The Los Angeles Dodgers announced the signing of Andy Ibáñez to a one-year contract worth $1.2 million and designated Ryan Fitzgerald for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.
Ibáñez doesn’t have any Minor League options remaining, so he will need to make the MLB roster or be designated for assignment.
Ibáñez became a free agent this offseason as a result of getting non-tendered by the Detroit Tigers. He had spent the last three seasons with the Tigers, hitting a combined .251/.304/.392 with 20 home runs, 94 RBI and a 93 wRC+ in 304 games.
Ibáñez’s MLB career also includes spending parts of two seasons with the Texas Rangers in 2021 and 2022.
While appearing in 420 games thus far, Ibáñez has hit .254/.305/.389 with 28 home runs, 140 runs, 128 RBI and a 92 wRC+. The bulk of his success came in 2021 and 2023, but otherwise Ibáñez’s offensive contributions have largely been below league average.
Ibáñez is capable of playing first base, second base, third base and left field. He also has minimal experience at shortstop and right field. That could loom large as the Dodgers still have a need in the outfield and perhaps some flexibility at second base.
Moreover, injuries have limited Max Muncy in each of the past two seasons.
Dodgers DFA Ryan Fitzgerald to sign Andy Ibáñez
Their reported agreement with Ibáñez on a Major League contract came hours after claiming Fitzgerald off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. That filled their 40-man roster, thus a corresponding move was required to make room for Ibáñez.
The Dodgers will now look to pass Fitzgerald through waivers and assign him to the Minor Leagues. If he sticks in the organization, the Dodgers will likely invite him to Spring Training.
Had the Dodgers found a trade, then perhaps Fitzgerald would have stuck around on the roster, but he instead became a casualty of the roster crunch.
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