Reports: Cubs land top INF prospect Michael Busch from Dodgers

Field Level Media|published: Thu 11th January, 14:05 2024

Aug 24, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Michael Busch (83) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. credits: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs acquired promising infield prospect Michael Busch in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, multiple outlets reported.

The Cubs also received help for their bullpen in the deal, getting right-handed pitcher Yency Almonte.

Multiple outlets reported the Dodgers will receive minor league left-hander Jackson Ferris. ESPN reported the Dodgers also will get minor league outfielder Zyhir Hope.

Busch, 26, was named the Dodgers' minor league player of the year in 2023 after recording 27 home runs with 90 RBIs in 98 games at Triple-A Oklahoma City. He also was named Pacific Coast League MVP. According to mlb.com, Busch is the Dodgers' No. 2 overall prospect.

Busch made his major league debut for the Dodgers in 2023, batting .167 with two home runs and seven RBIs in 27 games. He has infield and outfield experience but primarily has been used at second base in the minor leagues.

In 2022, Busch hit a combined 38 home runs with 108 RBIs in 142 games between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Almonte, 29, was 3-2 with a 5.06 ERA in 49 relief appearances for the Dodgers last season. He had a run of 15 outings from June 15-July 25 in which he did not give up a run.

In six major league seasons with the Colorado Rockies (2018-21) and Dodgers, Almonte is 7-6 with a 4.51 ERA in 196 relief appearances.

Ferris, 19, was the Cubs' second-round draft pick in 2022. At Single-A Myrtle Beach in 2023, Ferris was 2-3 with a 3.88 ERA in 18 starts (56 innings). He had 77 strikeouts with 33 walks and gave up one home run.

Hope, who turns 19 on Jan. 19, was an 11th-round draft pick by the Cubs this past summer. In 11 games for the Cubs' Arizona Complex League club in 2023, Hope batted .286 with three home runs and nine RBIs.

Ferris was listed as the Cubs' No. 8 overall prospect at mlb.com.

The trade comes in advance of the Dodgers' official announcement that they have signed outfielder Teoscar Hernandez to a free-agent contract. Los Angeles needed to clear a spot on its 40-man roster.

—Field Level Media

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