Dodgers bolster pitching in huge deal with Braves, Marlins
By PAUL NEWBERRY, Associated Press
Jul 30, 2015 5:31 PM CDT
FILE - In this July 21, 2015, file photo, Miami Marlins starting pitcher Mat Latos throws during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix. The first-place Los Angeles Dodgers have bolstered their pitching staff, acquiring from the Marlins and Alex Wood, Jim Johnson...   (Associated Press)

ATLANTA (AP) — The first-place Los Angeles Dodgers bolstered their pitching staff on the eve of the trade deadline Thursday, completing a 13-player deal with the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins that sent two starters and two relievers to the NL West leader.

Clinging to a half-game leader over San Francisco, the Dodgers acquiring right-hander Mat Latos from the Marlins and left-hander Alex Wood from the Braves, two pitchers who can move right into the rotation behind aces Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke. Also, Los Angeles obtained relievers Jim Johnson and Luis Avilan from Atlanta, adding needed depth to the bullpen.

The rebuilding Braves kept up their massive overhaul, also surrendering top infield prospect Jose Peraza to the Dodgers largely to land 30-year-old Cuban defector Hector Olivera, who has impressed in the minors since signing a $62.5 million, six-year deal with Los Angeles this year.

As for the Marlins, it was another familiar salary dump. Out of contention in the NL East, Miami rid itself of Matos and first baseman Michael Morse for three minor leaguers.

The complicated deal worked like this:

— The Dodgers got Wood (7-6, 3.54 ERA), Johnson (2-3, 2.25, nine saves), Avilan (2-4, 3.58), Peraza (.294 with 26 stolen bases for Triple-A Gwinnett) and pitcher Bronson Arroyo from the Braves, along with Latos (4-7, 4.48), Morse (.214, four homers, 12 RBIs) and cash considerations from the Marlins. Arroyo is coming back from Tommy John surgery and hasn't pitched this season.

— Atlanta received Olivera, who is hitting a combined .348 with two homers and seven RBIs in 19 games at three different levels of the Dodgers' farm system this season, along with injured left-hander Paco Rodriguez and minor leaguer Zachary Bird, a right-handed pitcher.

— Miami acquired minor league right-handers Kevin Guzman, Jeff Brigham and Victor Araujo from the Dodgers, none of whom has pitched above Class A.

The deadline for making non-waiver trades is 4 p.m. EDT Friday, and the Braves may not be done.

Last week, they dealt third baseman Juan Uribe and outfielder Kelly Johnson to the Mets for minor leaguers, having given up on contending for a playoff spot this season while trying to rebuild for the move to their new suburban stadium in 2017.

Outfielders Cameron Maybin and Jonny Gomes could be the next to go.

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