The Dodgers announced that they have claimed infielder Ryan Fitzgerald off waivers from the Twins. Alden González of ESPN reported the claim prior to the official announcement. Minnesota designated him for assignment a week ago when they acquired Eric Wagaman from the Marlins. The Dodgers had an open 40-man spot due to trading outfielder Esteury Ruiz to the Marlins last month, which prompted the Fish to designate Wagaman for assignment.
Though the teams surely didn’t plan it this way, it works out to essentially be an accidental three-team trade over the span of a couple of weeks. The Dodgers flipped Ruiz to the Marlins in late December for minor league pitcher Adriano Marrero. Miami bumped Wagaman off their roster and then traded him to Minnesota for minor league pitcher Kade Bragg. That led to Fitzgerald getting bumped off the Minnesota roster and landing with Los Angeles.
Fitzgerald, 32 in June, just got to make his major league debut. After years grinding away in independent ball and the minor leagues, the Twins called him up to the show last year a bit before his 31st birthday. He stepped to the plate 53 times in 24 games and produced a .196/.302/.457 batting line while playing all four infield positions. He stole just one base but his sprint speed was ranked in the 79th percentile of big leaguers last year. He had a better batting line of .277/.367/.469 in Triple-A last year, though that was aided by a .349 batting average on balls in play.
The Dodgers are one of the best teams in baseball, having won the World Series in the past two seasons. They won’t need Fitzgerald to be an everyday player but his versatility is surely appealing for depth purposes, especially considering the veteran nature of their infield. Their shortstop is Mookie Betts, who is 33 years old and was an outfielder until recently. They have 35-year-old Max Muncy at third and 36-year-old Freddie Freeman at first.
Second base is fairly open, with Tommy Edman, Hyeseong Kim, Miguel Rojas and Alex Freeland in the mix there. Edman can also play the outfield and is also coming off ankle surgery. Kim can play multiple positions. Rojas is about to turn 37. Freeland is one of the club’s top prospects and has options, so perhaps he could end up getting regular playing time in the minors as opposed to holding a part-time role in the big leagues.
Since Fitzgerald can play all over and has a bit of speed, he could be an attractive bench piece. He could give the veterans the occasional day off or replace them mid-game in blowouts. His wheels could also allow him to pinch run on occasion.
Fitzgerald also has a couple of options remaining, so he could simply be stashed in the minors as depth to be on hand for when injuries arise throughout the year. He has just 65 days of big league service time, meaning he’s still being paid around the league minimum and is at least three years away from qualifying for arbitration.
Photo courtesy of Jesse Johnson, Imagn Images
Organized chaos 3 team trade haha
Now that would have been an interesting 3 team trade. I think it would be really cool if 3 or 4 teams came together on a minor trade like that.
I guess the announcement for this would go something like this:
The Dodgers, Marlins and Twins made a three team trade today. The Dodgers shipped Esteury Ruiz to the Marlins. The Marlins traded Eric Wagaman to the Twins and Kade Bragg to the Dodgers. The Twins sent Ryan Fitzgerald to the Dodgers as well.
It’s that time of year for the 40th man Roster- Go-Round. Where he stops nobody knows! Even the Dodgers play!
A correction here. The three-team trade looks like this:
Dodgers got Fitzgerald from MIN and Marrero from MIA
Marlins got Ruiz from LAD and Bragg from MIN
Twins got Wagaman from MIA
Not sure who won the trade, but the Dodgers got a depth piece and a prospect pitching in Summer League. The Marlins got a bench/depth piece (AAAA) and a pitcher in AA. The Twins got an established bench/platoon player.
Thanks for fixing my mess of an announcement.
More like musical chairs.
With the roster now full, I’d be surprised if Fitzgerald is even issued a uniform. When the music stops, DFA in 3… 2…
Yeah, just saw the Ibanez signing and thought that Fitzgerald’s time on the 40 looks to be incredibly short
What a masterminds the Dodgers are. Setting this entire thing in motion just to snag Fitzgerald.
His acquisition was deferred, naturally, but only for a few weeks.
Okay cool, let’s watch this guy become invincible in the Postseason in 2026 just because he’s on the Dodgers.
Dodgers get yet another player. Certain posters are likely throwing Fitz about it.
Ruining baseball.
Every time I see this name I want to read it as the longtime journeyman NFL quarterback. Fitzgerald, Fitzpatrick, tomato tom-ah-to.
Confusingly enough, I believe there is a kicker with this exact name on the Panthers.
The Dodger employee(s) that keyed in on and suggested the team make this acquisition, you could say they’re responsible for…
The rec of the add of Fitzgerald.
No, I won’t apologize.
Shameless puns are the best kind!
You have until Sundown to apologize.
We don’t cotton with your kind in these parts.
It’s like you could read my mind!
I knew you were going to say that.
What a tale your thoughts would tell.
Not that good
I still don’t understand why the twins wanted wagaman. If he didn’t take a 40 spot sure but to release someone for him makes no sense to me
They really wanted a reunion with Outman, who was unavailable, so they claimed his Twin instead.
They hit the same but this one plays infield.
Bob Nutting was so upset he almost forgot to cash his revenue sharing check… almost
Dodgers are ruining baseball!
If you’re a baseball player and you haven’t played in some capacity for the dodgers, are you REALLY a baseball player?
Fitzie was loved in the Red Sox minor leagues. Solid guy. I wish him well. Not too well – it is the Dodgers, after all).
Old friend “Fitzy!” of the Red Sox org. Glad he got a chance in the show last year.
Start planning the parade route in Los Angeles. Oh wait, that “snark” doesn’t work in this situation.