The Dodgers have been busy reshuffling the deck lately, and their latest roster move adds another twist to an already unpredictable offseason.
Andy Ibáñez, who just signed a one-year, $1.2 million deal with Los Angeles on Jan. 13, is already facing an uncertain future with the club. Brought in as a right-handed bat with the versatility to handle multiple infield spots, Ibáñez looked like a classic short-side platoon option-someone you plug in against lefties to take advantage of favorable matchups. But less than a month after signing, he’s been designated for assignment.
That move sends Ibáñez to waivers, where any team can claim him. If he clears, the Dodgers can keep him in the organization, just not on the 40-man roster. It's the kind of transactional limbo that happens often in MLB, but in this case, the timing and context make it particularly interesting.
Why the sudden pivot? It comes down to Mike Siani, a glove-first outfielder the Dodgers have apparently decided they want back in the fold. To make room for Siani on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers had to DFA someone-and Ibáñez drew the short straw.
Here’s where it gets even more head-spinning: Siani was with the Dodgers just a couple of weeks ago, until they DFA’d him on Jan. 21.
The Yankees claimed him, but quickly designated him for assignment as well. Once Siani hit waivers again, the Dodgers swooped back in to reclaim him-at the cost of Ibáñez.
It’s a bit of a roster merry-go-round, and while these kinds of moves don’t always make headlines, they’re a window into the constant churn that front offices manage behind the scenes. The Dodgers clearly value Siani’s defensive upside and possibly his speed on the basepaths, enough to risk losing a potentially useful right-handed bat in Ibáñez.
There’s also a calculated risk here. It’s possible the Dodgers think Ibáñez will clear waivers and stick around in Triple-A, giving them depth without the 40-man commitment. That’s a gamble, though-especially in a league where infield versatility and right-handed hitting are always in demand.
In the end, it’s another example of how even the deepest, most talent-rich rosters like the Dodgers’ are constantly evolving. One minute you’re a new signing with a defined role, the next you’re in DFA limbo. And for the Dodgers, who are chasing every possible edge in a season loaded with expectations, even the smallest roster tweaks can have ripple effects down the line.