The Los Angeles Dodgers were among the active teams early into the offseason as the re-signed Miguel Rojas and added Edwin Díaz on a record-setting contract.
With their bullpen addressed, much of the focus shifted to the Dodgers having a need in the outfield. Though, amid reports of their search for an outfield has come reports of a potential Teoscar Hernández trade.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes dismissed that possibility as being likely, and in the meantime the team has moved another outfielder from the organization.
According to ESPN’s Alden González, the Dodgers traded Esteury Ruiz to the Miami Marlins:
Source: The Marlins are acquiring speedy outfielder Esteury Ruiz from the Dodgers.
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) December 30, 2025
The Dodgers acquired prospect Adriano Marrero from the Marlins in exchange for Ruiz, according to Francys Romero:
Cuban right-hander pitcher Adriano Marrero, 18, who was signed by the Marlins on January 15 for a $350,000 bonus and who threw 33 innings in the Dominican Summer League with 35 strikeouts, is the player being traded for Ruiz to the Dodgers, per sources.
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) December 29, 2025
Marrero is a lottery-ticket type prospect at just 18-years-old who was impressive over 33 innings in his age-17 season.
According to Fangrapphs prospect expert Eric Longenhagen, Marrero has a 3,000 RPM slider and an average changeup, along with a fastball that sits in the upper 80s with the potential to increase as he matures.
If the velocity and control trend up, he has the potential to develop into an exciting prospect, but at such a young age, there’s still a lot of projection and risk in his profile.
Ruiz joined the Dodgers organization in April, when he was acquired in a trade that sent pitching prospect Carlos Duran to the Athletics. The Dodgers traded for Ruiz shortly after he had been designated for assignment.
Ruiz appeared in 19 games for the Dodgers this past season, batting .190/.261/.333 with one home run, two RBI, two runs scored, four stolen bases and a 67 wRC+ across 23 plate appearances.
Over parts of four seasons at the Major League level, he’s appeared in 197 games and hit .241/.296/.343 with eight home runs, 62 runs, 59 RBI, 77 stolen bases and an 81 wRC+ across 621 plate appearances.
Why would Dodgers trade Esteury Ruiz?
Ruiz joins Justin Dean as outfielders the Dodgers have parted with this offseason. Dean was removed from their 40-man roster and immediately claimed off waivers by the San Francisco Giants.
Ruiz figured to spend the bulk of next season with Triple-A Oklahoma City and only get called up if an injury arose. By trading Ruiz, the Dodgers open up a spot on their 40-man roster.
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