The Dodgers made a quiet but strategic move earlier this month, claiming catcher Ben Rortvedt off waivers-a transaction that set off a ripple effect on their 40-man roster. To make room, L.A. designated left-handed reliever Anthony Banda for assignment. The clock then started ticking: the Dodgers had seven days to trade him, release him, or outright him to the minors.
They chose the trade route, sending Banda to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for international bonus pool money. It’s a move that might not grab headlines, but it speaks volumes about how the Dodgers continue to play the long game when it comes to roster flexibility and international scouting.
According to reports, the Twins sent $500,000 in international bonus pool funds to Los Angeles. While the exact amount wasn’t initially disclosed, MLB rules require these trades to be done in $250,000 increments, and word soon got out that the Dodgers had secured a half-million dollar boost to their international signing budget.
That’s a meaningful addition. L.A. entered the 2026 international signing period with $6,679,200 to spend-middle of the pack across the league.
With this extra $500K from the Twins, they now have more room to maneuver as they continue to scout and sign talent from around the globe. So far, they’ve inked 22 international players, including Dominican outfielder Rubel Arias, a name to watch as their player development machine keeps churning.
It’s another example of how the Dodgers continue to leverage every angle-whether it’s a bullpen arm or bonus pool cash-to stay ahead of the curve.
As for Banda, his time in Dodger blue may have been short, but it was impactful. After bouncing around the league-11 different organizations since being drafted in 2012-he finally found some stability in Los Angeles. And he made it count.
Over two seasons, Banda posted a 3.14 ERA across 114.2 innings, carving out a reliable role in the bullpen. More importantly, he played a part in helping the Dodgers capture back-to-back World Series titles. For a journeyman reliever, that’s the kind of payoff you dream about.
After the trade, Banda took to Instagram to thank the Dodgers and their fans, a classy move from a player who clearly appreciated his time in L.A. It’s not every day you find a fit that works for both team and player, but in this case, it did.
Now, Banda heads to Minnesota, where he’ll look to continue building on the momentum he found in Los Angeles. And the Dodgers? They walk away with another piece to their international puzzle-one that could pay off down the road in ways we’re only beginning to imagine.