After engaging in trade talks earlier this month, the Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly agreed to send outfielders Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig along with starting pitcher Alex Wood to the Cincinnati Reds for starting pitcher Homer Bailey, prospects and international bonus slots.
According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, the Reds and Dodgers finally agreed to the often rumored deal on Friday with three MLB players heading to Cincinnati and several prospects headed to Los Angeles.
Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig and Alex Wood have been traded to the Cincinnati Reds, league sources tell Yahoo Sports. Homer Bailey is one of the players going back to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The return for the Dodgers clearly will be more.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 21, 2018
Puig should become an immediate contributor in Cincinnati’s outfield in an aggressive offseason by the front office. The 28-year-old hit 23 home runs with a .327 OBP and .820 OPS in 2018 for Los Angeles. He is arbitration eligible for the final time this offseason then will become a free agent in 2020.
Kemp had a tremendous first half for the Dodgers last season with a .310/.352/.522 slash line and 15 home runs. However, the 34-year-old cooled off after the All-Star Break with a .719 OPS and .255 batting average. He is owed more than $16 million next season in the last year of his contract.
Cincinnati also upgrades its rotation with the acquisition of Wood. The 27-year-old southpaw recorded a 3.68 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 135 strikeouts in 151.2 innings last season. He is also arbitration eligible for the final time this offseason.
According to the report, the arrival of Bailey to Los Angeles will be short. The Dodgers are expected to immediately release the veteran pitcher, who is still owed $25 million and coming off another horrendous season with a 6.09 ERA.
In addition to clearing money under the luxury-tax threshold, Los Angeles acquires infield prospect Jeter Downs. The 20-year-old is rated as Cincinnati’s No. 7 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.