Marlins acquire infielder Emmanuel Rivera

The Marlins announced Tuesday afternoon that they have acquired infielder Emmanuel Rivera from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for cash considerations. To make room on the 40-man roster, infield prospect Jacob Amaya was designated for assignment.

Rivera hit .261 in 257 at-bats over 86 games for the Diamondbacks last season. Across parts of three MLB seasons with the Diamondbacks and Kansas City Royals, he has slashed .247/.304/.380 with 17 home runs and four stolen bases. He was squeezed off of the Diamondbacks roster ahead of 2024 Opening Day and had been in DFA limbo prior to this trade.

Rivera primarily plays third base and is expected to fill in at third for the Marlins when Jake Burger gets starts at first base or DH. Jon Berti was slated for that job, but he was traded to the New York Yankees last week. Rivera has accrued plus-nine defensive runs saved in 1,394 career innings at the hot corner.

Manager Skip Schumaker said of where Rivera would fit in: "I anticipate him being a utility infielder. He's been on the left side of the infield a lot. He has played first base. Every time we faced him he killed us, especially against lefties. So I anticipate him being one of those options."

A native of Puerto Rico, Rivera has played in five consecutive Caribbean Series tournaments and was the starting third baseman for Puerto Rico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. 

Amaya, 25, had been assigned to Triple-A Jacksonville. The middle infielder was entering his second season in the Marlins organization after coming over from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2023 Miguel Rojas trade. He played four big league games for Miami last year.

It is unclear when and where Rivera is going to join the team and who would be sent down from the active roster to make room for him. Jonah Bride appears to be the most likely corresponding move as he still has minor league options, while Vidal Bruján does not.