Zazueta, a Mexico native who signed with the Yankees in 2022, began his career in the Dominican Summer League and had not yet played a full US-season prior to the trade. The initial return also included Gage, who had limited MLB experience at the time but later posted a 2.57 career ERA at the big-league level, underscoring the Dodgers’ potential value in depth.
After the deal, Zazueta moved through the Dodgers’ system, starting in the complex league and then advancing to Single-A Rancho Cucamonga in 2024. His early numbers were underwhelming, including a 6.36 ERA in Single-A, but scouts noted an electric velocity profile and promising underlying metrics that suggested development could outpace ERA alone.
Zazueta’s breakout came in 2025, his first full pro season at Single-A, where he logged 17 starts, a 2.44 ERA, 80 strikeouts, and just 16 walks over 66.1 innings. The Dodgers recognized his progress with their Minor League Pitcher of the Year award, highlighting a fastball-changeup combination and improving command that fueled his ascent.
From the Yankees’ perspective, the trade’s value hinges on Zazueta’s ceiling. While his major-league chances remain uncertain, his continued development and refined pitch mix—especially the potential for the fastball to play up, paired with above-average changeup and slider—have kept the possibility of a future impact within reach. Ferguson, meanwhile, left New York midway through the 2024 season, continuing a journeyman arc after a short Yankees tenure.
As of early 2026, Zazueta remains a minor-league asset with significant upside, though he has a long road to the majors. The 2024 trade thus stands as a notable pivot point: what began as a conventional depth move could evolve into a meaningful long-term storyline if Zazueta fulfills his projected potential.
