The Oakland A’s made a low-risk, potentially high-reward move by claiming utilityman Andy Ibañez off waivers from the Dodgers - and while it may not make national headlines, it’s the kind of roster tweak that could quietly pay dividends over the long haul.
Ibañez, 32, had just signed a one-year, $1.2 million deal with Los Angeles last month. But with the Dodgers’ infield already stacked and no minor league options remaining for Ibañez, they attempted to sneak him through waivers to stash him at Triple-A. The A’s were ready to pounce.
Oakland will now take on that $1.2 million salary and, more importantly, add a versatile right-handed bat to a roster still very much in flux. Ibañez brings experience and flexibility - two things the A’s could use in spades as they continue to sort out their infield picture.
Let’s be clear: the A’s don’t have a locked-down answer at third base. That job is wide open heading into camp, and Ibañez will now join a competition that includes Darell Hernaiz, Brett Harris, Max Schuemann, and Max Muncy (no, not that Max Muncy).
What separates Ibañez from the rest of that group? He’s out of minor league options.
That means unless the A’s want to risk losing him the same way the Dodgers just did, he’s got a strong shot at making the Opening Day roster.
And he’s not just a third base option. Ibañez has logged over 5,000 professional innings at second base, along with significant time at first, shortstop, and both outfield corners. That kind of defensive versatility is gold on a rebuilding roster still figuring out who fits where.
At the plate, Ibañez has been a mixed bag across parts of five big league seasons. His career slash line sits at .254/.304/.389 - serviceable, if not spectacular.
But there’s a clear platoon edge here: he’s struggled against right-handers, but he’s done real damage against lefties, hitting .280/.372/.452. That kind of production could make him a valuable piece in a matchup-heavy lineup, especially in a hitter-friendly ballpark like Sutter Health Park - the A’s temporary home in West Sacramento.
It’s also worth noting that Ibañez is still under team control for another three seasons via arbitration. If he bounces back from a down year at the plate, the A’s could have found themselves a cost-effective contributor with staying power.
Of course, the A’s aren’t necessarily done tinkering with the hot corner. They were reportedly close to landing Nolan Arenado from the Cardinals, but the veteran third baseman used his full no-trade clause to steer toward Arizona instead.
With Arenado off the table, the A’s could still look to the trade market or late-winter free agency for help. Names like Luis Rengifo, Mark Vientos, or Alec Bohm might surface as potential fits, depending on how the market shakes out and how other clubs trim their rosters in the coming weeks.
But for now, Ibañez represents a savvy depth addition who brings MLB experience, defensive flexibility, and a clear path to playing time. On a roster that’s still taking shape, that’s more than enough to earn a long look this spring.