Veteran infielder Miguel Rojas (37), who is sharing the shortstop role for the LA Dodgers with Kim Hye-seong (27), has expressed willingness to reverse his retirement decision. He had originally announced he would retire after this season but set one condition for reversing it: the Dodgers winning a third consecutive World Series.
The Athletic in the U.S. reported on the 1st (KST) that Rojas might reverse his retirement. After contributing to the Dodgers' back-to-back titles with a dramatic game-tying home run in the ninth inning of Game 7 of last year's World Series, Rojas re-signed in free agency for $5.5 million a year and had announced he would retire after this season. He had also planned to work next year in the Dodgers' player development department.
But he hinted at a change of heart. Rojas said, "If we win a third consecutive World Series, I will reconsider retirement." He said if the Dodgers win another World Series and he is healthy, he will discuss the retirement decision with his wife, son and daughter. If his family agrees, he will extend his playing career.
The Athletic said, "Rojas' motivation is to win four straight World Series titles with the Dodgers. No team has achieved this feat since the New York Yankees won five straight titles starting in 1949," but added, "family may come first for Rojas," giving weight to the possibility that he will retire as planned.
Rojas said, "The reason I decided to play one more year and then retire is not because I feel I can no longer play. I can still play. I'm ready to play 100 games at shortstop, but there is something more important. I'm a family-oriented person," mentioning his 10-year-old son Aaron, who participates in baseball tournaments on weekends. Aaron often sends videos of games hoping his father will see him play.
Rojas said, "My son asks, 'Did you see me play?' I answer, 'I did,' but like my parents did for me, I want to go to the field in person to cheer for my son. I think the time has come. I know the time as a baseball player is very short. But in the end I want to be there for my son."
This season Rojas has produced age-defying numbers in 18 games: a .341 batting average (15 hits in 44 at-bats), one home run, five RBIs and an OPS of .852. His defensive metric OAA (Outs Above Average), which shows how many more outs a player records than an average fielder, is +3, placing him in the top 5% of the league, indicating his defense remains strong. He reliably covers all infield positions centered on shortstop and is recognized for leading by example as a veteran.
If the Dodgers win again this year to complete a three-peat of World Series titles and Rojas reverses his retirement, it could directly affect fellow infielder Kim Hye-seong. With regular shortstop Mookie Betts sidelined by an internal oblique injury, Kim has been splitting shortstop duties with Rojas. Against left-handed starting pitchers, the right-handed Rojas starts; against right-handers, the left-handed Kim starts, using a platoon system. By shortstop starts, Kim has 18 games and Rojas six games, so Kim's share is much larger.
Kim Hye-seong, who was called up after Betts' injury, has shown competitiveness in 21 games with a .296 batting average (16 hits in 54 at-bats), one home run, seven RBIs and an OPS of .760. He has shown speed with the team-high five stolen bases, but his OAA is 0, which lags behind Rojas defensively. All three of his errors came at shortstop (150 innings). Rojas has 105 error-free innings across three positions—shortstop (61 innings), second base (43 innings) and third base (1 inning)—giving him the edge in steadiness. As an infield backup, Rojas' value is higher than Kim Hye-seong's.
When Betts and Tommy Edman return from injury, the Dodgers will have to trim the infield roster. One or two of Kyle Freeland, who has an opportunity at regular second base but has limited offensive production, Kim Hye-seong, and backup Santiago Espinal will have to vacate a spot. Kim will need to further prove his worth before Betts and Edman return in May or June.
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