The Dodgers have signed right-hander Yency Almonte to a minor league deal, The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya reports (via Twitter). Almonte will get an invite to the Dodgers’ big league spring camp, and he’ll receive a $1.5MM salary if he makes the active roster.
Almonte’s entire big league career has been spent in the NL West, as he posted a 5.30 ERA over 124 relief innings with the Rockies from 2018-21. Not a big strikeout pitcher at either the MLB or minor league level, Almonte has looked effective when he has been able to avoid the home run ball, as evidenced by his solid numbers over 42 2/3 IP in 2018 and 2020 when he allowed three total homers. When Almonte hasn’t been able to maintain an above-average grounder rate, problems have ensued — in 81 2/3 innings over the 2019 and 2021 seasons, Almonte was tagged for 16 big flies.
As one might expect, pitching at Coors Field hasn’t helped Almonte in keeping the ball in the park, so a move to a more pitcher-friendly venue might lead to more consistency. The Dodgers have had a first-hand look at Almonte over his four years in Colorado and will now see what the 27-year-old can do with a change of scenery in the Los Angeles camp. The $1.5MM salary isn’t much of a financial risk for the Dodgers to take, as the club will likely happily pay that price if it means Almonte has earned him a crack at a Major League roster spot.
Interesting high upside pick. He was one of the guys I thought they should sign this year.
A really nice move
He looked like he was turning into a viable setup man in 2020. Then last season he looked like he belonged in AAA. Worth a shot to see which pitcher shows up in 2022.