The Los Angeles Dodgers alleviated a logjam on their 40-man roster this week by trading Victor González and Jorbit Vivas to the New York Yankees for former first-round pick Trey Sweeney.
Vivas had been added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft in 2021. Meanwhile, González was once a key member of their bullpen.
He emerged as a rookie during the 2020 season, going 3-0 with a 1.33 ERA and 0.74 WHIP across 15 appearances (one start). That success earned González a key role in the Dodgers’ World Series run but he struggled in ensuing seasons.
Following the trade to the Yankees, González thanked Dodgers fans and the organization for his time in Los Angeles.
González being out of Minor League options and the Dodgers needing to make room for the signings of Shohei Ohtani and Joe Kelly were factors behind their trade with the Yankees.
Moreover, Caleb Ferguson and Alex Vesia were ahead of González among left-handed relief pitchers, and Ryan Yarbrough conceivably would have been as well if shifted into that role.
The Dodgers also are said to have interest in signing Josh Hader.
Victor González stats with Dodgers
González went 9-4 with a 3.22 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and one save in 93 games (three starts) during his Dodgers career.
After a breakout 2020 season, González appeared in a career-high 44 games in 2021 but regressed to the tune of a 3.57 ERA, 4.27 FIP and 1.44 WHIP.
González dealt with left elbow trouble in 2022 and ultimately required surgery, which limited him to just 13 appearances in the Minor Leagues. He was up with the Dodgers for multiple stints this past season but continued to deal with inconsistency, finishing 3-3 with a 4.01 ERA and 1.09 WHIP.
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