Out of the Blue
The Dodgers began a major shakeup of the roster, sending three key players to Florida, with more deals expected to be in the works before today’s 1 p.m. non-waiver trading deadline:
GOING ...
PAUL LO DUCA
* A starter since 2001, he had been the most popular Dodger, along with Eric Gagne. The All-Star was also a clubhouse leader and a .300-hitting catcher.
GUILLERMO MOTA
* One of the most highly sought-after players around the league, Mota had been almost automatic as Gagne’s setup man, a job that will now fall to Darren Dreifort.
J. ENCARNACION
* His power numbers weren’t bad (13 homers, 43 RBIs), but he was batting only .235. Encarnacion returns to Florida, where he won a World Series last year.
*
COMING ...
BRAD PENNY
* The hard-throwing right-hander is big (6-4, 250) and young (26). He’s only 8-8 this year, but his ERA is 3.15, and he went 2-0 in the World Series last year.
HEE SEOP CHOI
* Touted as a phenom in Chicago, the first baseman is batting .270 with 15 homers and 40 RBIs in his first season with the Marlins after being acquired from the Cubs.
BILL MURPHY
* Murphy, a left-handed reliever, represented the Marlins at the All-Star Futures Game. He was drafted by Oakland ... when Paul DePodesta was there.
*
IN THE WINGS
RANDY JOHNSON
* He has five Cy Young Awards, more than 4,000 strikeouts and a perfect game, but the Big Unit reportedly didn’t want to come to Los Angeles.
STEVE FINLEY
* On the plus side, he would be a solid defensive addition and he has 23 home runs. On the minus side, he is 39 and it probably would be the end of Jayson Werth’s L.A. career.
CHARLES JOHNSON
* The Dodgers got him once in another deal for a catcher, someone named Piazza. Now Johnson must decide if he wants to waive his no-trade clause and leave Colorado.
More to Read
Are you a true-blue fan?
Get our Dodgers Dugout newsletter for insights, news and much more.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.