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Dodgers acquire Alek Thomas, assume $1.45 M contract

5/12/2026

Summary

Dodgers Acquire Thomas

On May 12, 2026, the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired outfielder Alek Thomas from the Arizona Diamondbacks, assuming his $1.45 million contract.
Arizona designated Thomas for assignment the week before to open a roster spot for prospect Ryan Waldschmidt and received 17-year-old Venezuelan right-handed prospect Jose Requena.
Thomas hit .181 with a .222 OBP, two homers and 10 RBIs in 28 games.
The Dodgers will use Thomas as an outfielder.

Summary

Dodgers Trade Thomas

The Dodgers completed their third intradivision trade with the Diamondbacks in the Andrew Friedman era, the first since 2022.
Alek Thomas is arbitration-eligible through 2028, giving the Dodgers salary control beyond the $1.4 million they assume.
Jose Requena, a 17-year-old Venezuelan signed in January 2026, has not yet played professionally.
Michael Siani was designated for assignment again after being claimed off waivers twice this offseason, illustrating the Dodgers’ aggressive waiver strategy.

History

Historical Context

When Frank McCourt bought the Dodgers in 2004, new GM Paul DePodesta launched a flurry of intra-division deals, notably trading catcher Paul Lo Duca for pitcher Brad Penny, Hee-Seop Choi and Bill Murphy. The strategy proved profitable as the 2004 club captured the NL West with a 93-69 record and set a template the 2026 Dodgers-Diamondbacks swap of outfielder Alek Thomas for prospect Jose Requena continues.

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Dodgers Acquire Thomas

On May 12, 2026, the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired outfielder Alek Thomas from the Arizona Diamondbacks, assuming his $1.45 million contract.
Arizona designated Thomas for assignment the week before to open a roster spot for prospect Ryan Waldschmidt and received 17-year-old Venezuelan right-handed prospect Jose Requena.
Thomas hit .181 with a .222 OBP, two homers and 10 RBIs in 28 games.
The Dodgers will use Thomas as an outfielder.

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