Dodgers trade Almonte and Busch to Cubs for pair of prospects

*Photo from Dodger Blue*

   Trades, trades, trades. The Chicago Cubs have acquired RHP Yency Almonte and INF Michael Busch from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for LHP Jackson Ferris and OF Zyhir Hope, according to Juan Toribio of MLB.com. Both teams have confirmed.

   The Cubs get Busch, who was the second ranked Dodgers prospect and 44th best in all of baseball according to MLB Pipeline. Almonte becomes another piece for the Cubs to deploy in their bullpen as they look to make the jump toward serious playoff contention. There was no clear path in the majors with the Dodgers for Busch, so he's going to Chicago to get the chance to play in the majors more.

   Last season, Busch got his first action in the majors with the Dodgers across various stints in the season. He posted a .167/.247.292 slash line with 3 doubles and two home runs over 81 plate appearances in 27 games. He wasn't included on the Dodgers NLDS roster.

   With the Dodgers pitching staff dealing with injuries throughout the year, Almonte was present in the bullpen for most of the season. He authored a 5.06 ERA, 4.59 FIP, and 1.396 WHIP, averaging 4.5 walks per 9 innings while throwing 48 innings over 49 appearances.

   Meanwhile, the Dodgers acquire a few prospects in return for two major league pieces. Ferris comes in as the 8th ranked prospect in the Cubs system and MLB Pipeline now ranks him 5th in the Dodgers system. Hope was not a Cubs top 30 prospect and is entering his first full season of professional baseball.

   Drafted by the Cubs in 2022, Ferris made his professional debut in 2023. Pitching for Low A Myrtle Beach, he posted a 3.38 ERA and 1.214 WHIP while averaging 5.3 walks per 9 and 12.4 strikeouts per 9 in 56 innings across 18 starts.

   Hope was a 11th round draft pick of the Cubs in the 2023 draft and debuted later in the season. Playing for the Cubs rookie league team, he had a .286/.419/.543 slash line with 3 home runs and 9 RBI's over 43 plate appearances in just 11 games.

   With the Cubs, Almonte provides a middle relief option, while Busch gets the chance to make the opening day roster in a corner infield spot. Ferris will likely be assigned to an A Ball team with the Dodgers to start the year, while Hope could break into the A Ball level to open the year.