The Los Angeles Dodgers pulled off a blockbuster three-team trade at the deadline last season.

The Dodgers acquired utility man Tommy Edman and right-handed pitcher Oliver Gonzalez from the St. Louis Cardinals, as well as right-handed pitcher Michael Kopech from the Chicago White Sox.

Los Angeles sent third baseman Miguel Vargas, shortstop Alexander Albertus, shortstop Jeral Perez, and offered a player to be named later or cash considerations to Chicago.

Both Edman and Kopech played vital roles in the Dodgers’ World Series run.

Edman was named the National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player after hitting .407 and driving in 11 RBIs in the series. Kopech accrued a career-best 1.13 ERA across 24 games in the second half of the season with the Dodgers.

The Dodgers may have never expected for Edman to be as good as he has been for Los Angeles. But the franchise still chased after the 2021 NL Gold Glove winner for a long time before he joined the Dodgers.

“It’s been awhile,” Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. “Pound the Cardinals and they say, ‘No.’ So you keep asking and they say, ‘No.’”

The Cardinals were hesitant to let go of Edman for so long. However, a glaring need for pitchers opened the door for the Dodgers to finally make the trade happen.

“Then last year, we were talking about him very early on – like in April or May – just stayed on them. They were in a tough position because he’s a very good player for them and they’re trying to win,” Gomes said. “It got to a point last year where they felt they needed the pitching. That was our way to facilitate that deal with the White Sox.”

Chicago traded right-handed starting pitcher Erik Fedde and outfielder Tommy Pham to St. Louis. Fedde posted a career-best 3.11 ERA across 21 starts in the first half of the 2024 season, making him a beneficial addition to the Cardinals rotation.

With the White Sox’s contributions to the trade, the Dodgers were able to add Edman and Kopech to their roster.

“The objectives were clear. Then it was about adding pieces to pull it off,” Gomes said. “It was a long time in the making. But we’re very happy we were able to pull it off.”

Kopech is on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder impingement, so he has yet to pitch the season. But Edman has continued to be an offensive and defensive force for the Dodgers in 2025.