Jacob Amaya: Thoughts on the Trade

The Dodgers caught just about everybody by surprise last night when the news hit that they were trading Jacob Amaya to Miami for Miguel Rojas. Amaya is rated by very reputable publications as a Top 15 Prospect and one that has possibly been the best defensive infielder in the organization for the last couple of years. 

And, he has a great style and has been a fan favorite at each stop in the organization.

Rojas is 9 years older than Amaya and appears to profile very similarly in terms of being very good defensively, and having moments of good offensive output. 

For Rojas last year would not be included, however, as a good period of offense for him.

So, many Dodgers fans, and rightfully so, have been left wondering why the Dodgers would trade for a similar type of player that is 9 years older, especially when his salary is going to put the club over the CBT threshold. 

The answer to that, in my opinion, goes way beyond just comparing the value of the two players. 

First of all, the Dodgers were, most likely, going to go over the CBT threshold anyways, especially if they have a good year, which we all hope happens. After the arbitration cases, and bonuses are paid out, staying under likely isn’t a possibility, so Rojas putting them over the cap isn’t as shocking of a deal as it may appear. 

For instance, Noah Syndergaard has a $1.5 million dollar bonus, and for him to reach that would be beneficial to the Dodgers because it would mean he pitched well, but it would also mean they are over the CBT threshold. 

So, to win, and to stay under, pretty much became impossible after Trevor Bauer was reinstated.

That is unless they can trade him and dump some of his salary, something of which they have until Friday to do. 

In that case, the Dodgers would stay under and Rojas’s salary isn’t a factor. 

So, either way, Rojas’s isn’t likely to be the factor, and certainly not the only factor that pushes the Dodgers over the limit, and won’t be a factor at all if the Dodgers can find a good solution to the Bauer situation. 

Both Jacob Amaya and Michael Busch have accomplished just about everything they need to at the AAA level, and both need to be in the Big Leagues next year, and for the vast majority of the time. But, once the Dodgers acquired JD Martinez, that became pretty much impossible.

Unless, of course, the club didn’t have plans on playing Max Muncy or Gavin Lux consistently, which we all know isn’t the case.

Miguel Vargas is going to get his MLB at-bats in 2022, I am convinced of that. His hit tool has been one of the best in the Minor Leagues, and I know how high the organization is on his offense. 

So, having made that statement, let’s do some math. 

Between Left Field, 3rd Base, shortstop, and 2nd base that’s 4 positions in total. Before last night’s trade, the Dodgers had 5 guys vying for those 4 spots. Those players are Miguel Vargas, Max Muncy, Gavin Lux, Jacob Amaya, and Michael Busch. 

And that doesn’t include the option of Chris Taylor playing some infield as well. 

So, there was going to be an odd man out, and that odd man was going to either be Jacob Amaya or Michael Busch. 

Once JD Martinez was acquired, the option of DHing Muncy, Busch, or Vargas, at least with any kind of regularity, was all but eliminated, which is the collateral damage of picking up Martinez.

The argument could be made that the Dodgers could create a rotation, and get everyone at least some playing time, but, that’s not the optimal situation. Miguel Vargas, Jacob Amaya, and Michael Busch need to be playing and getting at-bats every day. It would be counter-productive to their growth to only play them sparingly because they would press. 

The same way Gavin Lux, Ryan Pepiot Andre Jackson, Mitch White, and  Michael Grove all pressed when their roles weren’t defined. 

By trading Amaya, he now has a clear runway to everyday playing time at the Major League level. And, although he is a local SoCal boy, and that MLB runway won’t be with the Dodgers, becoming an everyday Major Leaguer far outweighs personal ties.

Another thing this move potentially does is, it provides the path to get Michael Busch in the Dodgers lineup every day. 

Rojas is 33 years old and didn’t have a good offensive year last year, so the Dodgers don’t have to make him the everyday shortstop. Since 2019 Rojas has played every defensive position, including first base, so he could easily be placed in the super utility role with Gavin Lux still being the everyday shortstop. 

In that scenario, that puts Busch at 2nd base, Max Muncy at 3rd, and Miguel Vargas in left field. Or you could put Muncy at 2nd, Vargas at 3rd, and Busch in left field. Or, you could put Busch in left field and Miguel Vargas at 2nd base. 

I’ve seen all of those play a lot and I am of the opinion that, if one of the two between Busch and Vargas ends up playing left field, it should be Vargas and not Busch. 

So, this trade, in my opinion, is more than just comparing Jacob Amaya to Miguel Rojas. It came down to needs. The Dodgers needed a shortstop that has a track record of playing great defense at the Major League level, something which they didn’t have. Rojas can be used in a role that is anywhere from the everyday starter to a late-game defensive substitution to the infield utility player.  In other words, he gives the Dodgers options and flexibility, something of which we know the Dodgers value.

On the other end, the Marlins, in turn, get a young and energetic player that their fans will enjoy watching. If Amaya produces like he’s capable, Marlins fans will love his style and he will be a fan favorite like he’s always been.

From that perspective, it makes total sense.