The Dodgers traded outfielder Esteury Ruiz to the Miami Marlins on Monday, moving on from the speedster just one year after acquiring him from Oakland.
Insider Francys Romero reported the deal, though the return to Los Angeles wasn’t disclosed.
It’s a quick turnaround for the 26-year-old Ruiz, who never found his footing in L.A. He managed just 21 at-bats in the majors last season, collecting one homer and four stolen bases.
That’s a far cry from his breakout 2023 campaign with the A’s.
Ruiz swiped an AL-leading 67 bases that season while hitting .254 across 132 games. The stolen base total showed off the raw speed that made him intriguing in the first place – he’s genuinely one of the fastest players in baseball when he gets going.
The way I see it, Miami represents a better opportunity for Ruiz to crack a big league roster. The Marlins don’t have the depth Los Angeles does, and they’re building something with younger players who can grow together.
What makes this move interesting is the timing. Ruiz is entering his age-26 season, so he’s not exactly a prospect anymore. But he’s also not old enough to write off completely, especially with that kind of speed.
He’s bounced around quite a bit already – the Padres, Brewers, A’s, Dodgers, and now the Marlins. That’s five organizations for a guy who’s still relatively young.
For the Dodgers, this looks like a 40-man roster move more than anything else. They’ve got plenty of outfield depth and needed the flexibility heading into spring training.
Ruiz brings something you can’t teach – pure speed on the basepaths. If he can find consistent playing time in Miami and get his timing back at the plate, he could be a fun addition to a Marlins team that’s trying to build momentum.
The stolen base numbers from 2023 don’t lie. When Ruiz gets on base, he’s a threat to take second, third, and sometimes home. That’s the kind of pressure that can change how opposing pitchers approach an entire lineup.
