Reports: Latos trade not done between Dodgers, Marlins
The Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly acquired pitcher Mat Latos and first baseman Michael Morse in a trade with the Miami Marlins, but new reports suggest the deal is not done.
Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Timesfirst reported the deal, followed by Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. But Spencer tweeted early Wednesday evening that the trade was “far from complete” and that it may not happen. He added that Latos and Morse remain in the Miami clubhouse but are not on the field with the team for batting practice. Wittenmeyer reported Wednesday evening that the deal is on hold due to pending medicals.
Both Latos and Morse will be in uniform for the Marlins Wednesday night against the Washington Nationals in Miami, reports Fox Sports’s Ken Rosenthal.
ESPN's Jim Bowden reports that a third team is involved in the deal, and that there are other parts in play. This could also be a potential factor in the uncertainty surrounding the trade.
In the deal, the Marlins would also send a Competitive Balance Round draft pick to the Dodgers and Los Angeles would send three minor-league pitchers to Miami, Spencer reported earlier Wednesday.
Latos was acquired by the Marlins in a trade this winter and Morse signed a two-year deal in December. Latos will be a free agent after the season while Morse is owed $8.5 million in 2016. Miami will not retain any of either player’s salary, according to MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro. The Marlins have made a habit in recent years of trading away recent acquisitions as a means of shedding payroll.
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Latos, 27, has a 4.48 ERA with 79 strikeouts and 25 walks in 88 1/3 innings this season. The Dodgers rotation already includes Cy Young candidates Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke.
Morse, 33, is batting .214 with four home runs and 12 RBIs in 52 games this season. He has an OPS+ of 64, well below the league average, and a -0.6 WAR by Baseball Reference’s measure. Morse has played primarily at first base for the Marlins but also has the ability to play both corner outfield spots.
- Dan Gartland
