The Los Angeles Dodgers had their season come to an end much earlier than anticipated as they were swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League Division Series.
It marked a second consecutive year in which the Dodgers’ playoff run was ended by an NL West opponent, and in both instances the team appeared flat.
While the offseason started for the Dodgers, free agency won’t begin until the morning after the World Series concludes. However, there already are Dodgers Minor League free agents who will be a factor in the organization’s overall depth moving forward.
Dodgers Minor League free agents
Zack Burdi
The Dodgers claimed Zack Burdi off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays in late May but he was designated for assignment shortly after as part of completing a trade with the Texas Rangers and needing to make room on the 40-man roster for Ricky Vanasco.
Burdi cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Because he had previously been DFA’d, Burdi had the option to elect free agency rather than return to OKC.
The right-hander wound up appearing in just four games and was transferred to the 60-day injured list in July, which ended his season.
Now, however, Burdi elected to become a free agent. He’s appeared in a combined 18 games at the Major League level, pitching for the Chicago White Sox (2020 and 2021), Baltimore Orioles (2021) and Rays (2023).
Tyson Miller
Tyson Miller began the 2023 season with the Milwaukee Brewers but was traded to the Dodgers in July upon getting designated for assignment.
When the Dodgers DFA’d Miller in early August to reinstate Pepiot from the 60-day IL, he was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets. Miller’s lone appearance with the Mets was two scoreless innings against Pittsburgh Pirates on August 14 to earn a win.
Miller and the Dodgers then reunited when he was claimed off waivers after the Mets designated him for assignment. Miller was DFA’d a second time by L.A. but cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to continue pitching with Oklahoma City.
Miller went 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in nine games (two starts) for the affiliate. He also appeared in two games for the Dodgers, allowing two runs over four innings.
Miller now has become a free agent. In addition to the Dodgers, Miller has pitched for the Chicago Cubs (2020), Texas Rangers (2022), Brewers (2023) and Mets (2023).
Jake Reed
Jake Reed originally joined the Dodgers organization in July 2021 when he was signed to a Minor League contract after being released by the Los Angeles Angels.
He was with the Dodgers for two weeks prior to getting designated for assignment and eventually claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays. But Reed only remained with the Rays for one week before the Mets claimed him.
Reed began the 2022 season with the Mets, only to find his way back to the Dodgers organization on a waiver claim. The Baltimore Orioles then claimed him from L.A. in September 2022, the Boston Red Sox followed suit the next month, and the Dodgers reunited with Reed last November.
Reed was designated for assignment on December 29 as the corresponding move to finalize the signing of J.D. Martinez to a one-year, $10 million contract. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Oklahoma City.
The Dodgers selected Reed’s contract in April 2023 but he only appeared in one game for the team this season. He was subsequently DFA’d as a corresponding move to add Victor González to the active roster, and Reed ultimately accepted a Minor League assignment after clearing waivers.
Reed was 3-1 with a 7.34 ERA and 1.75 WHIP over 29 games for Oklahoma City.
Reed, who has pitched at the Major League level over parts of three seasons, now is a free agent.
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