The Dodgers traded a pair of outfielders Friday in a move that could open space for free agent Bryce Harper.
Los Angeles dealt outfielders Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp, with pitcher Alex Wood and catcher Kyle Farmer, to the Cincinnati Reds for pitcher Homer Bailey and prospects Jeter Downs and Josiah Gray, per multiple media reports.
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 The deal takes money off the Dodgers' books and opens a spot in their outfield.
The upshot for the Dodgers is clearing money under the luxury-tax threshold. Matt Kemp is a $20M hit this year and Yasiel Puig and Alex Wood somewhere from $20M-$22M. Even though Homer Bailey and his buyout will cost $28M, the tax hit is just $17.5M.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan)
December 21, 2018 Of course, the trade doesn't mean Harper is destined to play in Dodger blue or that the move was made specifically with Harper in mind.
In the wake of this trade, #Dodgers can do many other things besides take a run at Harper. They can sign free-agent A.J. Pollock and/or trade for #Marlins’ Realmuto or one of #Indians’ starting pitchers. Many ways they can go.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal)
December 21, 2018 Unlike Bryce Harper, if the Dodgers pursued J.T. Realmuto, Corey Kluber, A.J. Pollock, Craig Kimbrel or pretty much anyone, they remain safely under the luxury-tax threshold.Like with their players on the field, the Dodgers relish flexibility financially. This deal offers it.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan)
December 21, 2018 Time will tell, but this is the first major move by a team in the Harper sweepstakes.
