Dodgers acquire outfielder Chris Heisey from Reds
By Jake Misener
In a somewhat puzzling move, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded for outfielder Chris Heisey on Tuesday, sending right-hander Matt Magill to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for the 29-year-old.
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The move was first reported by Jerry Crasnick of Yahoo! Sports, and, as noted, adds to an already overloaded set of outfielders in Los Angeles. The Dodgers were already struggling to find spots for the likes of Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Carl Crawford, Scott Van Slyke and Joc Pederson. Kemp has been oft-rumored to be a hot commodity on the trade market, although no deal appears to be imminent.
Last season, Heisey struggled once again at the dish for the Reds, batting just .222/.265/.379 in 119 ball games, but was an above-average defender, which could be a motivating factor in the Dodgers acquiring him. As MLB Trade Rumorspoints out, the team could potentially look to platoon Pederson and Heisey in center field next season, although that remains speculation.
Heisey has been an offensive threat in the past, hitting 18 home runs in 2011 – just his second big league season. However, in recent years, his bat has declined annually, which likely prompted the Reds’ interest in dealing him to Los Angeles in return for Magill.
Magill, just 25, appeared in half a dozen games for Los Angeles in 2013, but struggled with Triple-A Albuquerque last season, posting a 5.21 earned run average in 36 games, including a dozen starts. His 1.642 WHIP also left plenty to be desired, although the right-hander will certainly be looking to rebound with the change of scenery.