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Dodgers trade pitcher to playoff hopeful Blue Jays as AL Wild Card race heats up

Sure, why not?
Los Angeles Dodgers Spring Training
Los Angeles Dodgers Spring Training | Brandon Sloter/GettyImages

On Tuesday morning, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced they had traded righty pitcher José Rodríguez to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for righty pitcher Sebastian Rodriguez. For the Dodgers, it may be their most marginal deal of the year, but it could make a difference for the Blue Jays down the stretch.

(José) Rodríguez was a 2019 international signing out of Mexico, but he didn't make his organizational debut until 2021. He's moved through the minor leagues slowly but surely ever since and appeared briefly in the Dodgers' top-30 last season, at No. 29, thanks to some high praise for his changeup and a strong showing High-A in 2024

Toronto has yet to announce their 28-man additions, but Rodríguez looks like he could factor into their decision-making. He's had a decent year at Triple-A, having pitched 29⅓ innings for a 3.38 ERA after starting the season on the IL.

The Blue Jays are still in the thick of the American League Wild Card race, just 1½ games out of the final spot. They're facing down a three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians, who currently own that spot.

Dodgers make a minor trade with Blue Jays as Toronto heads into pivotal Wild Card series

(Sebastian) Rodriguez is a lottery ticket for the Dodgers. He was an international signing from Venezuela back in June and made his professional debut just a week later with the DSL Blue Jays Blue. He's headed to the Dodgers' LAD Bautista, also in the Dominican Summer League.

There's very little public information on Rodriguez so far, as he's only pitched nine professional innings in seven games as a reliever. He's given up six earned runs and struck out 11 batters while walking three. His best outing thus far was a scoreless two-inning effort when he struck out four.

The Dodgers may not see the fruits of this trade for a long time, if ever, but it was a harmless move to make as their former World Series foes search for late-season options — or, at least, depth arms to keep their Triple-A team stocked after their September roster moves are made.

Either way, (José) Rodríguez seems far more likely to get opportunities in Toronto than he would have in LA, while (Sebastian) Rodriguez could turn into one of the Dodgers' patented coal-to-diamond stories.

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