The Los Angeles Dodgers have done it again. They’ve found out how to make trades, fix voids, strengthen their farm system, and improve their clubhouse without spending any extra money.
Last December, the Dodgers traded right-hander Ryan Pepiot and hometown prospect Jonny DeLuca to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for pitcher Tyler Glasnow and outfielder Manuel Margot.
The Dodgers immediately extended Glasnow’s contract by five years and $136.5 million, fortifying their starting rotation for years to come. Margot was essentially on a one-year, $10 million contract, with a $12 million club option for 2025 and a $2 million buyout. However, in exchange for transferring Pepiot and DeLuca, the Dodgers agreed to pay the Rays $2 million of Margot’s $10 million contract plus the $2 million buyout. So, for $8 million, the Dodgers obtained a right-handed slugger to add depth to their outfield, with no obligations after 2024. It seemed like an excellent deal.
Margot hit.264/.310/.376 for the Rays last season, with four home runs in 311 at-bats. He recorded 0.6 bWAR while playing in center and right field. When the Dodgers acquired him, they expected a few more at bats but roughly the same productivity.
But a weird thing happened on the path to Margot’s six Spring Training plate appearances in Dodger blue: the Minnesota Twins were seeking for outfield depth, and they had a few extra cash sitting around after moving Jorge Polanco to the Mariners in late January. So, when the Twins approached the Dodgers and offered to trade shortstop prospects (Noah Miller to the Dodgers, Rayne Doncon to the Twins) for Margot, the Dodgers bit. To consummate the trade, the Dodgers had to pay $4 million to cover a portion of Margot’s salary* in 2024.
To replace the Margot-sized hole in the club’s depth, the Dodgers turned to a familiar and adored figure: Enrique (Kiké) Hernández. Hernández was a free agent following 2023, so this is technically his third spell with the Bums. And he hasn’t disappointed in any of his past roles. No one in Los Angeles was surprised to hear the news that Hernández would be re-signing with the organization. He was a fan favorite for his antics on the field and in the dugout, a treasured teammate for his casual approach to the game, and a good citizen for his community service.
Hernández last played for the Red Sox before being traded to the Dodgers just before the trade deadline. In two months in Los Angeles, he hit.262/.308/.423 with five home runs while playing all positions except pitcher and catcher. The Swiss army knife player’s contract is for $1/4 million. In other words, for the same financial investment, the Dodgers get a guy with greater underlying offensive numbers, significantly more positional versatility, and established clubhouse stature. If there is a nit to pick, the teams did lose out on the $12 million club option for Margot next year; however, there is no doubt that if Hernández plays relatively well in Los Angeles this season, the Dodgers may sign him again in 2025…
As previously said on this website, the Dodgers are playing chess while many other teams are still looking for the checkers board.
