LOS ANGELES – The Dodgers have found a way to deal with the depth of the infield.
Los Angeles acquired shortstop Miguel Rojas from the Marlins in exchange for minor league infielder Jacob Amaya, the club announced Wednesday.
Rojas, who turns 34 on Feb. 24, is entering the final season of a two-year, $10 million extension that obliges him to pay $5 million in 2023. He is a Gold Glove finalist and is also a respected clubhouse leader, including last season when he recorded his above-average 98th percentile out count, according to Statcast.
Plus, he’ll be reunited with the man who established his place in Dodgers history as a rookie in 2014. Leave the effort alone so Ace can finish his job.
It was this glovework that Rojas was most famous for during his eight years with the Marlins alongside Dee Strange Gordon and Dan Harren in December 2014 trades for Austin Barnes, Chris Hatcher, Andrew Heaney and Kike Hernandez. He served as Miami’s main shortstop for most of that span, and he’s also seen time at all three other infielders.
Offensively, Rojas batted .265/.318/.366 with the Marlins and posted career-lows in nearly every offensive category in 2022.He played most of the second half of the season with a right wrist injury, but eventually Underwent right wrist debridement to remove cartilage in October.
After the Dodgers missed out on a market-famous free-agent shortstop this offseason, it looked like Gavin Lux would take the majority of the rep there in 2023. That might still be the case, but at least Lojas gives them some flexibility. Additionally, Rojas also hits right-handed, while Lux is left-handed.
Considered a shortstop plus defender for his impressive at-bat discipline, Amaya is expected to make his major league debut during the 2023 season. He was selected by the Dodgers in the 11th round of the 2017 draft. Amaya was on his 40-man roster for the Dodgers, so no additional transfers are needed for Rojas.
