LA-TB Trade

I like the trade made between the LA Dodgers and TB Devil Rays yesterday.

Both teams used pieces neither needed to acquire pieces both could use.

The Dodgers had no need for C Dioner Navarro. He has been lapped many times by rookie catcher Russ Martin. Sure, Navarro still has a lot of perceived value, and I have little doubt he will be an asset for the Devil Rays for a few years.

The one caution is he had a horrible time throwing out base stealers, and if he cannot improve, history will treat the trade as more favorable for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers also sent Jae Seo, a cheap starting pitcher who has apparently worn out his welcome in LA. 'Cheap" being the key word here and the Devil Rays beneift because they can slot Seo right into their rotation and lose little. After all, Hendrickson was a 30+ starts per year pitcher for them the past three seasons with ERAs over 5.00. How much worse can Seo be?

The Dodgers get the aforementioned Mark Hendrickson and control him through 2008. His price tag will go up, but the cost of mediocre, reliable starters is so high ($7MM+) that the Dodgers can't lose on that basis.

Hendrickson has also been much improved, and even a regression towards his career numbers, which by the way is only in its 4th full season, should keep the ERA below 5.00 in the NL.

Toby Hall? Too expensive for the role he will play with the Dodgers - caddy to Martin and pinch-hitter until the Dodgers make a roster move.

The Devil Rays need a young catcher and Dioner fits the bill.