The Dodgers are selecting up their $5MM membership choice for the providers 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 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 position 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 remaining 62 video games of the common season.
By selecting up Rojas’s choice, the Dodgers keep the pliability to make the most of him as their major shortstop headed into 2025. With that being mentioned, that position seems to be removed from assured to the veteran even after a powerful season this yr. In spite of everything, Rojas will play all of subsequent yr at 36 years outdated and the harm woes that plagued him in 2024 don’t seem like going away; Rojas has already acknowledged that he’ll must undergo surgery this winter attributable to {a partially} torn adductor muscle in his groin and a sports activities hernia. It’s not but clear if Rojas could have sufficient time to rehab and prepare for the season in time for Opening Day subsequent March, however even when he does it could hardly be a shock if the Dodgers determined to push Rojas right into a part-time position as they search for methods to enhance this winter.
Maybe probably the most straight ahead approach to try this could be buying a shortstop. Willy Adames is the highest shortstop obtainable in free company this winter, and Ha-Seong Kim might be one other potential improve over Rojas on the place relying on how his recovery from shoulder surgery goes. Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette stands out as a plausible trade 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 surgery might put an finish to that chance.
Including a shortstop isn’t the one approach the Dodgers might improve on the place over Rojas, nonetheless. The membership dealt for versatile switch-hitter Tommy Edman at this summer season’s commerce deadline, and Edman affords high quality protection all around the diamond, together with at shortstop. Edman figures to deal with middle discipline for the Dodgers in 2025 as issues presently stand, nevertheless it’s doable that the Dodgers might 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 position by the membership’s strikes this winter, it could depart them with helpful infield depth able to masking 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 inside choices who might step into middle discipline on days Edman shifts over to shortstop. Such a plan might 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.
