The Dodgers are going to decline their club option on utility player Hanser Alberto, per Juan Toribio of MLB.com. They will pay him a $250K buyout instead of a $2MM salary, with Alberto becoming a free agent.
Alberto, 30, has bounced around the league in his career, spending time with the Rangers, Orioles and Royals before signing with the Dodgers for 2022. He’s never been a huge threat at the plate, with his 12 home runs in the “juiced ball” season of 2019 marking a career high. However, he doesn’t strike out much, with a career rate of 12.2%, well below this year’s 22.4% league average. He also adds some defensive versatility, having spent some time at all four infield positions and the outfield corners.
The Dodgers have long been big fans of versatility and signed Alberto for a $1.6MM guarantee for 2022, which came in the form of a $1.35MM base and $250K buyout on the 2023 option. If Alberto had taken a step forward, he could have been a bargain at that price, but he largely produced more of the same. He hit .244/.258/.365 in Los Angeles for a wRC+ of 73, with his most notable contribution to the club arguably being that he stepped into a role as the designated mop-up pitcher. He eventually logged 11 innings in various blowout games, putting up a tidy 4.09 ERA in that time. He’ll now return to the open market in search of his next gig.
We all know why.
Hopefully they bring him into camp on a minor league deal with an invite to spring training
McDusty
They would happy to get him on a minor league deal, but if Vargas and Busch both make roster there is no room for Alberto
I don’t see either making the roster. Best thing for both is to start 2023 in the minors. Why sit these guys in the bench when they can be playing everyday in the minors. Vargas is closer than Busch but I think 2024 is more realistic, with Vargas potentially making a contribution if called up to fill in for an injury.
I liked his attitude and enjoyed the energy that he brings to the club house. As a fan he will be missed.
At some point, though, the negative value of on-field production has to win the day and that’s what happened here
Yeah, Hanser is a consummate cheerleader and a good clubhouse presence, but you gotta get more production from that roster spot, and LAD can find better at a similar price on the open/trade market.
too bad, he can’t hit.
He pitched ok though
He had better pitching stats than Kimbrel
The human bobble head. I’m sure he’ll be missed as much in the clubhouse as he will be by the fans.
His plate performance wasn’t at all terrible for a utility infielder. Probably the main reason his option was declined is the Dodgers have other ideas about how to address that need.
No, 40-man roster spots are more valuable for upcoming Rule 5 draft. Can’t afford to have fringe guys like Duffy, Alberto, Nelson, etc. on the 40-man when they are easily replaceable. Starting this year the Dodgers will need to protect guys like Pages, Busch and Cartaya.
What are you “disagreeing” with now? It’s getting harder and harder to tell.
Brewers love a utility guy on the cheap. Could see that being a home for him.