After 9 years of serving to to avoid wasting Clayton KershawNo hitter, you criminal Miguel Rojas He’s dodger once more.
after the loss Tria Turner to me Veles Final month and sitting out short-term free agent sweepstakes, the Dodgers Improve their depth of website by getting Rojas from Marlins On Wednesday versus a mid-field prospect Jacob Amaya.
Rojas provides the Dodgers an alternative choice at shortstop after him Gavin Luxwho gave the impression to be the obvious candidate to interchange Turner within the place, and W.J Chris Taylorwho can now spend extra time outdoors.
Locks got here on as a shortstop however loved his finest main league season final 12 months because the Dodgers’ beginning second baseman. On the winter conferences, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and supervisor Dave Roberts each expressed confidence in Lux at shortstop, however didn’t absolutely decide to the 25-year-old as a starter on the place.
“I believe simply having choices creates essentially the most flexibility, and I believe Gavin is a very proficient participant who will assist us win a whole lot of video games this 12 months,” Friedman mentioned. “The place precisely is that, we’re unsure but.”
Now, the Dodgers have the power to both preserve Lux at second base and begin Rojas at shortstop or flip Lux again into shortstop and use Rojas as a utility infielder.
Rojas has served because the Marlins’ beginning shortstop since 2017, however has performed all 4 spots over his nine-year profession. 236/.283/.323 with a 72 OPS+, which was his lowest mark since 2016. He was hampered by a wrist downside requiring low season surgical procedure, although he was a below-average hitter in 4 of the previous 5 seasons. The exception was the shortened 2020 season through which he recorded a profession finest . 888 OPS in 40 video games.
Nonetheless, he has managed 10.9 wins above substitute over the previous six seasons on account of his protection. His 33-year-old season final 12 months was considered one of his finest. Rojas’ 15 defensed passes ranked second amongst all eligible gamers on the place, whereas his above-average 10 runs ranked sixth.
The Dodgers know the protection Rojas can present.
Rojas made his main league debut with the Dodgers in 2014 and helped preserve security Kershaw innocent that 12 months with stellar play on the third bottom line. However after hitting . 181 in 85 video games, he was traded in December in a deal that introduced Kiki Hernandez And Austin Barnes to Los Angeles.
Amaya, who had a 0.795 OPS with 17 dwelling runs and 6 stolen bases final 12 months between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma Metropolis, options related options to Rojas, who is best identified for his glove than his bat. ZiPS expects Amaya to be a 1.2 WAR participant subsequent 12 months with 77 wRC+, whereas Steamer expects Rojas to be a 1.8 WAR participant with 93 wRC+.
The Dodgers picked the extra constant choice in Rojas, persevering with their development of strikes on the sidelines on this offseason.
whereas the Padres Loaded by add Xander Bogaerts —and whereas many contenders both saved their finest free brokers, spent on new ones, or did each (see: metsAnd Yankees) – The Dodgers have largely stayed out of the premium free agent market apart from re-signing Kershaw.
They watched Tria Turner, Justin TurnerAnd Tyler AndersonAnd Andrew HeaneyAnd Cody BellingerAnd Chris MartinAnd Tommy CanleyAnd Joey Gallo And Hanser Alberto Everybody finds new groups whereas including Kershaw, Noah SyndergaardAnd JD MartinezAnd Shelby MillerAnd J.P. FeyereisenAnd Yoni Hernandez And now Rojas. like Ben Clemens of FanGraphs wrote final weekit’s the largest web worth loss (primarily based on 2022 wins above substitute) in sports activities.
The idle seemed to be in an effort to offer their rookie prospects an opportunity to play and reset luxurious tax fines — solely, with the Rojas due $5 million in 2023 and with the Dodgers on the hook to pay. Trevor Bauer $22.5 million even after he was given the job, now they’re up Barely greater than the primary tax restrict About 4 million {dollars}.
That is nonetheless far lower than what the Dodgers have spent in recent times and ranks fifth in baseball behind the Mets, Yankees, Padres, and Phillies. As of now, their try and bounce again from the division collection’ gorgeous exit will begin with a decrease payroll than the division rivals who brought about it.
Rowan Kavner covers the Dodgers and the NL West for FOX Sports activities. He was beforehand the Dodgers’ editor for digital and print publications. Observe him on Twitter at @Rowan Kavner.
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