The Dodgers acquired second baseman Howie Kendrick from the Los Angeles Angels and were working to obtain shortstop Jimmy Rollins from the Philadelphia Phillies in a remake of their middle infield.
In a flurry of moves late Wednesday, the Dodgers dealt All-Star second baseman Dee Gordon, right-hander Dan Haren, infielder Miguel Rojas and a player to be named or cash to the Miami Marlins as part of a seven-player trade for left-hander Andrew Heaney, right-hander Chris Hatcher, infielder Kike Hernandez and catcher Austin Barnes.
The Dodgers then sent Heaney, considered one of baseball's top pitching prospects, to the Angels for Kendrick.
The 31-year-old Kendrick, an All-Star in 2011, has spent all nine of his big league seasons with the Angels. He hit .293 this year with seven homers, 75 RBIs and 14 steals. Kendrick has a $9.5 million salary next year and then can become a free agent.
The Dodgers were not yet ready to finalize a trade with the Phillies for Rollins, the 2007 NL MVP. The 36-year-old has spent his entire 15-year career with the Phillies, becoming a three-time All-Star and helping Philadelphia win the 2008 World Series title.
Rollins hit .243 last season with 17 homers and 55 RBIs. He would take over at shortstop from Hanley Ramirez, who left Los Angeles as a free agent for an $88 million, four-year contract with the Boston Red Sox.
Thank you, Howie, for the last 12 years of dedication to this team. We wish you all the best! pic.twitter.com/QDg8JQO2TF
— Angels (@Angels) December 11, 2014
Rollins is owed $11 million next season in the final season of a contract that started in 2012. As a 10-year veteran who had spent five seasons with his current team, Rollins cannot be traded without his consent
A speedy middle infielder, Gordon is coming off his best season. The 26-year-old led the major leagues with 12 triples and 64 stolen bases, mostly batting leadoff for the Dodgers. He hit .289 with two homers, 92 runs, 34 RBIs and a .329 on-base percentage. In parts of four seasons, he's a .272 hitter with 130 steals and 173 runs.
Haren went 13-11 with a 4.02 ERA as the NL West champion Dodgers' No. 4 starter.
Hernandez made his big league debut this year, playing 42 games for Houston and Miami. He hit .248 in 42 games with three homers and 14 RBIs.
Tonight, the #Angels acquired INF Josh Rutledge from the @Rockies in exchange for RHP Jairo Diaz.
— Angels (@Angels) December 11, 2014
Hatcher has appeared in 81 games over four seasons and is 0-4 with a 4.80 ERA.
Heaney, a 23-year-old left-hander, made his big league debut for the Marlins in June and was 0-3 with a 5.83 ERA in five starts and two relief appearances. He humorously tweeted: "Well, (at)Dodgers we had a good run! Great to be a part of such a storied franchise. (hash)thanksforthememories," then added: "Can't wait to join the (at)Angels and get started with an amazing Org. Thank you for this opportunity and lets go Halos!!!"
Angels deal for Cuban infielder Roberto Baldoquin near completion
Barnes, 24, split the season between Class A and Double-A.
The southern California neighbors made their second swap in two days. On Tuesday, the Angels received catcher Drew Butera from the Dodgers for a player to be named or cash.
After five straight NL East titles from 2007-11, the Phillies dropped to .500 in 2012, then to 73-89 records in each of the last two seasons. Philadelphia finally seems ready to jettison some of its old core and start rebuilding.
