Dodgers reacquire Darnell Sweeney

Phil Gurnee ♦ November 11, 2016 ♦ 1 Comment

Once again the Dodger front office has engaged the Phillies in an effort to move an infielder. This time the Dodgers moved Howie Kendrick to the Phillies for Darin Ruf and Darnell Sweeney.

Howie Kendrick had expressed dissatisfaction with his role in 2016 and it didn’t look like the Dodgers were considering him for the full-time 2nd baseman role in 2017. The trade nets them a right handed 1st/OF who until 2016 had killed left-hand pitching, something the Dodgers sorely needed. Ruf has a career OPS of .921 against left-hand pitching.

On the surface,  Darin Ruf appears to be much like SVS but without the friendly defensive metrics that Scott Van Slyke has.  Is this the end of SVS? Looks like it to me with Ruf and Trayce Thompson on the team.

The Dodgers have made quite a few trades with the Phillies over the past few years. None of them major. No ring bearers will be coming to the Dodgers this time. In the past, the ring bearers included Ruiz, Chase, Rollins, Victorino, and Blanton.

Seven trades since 2012 between the Dodgers and Phillies.

Per Baseball Reference Transaction Page:

August 25, 2016 (Standings)

Traded a player to be named later, Tommy Bergjans (minors) and A.J. Ellis to the Philadelphia Phillies. Received Carlos Ruiz and cash. The Los Angeles Dodgers sent Joey Curletta (minors) (September 15, 2016) to the Philadelphia Phillies to complete the trade.

August 19, 2015 (Standings)

Traded John Richy (minors) and Darnell Sweeney to the Philadelphia Phillies. Received Chase Utley and cash.

December 19, 2014

Traded Zach Eflin (minors) and Tom Windle (minors) to the Philadelphia Phillies. Received Jimmy Rollins and cash.

August 7, 2014 (Standings)

Traded players to be named later to the Philadelphia Phillies. Received Roberto Hernandez. The Los Angeles Dodgers sent Victor Arano (minors) (August 28, 2014) and Jesmuel Valentin (minors) (August 16, 2014) to the Philadelphia Phillies to complete the trade.

August 31, 2013 (Standings)

Traded Rob Rasmussen to the Philadelphia Phillies. Received Michael Young and cash.

July 31, 2012 (Standings)

Traded a player to be named later, Josh Lindblom and Ethan Martin to the Philadelphia Phillies. Received Shane Victorino. The Los Angeles Dodgerssent Stefan Jarrin (minors) (September 28, 2012) to the Philadelphia Phillies to complete the trade.

August 3, 2012 (Standings)

Traded a player to be named later to the Philadelphia Phillies. Received Joe Blanton. The Los Angeles Dodgers sent Ryan O’Sullivan (minors) (August 16, 2012) to the Philadelphia Phillies to complete the trade