In a stunning turn of events, Ben Rortvedt’s offseason journey has taken yet another unexpected twist, leaving baseball fans scratching their heads. But here’s where it gets controversial: after being claimed off waivers by the Mets, questions arise about the Dodgers’ roster management and whether they’ve truly maximized Rortvedt’s potential. Let’s break it down.
Rortvedt’s rollercoaster ride began when the Mets snagged him from the Dodgers on Sunday, marking the latest chapter in his itinerant offseason. This move wasn’t just a random transaction—it highlighted the Dodgers’ unfortunate timing and strategic missteps. After impressing during the 2023 season, where he started 19 of 25 games following injuries to Will Smith and Dalton Rushing, Rortvedt seemed like a valuable asset. The Dodgers even signed him to a $1.25 million deal in November to avoid arbitration, signaling their confidence in his abilities. But here’s the catch: with Rushing now firmly in place as Smith’s backup, Rortvedt’s spot on the 40-man roster became untenable unless he was active. This led the Dodgers to attempt—twice—to sneak him through waivers as a depth piece, only to lose him first to the Reds in November and now to the Mets.
And this is the part most people miss: timing played a dual role in the Dodgers’ dilemma. First, Rortvedt’s availability came just after the Reds designated him for assignment following the Eugenio Suárez signing on February 3. Even if the Reds had delayed placing him on waivers, the latest he would’ve been available was February 10—two days before Dodgers pitchers and catchers reported to camp. This left the Dodgers unable to use the 60-day injured list to create roster space, forcing them to designate Anthony Banda for assignment (later traded to the Twins). The second timing issue? The Dodgers could have kept Rortvedt on the 40-man roster through spring training as insurance for Smith or Rushing. Instead, they opted to risk waivers early in camp, a move that backfired when the Mets—who had just placed Dedniel Núñez on the 60-day IL—scooped him up.
The Dodgers’ latest roster shuffle didn’t help matters. When they signed Evan Phillips on Wednesday, Rortvedt was designated for assignment again. Had they waited a day or two, they could have placed Brock Stewart on the 60-day IL post-shoulder surgery, but that window closed. General manager Brandon Gomes confirmed Kiké Hernández’s midseason return from elbow surgery, further complicating the timeline. Now, the Mets have four catchers on their 40-man roster, raising the possibility that Rortvedt could hit waivers again before Opening Day. Nothing’s certain in this saga.
Here’s the burning question: Did the Dodgers mishandle Rortvedt’s situation, or were they simply victims of bad timing and roster constraints? And with the Mets now holding the cards, will Rortvedt finally find stability, or is another twist on the horizon? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this story is far from over.
