Dodgers Reportedly Strike Deal With Rays for Stud Lefty Adam Kolarek
By James.r
The MLB Trade Deadline came and went at 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, but reported deals continued trickling in well beyond that time as they received approval from the league office. One of those late moves netted the Los Angeles Dodgers a reliever, something they desperately needed.
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Dodgers added left-handed reliever Adam Kolarek from the Tampa Bay Rays.
Reliever Adam Kolarek is headed to the Dodgers, source tells ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2019
The Dodgers reportedly showed heavy interest in Felipé Vazquez, the Pirates flame-throwing stud who was perhaps the most coveted relief arm at this year's deadline. Pittsburgh decided to hold firm, though, leaving Los Angeles to go for a back-up plan in trading for Kolarek.
The southpaw is having a decent season, as he sports a 4-3 record and 3.95 ERA, but he's certainly not a season-altering acquisition for the Dodgers like Vazquez could have been.
#Dodgers acquiring Adam Kolarek from #Rays in exchange for Niko Hulsizer, sources tell The Athletic.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) July 31, 2019
In return, the Rays received Single-A prospect Niko Hulsizer from LA. The 22-year-old outfielder was selected in the 18th round out of Morehead State in 2018, and he's shown some upside as a power hitter, with 20 home runs this season.