As if the Los Angeles Dodgers needed anything else to prove they are World Series favorites, the team has reportedly acquired ace starter Yu Darvish from the Texas Rangers. It’s a trade that was reportedly agreed to right before the non-waiver deadline Monday afternoon.
Source: Yu Darvish traded to Dodgers.
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) July 31, 2017
Darvish, 30, had long been on the trade block prior to the deadline. But as the likes of Sonny Gray were moved, it looked like he would remain in Texas. Obviously, that’s no longer the case.
This is an absolutely huge deal for a Dodgers team that entered Monday’s action with a MLB-best 74-31 record and has won 33 of its past 38 games.
Darvish has pitched to a 6-9 record with a 4.01 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 3.98 FIP in 22 starts this season.
It also comes as a pretty big shock, especially considering Darvish himself sent out a cryptic tweet minutes before the deadline indicating that he was still a member of the Rangers.
10min!! pic.twitter.com/gwP7qwvh8d
— ダルビッシュ有(Yu Darvish) (@faridyu) July 31, 2017
The veteran is set to become a free agent following the 2017 season, so this could very well be a rental for the Dodgers.
As it relates to who is heading to Texas in the deal, that has not yet been confirmed. Updates will surely follow.