As the Braves look to retool their roster for another title push, they’ve quietly made a move that could prove pivotal in October: signing 37-year-old veteran Miguel Rojas. While the headlines will continue to swirl around superstars, it’s players like Rojas, steady, seasoned, and tested in fire, who shape championship DNA.
Dodgers Look to Stars, Braves Make a Smart Bet
Rojas was open about wanting to return to Los Angeles. After all, the Dodgers were on the brink of a historic three-peat, and Rojas had earned his place in that chase. “This is going to be my first priority, to sign here with the Dodgers for one more year,” he said. His World Series heroics, including a game-tying home run in the ninth inning of Game 7 and a game-saving defensive gem at second base, left little doubt that he had more to give. And yet, the Dodgers are never content with sentimentality. In a city addicted to stars, nostalgia often takes a back seat to headlines.
Enter the Braves, a club that has quietly suffered from a glaring weakness at shortstop. Since the start of 2024, the Braves’ shortstop position has managed just a .586 OPS, a black hole in a lineup built to score runs. Trading for Mauricio Dubón was a step in the right direction, but even his elite glove can’t hide the lack of consistent offense. Dubón might rack up outs above average (+8 in 2025), but he’s never truly seized the position with his bat.
Versatility and Experience Bring Value Beyond the Box Score
In that context, Rojas is more than a band-aid. He’s a stabilizer.
His 2025 campaign saw him slash .262/.318/.397 with a .715 OPS over 114 games, numbers that don’t scream All-Star, but scream reliability. He hit seven home runs, drove in 27, and stole five bases, playing time split across second base, third base, and shortstop. It’s that versatility that Atlanta craves, especially with a roster that values defensive flexibility and postseason experience.
Big Moments, Big Stage – Rojas Delivers When It Matters Most
But what makes Rojas more than just a roster filler is how he shows up when it counts. Game 7, bottom of the ninth, facing elimination, and he delivers. That’s not just clutch. That’s irreplaceable.
The Braves didn’t sign a star. They signed a gamer. One who’s seen the fire, felt the pressure, and come out clean on the other side. In a postseason defined by inches, Miguel Rojas just might be the inch Atlanta needs.
