Dodgers trade reliever to Brewers after clearing space for Yoshinobu Yamamoto

We have a trade, Los Angeles Dodgers fans! At this point, you've been used to the blockbuster variety because the team has went out and got Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow, but this one's far less notable.

However, that doesn't mean it's a big win for the Dodgers. Last week, when they made the Yamamoto signing official, LA designated reliever Bryan Hudson for assignment, which sent him to waivers. It was unclear if he'd be claimed, but if he was, the Dodgers would get some sort of value in return for the lefty.

On Wednesday, it was reported the Milwaukee Brewers snagged Hudson and then agreed to a trade with the Dodgers. The details haven't been disclosed in terms of what's heading to LA in return, though.

Either way, Hudson is on his way to Milwaukee and the Dodgers will get some value for a 26-year-old reliever who made his MLB debut in 2023. That's what we call the Friedman Fleece.

Hudson was picked up before the 2023 season after spending his entire career in the Cubs organization. After just 46 games at Triple-A, the Dodgers figured out a way to maximize his offering and put forth the best minor-league sample size of Hudson's eight-year career.

Dodgers trade reliever to Brewers after clearing space for Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Turns out, our worry about the Dodgers' jam-packed 40-man roster was for naught. Friedman and the front office have a plan to ensure every last player they're parting with will bring back some sort of value.

Even though whatever they'll get in return for Hudson will likely be minimal, they very much literally turned a nothing minor-league signing into an asset for another team's bullpen. How about that job creation! Friedman-Gomes 2024?

LA's roster remains full and there's still a need to improve the pitching staff in all facets. If we were to guess, the Dodgers are probably done with the heavy lifting in free agency since they've spent $1.1 billion this offseason.

But trades are very much alive, especially because the possibility of swinging a 3-for-1 deal for another starter or elite reliever remains high. The process of elimination continues, and the Dodgers' 2024 outlook is improving by the day.