Dodgers reportedly acquire Mat Latos, Mike Morse from Marlins

Mat Latos has to get used to yet another home, as he’s reportedly been traded for the third time in his career and second time this season. The Dodgers pried him away from the Marlins, along with Mike Morse and at least one competitive balance pick, according to Gordon Wittenmeyer. The return to the Marlins, according to the Miami Herald, will be three minor-league players, but who, exactly, is unknown at this time.

While Latos isn’t having a great season -- he has a 4.48 ERA and 85 ERA+ and also missed time with a knee injury -- he has been successful in the past and gives the Dodgers one of the starters they need: while Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke have been fantastic, just three of their starters have made 20 starts, and they’ve used 14 different starting pitchers already this season. There is also an open spot right this moment, as Carlos Frias is on the 15-day disabled list.

Latos probably wasn’t going to be eligible for a qualifying offer after this season, not with his below-average performance to this point, but this trade to the Dodgers guarantees that he cannot receive one upon hitting free agency.

What the Dodgers plan to do with Morse is more of a question at the moment. He’s limited defensively, and the Dodgers are already set in their corner outfield as well as at first base. They also have a full bench as far as bats go, especially when Morse is hitting all of .214/.277/.314 this season. For all we know, though, the Dodgers might just be absorbing Morse from the Marlins in order to keep the Fish from paying for the rest of his deal, which includes $8 million for 2016 as well.

Considering the Marlins also sold off another competitive balance pick to the last organization in baseball that needs any help being competitive economically, it’s the most realistic possibility.

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