder Horvitz Vivas and receiving infielder Trey Sweeney. MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, described the trade as "part of the ripple effect of the Dodgers' 10-year, $700 million contract with Ohtani."

With a full 40-man roster, the Dodgers needed to clear the way to make room for Ohtani. The trade also cleared a spot for Ohtani and reliever Joe Kelly, who recently signed a one-year, $8 million deal.

Gonzalez, who leaves the Dodgers, is 3-3 with a 4.01 ERA in 34 appearances in 2023. After making his big league debut in 2020, Gonzalez turned into a closer in 2021, going 3-1 with a 3.57 ERA in 44 games with 17 holds and one save.

Vivas, who can play second and third base, is an up-and-coming prospect who has yet to see the big leagues, batting .269 with 13 home runs, 63 RBIs, 25 doubles and a .788 OPS in 135 games between Double-A and Triple-A in 2023.

After his stint in a Dodgers uniform, Sweeney was selected by the Yankees with the 20th overall pick in the 2021 draft. Sweeney played 100 games at Double-A in 2023, batting .252 with 13 home runs, 49 RBI, 67 runs scored, 20 doubles, and a 0.778 OPS.

Ohtani, meanwhile, signed a massive 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers on Tuesday. It is the largest contract in the history of American professional sports, let alone Major League Baseball.

Ohtani announced his move to the Dodgers on social media, saying, "I would like to apologize to all fans and everyone involved for taking so long to make my decision. I have decided to choose the Dodgers as my next team." 헤라카지노

"First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Angels organization, the fans who have supported me over the past six years, and the team officials who have been involved in the negotiation process. In particular, I will forever cherish the six years I spent with the Angels."

"I promise all Dodger fans that I will always do my best for the team, and I will do my best to be the best version of myself. I will continue to work hard for the Dodgers and the game of baseball until the last day of my career. I will talk about what I can't say in a press conference in the future. Thank you very much."