It goes without saying that the Wednesday’s three-team trade between the Dodgers, White Sox and Reds was a welcome sight for Dodger fans critical of their team’s inactivity thus far this off-season. And while it isn’t the blockbuster deal that they had hoped for, it could very well set up subsequent trades that they might feel much better about going forward.

There is no argument that the loss of Scott Schebler, who was ranked by Baseball America as the Dodgers’ eighth best prospect, is a huge blow to the team. But having failed to re-signing Zack Greinke and missing out on David Price, Jordan Zimmermann and Johnny Cueto, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Farhan Zaidi basically had a gun to their head to do something to bolstering a starting rotation that consists of staff ace Clayton Kershaw and a handful of (at best) number five starters – at least until the Hisashi Iwakuma deal becomes final.

Frankie Montas
(Photo courtesy of MLB.com)

Although there are no guarantees that right-hander Frankie Montas will be in the Dodgers’ Opening Day starting rotation, you’ve certainly got to like his chances. The 22-year-old Sainagua, San Cristobal, Dominican Republic native was a September 2015 call-up for the White Sox where he posted a 0-2 record and 4.80 ERA in his seven appearance which included two starts. And while these numbers are anything but overwhelming, Montas is coming off of an impressive 5-5, 2.97 ERA season at Double-A Birmingham.

Whether Montas comes out of spring training ahead of Dodgers top pitching prospects Julio Urias (ranked second) or Jose De Leon (ranked third) remains to be seen, he’ll head into big league camp with something that Urias and De Leon do not yet have – major league experience (albeit only 15 innings pitched). That being said and as it stands right now, you have to believe that at least one of these guys will break camp on the big league roster; this, of course, barring any major transactions before pitchers and catchers report on February 19 – which will probably happen.

Micah Johnson
(Photo credit – Ron Vesely)

Another key element of Wednesday’s three-team trade was the acquisition of second base prospect Micah Johnson, who turns 25 years old tomorrow (December 18). The Indianapolis, IN native and son of former Laker Mychal Thompson, appeared in 36 games for the White Sox in 2015 hitting only .230. However, Johnson posted a triple-slash of .313 / .375 / .466 with eight home runs and 36 RBIs at Triple-A Charlotte in 2015. He also stole 28 bases for the Knights – an area that bodes well with new Dodgers manager Dave Roberts at the helm.

Trayce Thompson
(Photo credit – Andrew A. Nelles)

In addition to Montas and Johnson, the Dodgers also picked up outfield prospect Trayce Thompson from the White Sox while sending second baseman Jose Peraza and utility infield-outfield prospect Brandon Dixon to the Cincinnati Reds along with Schebler. Thompson, a 24-year-old native of nearby Rancho Santa Margarita, CA and brother on Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, appeared in 44 games with the White Sox in 2015, hitting .295 with five home runs and 16 RBIs. And though the Dodgers still have more outfielders than positions available, Thompson gives the Dodgers more outfield depth – at least until they move one (or more) of their current outfielders. If and when this occurs, it will most likely involve Scott Van Slyke and / or Andre Ethier. The preferred choice would be to unload 34-year-old left fielder Carl Crawford, but the $41.75 million still owed to him over the next two seasons make his departure unlikely.

While Wednesday’s three-team deal marks the first significant move by the Dodgers this off-season, you can pretty much bet the farm – perhaps literally – that it won’t be the last for Friedman and Zaidi; at least if they follow the pattern they’re known for and the very reason for which they were hired.