Dodgers Rumors: LA Reportedly Swinging Deal with Marlins for Miguel Rojas
The MLB trade market hasn’t been very active yet, but Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers may have just kicked it off. On Wednesday,The Athletic‘s Fabian Ardaya reported that the Dodgers were ‘deep in talks’ to acquire infielder Miguel Rojas from the Miami Marlins. Then, USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale confirmed it, saying the deal is done, and even giving the return. The Dodgers are sending SS Jacob Amaya back to Miami.
The Los Angeles #Dodgers get their shortstop: #Marlins Miguel Rojas. The Marlins will receive infielder Jacob Amaya. @FabianArdaya and @CraigMish on it.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 11, 2023
Rojas is a longtime serviceable shortstop, playing nine years in the league. He’s a career .260 hitter with 39 home runs, 269 RBIs and an OPS+ of 85. Last year, he hit .236 with six home runs and 36 RBIs, but did play in 140 games — 136 of them at the shortstop position.
Rojas is a pretty elite defensive shortstop, getting 15 defensive runs saved above average at the position last year. Rojas has also played first base, second base and third base in his career, and will provide the much needed depth that the Dodgers are currently lacking.
Rojas has always had a solid reputation as a great veteran presence, and will be a nice addition to the Dodgers’ locker room and clubhouse. He’s due to get $4.5 million next season, before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2024.
This is also a full-circle moment for Rojas, who began his career with the Dodgers in 2014. Rojas even played a big role in Clayton Kershaw’s 2014 no-hitter, robbing a hit down the line, and keeping the no-no intact.
Rojas’ immediate role isn’t clear yet, whether he’ll be Gavin Lux’s backup at shortstop, or if he’ll play most of the time there, moving Lux to second base. He could also play at third or second, which would allow Chris Taylor to stay in the outfield. But either way, the Dodgers needed some more depth in the infield, and Rojas will provide just that.
As for Amaya, he was the Dodgers’ No. 15 ranked prospect. The 24-year-old hit .261 across Double-A and Triple-A last season, with 17 home runs and 71 RBIs. The Dodgers clearly didn’t feel comfortable with him being the backup next season, so now they have Rojas to fill their current infield needs.
What are your thoughts on the Dodgers trading for Miguel Rojas? Let us know in the comments below!
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With a career 85 OPS+, he makes little sense as a starter. Probably more of a bench bat/late innings defensive specialist, like Hanser Alberto this year.
A move that might help. Don’t trust Lux as the every day shortstop this will relieve some pressure on Lux. Infield with Friedman, Lux, Rojas and Muncy decent. Hitting without both Turners is still a downgrade! Center fielder?
So Andrew Friedman is playing the infield now? This man can really do it all 🙂
I hope you’re being facetious!
I thought the plan was to stay under the luxury tax limit of $233M. Before this trade they had about $100K to spare. At $5M, this would put them over the limit for the third time. Assuming that was their plan, you have to wonder whether Rojas was worth it?
First kid orphaned.
Horrible trade.
I don’t understand why Rojas at 34 years old is an upgrade over 24 year old Jacob Amaya. Maybe the Marlins are going to throw in Pablo Lopez …. now that is facetious !!!!!!
I bet Amaya is capable of providing everything Rojas can, except experience. If Jacob hits .250 we are going to regret doing this for potentially a one year guy. Amaya can really, really Hoover and might have made a decent bench piece. He turned it around offensively in 2022. Rojas is probably a stop-gap if Lux can’t handle short and utility bench piece. Optionality. Andrew likes one of these guys on the bench.
So the Dodgers let Trea Turner walk and bring in a guy who hits .236, 5 HR/Yr, 35-40 RBI’s . . . this is a major step down from Turner who wins batting titles, 20-25 HR’s, 80-90 RBI’s and great speed on the bases .. . . and they traded away their top prospect at short to get this mediocre infielder . . . way to go Friedman . . Zach McKinstry could have played short, but he’s gone too, traded to the cubs for reliever chris martin, who was good, but he left too . . WTF???
Now they’re over the salary cap. Save it for Shohei!
This shows you how much confidence the braintrusts have in the young guys (Lux and Amaya) playing this critical position. Now how’s about CF (Reynolds ?) ? You gotta be strong up the middle. To help a pitching staff with a lot of questions, the defense needs to be solid to prevent unnecessary additional outs and runs scored.
Now we have to bench players at best as dodgers starters great Rojas and Thompson
SO,…. Are we really going to replace
TREA TURNER!!!
with Miguel Rojas???
YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!