BREAKING NEWS: Mets top prospect surprisingly DFA’d after huge deal

Former Mets top prospect Amed Rosario was designated for assignment on Monday.

The Dodgers acquired Rosario from the Tampa Bay Rays at the trade deadline to bolster their infield/outfield depth. In return, they only had to part with 28-year-old minor league reliever Michael Flynn.

Rosario, 28, had limited opportunities in his second stint with the Dodgers, receiving just 12 plate appearances. Before joining the Rays on a one-year contract this offseason, he had spent the latter half of the 2023 season with the Dodgers following a trade deadline acquisition. Over 287 plate appearances split between the Rays and Dodgers, he posted a .305/.331/.415 slash line, which was roughly 14% above league average.

Despite his offensive contributions, the Dodgers deemed Rosario expendable. While he has been criticized for his defense throughout his career, his bat remains a strong asset, particularly against left-handed pitching, where he has hit .327/.355/.462 in 2024.

Rosario was with the Mets from 2017 to 2020. He was voted to the MLB All-Star Futures Game in 2016 after quickly advancing through the Mets’ farm system. The Mets had invested their largest international signing bonus ($1.75 million) in Rosario in 2012, and by 2017, he was recognized as their top prospect.

In 2021, the Mets traded Rosario to the Cleveland Guardians as part of the Francisco Lindor deal, and he remained with Cleveland until 2023. However, Rosario struggled in various aspects during his time with the Mets and never fully reached the potential expected of a top prospect.