The Dodgers entered this offseason with a roster that needs little tuning, a juggernaut on paper, and a perennial contender in reality. But even the best-built machines can benefit from a bit of fine-tuning, and for the Dodgers, one such area is the outfield defense.
Defensive Depth Took a Hit After Postseason Departures
Andy Pages made a compelling case for himself as a breakout defensive talent in 2025, but beyond him, the Dodgers lacked consistency in the outfield. That void was exposed most clearly in October, when the club resorted to plugging in Justin Dean as a late-inning defensive replacement, a player who, while serviceable in the field, wasn’t even retained past the postseason. Dean was waived and subsequently picked up by the rival Giants, leaving a defensive gap the Dodgers couldn’t ignore.
Michael Siani Could Be the Glove That Tips the Dodgers Scale
Enter Michael Siani. Claimed off waivers from the Atlanta Braves, Siani is a fascinating addition to an already stacked Dodgers roster. At 26, he’s bounced between three organizations in the past six weeks, first waived by the Cardinals, briefly held by the Braves, and now wearing Dodger blue. It’s easy to overlook a player like Siani. His offensive production is pedestrian at best, a slash line of .221/.277/.270 and a worrisome OPS+ of just 56 paints the picture of a glove-first specialist. And yet, that glove might be exactly what the Dodgers need.
Siani’s defensive metrics from last season are eye-popping: 16 outs above average and a fielding run value of 13. Those numbers don’t just suggest competence; they scream elite. That level of outfield coverage is rare, and when games tighten in late innings, having someone who can track down just about anything hit to center field becomes a quietly invaluable asset.
Spring Training Battle Looms for Final Outfield Spot
While the Dodgers’ 40-man roster is currently at capacity, Siani finds himself in a compelling competition for the fourth outfielder role, potentially going head-to-head with Alex Call and Ryan Ward come spring training. It’s unclear whether he’ll earn a spot on the Opening Day roster, but his glove gives him a real shot, especially in an organization that prizes versatility and late-game advantages.
In a winter where the Dodgers may not need to make many moves, this quiet waiver claim could prove to be a strategic chess piece, a defensive specialist with enough upside to turn outs into wins when it matters most.
