The Los Angeles Dodgers made their first trade in months by acquiring utility player Cavan Biggio from the Toronto Blue Jays. Biggio, the son of MLB Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, had been designated for assignment by the Blue Jays. He has played every position except pitcher and catcher since his career began in 2019, with a career batting average of .227. The Dodgers hope Biggio will provide additional support to their struggling lineup, which has seen its 6-9 hitters batting a collective .211, the 25th lowest in MLB. The Dodgers are also dealing with injuries, including Max Muncy’s oblique strain and veteran utility infielder Miguel Rojas’ sore leg.
The Dodgers have been cautious with midseason roster acquisitions following a lavish offseason spending spree that saw them commit over $1.2 billion in future salaries to free agents. Despite their success on the field, injuries have prompted the Dodgers to make moves, including acquiring Philadelphia Phillies reliever Connor Brogdon and now Biggio. It’s likely that the Dodgers will continue to make more moves before the July 30 trade deadline if Biggio doesn’t have the desired impact. The Dodgers currently have the second-best record in the National League at 42-26, indicating that their strategy is paying off, but they are still looking to bolster their roster for a playoff push.
The Dodgers have struggled to keep up with their top-end talent due to the lack of production from their bottom of the lineup. Adding Biggio as an option at the bottom of the lineup provides depth and versatility that can help address this issue. With the absence of Muncy and Rojas due to injuries, the Dodgers have been working to fill gaps in their lineup and positional depth. Biggio’s ability to play multiple positions will make him a valuable asset to the Dodgers as they aim to maintain their success throughout the season.
The trade saw minor league pitcher Braydon Fisher heading to the Blue Jays in exchange for Biggio. Fisher, a former fourth-round draft pick by the Dodgers in 2018, has shown promise with his ability to strike out batters but has also struggled with his control. With Fisher’s departure, the Dodgers are betting on Biggio to make a significant impact on their roster and contribute to their success moving forward. It remains to be seen how the Dodgers will make room for Biggio on their roster once he is activated, but the addition of his skillset could prove to be beneficial for their lineup and overall team performance.
As the season progresses, the Dodgers will likely continue to assess their roster and make adjustments as needed to stay competitive in a tough National League. With the trade deadline approaching, the Dodgers may look to make additional moves to strengthen their roster for a playoff run. Despite their initial reluctance to make midseason acquisitions, injuries and performance issues have forced the Dodgers’ hand, leading to the acquisition of Biggio and other players. The Dodgers’ front office will be closely monitoring the impact of these moves to determine the best course of action as they aim to secure a spot in the postseason and compete for a championship.
