Dodgers: Insider Believes MIA Did Well in Acquiring Jacob Amaya for Rojas
Earlier in January, the Dodgers re-acquired old friend Miguel Rojas in a one-for-one swap with the Miami Marlins. In the deal, LA sent infield prospect Jacob Amaya to the fish, which raised some concern for fans.
MLB insider Jim Bowden will make that part of the Dodger fan base feel even more concerned following a recent column at The Athletic.
Bowden believes the Marlins won the trade, giving GM Kim Ng and company an A grade for the deal.
Trade Grades: Marlins — A-minus; Dodgers — C
At its base, the trade was a 24-year-old shortstop with a plus-plus glove and six years of team control for a 33-year-old (soon to be 34) shortstop coming off a down year and with one year left under contract (at $5 million for the season). So yes, on paper it can feel lopsided. Here’s more of what Bowden had to say.
The Marlins believe Amaya could be their everyday shortstop as early as this year, and they’re convinced he’s major-league-ready defensively. … The Marlins’ evaluators are higher on Amaya, 24, than the Dodgers’. After losing Trea Turner in free agency, the Dodgers were looking to add a veteran infielder, and they think Rojas could end up starting at shortstop or second base for them. However, over the past three years, Rojas has been in serious decline. … He profiles more as a utility player than the everyday shortstop he’s been for Miami since 2018. Rojas does bring leadership and other intangibles and is a terrific teammate.
A deal like this Amaya for Rojas one is nuanced for a team like the Dodgers. The club needs a backup at shortstop if Gavin Lux falters at his first crack as the starter there. The club also needs an overall upgrade on defense on the infield with the elimination of the shift coming to baseball. And, after the loss of Justin Turner, this is a team in need of additional veteran leadership in the clubhouse.
Miguel Rojas is a known commodity while Amaya is an unknown on and off the field. For the Marlins, the trade is a win for sure. But a C for the Dodgers might be a little low of a grade.
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