The Dodgers are choosing up their $5MM membership possibility for the companies of shortstop Miguel Rojas in 2025, as reported by KPRC2’s Ari Alexander. The choice got here with a $1MM buyout, which means that L.A. is committing a internet $4MM to convey Rojas again into the fold.
The transfer hardly comes as a shock given Rojas’s robust efficiency this yr. The 35-year-old veteran delivered one of many strongest offensive seasons of his profession in 2024, slashing .283/.387/.410 with a wRC+ of 111 in 337 journeys to the plate this yr. Rojas started the season in a bench function behind center infield duo Mookie Betts and Gavin Lux, however a hand fracture suffered by Betts in June offered the chance for Rojas to step again into the each day lineup. Rojas was subsequently hampered by forearm and groin points all through the season and into the playoffs however nonetheless managed to hit a good .286/.343/.392 whereas offering robust protection at shortstop in his closing 62 video games of the common season.
By choosing up Rojas’s possibility, the Dodgers preserve the flexibleness to make the most of him as their main shortstop headed into 2025. With that being stated, that function seems to be removed from assured to the veteran even after a robust season this yr. In any case, Rojas will play all of subsequent yr at 36 years previous and the harm woes that plagued him in 2024 don’t look like going away; Rojas has already acknowledged that he’ll have to endure surgical procedure this winter attributable to {a partially} torn adductor muscle in his groin and a sports activities hernia. It’s not but clear if Rojas may have sufficient time to rehab and prepare for the season in time for Opening Day subsequent March, however even when he does it will hardly be a shock if the Dodgers determined to push Rojas right into a part-time function as they search for methods to enhance this winter.
Maybe essentially the most straight ahead manner to do this could be buying a shortstop. Willy Adames is the highest shortstop obtainable in free company this winter, and Ha-Seong Kim could possibly be one other potential improve over Rojas on the place relying on how his restoration from shoulder surgical procedure goes. Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette stands out as a believable commerce candidate, although his down 2024 season makes him considerably unlikely to maneuver this winter. Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner has shortstop expertise and noticed his identify floated in commerce rumors late within the yr, however his latest flexor tendon surgical procedure might put an finish to that risk.
Including a shortstop isn’t the one manner the Dodgers may improve on the place over Rojas, nevertheless. The membership dealt for versatile switch-hitter Tommy Edman at this summer season’s commerce deadline, and Edman presents high quality protection everywhere in the diamond, together with at shortstop. Edman figures to deal with middle discipline for the Dodgers in 2025 as issues at the moment stand, nevertheless it’s attainable that the Dodgers may exit and purchase a middle fielder like Chas McCormick, Cedric Mullins, and even Luis Robert Jr. this winter on the commerce market who would then push Edman again onto the infield.
If Rojas have been to be moved again right into a bench function by the membership’s strikes this winter, it will depart them with precious infield depth able to masking not solely shortstop but additionally second and third base successfully whereas serving to to steadiness out a closely left-handed infield. After all, it’s additionally attainable the membership merely sticks with Rojas at shortstop, counting on Edman to function depth on the place with Andy Pages and James Outman among the many inner choices who may step into middle discipline on days Edman shifts over to shortstop. Such a plan may permit the membership to be extra aggressive in filling their emptiness in left discipline and bolstering a pitching employees that was as soon as once more wracked with accidents this yr.