Allen Lieu
DODGERS ACQUIRE MAT LATOS AND MICHAEL MORSE FROM MARLINS
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired right-handed pitcher Mat Latos, infielder/outfielder Michael Morse and cash considerations from the Miami Marlins in exchange for minor league right-handed pitchers Victor Araujo, Jeff Brigham and Kevin Guzman.
Latos, 27, has a 64-52 career record with a 3.43 ERA in 169 starts with the Padres (2009-2011), Reds, (2012-14) and Marlins (2015). During the course of his career, Latos has limited opponents to a .235 batting average and posted a 1.17 WHIP, while striking out more than three times as many as he’s walked with 938 Ks against only 308 walks in 1040.1 innings. Since making his big league debut with San Diego in 2009, Latos has posted a 2.67 ERA (92 ER/310.0) in 48 starts against NL West opponents, pitching well in every ballpark in the division: Dodger Stadium (3.34 ERA), AT&T Park (1.62 ERA), Chase Field (1.33 ERA), Coors Field (3.49 ERA) and PETCO Park (2.98 ERA). He was originally selected by the Padres in the 11th round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft out of Broward (FL) Community College.
This year, the 6-foot-6, 245-pound Latos has gone 4-7 with a 4.48 ERA in 16 starts with the Marlins, but regained his form with a 2.96 ERA (15 ER/45.2 IP) and a .198 opponents’ batting average in seven starts since returning from the disabled list on June 13 (left knee inflammation). In six starts against NL West opponents this season, Latos has a 3-1 record with a 3.05 ERA (13 ER/38.1 IP) and a 1.02 WHIP.
Morse, 33, has a .276 career batting average with 103 home runs and 345 RBI in 757 games over 11 big league seasons with the Mariners (2005-08, 2013), Nationals (2009-12), Orioles (2013), Giants (2014) and Marlins (2015). During the course of his career, Morse has played outfield (409 games, 385 starts), first base (209 G, 174 GS), shortstop (57 G, 50 GS) and third base (9 G, 2 GS) and, in 82 career pinch-hit appearances, he has hit .282 (20-for-71) with a home run and 16 RBI. He played a key role in the Giants’ 2014 World Series championship run and has a .282 batting average with two homers and seven RBI in 15 career postseason games. Morse was originally selected by the White Sox in the third round of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft out of Nova High School in Davie, FL.
Araujo, 22, has a 22-15 career record with a 4.30 ERA in 129 games (38 starts) in six minor league seasons with the Dodgers after he was signed in 2009 out of the Dominican Republic. In 32 relief appearances with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga this year, he was 3-3 with a 5.40 ERA.
Brigham, 23, had a 6-5 combined record with a 5.52 ERA in 19 games (14 starts) with Single-A Great Lakes and Single-A Rancho Cucamonga this year. He is in his second professional season after being selected by the Dodgers in the fourth round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Washington.
Guzman, 20, is in his third professional season after signing with the Dodgers as a free agent out of Venezuela in 2013. He went 5-7 with a 3.90 ERA in 17 games (15 starts) with Single-A Great Lakes this year and has an 11-16 record with a 3.36 ERA in 42 career minor league games (35 starts).
