Dodgers Acquire Miguel Rojas From Marlins For Infield Prospect

Image credit: Miguel Rojas (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

The Dodgers acquired needed insurance at shortstop on Wednesday afternoon, trading for veteran Miguel Rojas from the Marlins in exchange for prospect infielder Jacob Amaya. 

Rojas, 33, gives the Dodgers a proven shortstop on their roster, something they previously lacked. The Dodgers are planning to move Gavin Lux from second base to shortstop following the departure of Trea Turner in free agency, but Lux has not played a full season at shortstop since 2019 in the minors and has long battled throwing accuracy issues. Rojas provides a fallback option in the event Lux falters in the transition.

Amaya ranked as the Dodgers No. 11 prospect in the upcoming 2023 Baseball America Prospect Handbook. He grew up in suburban Los Angeles and is the grandson of former Brooklyn Dodgers prospect Frank Amaya.

MARLINS ACQUIRE

Jacob Amaya
Age: 24

An 11th-round pick in 2017, Amaya progressively emerged as one of the best defensive shortstops in the minors and reached Triple-A last season. He positions himself well with his elite instincts, gets excellent reads off the bat, expertly assesses hops and calmly handles every ball with his smooth, fluid hands. He completes every throw with his plus, accurate arm and has an advanced internal clock. Amaya is a plus defender at shortstop, but he’s a well below-average hitter who constantly tinkers with his swing and lacks natural contact skills. He has good command of the strike-zone and is reliant on walking and posting high on-base percentages to contribute offensively. Amaya ultimately projects to be a slick-fielding utilityman with a light bat and isn’t far from that ceiling. He should make his major league debut in 2023.

DODGERS ACQUIRE

Miguel Rojas, SS
Age: 33

Rojas returns to Los Angeles after making his major league debut with the Dodgers in 2014. He played 85 games for the Dodgers that season before being traded to the Marlins in the seven-player deal that brought Kiké Hernandez and Austin Barnes to Chavez Ravine. Rojas has long been one of the best defensive shortstops in the majors and hasn’t lost a step in the field as he’s entered his 30s. He led all National League shortstops in total zone runs saved last year, as measured by Baseball-Reference, and led the league in fielding percentage for a shortstop, as well. Rojas doesn’t offer much offensively and has seen his numbers steadily decline, including batting .236/.283/.323 last year with only six home runs and 36 RBIs in 140 games. He projects to play a utility role for the Dodgers but can step in as an everyday shortstop if Lux falters defensively. He will be a free agent after the 2023 season.