Ben Rortvedt claim, Anthony Banda DFA setting table for long-rumored Dodgers trade

Last week, the Dodgers made a series of small roster moves that left fans scratching their heads. They picked up Michael Siani off of waivers from the Yankees, after they themselves had DFA'ed Siani to open a roster space for Kyle Tucker. Andy Ibáñez, who was signed to a $1.2 million major league deal, was DFA'ed to fit Siani and picked up by the Athletics.

Then, former Dodgers catcher Ben Rortvedt was DFA'ed by the Reds, who claimed him after LA waived him silently at the beginning of the offseason, and picked back up by the Dodgers. To make room for his return, they DFA'ed lefty Anthony Banda, a core piece of their 2024 and 2025 bullpens.

Banda certainly had his supporters within the Dodgers fandom, but the move makes sense given LA's overflow of pitching depth and some regression from Banda in 2025. Getting Rortvedt back is far more intriguing, and reopens the door to a conversation that Dodgers fans had thought was settled.

Rortvedt doesn't have minor league options, so it's more likely than not that he'll end up on the Opening Day roster. But what does that mean for Dalton Rushing, who does have options but who the Dodgers have very loudly stuck by throughout the offseason?

Ben Rortvedt rejoining Dodgers' roster paves the way for a Dalton Rushing trade

The Dodgers could always just send Rushing back to Triple-A to open the season, which they very well might do depending on his performance in spring training. It could be the best thing for both him and the Dodgers: letting him get daily at-bats, giving him more reps at first or in left field, building his confidence back up after a disappointing debut in 2025.

And, if he ends up making Triple-A look way too easy, maximizing his trade value.

Andrew Friedman and Brandon Gomes have been insistent that they'll find a way to carve out playing time for Rushing, but that was before they got Rortvedt back (why they let him go in the first place is anyone's guess). That hasn't stopped trade rumors, with the Red Sox having reportedly expressed interest this offseason.

Friedman and Gomes might talk a big game, but it's always been clear that they don't really have a plan for their former No. 1 prospect. Trading him is the most obvious next step — and what is the Dodgers farm system really for if not to be used to pull off massive trades with gullible competitors?