I’m not even sure how much analysis I can provide you on this trade – indeed, I kept waiting and waiting for more information – because I can’t wrap my head around it.
The Dodgers have reportedly traded infielder Dee Gordon and pitcher Dan Haren – he of the $10 million salary in 2015, and who has said he would retire if he’s traded – to the Marlins for one of the best pitching prospects in the game, Andrew Heaney (consensus top 30 type), as well as second baseman Enrique Hernandez, righty Chris Hatcher and catcher Austin Barnes, all decent/potentially useful young players (OK, Hatcher’s 29, but he’s coming off of an outstanding year in the pen and isn’t even arb eligible until 2017).
Meanwhile, Dee Gordon hit .289/.326/.378 last year while stealing a bunch of bases. He has limited upside and is meh defensively. He turns 27 next year, and is eligible for arbitration. Dan Haren is 34, will make $10 million next year (if he doesn’t retire), and posted a 4.02/4.09/3.70 ERA/FIP/xFIP last year. He was worth 1.0 WAR.
So the Dodgers get a ton of young talent for Gordon and the opportunity to shed Haren’s salary. Can’t say I’m liking seeing the Dodgers net improving for the long-term like this without losing much in the near-term.
I would be apoplectic if I wasn’t so confused. There has to be more going to Miami, right?
For now, sum it up for me, Jeff Passan:
Exec on Dodgers haul: "Easily the most lopsided of the offseason." Good RP in Hatcher, versatile Hernandez, solid prospects Heaney/Barnes.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 11, 2014
Want to know why Dodgers coveted Andrew Friedman? Because he turns six good weeks of Dee Gordon & Dan Haren's name into 23 years of control.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 11, 2014
UPDATE: More info on the deal, and on the ice cold heart of the new Dodgers front office:
Dodgers pay $0 if he retires. @clarkspencer Hearing that #dodgers, as part of trade with #Marlins, agreed to pay Haren's $10 million.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) December 11, 2014
“Don’t worry, Marlins. If he doesn’t retire, we’ll cover his salary. But he’ll retire. That’s why we’re doing this.”
UPDATE 2: And now it makes sense. When it comes to the Marlins, always follow the money trail:
#dodgers will pay #marlins $10 million (Haren's salary) whether or not he retires. They're also paying Gordon's projected $2.5 million.
— clarkspencer (@clarkspencer) December 11, 2014
I have no idea how MLB is allowing this. Essentially, the Marlins just sold a bunch of prospects to the Dodgers for cash. Ridiculous.
UPDATE 3: In the overnight hours, the Dodgers then sent Heaney to the Angels for Howie Kendrick, who is an excellent second baseman, and definitely makes the Dodgers better for 2015. Heaney seems like a steep price for one year of Kendrick, though.