Los Angeles Dodgers DFA Outfielder
Thomas was acquired for minor league outfielder Jose Requena, a 17-year-old international free agent signed by the Dodgers in January who had not yet appeared in a professional game before being traded.
The corresponding DFA of Siani marks his third designation by the Dodgers since December, a waiver carousel that has become one of the more quietly remarkable roster management stories of the 2025-26 offseason.
The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired OF Alek Thomas from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for OF Jose Requena. In order to make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated OF Michael Siani for assignment.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 12, 2026
Siani was first claimed by Los Angeles from the Atlanta Braves on December 12, DFA'd on January 21 when the Dodgers needed a 40-man spot for Kyle Tucker's signing, claimed off waivers by the Yankees two days later, DFA'd again by New York five days after that when they acquired Angel Chivilli from the Rockies, reclaimed by the Dodgers on February 3, and has now been designated again to make room for Thomas.
He has spent the entire 2026 season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, slashing .225/.355/.303 with no home runs, five steals, and a 17-to-30 walk-to-strikeout ratio in 29 games.
Why the Dodgers Kept Bringing Him Back
Siani's repeated reclamations by Los Angeles make sense when you understand what he actually is.
His bat has never been the point.
In 160 career big league games across parts of four seasons with the Reds and Cardinals, he has hit .221 with a 58 wRC+ and almost no power, a profile that would get any average player cut immediately.
What keeps organizations calling is his defense.
His 16 outs above average in 2024 ranked in the 99th percentile of all players in baseball, placing him among the best defensive outfielders in the sport.
Michael Siani is an outfielder in OKC who ALSO stands a VERY good chance to end up in LA at some point this year. Siani is known for his GREAT defense, so we'll see if the "hit tool" catches up enough to earn him a spot in LA, and, if so, to what extent.
— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) March 27, 2026
Here's a look at Siani… pic.twitter.com/s6P9UJdMAP
He is primarily a center fielder but can play all three outfield positions without any degradation in quality, he is an excellent baserunner with 20 stolen bases in a single season on his resume, and he remains under team control through 2031 with one minor league option remaining.
The Dodgers used Justin Dean in a similar role last season as a defensive sub and pinch runner off the bench, and Siani fit that exact profile while Thomas was still available.
Now Thomas is available, and Siani becomes the more redundant piece.
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
