Corey Knebel traded to Dodgers

In a low-risk, high-reward move, the Dodgers acquired reliever Corey Knebel from the Brewers on Wednesday in exchange for a player named later or cash considerations. Knebel, who is eligible for wage arbitration after being a prorated party to his $ 5.125 million deal in 2020, has missed everything

In a low-risk, high-reward move, the Dodgers gained relief Corey Knebel of the Brewers on Wednesday in exchange for a player to be named later or for cash considerations.

Knebel, who is eligible for salary arbitration after securing a prorated portion of his $ 5.125 million deal in 2020, missed the entire season 19 after Tommy John’s surgery in April. Now, having pitched for Milwaukee since ’15, he’s headed to Los Angeles.

“I’ll say it’s really exciting,” Knebel said of coming to the Dodgers. “If there’s a team to go to, it’s the World Series champions. I enjoyed my stay in Milwaukee. I love Wisconsin, I love the fans. It was awesome. Of course, I’ve always had a lot of respect for the Dodgers and now I’m on their side. I am really excited about this new chapter that I am starting. “

There was speculation that the Brewers would not have bid on Knebel had a trade not been settled, but Milwaukee general manager David Stearns declined to comment on this.

“During the offseason, you always assess the interest of the players,” Stearns said. “In this particular case, it was something that emerged today that we were able to work with the Dodgers and ultimately come to a place that made sense to both sides.”

If the Brewers hadn’t bid on Knebel he would have become a free agent and the Dodgers would have been in competition with other clubs for his services.

Los Angeles has had success in the past picking up relievers who fell years after injury, like Brandon Morrow in 2017 and Blake Treinen last year.

Knebel played 15 games for the Brewers last season, posting a 6.08 ERA. While his fast ball speed was slower than before the injury, it started to increase as the year progressed and he rebuilt his arm strength.

If Knebel comes close to the form he showed in 2017 and 2018, the acquisition will be a bargain for the Dodgers.

An all-star in 2017, Knebel appeared in 76 National League games that season, recording 39 saves and posting a 1.78 ERA.

In 2018, Knebel was one of the main reasons the Brewers chased the Cubs for the NL central crown in September. In 16 appearances that month, he failed to allow a run by walking three, taking out 33 and keeping his opponents at an average of .096 in 16 1/3 innings.

Knebel continued to stand out for the Brewers in the 2018 playoffs, as he allowed one run in 10 innings. The Dodgers got to see this firsthand, as seven of those 10 innings came in their seven-game NL Championship Series game against the Crew.

“Corey has had a great career as a brewer,” Stearns said. “He’s been in some of the greatest games in franchise history, and he’s pitched amazingly well. When you think of the stretch run in 2018, what he did in September and October, you can argue that these were two of the most impressive performance months for any reliever in recent memory. Corey meant a lot to this franchise. He earned the respect of a lot of people around the Brewers, and we wish him every success.