(670 The Score) The Cubs have acquired infield prospect Michael Busch and right-hander Yency Almonte in a trade with the Dodgers, the club announced Thursday. In return, Chicago sent minor league left-hander Jackson Ferris and minor league outfielder Zyhir Hope back to Los Angeles.
Busch, 26, is rated the No. 44 overall prospect in baseball, according to MLB.com. He was the Dodgers' minor league player of the year in 2023, posting a slash line of .323/.431/.618 while hitting 27 homers at Triple-A.
Busch broke into the majors with the Dodgers last season, going 12-for-72 with two home runs and seven RBIs over 27 games for Los Angeles.
Busch projects to compete for the Cubs' starting role at first base this season.
Almonte, 29, has a career 4.51 ERA over 196 appearances, all coming in relief, across six MLB seasons. He posted a 5.06 ERA in 49 appearances for the Dodgers last season. In 2022, Almonte posted a 1.02 ERA in 33 relief outings.
Ferris, 19, was a second-round pick of the Cubs in 2022 and posted a 3.54 ERA with Single-A Myrtle Beach last season. Hope, 18, was an 11th-round pick of the Cubs in 2023. He began his minor league career in the rookie league.
The Cubs haven't yet made the deal official.