I think we all knew this day was going to come.
Yesterday afternoon came word that the Dodgers had dealt right-handed pitcher Ross Stripling to the Toronto Blue Jays for two players to be named later -- one of which we now know is 20-year old right-handed pitching prospect Kendall Williams (more on him later).
As you'll recall, Stripling had seemingly been traded to the crosstown Angels (along with Joc Pederson) over the winter, but that was thwarted by the Anaheim ownership -- for whatever reason. Now, we get to see a trade that allows us to gain a couple of prospects. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:
“We have a ton of professional and personal respect for Ross and believe that he is a Major League starting pitcher and ultimately didn’t feel comfortable putting him in the bullpen, especially when, as we look out to next Spring Training, we felt like it was going to be difficult then as well,” Friedman said. “So, as much as he’s helped us through the years, we felt like it was in everyone’s best interest with just the depth that we have right now and also caring about him.”