Revisiting The Michael Busch Trade
Examining the Michael Busch trade that brought in a pair of star-studded prospects from a year ago.
Once a highly touted prospect in the Dodgers organization, Michael Busch, was traded alongside reliever Yency Almonte to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for left handed prospect Jackson Ferris and outfielder Zyhir Hope. Looking back at this trade a year later, it feels like a massive win for the Dodgers and here’s why.
Truth be told it almost feels like a win-win trade for both sides. At the time of the trade the Dodgers did not really have a need for Busch as he was 26-years-old and just beginning to break into the league. He wasn’t going to have a prominent role in the Dodgers lineup, so LA decided to deal him for future assets that will soon pay large dividends for the Dodgers organization.
Lets first take a look at Busch, who was once the Dodgers second ranked prospect. In 496 at bats with the Cubs in 2024 Busch slashed .248/.335/.440 along with 21 home runs and 65 RBIs. Busch had a promising first season in Chicago and they are in hopes of a breakout campaign from him this season. Yency Almonte struggled with the injury bug in his first year in Chicago as he only tossed 15.2 innings over 17 appearances with a 3.45 ERA and 20 strikeouts. In early July Almonte suffered a labrum tear in his right shoulder and missed the rest of the season.
Now, lets dive in Jackson Ferris, who at the time of the trade was the Cubs eighth ranked prospect. Just over a year later he has catapulted himself into the Dodgers fourth ranked prospect and 71st ranked prospect in all of baseball according to mlb.com. The just turned 21-year-old lefty enjoyed a stellar first season in the Dodgers organization, splitting time between high A and double A. In 20 starts with high A affiliate, Great Lakes, he had a 3.39 ERA over 98.1 IP along with a .198 average against. Then, in seven starts with double A affiliate, Tulsa he threw 28.1 IP with a 2.54 ERA and .216 average against. When considering his numbers with Tulsa, they become even better when you factor in that Ferris is four years younger than the average age in the league. At the conclusion of the season Ferris was named as the Dodgers Minor League Pitcher of the Year, showcasing his talent. After a season of vast improvement, expectations are rising for the 21-year-old.
Similar to Ferris, Zyhir Hope broke out in his first season with the Dodgers organization. Hope just turned 20 in January and offers a great power speed combo. When he was traded to Los Angeles a year ago he was outside the Dodgers top fifty prospects and rose all the way to 6th. Although his time was split between rookie ball and low A ball he played 54 of his 61 games with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga where he slashed .290/.419/.484 with nine home runs and 36 RBIs. I believe that Hope will only continue to better and is poised for a breakout season.
When looking back at this trade in the next five years Dodger fans will be laughing and Cubs fans will be groaning.