LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers made a pair of moves to set their bullpen before the opening of spring training later this week.
Free-agent right-hander Ryan Brasier reportedly agreed to a two-year deal to return to the Dodgers. The contract will pay him $9 million with incentives that could add to that. The move is not official until the Dodgers clear a spot on their 40-man roster.
Additionally, the Dodgers traded left-hander Caleb Ferguson to the New York Yankees in exchange for two pitchers – left-hander Matt Gage and 19-year-old right-hander Christian Zazueta Jr.
Ferguson spent five seasons with the Dodgers, missing the 2021 season while recovering from his second Tommy John surgery. The 27-year-old lefty signed a one-year contract for $2.4 million earlier this offseason, avoiding arbitration. He will be eligible for free agency next winter.
Ferguson was 18-9 with five saves and a 3.43 ERA in 201 games for the Dodgers. He tied with Brusdar Graterol with a team-high 68 appearances last season including seven starts as an “opener.” He did not pitch well in that role, allowing five runs in 6⅔ innings.
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The 36-year-old Brasier was a key piece of the Dodgers’ 2023 bullpen, helping turn the relief corps around after a poor first two months of the season.
After six seasons with the Boston Red Sox (including the 2018 World Series championship), Brasier was released in May with a 7.29 ERA after 20 appearances. The Dodgers signed him and encouraged him to add a cutter to his pitch mix. The result was a 0.70 ERA, 38 strikeouts and only 18 hits in 38⅔ innings for the Dodgers.
In Gage, the Dodgers get a well-traveled 30-year-old who has pitched in five organizations, the Mexican League and independent baseball. Gage had a 1.83 ERA in 16 major league games for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022 and the Houston Astros last season. He was claimed on waivers by the Yankees last month.
Swapping Ferguson for Gage gives the Dodgers some roster flexibility. Ferguson is out of options and could not be sent to the minors without clearing waivers first. Gage can be optioned throughout the season.
Ferguson is the second left-handed reliever sent to the Yankees by the Dodgers this winter. Victor Gonzalez was also traded earlier this offseason in exchange for minor league infielder Trey Sweeney.
Zazueta has spent the past two seasons playing for the Yankees team in the Dominican Summer League, going 3-5 with a 4.54 ERA. His father has played in the Mexican League for the past 19 seasons, primarily as an outfielder, collecting over 1900 hits.
Dodgers pitchers and catchers report to Camelback Ranch on Thursday with the first spring training workout scheduled for Friday. The first full-squad workout is scheduled for Feb. 14.
