ESPN: Yankees Coach Acquired A Top Starting Man Ahead Of

The Los Angeles Dodgers changed the complexion of the back end of their bullpen on Monday, trading left-hander Caleb Ferguson to the New York Yankees and agreeing with right-hander Ryan Brasier to a two-year, $9 million contract.

Brasier’s deal, confirmed by multiple sources, is still pending the completion of a physical. Once he signs, Brasier would essentially swap places with Ferguson — obtained by the Yankees in exchange for lefty reliever Matt Gage and low-level pitching prospect Christian Zazueta Jr. — and join Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol and Joe Kelly among the Dodgers’ high-leverage relievers.

Brasier, 36, struggled mightily with the Boston Red Sox over the first month and a half of the 2023 season, posting a 7.29 ERA in 20 appearances before his release. But he pitched brilliantly upon joining the Dodgers in early June, incorporating a cutter into his repertoire and allowing just three runs in 38⅔ innings for the remainder of the season.

Ferguson, 27, was solid in his first full season as a Dodgers reliever in 2023, posting a 3.43 ERA in 68 appearances, striking out 70 batters and issuing 23 walks in 60⅓ innings. Ferguson joins Victor Gonzalez among former Dodgers lefty relievers traded to the Yankees this offseason. Ferguson, heading into his last year before free agency, is expected to be the Yankees’ primary lefty, joining righties Clay Holmes, Jonathan Loaisiga and Tommy Kahnle in the back end of the bullpen.

The Dodgers still need to open a spot on their 40-man roster for Brasier, whose deal, according to a source, can reach up to $13 million with performance bonuses.

The Reds signed two-time All-Star infielder and Cincinnati native Josh Harrison to a minor league contract.

The deal announced Monday by Harrison’s agency, MSM, includes an invitation to spring training.

Harrison, 36, is a career .270 hitter over 1,208 games in 13 seasons with six major league teams.

He batted .204 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 40 games last season with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Harrison made the National League All-Star team in 2014 and 2017 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

A second baseman, third baseman and outfielder, Harrison has 1,080 career hits with the Pirates (2011-18), Detroit Tigers (2019), Washington Nationals (2020-21), Oakland A’s (2021), Chicago White Sox (2022) and Phillies (2023).

Four days after trading Corbin Burnes, the Milwaukee Brewers added to their pitching staff by agreeing to a deal with free agent right-hander Jakob Junis, a source told ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel.

The deal, which is pending a physical, is for one year and worth $7 million, according to multiple reports.

Junis, 31, is being signed as a starting pitcher, McDaniel reports, after having served as both starter and reliever for the San Francisco Giants over the past two seasons.

In 2022, Junis made 17 starts for the Giants, going 5-7 with a 4.42 ERA in 112 innings. Last season he was mostly a reliever, going 4-3 with one save and a 3.87 ERA in 40 games (four starts).

Four days after trading Corbin Burnes, the Milwaukee Brewers added to their pitching staff by agreeing to a deal with free agent right-hander Jakob Junis, a source told ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel.

The deal, which is pending a physical, is for one year and worth $7 million, according to multiple reports.

Junis, 31, is being signed as a starting pitcher, McDaniel reports, after having served as both starter and reliever for the San Francisco Giants over the past two seasons.

In 2022, Junis made 17 starts for the Giants, going 5-7 with a 4.42 ERA in 112 innings. Last season he was mostly a reliever, going 4-3 with one save and a 3.87 ERA in 40 games (four starts).

The Brewers have starting spots to fill after non-tendering Brandon Woodruff, who will miss most or all of next season following shoulder surgery, and then sending Burnes to Baltimore. The Orioles gave the Brewers infielder Joey Ortiz, left-hander DL Hall and the 34th pick in this year’s draft in exchange for Burnes.