The Oakland A’s made a quiet but potentially savvy move on Friday, claiming veteran infielder Andy Ibáñez off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers. To clear space on the 40-man roster, the club designated infielder Max Schuemann for assignment.
This transaction might not grab headlines, but it’s the kind of under-the-radar roster move that could pay dividends come the regular season.
Ibáñez, 32, brings a steady glove and a solid, if unspectacular, bat to the table. He’s a seasoned big leaguer with previous stints in Texas and Detroit, and in 2025, he logged 91 games with the Tigers, posting a .239/.301/.352 slash line. That’s not going to turn heads, but it’s serviceable depth - and for a rebuilding A’s team looking to add experienced pieces around a young core, it’s a smart pickup.
Over his MLB career, Ibáñez has hit .254/.305/.389, showing flashes of offensive competence and defensive versatility. He’s capable of playing multiple infield spots, which adds value to a roster that’s still very much in flux. For a team like Oakland, which has been aggressive this offseason in locking up young talent to extensions, adding a veteran presence like Ibáñez could help stabilize the clubhouse while also offering lineup flexibility.
This move comes on the heels of the Dodgers claiming catcher Ben Rortvedt off waivers from the Reds - a full-circle moment for Rortvedt, who helped LA win a World Series in 2025 before a brief stint in Cincinnati. To make room for Rortvedt, the Dodgers designated Ibáñez for assignment, hoping to sneak him through waivers. The A’s, however, had other plans.
For Ibáñez, this could be a real opportunity. With Oakland still sorting out its infield picture ahead of spring training, there’s a path for him to carve out a role - whether that’s as a utility man, a veteran bench bat, or even a stopgap starter depending on how things shake out.
The A’s aren’t done tinkering, and we could see more moves before camp opens. But don’t overlook this one. Ibáñez isn’t a star, but he’s the kind of player who can quietly help a young team stay competitive - and in a long season, that kind of depth matters.