Once more, the Los Angeles Dodgers have demonstrated their knack for adeptly handling trades, addressing team needs, strengthening their farm system, enhancing team chemistry, all without escalating their expenses.
In December of the previous year, the Dodgers executed a trade sending right-handed pitcher Ryan Pepiot and local prospect Jonny DeLuca to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for pitcher Tyler Glasnow and outfielder Manuel Margot.
The Dodgers signed Glasnow to a lucrative 5-year, $136.5 million contract to strengthen their pitching rotation long-term. Margot, initially on a one-year, $10 million deal with a club option for 2025, had $2 million covered by the Rays in a trade deal with the Dodgers. This acquisition cost the Dodgers $8 million, securing an outfielder with no commitments beyond 2024.
Margot’s performance last season included a .264/.310/.376 slash line, 4 home runs in 311 at bats, and a bWAR of 0.6 while playing center and right field. The Dodgers anticipated increased at-bats from Margot with similar output after acquiring him.
However, an unexpected turn of events occurred before Margot could even make six plate appearances in Spring Training with the Dodgers. The Minnesota Twins, in need of outfield depth and with some extra financial resources following the trade of Jorge Polanco to the Mariners in January, approached the Dodgers with a proposition. They offered to exchange shortstop prospects (Noah Miller to the Dodgers, Rayne Doncon to the Twins) along with Margot, prompting the Dodgers to accept the deal. As part of the agreement, the Dodgers had to contribute $4 million to assist in covering a portion of Margot’s salary for the 2024 season.
This arrangement means that Margot will receive payments from three different organizations this year: Rays (4M), and Twins ($4M).
To address the gap left by Margot in the team’s outfield depth, the Dodgers turned to a familiar and beloved figure: Enrique (Kiké) Hernández. As Hernández was set to become a free agent after the 2023 season, technically marking his third tenure with the Dodgers, he has consistently delivered in his previous stints. Recognized for his entertaining antics on the field and in the dugout, esteemed by teammates for his laid-back approach to the game, and admired for his community engagement off the field, the news of Hernández re-signing with the team was met with widespread enthusiasm in Los Angeles.
Hernández, initially with the Red Sox, was traded to the Dodgers before the trade deadline. In his two months with the Dodgers, he achieved a .262/.308/.423 slash line, with 5 home runs, while playing every position except pitcher and catcher. The Dodgers acquired a player with better underlying offensive numbers and more positional flexibility for the same financial outlay. The deal for the versatile player was 1/$4 million. If there is a drawback, the teams missed out on the $12 million club option for Margot next year. However, if Hernández performs well in Los Angeles this season, the Dodgers could re-sign him for 2025 at a lower cost than $12 million. The Dodgers’ strategic moves demonstrate their ability to play chess while other teams are still trying to find the checkers board.
Leave a Reply