"Dodgers clearing roster space for big signing; “From paradise to hell” - Fans erupt as Marlins acquire Esteury Ruiz from reigning WS champs

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Monday that they have traded Esteury Ruiz to the Miami Marlins in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Adriano Marrero. This clear space for the Dodgers on their 40-man roster, while the Marlins had to designate Eric Wagaman for assignment to add Ruiz to their roster.

Ruiz was with the Dodgers for the 2025 season, where he was used mostly as a pinch runner or as a defensive replacement in the late stages of the game. He made just 19 appearances, hitting at .190 with one home run and two RBIs.

Fans on social media took Ruiz's departure from the Dodgers as an indication that they are willing to add a free agent.

Here are a few reactions on X:

"Bro just went from paradise to hell," a fan said. "Dodgers clearing roster space for a big signing," a fan wrote. "Dodgers just want to make free spot of their 40 man roster," a fan stated. "Dodgers are ruining baseball!" a fan exclaimed. "So the Dodgers cleared a roster spot. Dum Dum Dum... Dodgers about set off the baseball world and especially baseball Twitter," a fan stated. "Skubal is a Dodger, I feel it in my veins," a fan added.

Ruiz's trade to the Marlins was the fifth time he has been traded in his career. His best season came in 2023, when he played 132 games for the Athletics, hitting at .254 with 5 home runs and 47 RBIs and wowing everyone with his speed, stealing an American League-leading 67 bases.

The 25-year-old missed the majority of the 2024 season due to a wrist injury, reducing him to just 29 games for the Athletics. He also had to undergo an arthroscopic surgery for a right patellar tendon injury in his knee at the start of the 2024-25 offseason.

Miami Marlins choosing Esteury Ruiz over Dane Myers

The Miami Marlins traded their versatile outfielder Dane Myers to the Cincinnati Reds on Dec. 28, effectively freeing up the position to bring in Ruiz. Myers hit .235 with six home runs and 31 RBIs with a .617 OPS in 106 games last season.

Myers, three years older than Ruiz, showed he could play all over the outfield, recording 68 games in center field, 31 games in right field and 11 games in left field. On the other hand, Ruiz in 2023 made an MLB-leading 6 errors in center field.

Despite his hitting concerns, the Marlins' choice comes after Ruiz has been able to fix his plate discipline, hitting at .304 with 16 home runs and 61 RBIs for the Dodgers and Athletics' AAA affiliates in 2025.

Edited by R. Nikhil Parshy