News of the Dodgers’ ‘deep in talks’ to acquire infielder Miguel Rojas from the Miami Marlins was first reported by The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya on Wednesday. Then Bob Nightengale of USA Today said the deal is finalized.
Do you support the Dodgers’ signing of Miguel Rojas?
Rojas has been a reliable shortstop for the league for a long time. That guy is going places. hitting.260 with 39 HR, 269 RBI, and an OPS+ of 85. He played in 140 games, 136 of which were at shortstop, and hit.236 with six home runs and 36 RBIs.
Rojas is an excellent defender, with 15 defensive runs saved above the league average for a shortstop last season. Rojas has experience at first base, second base, and third base, giving the Dodgers a position of depth that they currently lack.
Rojas’s reputation as an excellent veteran presence precedes him, and he will be a welcome addition to the Dodgers’ dressing room and clubhouse. His salary for the upcoming season will be $4.5 million, and in 2024, he will be a free agent.
The fact that Rojas started his career with the Dodgers in 2014 means that he has come full circle. Even in Clayton Kershaw‘s 2014 no-hitter, Rojas played a crucial role by preventing a hit down the line and thereby preserving the no-hitter.
Not much is known about Rojas’s immediate role; it’s possible that he’ll serve as Gavin Lux’s backup at shortstop, but it’s also possible that he’ll play there frequently and force Lux to play second. Chris Taylor could stay in the outfield if he played third or second for the team. But Rojas will give the Dodgers the infield depth they’ve been lacking.
When it comes to the Dodgers, Amaya was ranked as their No. 15 prospect. Across Double-A and Triple-A last year, the 24-year-old hit.261, with 17 home runs and 71 RBIs. For obvious reasons, the Dodgers were not confident in him as their backup for the upcoming season, so they have turned to Rojas to meet their immediate infield needs.
