LOS ANGELES – In a move that caught everyone from hot dog vendors to beat writers off guard, the Montreal Expos and Los Angeles Dodgers pulled off a stunning pregame trade that sent veteran lefty Matt Young across the field — literally.
Set to start today against the Expos, Young was scratched from the Dodgers’ lineup this morning… only to be spotted minutes later walking into the Expos’ clubhouse, bag in hand, suddenly set to face his former club in the most ironic twist of the season. One scout in the stands just muttered, “That’s some Twilight Zone shit.”
Deal Details
To Montreal Expos:
- LHP Matt Young
- 80% of his 1995 salary covered by Dodgers
To Los Angeles Dodgers:
- LHP Bill Pulsipher
- C/1B Scott Hatteberg
- 1st Round Pick (1995 Draft)
The Irony: A Jersey Swap in Real Time
Matt Young showed up to the ballpark as a Dodger. By lunch, he was toeing the rubber in an Expos uniform. It’s a rare baseball oddity, like catching a foul ball while eating nachos — bizarre and unforgettable.
“I mean, how do you game plan for your own scouting report?” Dodgers slugger Mickey Tettleton joked. “He was literally in our pregame meeting this morning.”
This marks the first time in DBL history that a starting pitcher has been traded to the team he’s scheduled to pitch against the same day — and then actually starts.
Who Are the Expos Getting?
Well, let’s not sugarcoat it — they’re getting a bona fide ace.
Matt Young has been nothing short of dominant in 1995, sporting a 1.77 ERA over 12 starts and a 6-4 record on a team that’s been inconsistent at best. His career ERA sits at 3.32, with 190 wins, 2011 strikeouts, and a reputation as a workhorse. This isn’t a guy fading into the twilight — his last two starts? 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 5 Ks against San Diego and 9 shutout innings with 9 Ks against Washington.
If you’re going all-in, he’s the guy you want to add to your starting rotation..
And What Are the Dodgers Getting?
Three pieces — all with upside:
- Bill Pulsipher, 21-year-old lefty, former Expos top pick, with a 1.86 ERA in three big-league starts and a fastball that runs into the mid-90s. His control is raw (10 stuff, 13 movement, 11 potential control via OSA), but there’s big-league starter potential here.
- Scott Hatteberg, a 25-year-old contact-hitting catcher/first baseman slashing .321/.416/.502 in AAA with a sharp eye (14 eye, 15 avoid K). He could slide in behind the plate or at DH if L.A. wants more left-handed pop.
- And, of course, a 1st-round pick in the upcoming draft, giving Dodgers GM Wes Pringle a future asset in what’s expected to be a deep class.
What This Means for the Standings
The Expos are already sitting pretty atop the United League East at 43-19, a 7-game lead over Toronto and 7.5 over the Mets. This move screams one thing: They’re going for it.
But that window? It’s now. Young is 36. They mortgaged part of their future — a 1st-rounder and two promising players — for one piece. If he stays healthy, it might be worth it. If not? There will be hell to pay in Montreal.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, punted on their slim playoff hopes — 9.5 games behind San Francisco — and retooled on the fly. They’re playing the long game now, and this deal could pay off by 1997 if Pulsipher and Hatteberg develop.
The Fans Speak Out
Dodgers Fans:
“We trade our best pitcher… in JUNE? What’s the plan here?” — @BleedBlue95
“80% of the salary paid AND we give up a top pitcher?! Might as well sell churros next.” — DodgersTalkRadio
“Matt Young had a 1.77 ERA. You don’t give that away—you build statues for it.” — @DodgerLament
“We just paid 80% of his salary to get lit up by him tonight. This team is allergic to good decisions.” — @LA_BlueBlood
Forget a rebuild. This is a controlled demolition with a smiling front office.” — @BleedBlueAndCry
“Woke up thinking it was a game day. Didn’t know it was also a garage sale.” — @DodgerMeltdown
“This team couldn’t manage a lemonade stand without giving away the lemons.” — @VinWept
“Trading Matt Young mid-series? Just hang a ‘Help Wanted’ sign on the dugout already.” — @NoFaithInBlue
“Look, Young wasn’t gonna be here next year. Pulsipher’s got upside, Hatteberg can hit, and we got a first. Not bad.” — @BlueSkiesAhead“This is the kind of deal that hurts today but wins you a pennant in three years.” — @FutureFocusedLA
“Trust the process. We flipped an aging ace for two controllable guys and a pick. That’s how you build long-term.” — @NextGenDodgers
“Young was lights out, but you don’t hang onto guys at peak value if you’re not in the race. We got assets. Smart play.” — @RebuildModeEngaged
Giants Fans:
“Ding dong, the witch is gone!” — @SFGNation
“Bye Matt. Don’t miss the fog.” @BayBombersBlog
“Dodgers helping us win the West is my new favorite genre of comedy.” — @MissionBayMaulers
“Who trades their one of their top pitchers in June? Better question — who trades him to a contender in June? Peak Dodgers.” — @OrangeandBlackAttack
Rockies, Padres & Pilots Fans:
“One less nightmare to deal with every fifth day.” — @CoorsCliff
“Dodgers fire sale started early, let’s goooo.” — @SeattleSkipper
“Matt Young to Montreal? Don’t care. We weren’t touching him anyway.” — PadresFanzine
Expos Fans:
“YESSSSS. We got Young!” — @ExposElite
“Wait… we gave up Pulsipher and Hatteberg and a 1st? For a 36-year-old?”
“If we don’t win it all, this front office is done.”
“Love the move. Hate the price. This better not be our ‘all-in’ year if we’re playing for second in ’96.” — @ExposOverlords
“Ownership really said ‘championship or bust’—then handed the keys to a 36-year-old pitcher and a prayer.” — @EhTeamElite
Toronto, New York, and Washington Fans:
“Ugh. Montreal’s already seven up and now they add Matt freakin’ Young? Cool.” — @BlueJayBlues
“That’s it. We’re chasing a juggernaut.” — @MetsMisery
“Montreal adding Matt Young while we’re trying to claw back to .500 feels like the baseball gods personally flipping us off.” — @NatsAnonymous
Bottom Line:
The Expos just added a Cy Young candidate. The Dodgers just added future capital. And tonight, Matt Young takes the mound in Dodger Stadium — wearing the wrong laundry. If that’s not peak baseball theater, I don’t know what is.