Ryan Yarbrough Deal Ranked as One of Trade Deadline’s Best

The trade deadline for Dodger fans may not have gone the way some had hoped. With other NL competitors taking some targets away and players invoking their no-trade clause to stop them from coming to Los Angeles, the ball club may not have had the flashiest of deadlines.

However, this did not stop the team from making some moves on deadline day, like moving players for cash and adding an arm that may be used to contribute meaningful innings down the stretch for the club.

Ryan Yarbrough found himself off the Kansas City Royals roster and onto the NL West-leading roster of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Bleacher Report ranked the best and worst deals of the trade deadline, and the last-minute move by the Dodgers was ranked as the 5th best move of the day. Here's a part of what Joel Reuter had to say.

"The Los Angeles Dodgers walked away with the biggest potential steal of deadline day when they traded for Kansas City Royals left-hander Ryan Yarbrough.

"...Aside from his work as a starter, Yarbrough also has experience pitching in a relief role during his time with the Tampa Bay Rays, so he could fill a variety of roles on the Dodgers staff down the stretch and into October.

"Throw in the fact that he comes with an additional year of arbitration control in 2024, and it could end up being one of the most impactful moves of the deadline."

The package that got Yarbrough sent to Los Angeles consisted of minor leaguers Devin Mann and Derlin Figueroa.

The 31-year-old lefty has plenty of experience as both a starter and a bullpen piece throughout his career. Opening 2023 in the Royals bullpen, he later transitioned to a starter role where he continued his pitch-to-contact approach that he has had since entering the league in 2018 with the Tampa Bay Rays.

The lanky lefty returned to the mound two months after taking a 106.2 mph line drive to the face causing multiple facial fractures. Since returning to the mound the veteran has been lights out and shoving for the Royals.

In four starts, he has pitched 24.2 innings to the tune of a 2.19 ERA. The biggest increase shown here is the strikeout numbers which sat around four per game, which may not be a lot but is a decent jump in numbers for the lefty.

The veteran has pitched in the postseason during his time with the Rays so the Dodgers' new acquisition looks to help this team make a push for the NL West division win and a long run in the playoffs.