On Monday afternoon it was reported that the Dodgers had traded 27-year-old utility outfielder/infielder Billy McKinney and 28-year-old utility outfielder Zach Reks to the Texas Rangers in exchange for cash considerations; this just three days after the pair were designated for assignment by the Dodgers to allow for pending moves on their 40-man roster.

McKinney, a former first-round draft pick by the Oakland Athletics in 2013 out of Plano West Senior High School in Plano, TX, was acquired by the Dodgers from the New York Mets on July 21, 2021, (in exchange for minor league outfielder Carlos Rincon). He appeared in 37 games for the Dodgers in 2021, slashing .146 / .276 / .232 / .505 with one home run and seven RBI. He also struck out 21 times while walking 14 times in his 37 games and 98 plate appearances as a Dodger.

Reks, a 10th-round pick by the Dodgers in 2017 out of the University of Kentucky in Lexington, appeared in six games for the Dodgers in 2021, going 0-for-10 with seven strikeouts and no walks following his June 21 call-up.

What’s interesting is that McKinney and Reks join former 25-year-old Dodgers right-hander Dennis Santana, popular soon-to-be (on December 12) 26-year-old outfield prospect and Glendora, CA native DJ Peters, and soon-to-be (on December 17) 28-year-old right-hander Josh Sborz, all of whom went to the Rangers before or during the 2021 season.

Before being selected off waivers by the Rangers on August 2, Peters went 5-for-26 (.192), with two doubles, one home run, and four RBI. He also struck out 14 times while walking eight in his 18 games and 34 plate appearances as a Dodger.

Although it is always (or at least usually) disappointing to see Dodgers players traded (etc.), the simple truth of the matter is that it gives those moved a much greater opportunity to play – opportunities that they simply would not get with the Dodgers stacked roster. And even though the Dodgers did not receive any players in return for McKinney or Reks, that ‘cash consideration’ thing is huge, when you consider that Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman will have to pay dearly to (hopefully) re-sign the numerous Dodgers who became free agents at the conclusion of the 2021 season – especially (and, again, hopefully) 27-year-old shortstop Corey Seager, 37-year-old future Hall of Fame right-hander Max Scherzer, and 33-year-old future Hall of Fame left-hander Clayton Kershaw, to name only three.

Play Ball!

  *  *  *  *  *  *