Dodgers: How Three Key Pieces Landed in Los Angeles

Alex Wood; LHP

Alex Wood was a second-round pick in the 2012 draft, so the Dodgers knew why they wanted him. At the time of the 2015 trade, Wood owned a 2.89 earned run average over 35 career starts. What the Dodgers had to give up for Wood and a few other notable players was almost laughable.

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Los Angeles gave up the struggling Hector Olivera, a 2016 competitive balance draft pick, Paco Rodriguez and a few prospects. In exchange, they got Wood, Mat Latos, Michael Morse, Bronson Arroyo, Jim Johnson and Jose Peraza. The Marlins got a few minor leagues as part of the three-team trade.

While most of the other players acquired in the deal did not do much, Wood was the main piece of this deal. He has pitched phenomenally in Dodger blue, starting 47 regular season games as well as pitching in relief. Wood owns a career 3.20 earned run average, but nothing comes close to his 2017 campaign. Wood pitched to a 2.72 era over 25 starts and won a career-best 16 games. At just 27 years old, Wood could provide the Dodgers with a deep rotation option for years to come.

Next: Will the Dodgers make history in 2018?

The reality is that the Dodgers have a young lineup, and they still won a league-best 104 games. With this front office consistently finding the diamonds in the rough, things look good. They appear to be on the verge of a long and successful series of playoff runs.