The Dodgers and utilityman Elian Herrera have agreed to a contract, as revealed by Herrera himself via his Twitter account. It’s a minor league deal and Herrera will be invited to the Dodgers’ big league Spring Training camp, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles News Group reports.
Herrera, who turns 31 in February, is back with the club that originally signed him as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2003. He spent his first two MLB seasons with L.A. before being claimed off waivers by Milwaukee following the 2013 campaign. Though Herrera is still a season away from arbitration eligibility, he was non-tendered by the Brewers earlier this month in a move to create roster space.
Over four seasons and 639 plate appearances in the bigs, Herrera has a .253/.306/.360 slash line and eight career homers. Seven of those home runs came last year as Herrera received some significant playing time (277 PA in 83 games) with the Brewers and he posted a .684 OPS. The switch-hitter has generally even career splits from both sides of the plate, though he performed significantly better against righties than lefties in 2015. Herrera also delivered a big .904 OPS in 233 for the Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate last year and has put up solid hitting numbers over 3050 minor league PA.
Herrera’s calling card has been his versatility, as he’s made at least 10 starts at second, third, short and all three outfield spots in his Major League career. Most of his playing time has come at second and third, so Herrera could join Micah Johnson as depth behind Chase Utley, or he could be an insurance policy if Justin Turner isn’t fully recovered from knee surgery.
Wow! This front office is spoiling us…first the Chase Utley signing now this. WS here we come
I thought the same thing!
Breaking News LAD have signed someone, congratulations.
Oh just you wait
We’re waiting… We’ve been waiting since ’88… And we’ll probably continue to wait for another 28 years. Enjoy mediocrity!
Yawn ok….
But in my opinion the best LAD can do is Maeda or Kennedy for the rotation. I don’t think they will go for an outfielder that you might be waiting for alla Upton, Cespedes, Gordon or even Davis. Nor I think they will get Fernandez from MIA because sending Seager or Thompson for a guy coming of Tommy John and keeping fingers crossed would be ludicrous.
LAD welcome to Third Place!
Stupid additions to this point. The Dodgers have Alex Guerrero and several others, being paid to “wait in the wings”……some for a fair amount of money…..and they keep signing utility players…..??????? Something is definitely wrong with the FO…….
Does your vast amount of front office experience that.
Alex Guerrero is only considered a “utility player”, because there is not one position he plays adequately.
Besides, as mentioned in another post – this is a Minor League deal. He’s going to be playing at OKC. Relax.
Awe… Come on. You mean that spending money and still losing is better than not spending and losing?
You just wait
It’s a MINOR League contract. C’mon people, show some perspective.
If it wasn’t for the failures on actually significant trades and signings the sarcasm might be called hasty.
Every team makes Minor League signings. They are nothing to throw online hissy fits over or bash a team for. Everyone should know that MLBTR reports EVERYTHING anyway.
Yes of course, but most teams also make Major League signings. That is if they are planning on being competitive. Again nobody would offering up sarcastic comments on the Herrera signing if the Dodgers had succeeded in making any of the important moves.
Granted, as of today the Dodgers have scored a big zero in the off-season. However, no division, league or WS title has ever been won in December. I know it’s hard but Dodger fans need to be patient.