LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired third baseman David Freese from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night in exchange for a minor leaguer.
The deal was completed just ahead of the deadline for traded players to be eligible for postseason play. Freese hit .282 with nine homers and 42 RBIs in 94 games for the Pirates.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Freese would be used off the bench against left-handing pitching.
“Veteran presence, offensive, great clubhouse guy,” Roberts said.
Starting third baseman Justin Turner was effusive upon learning of the trade after the Dodgers edged NL West-leading Arizona 3-2.
“Definitely happy to have him,” he said. “He’s a professional hitter. I love watching him take his at-bats.”
In a statement, Pittsburgh general manager Neal Huntington said it was a “difficult decision” to trade Freese. Huntington said the move was made to give Freese an opportunity to pursue a World Series championship while giving opportunities to Pittsburgh’s younger players.
Freese won a World Series title in 2011 with St. Louis. He hit .545 and had 12 hits in the National League Championship Series, earning MVP honors. He was also named World Series MVP.
The move brings him back to Southern California. Freese played two seasons for the Angels in 2014 and ’15.
In exchange for the 35-year-old veteran, the Dodgers sent minor league infielder Jesus Manuel Valdez to the Pirates. Valdez spent his first professional season playing for the Dominican Summer League Dodgers, batting .230.
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