If you thought the Los Angeles Dodgers were going to just sit on their hands after winning back-to-back World Series titles, you haven't been paying attention to how Andrew Friedman operates. It is January 13, 2026, and while most of the baseball world is still nursing a holiday hangover or waiting for the big dominoes to fall, the front office at Chavez Ravine is busy shuffling the deck.
Honestly, it's a bit of a weird day in Dodger-land.
We just saw the team finalize a one-year, $1.2 million deal with veteran infielder Andy Ibáñez. Is it the "Ohtani-level" splash that stops traffic on the 101? No. But for a team trying to navigate an aging roster while chasing a historic three-peat, these are the types of "boring" moves that actually keep the ship afloat in July when everyone is hitting the IL.
Breaking Down the Andy Ibáñez Move
The Dodgers news and rumors today mostly center on the 40-man roster churn. To make room for Ibáñez, the club had to designate Ryan Fitzgerald for assignment. If that name sounds familiar, it's because the Dodgers literally just claimed him off waivers from the Twins last week.
Talk about a short stay in Blue.
Ibáñez is 32 now. He spent last year in Detroit, hitting .239 with four homers, which doesn't exactly scream "All-Star." But the Dodgers don't need him to be an All-Star. They need him to be the guy who can play six different positions without falling over. With Miguel Rojas turning 37 in February and the utility depth looking a bit thin, Ibáñez is basically the insurance policy you hope you never have to fully cash in, but you're glad you have in the glove box.
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The Kyle Tucker Rumors Are Getting Loud
While the Ibáñez signing is official, the "rumor" part of Dodgers news and rumors today is all about Houston's superstar outfielder, Kyle Tucker.
The smoke is everywhere.
The Blue Jays and Mets are reportedly in the mix, but the Dodgers are lurking like they always do. The word on the street is that Tucker might be looking for a short-term, high-AAV deal—think three years at $45 million a season. That is right in the Dodgers' wheelhouse. It’s the "Bauer/Bregman" model: pay a premium for the talent but don't get married to a 10-year contract that looks like an anchor in 2033.
If the Dodgers land Tucker, the lineup becomes genuinely unfair. You’re looking at a top four of Betts, Ohtani, Freeman, and Tucker. That’s essentially an All-Star Game starting lineup appearing 162 times a year. Of course, the luxury tax bill would be astronomical, with projections putting the 2026 payroll near $400 million if they pull this off.
Why Brendan Donovan Makes Sense
If the Tucker deal falls through or becomes too expensive in terms of prospect capital (the Cardinals just traded Nolan Arenado to the D-backs, so the "great Central sell-off" is real), keep an eye on Brendan Donovan.
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He’s 29. He hits for a high average. He basically never strikes out.
The Dodgers love guys who put the ball in play.
Trade rumors have suggested the Dodgers could dangle someone like Gavin Stone or a high-end pitching prospect like River Ryan to get Donovan out of St. Louis. It wouldn't be as flashy as Tucker, but Donovan is under team control through 2027 and fits the "versatility" mantra that Dave Roberts obsesses over.
The Edwin Díaz Impact
We also got a fresh look today at Edwin Díaz in Dodger blue. Remember, the Dodgers dropped $69 million over three years to steal him away from New York in December. He just posted a video of himself throwing in a Dodgers hoodie, and let me tell you, he looks ready to break some hearts in the ninth inning.
The bullpen was the Achilles' heel last year.
It almost cost them the ring.
Adding Díaz gives the Dodgers a "reset" button for the end of games. With a career 2.82 ERA and 253 saves, he is the definitive answer to the "who closes tonight?" question that plagued the team throughout the 2025 postseason.
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What’s Next for the Starting Rotation?
The big story for the 2026 season is obviously Shohei Ohtani returning to the mound full-time. Dave Roberts has already hinted that the Dodgers won't use a traditional five-man rotation. Instead, they’re looking at giving Ohtani six or seven days of rest between starts to keep his arm from falling off while he continues to hit 50 home runs.
This means the "depth" guys—the Emmet Sheehans and Roki Sasakis of the world—are going to be vital.
Speaking of Sasaki, the hype for his first full "healthy" season in the States is reaching a fever pitch. If he and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (the reigning World Series MVP, lest we forget) can stay healthy alongside a pitching Ohtani, the Dodgers might have the best rotation in the history of the franchise. And that’s saying something for a team that once had Koufax and Drysdale.
Actionable Insights for Dodgers Fans
- Watch the Waiver Wire: The DFA of Ryan Fitzgerald shows the Dodgers are aggressively fine-tuning the 40-man roster. Expect more "minor" moves this week.
- Monitor the Kyle Tucker Price: If the Blue Jays pivot to a different target, the Dodgers' leverage for a short-term deal increases significantly.
- Spring Training Countdown: Pitchers and catchers report in about a month. With Ohtani pitching again, tickets for Cactus League games are going to be impossible to find.
- Check the Prospect Rankings: If a trade for a "big bat" like Tucker or Donovan happens, expect names like Josue De Paula or Kendall George to be part of the conversation.
The Dodgers aren't just trying to be good; they are trying to be a dynasty that people talk about 50 years from now. Today’s move for Andy Ibáñez isn't the headline of the century, but it's the kind of move that wins games in the dog days of August. Stay tuned, because this offseason is far from over.