Tigers trade for Dodgers reliever they clobbered earlier this month

The Detroit Tigers got their trade deadline endeavors started on Sunday when they sent catcher Carson Kelly to the Texas Rangers in what was the first move that proved they'd be selling in 2024. Their next move, however, confused fans a bit.

The Tigers acquired right-handed reliever Ricky Vanasco from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday in exchange for cash considerations. Per Tigers PR, the club has optioned Vanasco to Triple-A Toledo.

He will fill the spot on the Tigers' 40-man roster that opened up after Detroit traded catcher Kelly to the Rangers.

Vanasco, 25, has allowed three runs over two innings of MLB action this season. He also posted a 3.47 ERA across 23.1 innings in Triple-A Oklahoma City. It's worth noting that in his latest MLB stint with the Dodgers, Vanasco made his lone appearance in an 11-9 extra-inning loss to the Tigers on July 13. He failed to record an out while getting charged with three earned runs on three hits.

The day after his disastrous outing against the Tigers, Vanasco was optioned back to Oklahoma City to make room for right-hander Brent Honeywell, who had been claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates a day earlier. The Dodgers then proceeded to designate Vanasco for assignment on July 25 in order to clear a roster spot for starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who returned from the 60-day injured list the following day.

Vanasco has posted a decent 24.3% strikeout rate this season, but he has also given out an alarming number of walks (18.9% BB rate). The Tigers will hope he can work on his control issues in Toledo.

Tigers News: Ricky Vanasco acquired from Dodgers in trade

Vanasco could be the first domino to fall in a series of potential moves between the Dodgers and Tigers before the MLB trade deadline on Tuesday. The Dodgers are reportedly among the teams with serious interest in Tigers pitchers Jack Flaherty and Tarik Skubal as they continue to search for options to upgrade their starting rotation.

While it feels less likely that the Tigers will trade Skubal and his two remaining seasons of team control, moving Flaherty's expiring contract could be a real possibility. If Detroit does in fact make another deal with the Dodgers, hopefully the return will be better than a reliever with a 13.50 ERA.

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