Dodgers Trade Gordon, Haren to Marlins For Four Players in Blockbuster Deal

In a shocking but somewhat shrewd move, the Dodgers have traded second baseman Dee Gordon, along with right hander Dan Haren to the Miami Marlins for four youthful prospects, in a six player blockbuster trade. Yeah, so much for the Dodgers not doing anything I guess.

The Dodgers will be sending Gordon, and Haren, to Miami in exchange for left handed pitcher Andrew Heaney, catcher Austin Barnes, infielder Enrique Hernandez, and right hander Chris Hatcher.

Andy Martino, and Buster Olney are reporting the trade is a done deal.

Just the other day Farhan Zaidi stated to the media that the Dodgers were not trading or shopping Gordon. I believe his exact words were, “We’re not dangling Gordon!”. Now less than 48 hours later, the Dodgers are not just dangling, they are trading. Dangle away! They’re now saying. Go ahead and dangle. We love dangling!

We know the two sides had been lightly discussing Gordon, but I don’t think anyone could have predicted that they would actually trade the MLB leader in stolen bases.

But they did. The brain trust acquires a 23-year old cost controlled pitcher who was ranked as the number 30 rated prospect, according to Baseball Prospectus. A 23-year old Puerto Rican infielder, a 29-year old former catcher turned reliever, and a 24-year old catcher/infielder.

Heaney was actually born and went to school out in Oklahoma City. So if the Dodgers were to send him to triple-A, he would be close to his home.

The youngster put up impressive strikeout numbers for the Marlin’s double-A and triple-A affiliates in 2014. Heaney whiffed 9.8 and 8.7 respectively, and recorded 143 punch-outs in a little over 137 frames. The left hander posted a 9-6 record with a 3.28 ERA. Heaney is a starting pitcher and posted a career 2.77 minor league ERA, with a 19-11 record. He’s whiffed batters at a 9.2 per nine clip.

Good Luck in Miami Gordon!-Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Hatcher probably will be able to slide right into the Dodger bullpen as a solid right handed piece for middle relief. Hatcher posted a 3.38 ERA in 52 games for the Marlins, pitching out of the bullpen for them n 2014. Hatcher posted a 9.6 whiff per nine rate, and a 1.9 walk per nine rate while whiffing 60 and walking just 12 in 56 innings pitched. Hatcher is cost controlled and will make minimum salary next season. Hatcher was originally drafted by the Fish in the 2006 draft, and made his MLB debut in 2011 with the Marlins.

Austin Barnes is a 24-year old catcher/infielder who was drafted by the Marlins in the ninth round of the 2011 amateur draft. Barnes is a Riverside, California native, who played for the Marlins double-A, and triple-A affiliate in 2014. At Jacksonville Barnes batted .296 with a .406 OBP 12 home runs and 43 RBI in 78 games. Barnes posted a .913 OPS at Jacksonville in 348 plate appearances while splitting time between catcher, and second and third base. Barnes is a career .298 hitter in the minors with an .821 OPS.

Hernandez is 23 years old and a middle infielder/outfielder from Puerto Rico. He was originally drafted by the Astros, and hit .250 with triple-A New Orleans in 21 games, and batted .337 with eight home runs in 67 games at Oklahoma City. Hernandez is a .273 career minor league hitter and can play all over the diamond.

As for Gordon, he’ll go play in Miami, and we’ll have to see the bizarre sight of him in a Fish uniform in 2015. He’ll be able to run out triples in that huge Miami outfield.

Gordon was once considered the Dodger’s prize prospect at shortstop, but his inability to get on base has hampered him throughout his career. Gordon led the majors in stolen bases with 64, while batting .289 and posting a .326 OBP with an MLB leading 12 triples in 650 plate appearances. Gordon posted a .704 OPS in 148 games at the keystone.

I am assuming that the Marlins wanted an upgrade at second base as they have Adeiny Hechavarria at shortstop. And for Haren, he may never pitch a single game for the Marlins. If you remember Haren stated that if he were traded to any other club besides the Angels, that he would retire. The Southern California native has stated his desire to remain close to his family, and pitch in Southern California. If that happens the Dodger brain trust basically traded Gordon alone for four players.

We’ll have more on this huge trade later, once we sift through the rubble.