Longtime Dodgers Target Shockingly DFA’d: Should LA Acquire Him?

The Miami Marlins designated an offseason acquisition for assignment for the second time in two weeks. The latter happened to be a longtime Los Angeles Dodgers’ trade target.

Tim Anderson was Miami’s only major league free agent signing this offseason. He didn’t have the type of first half the team hoped for. In 65 games, he posted a 30 OPS+, and his -1.2 FanGraphs WAR ranked last among 27 MLB shortstops with at least 240 plate appearances.

“It’s never an easy day when you have to DFA one of your everyday players,” Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “Tim was awesome in the clubhouse. I didn’t know him before this year. I knew of him as a player, obviously, but not as a person, and he was one of the harder workers I’ve ever been around. Always here early, infield work, doing his hitting routine, trying to figure out how to get back to where he was in 2021-2022, and that’s the toughest part when the guys put in so much work and there was just no production, nothing to show for it.”

The 31-year-old has been a target of the Dodgers for a long time, and could make sense as a fit since Mookie Betts fractured his hand and was sent to the injured list. However, Los Angeles has found its interim shortstop with Miguel Rojas and it’s hard to imagine Los Angeles acquiring someone to play instead.

Entering Friday’s series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers, Rojas is batting .290 with 21 runs scored, three homers, 19 RBIs, and three stolen bases. Anderson was hitting .214 with 16 runs scored, no home runs, nine RBIs, and four stolen bases. Anderson also has 234 at-bats compared to Rojas’ 156.

While Anderson historically has been a solid player — a two-time All-Star, Silver Slugger, and batting champion — there is something to be said for the chemistry on the field and in the clubhouse. Rojas has earned his moment and hasn’t done anything to lose his spot. He has played so well that conversations are happening about moving Betts to second when he is activated from the IL.

Anderson won’t be a free agent for long but wearing Dodger blue shouldn’t be in his immediate future.

Photo Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

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