Dodgers Make Minor Infield Moves

Rumors swirled for weeks about the Los Angeles Dodgers pursuing big-name free agents like Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette, and Cody Bellinger. However, the team surprised many by opting for two smaller moves to bolster their infield depth.

On Friday, they inked a one-year contract with 32-year-old Andy Ibáñez, and they also claimed 31-year-old Ryan Fitzgerald off waivers from the Minnesota Twins, as confirmed by various sources.

Ibáñez, a Cuban utility player, is known for his strong defensive skills, primarily at second and third base. It’s interesting, though, because he’s coming off a less-than-stellar season with the Tigers, hitting .239 with only four home runs in 91 games. That said, his versatility could be invaluable, especially with uncertainties surrounding Tommy Edman’s recovery from ankle surgery.

Fitzgerald, who only recently made his MLB debut last season, adds more depth to the squad. He’s not without his struggles, hitting just .196 during his time with the Twins. However, he offers left-handed hitting, which the Dodgers might find useful going forward. His minor league performance hints at potential, and he’s had decent success in Triple-A last year with a .277 average.

Interestingly, Ibáñez is set to make $1.4 million in 2025 but is still subject to arbitration, which led the Tigers to decide against extending his contract. This left him available as a free agent; the Dodgers will need to make one more roster move before officially completing the deal with him, as reported.

It’s an intriguing time for the Dodgers, with their infield depth being tested. The prospects of Edman and Quique Hernandez being unavailable at the start of the season puts pressure on these new additions. It’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out.