Cody Snavely
The Los Angeles Dodgers transaction page has been busy today, with multiple roster moves taking place on just the third day of the new year. Their latest move sends shockwaves throughout the organization, with former top prospect Diego Cartaya being DFA’d.
Earlier today, the Dodgers officially announced the re-signing of fan-favorite Teoscar Hernández to a 3-year, $66 million contract, bringing the Dodgers’ 40-man roster to forty players. However, hours later, the Dodgers also reportedly came to an agreement with Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim, whose deadline to sign with a major league club was today.
In a matter of a few hours, the Dodgers officially announced the signing of Kim to a 3-year, $12.5 million deal, with options that could extend it to a 5-year, $22 million deal. Still, to make room on the roster, the Dodgers decided to DFA Cartaya as a result.
Cartaya, 23, was once the Dodgers’ number one overall-ranked prospect as recently as last season, but after back-to-back underwhelming minor league seasons, including a lackluster season in Triple-A OKC (.208/.293/.350, .643 OPS), his stock tanked.
Add in the fact that fellow Dodgers prospect Dalton Rushing has improved all facets of his game the last two years, overlapping every prospect, including Cartaya, to take the throne as the current top-ranked prospect in the Dodgers farm system, with all eyes pointing to a debut this upcoming season.
The Dodgers are also loaded in the catching position on the 40-man roster with all-star Will Smith leading the way, who the Dodgers extended last season with a massive 10-year, $140 million deal, Austin Barnes locked up for one more season, and Hunter Feduccia waiting in the wings in case anything happens.
However, it should not be long before Cartaya finds a new home as the 23-year-old playing a premier position as catcher along with the cheap team control, multiple teams could take a flier on him, such as the Boston Red Sox, a frequent trade partner with the Dodgers the last several years as they look to add to their catching depth after trading away top catching prospect Kyle Teel to the Chicago White Sox in the Garrett Crochet trade last month.
With the DFA, however, the Hyeseong Kim deal was made official, and Los Angeles Dodgers General Manager Brandon Gomes stated that he foresees Kim playing a utility role with Mookie Betts at shortstop and Gavin Lux still at second base.
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