Dodgers acquire an infielder from Blue Jays!
..... not that one
Imagine waking up this morning and hearing the Dodgers acquired an infielder from the Blue Jays. You probably would be ecstatic!
Well, unfortunately, it wasn’t the infielder you were likely thinking of. The Dodgers didn’t acquire Bo Bichette. Instead, they acquired Cavan Biggio.
For less than $5 a month, you can have access to all of my articles. You’ll also get added to a Twitter chat filled with me and lots of other Dodgers fans!
Biggio was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays last week. In the deal, the Dodgers sent 23-year-old right-handed reliever Braydon Fisher. He has spent time between Double-A and Triple-A this season. He wasn’t ranked by any outlet when they did their team prospects list, so Fisher wasn’t really a player that offered a lot of upside for LA.
After a hot start to his career, Biggio has struggled the last few years. 2024 has been the worst season of his six-year career. At the time of his DFA, he was hitting .200 with a .614 OPS and 88 wRC+. Despite his low wRC+, it’s actually higher than four hitters on the Dodgers’ active roster, so he can be considered an upgrade offensively!
Biggio offers a lot of versatility defensively. Throughout his career, he’s played every position except catcher and pitcher. He’s spent most of his time at second base, but has played a considerable amount of time at third base and in right field.
With Muncy still expected to miss more time with his oblique injury, I’m guessing Biggio will see reps at third base. He might get the occasional start at second base or right field as well.
The 40-man roster was at 39, so his addition doesn’t require a corresponding move. The Dodgers will need to make a move to get him on the active roster and it looks like they’ll be sending Miguel Vargas back down to Triple-A. I’ll share my thoughts on that move a little later.
Overall, I think this is a fine move for the Dodgers. We know how much the Dodgers value versatility. Like I mentioned earlier, he’s an upgrade at the plate over Lux, Taylor and Kiké. Plus, Biggio has proven he can hit at the big league level.
Just last season, he posted a 103 wRC+ and .710 OPS in 111 games. Those numbers won’t blow you away, but in today’s game with the decline in offense, both of those marks are actually above league average. At this point with the production from the 6-9 hitters, he could be an upgrade.
Biggio was also really good through his first two big league seasons. From 2019-2020, he appeared in 159 games. He hit 24 home runs and drove in 76 runs. His slash during that stretch was .240/.368/.430. Biggio had an OPS of .798 and a 118 wRC+. That bat is in there somewhere, maybe the Dodgers can find it.
Since Biggio has five years of service team, he can refuse being optioned to the minors. That’s why he was reportedly DFA’d by Toronto. If that’s the case, I don’t think he’ll accept an option in LA. So, he’ll remain with the big league club.
With Biggio expected to join the Dodgers tonight, Vargas will be sent back down. I don’t know what the hell the Dodgers are doing.
Vargas was recalled from Triple-A on May 17. Almost a month ago. In nearly a month, he had only 23 plate appearances. He was productive in those PA’s, as he posted a .854 OPS and 134 wRC+. Very small sample size, but he looked good. For some reason, the Dodgers just refused to play him.
My only guess is because of his defense. The team clearly doesn’t view him as an infielder anymore. So, his only spot is in left field. Well, he had opportunities, but they were still playing Chris Taylor over him. So I’m guessing they think his defense is so bad that he’s unplayable.
If that’s the case…. TRADE HIM. If Vargas couldn’t get an opportunity for at bats during these last few weeks, when he had a clear runway, he’ll never get them. If they don’t think he can play left field, what is going to change a month from now? Nothing. It’s evident his only role with this club would be as a DH. Well, that ain’t happening.
Vargas isn’t a top 100 prospect anymore, so I’m not quite certain what his trade value is. Still, he’s only 24 years old and his bat has a lot of upside. I’m sure a team out there would love to have him.
It seems like for the Dodgers, there are really only two options here. Vargas can be the second or third best piece in a potential trade at the deadline. He won’t be the headliner of a deal, but he would look great as a throw-in piece. Or, the team could do what they did with Michael Busch and trade him for a couple of prospects with upside.
Keeping him in Triple-A makes zero sense. Sure, you can’t just go out and trade him, you need to wait for the right offer. But I sure hope for Vargas’ sake they can deal him to a team where he’ll see consistent playing time.
One final thing, in regards to Taylor. I think his time is safe until Muncy returns from the IL. Once he’s back, I’m not sure how Taylor stays unless there is an injury to someone else. I think at that point, he may be DFA’d. Not to mention, if the Dodgers make a trade for another bat, Taylor’s time will likely come to an end at that point as well.
It sucks, but it’s incredible he’s managed to survive this far into the season.
As you know, I was against bringing Vargas up. My concern was his high value in Triple A might be reduced. Well, if you watched him play a kind of lackadaisical outfield on a few plays dropping balls that hit his glove---regardless of his offense---Vargas' value has dropped.
Perhaps the Dodgers were trying to increase his trade value higher all along. Okay, if that was the goal. Win some-lose some.
Otherwise, this was just a bonehead and unfair move to Vargas from the beginning.