Dodgers trade pitcher to Tigers to clear roster spot ahead of deadline

The Dodgers have a trade, but not any of the ones you're hoping for. Garrett Crochet, Tarik Skubal, and Jack Flaherty are all still in the AL Central as of now, but an LA pitcher is heading out that way. In a clear effort to make roster space for any incoming acquisitions, the Dodgers traded reliever Ricky Vanasco to the Tigers in exchange for — wait for it — cash considerations.

It wasn't either of the Dodgers-Tigers trades that we're still hoping to see in the next few days, but it very well could be a precursor for something bigger to come. If so, it's about time, as LA has seemed content to sit on the sidelines of trade deadline season so far, and fans are growing impatient as we wait to see how this team plans to right itself ahead of the postseason.

Dodgers trade Ricky Vanasco to Tigers in exchange for cash considerations

Vanasco was DFA'ed by the Dodgers on July 24. Ironically, his second and last appearance for LA was against the Tigers before the All-Star break, when he couldn't record a single out and gave up three hits and three earned runs before getting pulled. Maybe the Tigers saw something they could salvage there...?

Before they let him go, Vanasco was part of that revolving door of relievers the Dodgers were employing at the beginning of the season. He was called up and sent down three times this year, but he only pitched two innings for a 13.50 ERA at the big-league level.

It's hard to imagine what kind of cash the Dodgers got in exchange for a pitcher like that, who had to wait five years to get his major league debut and has already missed an entire season after Tommy John, but hopefully they'll make good of whatever the amount is. Maybe they'll even put it toward the Garrett Crochet extension fund.