In exchange for veteran shotstopper Noah Miller, the Los Angeles Dodgers trade Manuel Margot and Rayne Doncon to the Twins, and Kike Hernandez re-signs with the team.

The Los Angeles Dodgers formally announced that they had sent prospect Rayne Doncon and Manuel Margot in exchange for Noah Miller, who was traded to the Minnesota Twins.

Margot was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays earlier in the offseason, along with Tyler Glasnow. He was expected to be a part of the Dodgers’ outfield rotation, possibly platooning with James Outman or Jason Heyward.

Margot participated in two spring training games and had one strikeout while going 0-for-6. He played in 99 games for the Rays in the previous season, hitting.264/.310/.376 with four home runs and 38 RBI.

After culminating his fourth season with the Tampa Bay Rays, he started 360 games, amassed 66 doubles, six triples, 19 home runs, 153 RBI, and a.984 fielding percentage.

In addition, Margot had a $12 million team option with the Dodgers through 2025. That included the Dodgers’ option to reject the contract, which would have resulted in a $2 million buyout.

In that scenario, the Dodgers were not expected to receive the $2 million until August 1, 2026; the Rays were expected to cover the buyout cost.

Doncon, a Dominican Republic native who was signed as an international free agent in 2021, is regarded as a prospect with a high ceiling and a low floor.

Although the 20-year-old is projected to have above-average hitting ability and plus power, his Minor League output has declined each season since he was signed.

With 14 home runs in 107 games, he hit.215/.283/.368 at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga the previous season. During his three seasons in the Dodgers system, Doncon hit.237 in 200 games with 29 home runs and 113 RBI.

He is also a man without a position, much like many young bat-first prospects are. Though he has played both second and third base, his listed position is shortstop, and his defense is expected to be a problem at any 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.

Miller, who went 36th overall in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft, is regarded as one of the best defenders in the Minor Leagues. At shortstop in 2023, he was named a Minor League Rawlings Gold Glove winner after compiling a.984 fielding percentage, 295 assists, and 54 double plays.

He hasn’t, however, yet recorded an on-base plus slugging percentage greater than.685. Miller has played in 250 minor league games over the course of three seasons, hitting a combined.220 with 12 home runs and 98 RBI.

The Dodgers have plenty of time to make any necessary adjustments, and at just 21 years old, they may be able to see a swing change or even have the switch-hitter stick to one side of the plate.

Re-signing with the Dodgers is Kiké Hernández

Kiké Hernández, who had apparently been hoping to return to Los Angeles this season, was able to re-sign with the Dodgers thanks to the trade.

Hernández made his comeback known on X, the former Twitter account. He will take Margot’s spot on the 26-man roster and offer more versatility.

Hernández reportedly had four teams in mind before signing, none of which were the Dodgers, so the Dodgers may have been motivated to move quickly to make room.