Trade: Yankees, Dodgers Swing Deal, Then LA Signs Key Reliever

In a rare trade between the two biggest market teams in the sport, the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers have swung a deal in which the Yankees receive left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson.

The Yankees acquire lefty reliever Caleb Ferguson from the Dodgers

Ferguson posted a 3.43 ERA in 68 games last season, after a 1.82 ERA in 37 games in 2022 pic.twitter.com/FoHGGf0z4V

— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) February 5, 2024

In exchange, Matt Gage and a prospect head to LA. 

For the Yankees, the move was necessary after their southpaw bullpen arm Wandy Peralta decided to move on to the San Diego Padres in free agency last week. 

The 27-year-old Ferguson had a 3.43 ERA in 68 appearances for the Dodgers last season, striking out 10.4 batters per nine innings. His best pitch is a four-seam fastball that averages 96 mph. He's been with LA since 2018. 

He has one year of team control remaining before becoming a free agent next offseason. Ferguson will add to a nice back end of the Yankees bullpen, along with Clay Holmes, Jonathan Loáisiga and Tommy Kahnle.

For the Dodgers, the move gave them a roster spot to complete an important transaction, as they then re-signed key reliever Ryan Brasier to a two-year deal, worth $9 million. 

Free-agent reliever Ryan Brasier in agreement with Dodgers on two-year, $9M contract, source tells @TheAthletic. Chance to reach $13M total through incentives. First with agreement: @JonHeyman

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 5, 2024

He posted a stellar 0.70 ERA in 39 innings for the Dodgers after coming over from the Boston Red Sox last season, allowing just 18 hits in 38 innings, with 0.72 WHIP and a 38:10 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

The 36-year-old Brasier has a 3.88 ERA in seven major league seasons and has shown some propensity (at times) to work the back end of a bullpen.

Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports