Photo Credit: Morry Gash/AP Photo
In the hours following Wednesday’s non-tender deadline, several sources reported the Milwaukee Brewers reached a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers that will send RHP Corey Knebel to Los Angeles in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later.
The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired RHP Corey Knebel from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) December 3, 2020
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the deal was agreed upon in the closing moments prior to the 8 PM ET deadline, meaning the Brewers traded Knebel, who was then tendered a contract by the Dodgers, rather than non-tendering the reliever.
Corey Knebel was not non-tendered by the Brewers. The Dodgers agreed to acquire him before the 8 p.m. ET deadline and then tendered him a contract.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 3, 2020
Knebel, 29, missed the entire 2019 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery to repair a damaged ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow. In the two seasons prior to his surgery, Knebel tossed 131.1 innings, recording 55 saves while posting a 2.54 ERA. In 2017, Knebel finished as a finalist for the Trevor Hoffman Reliever of the Year award, an award that honors the best relief pitcher in the National League each season.
However, since returning from surgery, Knebel has struggled. In 2020, Knebel pitched in 15 games, recording a 6.08 ERA and -0.2 points of fWAR. Despite the small sample size, Knebel’s troubles urged the Brewers the deal him to the Dodgers.
According to Spotrac, Corey Knebel is projected to earn $5.125M in arbitration this winter.
Arrick Joel has covered the Dodgers since 2017. Follow him on Twitter at @ArrickJoel and follow @DodgersLowDown for more.