Dodgers trade Kolarek to Athletics for Neuse
The Oakland Athletics acquired left-handed reliever Adam Kolarek and outfielder Cody Thomas from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for infielder Sheldon Neuse and right-hander Gus Varland, the teams announced Friday.
Los Angeles acquired Kolarek from the Tampa Bay Rays midway through the 2019 season. The 32-year-old southpaw authored a 0.95 ERA and 3.14 FIP in 19 innings pitched last year. He'll join an Oakland bullpen that lost closer Liam Hendriks and right-hander Joakim Soria in free agency this winter.
Thomas, a 26-year-old minor leaguer, hit .236/.308/.443 with 23 home runs and five steals in 130 games at Double-A during the 2019 season. The 2020 minor-league campaign was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Neuse, 26, entered 2020 as the No. 5 prospect in the Athletics' depleted farm system, according to MLB Pipeline. The former second-round pick made his major-league debut last season, hitting .250/.295/.304 in 25 games.
Varland, a 24-year-old right-hander, posted a 2.39 ERA and 4.00 FIP over 26 1/3 innings at High-A in 2019.