Dodgers add another outfielder, pick up Chris Heisey for Matt Magill

When is a surplus not really a surplus?

When the Dodgers tell you so, or at least in the moments that pass for baseball’s off-season, they do.

As everyone knows -- and the new management team readily admits -- the Dodgers have too many outfielders and need to trade at least one.

So what move did they make Tuesday? Added another outfielder.

The Dodgers traded minor-league right-hander Matt Magill to the Reds for part-time outfielder Chris Heisey, who turns 30 on Dec. 14.

This is what you might call a curious move, what with the Dodgers already having outfielders Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Andre Ethier, Carl Crawford, Scott Van Slyke and potential star Joc Pederson.

We’ll have to presume they have other things in mind on the trade front, though people with knowledge of the situation said the Dodgers currently are not close to moving any of their established outfielders. Still, the something must be in the works.

Heisey made 299 plate appearances for the Reds last season, hitting .222 with eight homers, 22 RBI, nine steals and .265 on-base and .367 slugging percentages. Safe to say, he doesn’t currently fill a need.

He’s also arbitration eligible after making $1.76 million last season. The Dodgers will have to tend him a contract by 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Magill, 23, made six starts for a depleted Dodgers bullpen in 2013, going 0-2 with a 6.51 ERA. He spent all of last season at triple-A Albuquerque, ultimately being moved to the bullpen. He finished 7-6 with a 5.21 ERA in 36 games (12 starts).

He did not appear to figure in the Dodgers’ plans, particularly after they already acquired Juan Nicasio and Mike Bolsinger this off-season.