After waiting until the eve of this year’s MLB trade deadline to make their first big move, the Dodgers were close to executing a complex maneuver on Monday, one expected to land them utility man Tommy Edman and relief pitcher Michael Kopech in a three-team trade with the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly.
It was far from a blockbuster deal for the first-place but injury-plagued Dodgers. Edman is a career .265 hitter who has yet to play this year because of offseason wrist surgery and an ankle sprain. Kopech is a hard-throwing, yet walk-prone, right-hander with a 4.74 ERA and nine saves this season.
But, both players come with upside — Edman as a switch-hitter and versatile defensive option in both the infield and outfield; Kopech as a talented former first-round pick who moved to the bullpen this year after being a starter in 2022 and 2023.
Both players are also under team control through the end of next season.
In return, the Dodgers sent outfielder Miguel Vargas and two minor-league prospects to the White Sox.
In the other portion of the deal, the Cardinals acquired starting pitcher Erick Fedde and outfielder Tommy Pham from Chicago.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.