The Dodgers made a roster move this afternoon that raised a few eyebrows, designating veteran left-handed reliever Anthony Banda for assignment to clear space for recently claimed catcher Ben Rortvedt. On paper, it’s a surprising decision-Banda was coming off a solid season in L.A., and he’s been one of the more reliable arms in their bullpen the past two years.
But dig a little deeper, and you can see why the Dodgers felt comfortable rolling the dice. And for a team like the White Sox, this could be a golden opportunity.
Banda’s 2025: Solid Surface, Shaky Undercurrent
Let’s start with what Banda brought to the table last season. Over 71 regular-season appearances, he posted a 3.18 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP and struck out 8.4 batters per nine innings.
That’s steady production from a middle reliever, especially one who thrives in left-on-left matchups. Left-handed hitters managed just a .153/.241/.255 slash line against him in 112 plate appearances-a testament to his effectiveness with his sinker-slider combo.
But the Dodgers are a team that doesn’t just look at the surface. Banda’s walk rate jumped from 8.6% in 2024 to 12.7% in 2025, a red flag for any reliever, let alone one who’s not overpowering.
His strikeout rate dipped slightly, and his .227 BABIP suggests he benefited from some good fortune. Add in a rocky World Series performance-six runs allowed in just three innings-and it becomes a little clearer why L.A. was willing to part ways, especially with a deep stable of lefties already in-house.
A Potential Fit on the South Side
Enter the White Sox, a team that’s been aggressively trying to shore up its bullpen-particularly from the left side. It was a sore spot last season, and new GM Chris Getz hasn’t been shy about addressing it.
He’s brought in Sean Newcomb on a one-year, $4.5 million deal, traded for Chris Murphy, and added Ryan Borucki on a minor league pact. Brandon Eisert and Tyler Gilbert are still around from last year, too, giving the Sox a crowded but unsettled group of southpaws heading into spring training.
That’s where Banda becomes interesting. He’s more experienced than most of the other lefties in camp, and while some of the underlying metrics from 2025 are concerning, the overall track record is solid.
His salary-$1.625 million for 2026-is manageable, even for a team that’s watching its budget. And with an extra year of team control for 2027, there’s more upside here than you typically get from a DFA pickup.
Banda’s Role in a Rebuilt Bullpen
If the White Sox do take a flier on Banda, he wouldn’t be expected to carry the load. Newcomb is likely locked in as the primary lefty out of the 'pen, but Banda could slot in as the second situational option-a role he’s filled effectively before. He’s not overpowering, but he knows how to attack lefties, and he’s been through the grind of a full season and postseason with a high-expectation club like the Dodgers.
The Dodgers’ decision came down to roster math. With guys like Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, and Justin Wrobleski already in the bullpen mix, Banda became expendable-not because he failed, but because the Dodgers had the luxury of depth. That’s not a luxury the White Sox have had in recent years, especially on the mound.
For a team trying to reset its identity under new manager Will Venable, adding a veteran like Banda makes all the sense in the world. He won’t be a headline-grabber, but he could quietly become a stabilizing force in a bullpen that desperately needs one.