The Los Angeles Dodgers officially announced they have traded Manuel Margot and prospect Rayne Doncon to the Minnesota Twins for Noah Miller.
Margot was acquired earlier in the offseason, along with Tyler Glasnow, from the Tampa Bay Rays. He figured to play a role in the Dodgers’ outfield mix, possibly platooning with Jason Heyward or James Outman.
Margot played in two Spring Training games, going 0-for-6 with one strikeout. Last season, he appeared in 99 games for the Rays, slashing .264/.310/.376 with four homers and 38 RBI.
He finished his fourth season with Tampa Bay, starting in a total of 360 games and recording 66 doubles, six triples, 19 homers and 153 RBI while posting a .984 fielding percentage.
The Dodgers also held a $12 million team option on Margot for 2025. That included a $2 million buyout if the Dodgers declined their option on the contract.
In that event, the buyout cost was to be covered by the Rays, but the Dodgers were not due to receive the $2 million until Aug. 1, 2026.
Doncon was signed as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2021 and is considered a high-ceiling, low-floor prospect.
The 20-year-old projects to have plus-power and an above-average hit tool, but his Minor League production has fallen off in each season since being signed.
Last year at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, he hit .215/.283/.368 with 14 home runs in 107 games. Doncon spent three seasons with the Dodgers organization, hitting .237 with 29 homers and 113 RBI in 200 games.
Like many young bat-first prospects, he is also a man without a position. He is listed as a shortstop and has seen time at both second and third base, but the defense projects to be an issue regardless of the position.
Coming back to the Dodgers, Miller is nearly the opposite type of player as Doncon as a glove-first shortstop with questions about his hitting ability.
Drafted in first round, 36th overall, of the 2021 MLB Draft, Miller is considered one of the best defenders in the Minors. He named a Minor League Rawlings Gold Glove winner in 2023 at shortstop after recording a .984 fielding percentage with 295 assists and 54 double plays.
However, he has yet to post an on-base plus slugging percentage higher than .685. In parts of three seasons, Miller has hit a combined .220 with 12 homers and 98 RBI in 250 minor league games.
The Dodgers may see a swing change they can make with the switch-hitter, or possibly having him stick to one side of the plate, and at just 21-years-old, they have a lot of time to make any adjustments.
Kiké Hernández re-signing with Dodgers
The trade also paved the way for the Dodgers to re-sign Kiké Hernández, who has reportedly been hoping to return to L.A. this season.
Hernández announced he was returning on X, formerly Twitter, and will replace Margot on the 26-man roster while providing increased versatility.
The Dodgers working quickly to clear up room may have been fueled by Hernández reportedly deciding between four teams to sign with, none of which were the Dodgers.
Make sure to follow Dodger Blue on Instagram! It’s the best way to see exclusive coverage from games and events, get your questions answered, and more!
