In a move that has left many baseball fans scratching their heads, the Los Angeles Dodgers have designated left-handed pitcher Anthony Banda for assignment. But here's the real shocker: this decision comes just weeks after they tendered him a $1.625 million contract for the 2026 season. So, what’s really going on here? Let’s dive into the details and uncover the story behind this surprising roster shake-up.
The Dodgers’ decision to part ways with Banda is directly tied to their recent claim of catcher Ben Rortvedt, a move that was reported earlier. While Banda has been a reliable bullpen arm for the Dodgers over the past couple of years—even making multiple playoff appearances—his 2025 performance raised some red flags. And this is the part most people miss: despite maintaining a respectable 3.18 ERA, his underlying metrics told a different story. His strikeout rate dipped to 22.8%, his walk rate jumped to a concerning 12.7%, and his ground ball rate fell to 39.4%. Advanced metrics like his 4.52 FIP and 4.39 SIERA suggest he was lucky to escape with such a modest ERA. His playoff struggles, where he allowed six earned runs in just 5 2/3 innings, only added to the concerns.
It’s not just about Banda’s performance, though. The Dodgers have a deep bench of left-handed options, including the returning Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia, both of whom were sidelined last season due to injury and personal matters, respectively. Additionally, young pitchers like Jack Dreyer and Justin Wrobleski have shown promising development, giving the Dodgers even more flexibility. But here’s where it gets controversial: Banda’s lack of remaining minor league options likely sealed his fate, as the Dodgers look to optimize their roster for the upcoming season.
The Dodgers’ strategy here might be more calculated than it seems. By designating Banda for assignment, they could be aiming to pass him through waivers unclaimed, allowing them to retain him as non-roster depth. This isn’t the first time they’ve tried this approach this offseason. They signed both Ben Rortvedt and Andy Ibáñez to modest deals, only to place them on waivers later, hoping other teams would shy away from their salaries. However, both players were claimed—Rortvedt by the Reds and Ibáñez by the Athletics. So, the big question is: will Banda suffer the same fate?
Despite his shaky 2025 season, Banda’s major league experience and relatively low salary make him an attractive option for teams with weak bullpens, especially those in rebuilding mode. The waiver process takes 48 hours, and the Dodgers have up to a week to explore trade interest. If they can find a team willing to offer cash or a prospect, they might just turn this into a win-win situation. Otherwise, they’ll likely place him on waivers sooner rather than later, especially with the 60-day injured list opening up next week, giving other clubs more roster flexibility.
What do you think? Is this a smart move by the Dodgers, or are they risking losing a valuable asset for nothing? Let us know in the comments below!
