Glove-First specialist Arrives from Atlanta; LA Strategically Bolsters Outfield Depth
LOS ANGELES, CA—While the baseball world was still reeling from the blockbuster signing of closer Edwin Díaz, the Los Angeles Dodgers executed a textbook “silent strike,” claiming 26-year-old outfielder Michael Siani off waivers from the Atlanta Braves.
Though the move lacked the glitz of a multimillion-dollar press conference, it has sent shockwaves through analyst circles. The claim is a classic Andrew Friedman maneuver: targeting a specific, elite skill set—in this case, Gold Glove-caliber defense and high-end speed—to solidify the margins of a championship roster.
THE ANATOMY OF THE CLAIM: Why Siani?
The Braves designated Siani for assignment on December 10 to make room for veteran Mike Yastrzemski. The Dodgers, sitting at the bottom of the waiver priority as back-to-back champions, pounced the moment he became available.
| Metric | The Siani Profile | Impact for Dodgers |
| Defense | Elite. 17 Outs Above Average (OAA) over his last 1,000 innings. | Provides a “lockdown” late-inning defensive replacement for any of the three outfield spots. |
| Speed | Plus-Plus. 20+ stolen bases in his last full season. | A weapon for Dave Roberts in high-leverage pinch-running scenarios. |
| Contract | Team Control. Under 2 years of service time; not yet arb-eligible. | Extremely cost-effective depth that helps offset the team’s massive deferred payment obligations. |
| Flexibility | 1 Minor League Option. | Can be shuttled between Triple-A Oklahoma City and LA without risk of being lost. |
THE STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE: “Roster Re-Tooling”
Analysts see this move as the Dodgers addressing the departure of Justin Dean, who served as the team’s primary defensive specialist during their 2025 title run before being claimed by the Giants.
- The Bench Shift: Siani instantly becomes the front-runner for the “13th man” spot on the roster. While his career batting average sits at .221, the Dodgers aren’t looking for a silver slugger; they are looking for a “run preventer.”
- The “Braves Loss, Dodgers Gain”: By claiming him from a primary NL rival, the Dodgers not only improve their own depth but prevent the Braves from stashing a valuable defensive asset in their own minor league system.
This single claim demonstrates how Los Angeles remains a step ahead. While the league focuses on the “loud” moves, the Dodgers are quietly assembling the specialized tools necessary to turn a one-run lead in October into a victory.
