The Dodgers made their signing of Andy Ibáñez official on Tuesday, inking the infielder to a one-year deal worth $1.2 million. To make room on the 40-man roster, Ryan Fitzgerald was designated for assignment
just three days after getting claimed off waivers.
Ibáñez hit .239/.301/.352 with eight doubles, four home runs, and 84 wRC+ in 193 plate appearances with the Detroit Tigers last season before getting designated for assignment in November. In five major league seasons with the Tigers and Texas Rangers, the right-handed-hitting Ibáñez is a career .280/.327/.452 hitter with a 115 wRC+ against left-handed pitching. That presumably carves out a specific role on the Dodgers for Ibáñez, who is out of options, filling in at second base and third base as needed.
Though he signed a one-year deal, Ibáñez could potential stick around longer, as he has three years, 133 days of service time and would be eligible for arbitration for up to two more seasons before reaching for free agency. But there’s a long time before deciding such things.
Fitzgerald’s time on the 40-man roster lasted three days, after getting claimed off waivers from the Minnesota Twins on Friday. This is not uncommon on the edges of the roster, and there’s still a chance Fitzgerald might stick around in the organization. He was available on Friday so the Dodgers pounced, adding a player who made his major league debut at age 31 last season and who has started all four infield positions and all three outfield positions in the minors throughout his career, with shortstop accounting for the bulk of his defensive duties.
If Fitzgerald clears waivers, he’ll stick around as depth for the Dodgers, just not on the 40-man roster. If he gets claimed or is traded elsewhere, the Dodgers will search for other depth opportunities as they arise, and figure out the specific fit when needed.
