Hello, and welcome back to Dodgers news updates, where I’ve been slacking and need to catchup on everything that’s gone down.
One more time before 2026 hits seems like as good a time as any.
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For better or worse, the most significant move that was made by the Dodgers since the Edwin Diaz signing was likely trading Esteury Ruiz to the Marlins for Adriano Marrero.
The Dodgers traded OF Esteury Ruiz to the Miami Marlins in exchange for RHP Adriano Marrero.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) December 30, 2025
While Ruiz struggled (.594 OPS) in his cup of coffee (23 PA) with the Dodgers, he did post an impressive .303/.411/.514/.925 line in AAA and is still just entering his age-27 season with four years of control left. That said, he was likely on the fringes of the Dodgers’ roster, and if they needed room for the inevitable outfield upgrade, he would be a prime candidate to be designated for assignment to clear 40-man roster space.
In return, the Dodgers acquired the 18-year-old right-handed pitcher Marrero, who struck out 35 and walked 12 over 33 innings in the DSL last year (3.82 ERA). He was signed by the Marlins last year for $350k and has trended up since then, showcasing a lively arm and in innate ability to spin the ball.
Marrero is listed at 6-foot-3, 185 pounds and has a fastball that inched up to touch 94 mph with more likely in the tank. His lively stuff breaks wide to both sides of the plate, with lots of armside run on his two-seamer and lively fade on his changeup going the same way. His sweeper spins above 3,000 rpm and breaks 23 inches the other way.
That is already MLB-caliber RPM.
From Marlins RHP Adriano Marrero.
For context, no Marlin has thrown a pitch with a 3,300+ rpm spin rate in a big league game since 2022. pic.twitter.com/Zc1awUg7oJ
— Fish On First (@FishOnFirst) March 1, 2025
The Marlins themselves seemed to like his physicality, athleticism, and pitch mix.
“Really high potential and significant upside.”
This was international scouting director David Hernandez-Beayne on Adriano Marrero earlier this year. Headed to the Dodgers in the trade for Esteury Ruiz.#Marlins traded a raw but very protectable arm for right-now MLB talent. pic.twitter.com/TPaJ9dsbxe
— Fish on the Farm (@marlinsminors) December 30, 2025
In the end, the Dodgers traded Carlos Duran to the Athletics for Ruiz, traded Ruiz for a promising DSL arm that would’ve signed for a lot more today than last year, and also ended up getting Duran back on a minor-league deal (more on that next).
It’s a nice piece of business for Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers.
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Right, speaking of minor signings, catcher Chuckie Robinson and right-handed pitcher Carlos Duran have inked minor-league deals with the Dodgers.
After being claimed off waivers from the Angels, Chuckie actually played for the Dodgers in one September game in an emergency start when Will Smith and Dalton Rushing were injured. He was then claimed off waivers by the Braves, but now he’s back to provide catching depth.
Duran also played in the majors for one game in 2025, making his debut with the A’s in May … getting just one out while giving up three runs on three walks and a single. He was then relegated to AAA for the rest of the year, where he struggled, and now he’s back as org depth for the Dodgers.
Speaking of being back with the Dodgers, Nick Frasso returned on a minor-league deal after being non-tendered earlier.
RHP prospect Nick Frasso is back with the Dodgers on a minor league deal, sources tell @JustBB_Media
Frasso, 27, was once a highly regarded pitching prospect who sat on LAD’s 40 man for years, but did not make MLB debut due to injuries. 26.5% K rate and 3.81 ERA in MiLB career.
— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) December 13, 2025
Also, with Justin Dean now on the Giants after he was outrighted, the Dodgers sorta have a potential replacement after claiming outfielder Michael Siani off waivers.
#Dodgers have claimed OF Michael Siani off waivers. Lefty CF with some big league time with Reds and Cardinals. Mostly AAA last year. Hit .209
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) December 12, 2025
The 26-year-old outfielder has four MLB seasons split between the Reds and Cardinals, and has struggled to a .221/.277/.270/.547 slash in 383 plate appearances. He also hasn’t hit well at AAA, posting a .220/.326/.343/.669 career line there.
Of course, he’s sought after for his defensive prowess, where he has a +12 OAA in 1014 innings (974 of which were in center). For comparison, that would’ve made him a Top 5 defensive outfielder in the sport last year, hence the Dean comparison. He also has an option year left, so he doesn’t need to clear waivers unless they need the 40-man spot.
If you’re not familiar with Mike Siani, the man can really glove it in the outfield. At the very least, an elite defensive replacement. +9 DRS and +16 OAA (!) in 2024.
Just a 5% ball from 2024🔻 https://t.co/1eEXkfylw6 pic.twitter.com/XhfNyZvYOU
— The WARmonger (@TheWARmonger_) December 12, 2025
The Dodgers also made a late addition to their 2025 international signing class, inking 17-year-old left-handed pitcher Angel Medina before the deadline.
checking the transaction log and lo and behold, the Dodgers signed an IFA kid, 17 yo LHP Angel Medina, from Azua, Dominican Republic the 2025 IFA signing period ends tomorrow (12/15)
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— Josh Thomas (@joshthomas.bsky.social) December 14, 2025 at 11:56 AM
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This year the Rule 5 Draft at the Winter Meetings was thankfully rather uneventful for the Dodgers. There were no Dodgers selected by other teams in the major-league section of the draft, though they did lose three in the minor-league portion of things.
LHP Brandon Neeck (26) was taken by the Pirates, RHP Livan Reinoso (27) was taken by the Marlins, and OF Edwin Sanchez (21) was taken by the Astros. Essentially, two org depth type of pitchers and a 21-year-old who hasn’t made it stateside yet, but does have an .877 OPS in four DSL seasons.
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In front office news, former Rays player and Twins manager Rocco Baldelli joined the Dodgers as a special assistant to Friedman.
Rocco Baldelli is headed to the Dodgers as a special assistant to Andrew Friedman, confirming @nightengalejr
— Britt Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) December 9, 2025
Meanwhile, the Dodgers lost Josh Byrnes to the vacant GM job for the Rockies, where he’ll work under former Dodgers GM Paul DePodesta.
Josh Byrnes, former Diamondbacks and Padres general manager, will be the Rockies GM under president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta, sources tell me and @dennistlin. Byrnes has been the Dodgers’ senior vice president of baseball operations since 2014.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 3, 2025
Was honestly hoping for a meme hire, but it’s actually a quality hire for the Rockies, who have a lot of work to do.
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Hopefully the Hot Stove gets going again soon in 2026.
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