The Dodgers are in the process of acquiring pitcher Mat Latos and first baseman/outfielder Mike Morse from the Miami Marlins for three minor-league pitchers, according to multiple reports Wednesday morning.
The Dodgers are also reportedly getting a competitive-balance round pick from Miami. The Marlins have the fifth pick after the first round, currently number 35 overall.
Latos, a 27-year-old right-hander, has made 16 starts for the Marlins and struggled to a 4.48 earned-run average and 1.245 WHIP, well above his career averages of 3.43 and 1.175, respectively.
In his last four starts, Latos has a 2.08 ERA and 0.77 WHIP. In 11 career starts against the Dodgers, Latos has a 2.48 ERA. Though he is 1-5 in six career starts at Dodger Stadium — mostly for the San Diego Padres from 2009-11 — he’s pitched to a 3.34 ERA at his new home park.
Morse, 33, has only played 52 games for the Marlins this season, batting .214 with four home runs and 12 RBIs in 173 plate appearances.
According to one report, the Dodgers will pay the full remainder of Latos’ and Morse’s salaries. Latos becomes a free agent at the end of the season, while Morse is under contract through 2016. He is owed $8 million next season and the remainder of $7 million this year.
Neither team has announced the trade yet. The Dodgers will need to make at least two corresponding moves to their 25-man roster before tonight’s game against the Oakland A’s if the trade becomes official.
From the small-world department: In 2011, current Dodgers executive Josh Byrnes traded Latos from the San Diego Padres to the Cincinnati Reds for a package that included current Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal.