Dodgers Acquire Miguel Rojas for Jacob Amaya

Dodgers Acquire Miguel Rojas From Marlins

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January 12, 2023

In a move that may stun some Los Angeles Dodgers fans, the Dodgers traded minor-league shortstop and second baseman Jacob Amaya to the Miami Marlins in order to acquire shortstop Miguel Rojas. Rojas returns to the Dodgers after an eight-year hiatus with the Marlins. Rojas was in the Dodgers organization from 2013-14 where he spent time in Double-A, Triple-A, and ultimately made his big-league debut with the Dodgers in 2014. With the Marlins, Rojas posted a slash line of .265/.318/.366 with an OPS of .672 in 870 games. He has one year and $5 million remaining on his contract prior to reaching free agency in 2024. Rojas is entering his age-34 season in 2023.

With the loss of superstar shortstop Trea Turner to free agency earlier in the offseason, Dodger fans were likely hoping for a larger splash than trading a prospect for an aging veteran. But, Amaya is relatively unknown to the Dodger fan base. So Dodgers fans probably will not miss him. Additionally, the Dodgers may want to return Rojas to his 2020 form. In the COVID-shortened season of 2020, Rojas slashed .304/.392/.496 with an OPS of .888 and OPS+ of 138. His rOBA was .383 and his ISO was .192. Both were the highest of his career by far. His line drive rate was also the highest of his career at 31.8%. If he performs anywhere near that on the Dodgers, he will have a season with massive numbers.

Marlins Acquire Jacob Amaya for Miguel Rojas

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The Marlins are acquiring one of the Dodgers top 20 prospects. Amaya instantly ranks as number 13 on the Marlins’ prospect list. They give up a player who is on the outskirts of his prime for a player who is about to begin his ascent into the big leagues. Amaya was selected 340th overall by the Dodgers in the 11th round of the 2017 draft out of South Hills High School in West Covina, CA. Amaya is entering his age-24 season and performed well at Double-A Tulsa in 2022, amassing a slash line of .264/.370/.500 with 10 doubles, three triples, nine home runs, and 26 RBI in only 49 games. At Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2022, Amaya slashed .259/.368/.381 with 10 doubles, one triple, eight home runs, and 45 RBI in 84 games.

Combined in 2022, Amaya slashed .261/.369/.427 with an OPS of .795, 17 home runs, 20 doubles, four triples, and 71 RBI in 133 games. He walked 81 times and struck out 112 times, which is why his OBP is consistently high. His OBP is .362 in his five seasons in the minor leagues. Amaya has stolen 34 bases in the minors, but 14 came in one season in the rookie leagues in 2019. In that sense, one may say not that the Dodgers acquire Miguel Rojas, but that the Marlins acquire Jacob Amaya – or at least that may be the larger story in the future if Amaya can produce in the big leagues for the Marlins.

Third Base Remains Open Question for Marlins

With Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second and newly-signed shortstop and second baseman Jean Segura able to play both positions, Amaya figures to begin the season at Triple-A or as a backup option on the Marlins bench. There is also the possibility that Amaya wins a position as the starting shortstop in Spring Training. But Joey Wendle has a great glove at third, so he may be slated to play there to open the season. Prior to this trade, Segura was expected to be the third baseman. Segura has 24 games of major-league experience at the hot corner, which came during the COVID-shortened 2020 season for the Philadelphia Phillies.

In his 179 2/3 innings as a third baseman, Segura’s range factor was below the league average but his fielding percentage was above the league average. Wendle was previously a finalist for a Gold Glove, so the question may ultimately be answered with the bat. Segura is a consistent hitter and Wendle had a down season offensively with an OPS+ of only 86 after switching to the NL after six seasons in the AL. But with Rojas off the roster, there is more room in the Marlins infield and they have a new infield prospect in the pipeline after this trade.