Trade: LA Dodgers Acquire Gold Glove Finalist From Miami Marlins

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been seeking a replacement at shortstop ever since Trea Turner departed for Philadelphia in free agency. Today they at least added another piece to the infield mix, in a deal with the Miami Marlins. 

The #Dodgers are acquiring INF Miguel Rojas from #Marlins for INF Jacob Amaya. @CraigMish First to report full-trade. https://t.co/IhwodkdOFQ

— Jim Bowden⚾️🏈 (@JimBowdenGM) January 11, 2023

The 33-year-old Miguel Rojas was a 2022 finalist for the Gold Glove at shortstop in the National League.  

From an offensive standpoint, he's certainly no Trea Turner. Rojas batted .236 with a .605 OPS in 2022, and an OPS+ of 72 (28% below the major league average). To be fair, it was a bit of an off year for Rojas, as he's accumulated a .260 lifetime average in nine seasons, with a .672 OPS. 

Former MLB GM and MLB Network analyst Jim Bowden, in fact, believes that Rojas will not actually serve as the Dodgers shortstop this season:

I believe that Gavin Lux will be the opening-day shortstop for the #Dodgers and think that Miguel Rojas best role at this point in his career is as a utility player. Rojas OBP has gone from .392 to .322 to .283 last 3 years..he's a winning player but an extra player now.

— Jim Bowden⚾️🏈 (@JimBowdenGM) January 11, 2023

He's still calling on Gavin Lux to man the keystone, something the Dodgers have been saying all along. Bowden figures Rojas will serve as a utility player.  

The Venezuelan infielder actually began his career with the Dodgers in 2014.  He made 162 plate appearances, and split his time between SS, 3B and 2B. 

Miguel Rojas was part of that insane Dodgers shift as a rookie in 2014 pic.twitter.com/reR4dr3U50

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) January 11, 2023

Rojas has spent the last eight years in South Florida, and has played all around the infield there as well. 

Minor league infielder Jacob Amaya, the Dodgers' No. 15 prospect, heads to Miami in return. The 24-year-old is a solid defender, shows the ability to get on base, and displayed a bit of power at Double-A and Triple-A this past season with 17 HR and 71 RBIs, with a .795 OPS.

Photo: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports