The Dodgers are choosing up their $5MM membership choice 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 web $4MM to deliver 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 supplied the chance for Rojas to step again into the every 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 last 62 video games of the common season.
By choosing up Rojas’s choice, the Dodgers preserve the pliability 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 seem like going away; Rojas has already acknowledged that he’ll have to bear surgical procedure this winter as a result of {a partially} torn adductor muscle in his groin and a sports activities hernia. It’s not but clear if Rojas can have sufficient time to rehab and prepare for the season in time for Opening Day subsequent March, however even when he does it might 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 try this could be buying a shortstop. Willy Adames is the highest shortstop accessible in free company this winter, and Ha-Seong Kim might 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 current flexor tendon surgical procedure could put an finish to that risk.
Including a shortstop isn’t the one manner the Dodgers may improve on the place over Rojas, nonetheless. The membership dealt for versatile switch-hitter Tommy Edman at this summer time’s commerce deadline, and Edman presents high quality protection everywhere in the diamond, together with at shortstop. Edman figures to deal with heart discipline for the Dodgers in 2025 as issues presently stand, however it’s doable 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 had been to be moved again right into a bench function by the membership’s strikes this winter, it might depart them with worthwhile infield depth able to protecting not solely shortstop but in addition second and third base successfully whereas serving to to stability out a closely left-handed infield. After all, it’s additionally doable 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 heart discipline on days Edman shifts over to shortstop. Such a plan may enable the membership to be extra aggressive in filling their emptiness in left discipline and bolstering a pitching workers that was as soon as once more wracked with accidents this yr.
