In a three-team trade involving the Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Chicago White Sox, the Dodgers sent Cuban outfielder Miguel Vargas to the White Sox. In exchange, the Dodgers acquired infielder Tommy Edman from the Cardinals and right-handed pitcher Michael Kopech from the White Sox.
The Cardinals received right-handed pitcher Erick Fedde and outfielder Tommy Pham from the White Sox, while the White Sox also added Dodgers’ prospects Noah Miller (ranked No. 26), Jeral Perez (ranked No. 17), and Alexander Albertus (ranked No. 23).
Miguel Vargas made his MLB debut on August 3, 2022, at 22 years old. Over 129 games, he has recorded 35 extra-base hits (20 doubles, 4 triples, and 11 home runs) and 48 walks. In the 2023 season, Vargas has played 81 games, hitting .195/.305/.367 with 26 extra-base hits and 38 RBI. This season, he has split time between the Majors and Triple-A. With the Dodgers, Vargas has played 30 games, slashing .239/.313/.423 with 3 home runs and 9 RBIs. In Triple-A, he has a .290 average, a 1.006 OPS, 14 doubles, 8 home runs, and 38 RBIs in 41 games.
Vargas is the son of Lazaro Vargas, a Cuban baseball legend who played 22 seasons in the Cuban National Series and won two Olympic gold medals. After defecting in 2015, Vargas signed with the Dodgers for $300,000 in 2017.
Joining the White Sox, Vargas will become part of an organization known for their Cuban pipeline, led by Cuban American manager Pedro Grifol. He will join fellow Cubans Luis Robert, Yoan Moncada, Oscar Colas, Bryan Ramos, Edgar Quero, Loidel Chapelli, and Josimar Cousin in the White Sox organization.