The Dodgers have acquired infielder Pat Valaika from the Mariners, per Alex Freedman, broadcaster for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers. It’s unknown what the Mariners are getting in return but it’s possible it’s just a cash deal.
Valaika, 30, signed a minor league deal with the Mariners in April and has been in Triple-A this year. In 38 games at that level, he’s walked in 13.3% of his 143 plate appearances. However, he’s hit only four home runs in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, so his .240/.343/.405 slash line amounts to a wRC+ of just 77.
He hasn’t appeared in the big leagues since 2021 but has 374 games of major league experience with the Rockies and Orioles dating back to 2016. He hit .221/.264/.378 in those contests for a wRC+ of just 62, striking out in 27.2% of his trips to the plate and walking in 5.4% of them. He was able to provide defensive versatility though, having played all four infield positions, the outfield corners and even taking the mound for mop-up duty twice.
The Dodgers have been without infielder Gavin Lux all year after he tore the ACL in his right knee during Spring Training. More recently, utility player Chris Taylor landed on the injured list due to a bone bruise in his knee. That has pushed outfielder Mookie Betts into spending more time in the middle infield of late. Glove-first shortstop Miguel Rojas is still in the lineup pretty regularly but he’s hitting just .236/.276/.291 for a wRC+ of 56, below his own standards. Meanwhile, Miguel Vargas is hitting just .197/.301/.369 for an 85 wRC+ and Yonny Hernández is at .222/.273/.333, 62 wRC+.
It’s not the most inspiring part of the Dodgers’ roster and they have decided to add some depth by bringing aboard a veteran in Valaika. He’ll head to Oklahoma City and try to work his way back to the big leagues. If he succeeds, he still has an option year and could be sent back down without being exposed to waivers.
Yonny Hernandez, Part II.
Someone needed to replace Jahmai Jones.
Plus, this guy runs funny so there is that.
Horrible swap for LAD. Like Friedman is using the Costanza method for final decision making.
Its a tough market. At this point its clear what is needed on the team, so unless you give away more talent then you want its tough.
Kinda surprised they didn’t sign Niko Goodrum instead.
Valaika has so.e skills he is just a tweener, but can help
The Dodgers should make the Cardinals an offer for Paul DeJong.
Dejong for Bobby miller and Barnes
Would be better off going for Adames for Miller, Lux and Pepiot instead.
Versatile player who I saw a few years back with the Orioles. Don’t see him helping us
This is a very Dodgers 2023 move. They’ve bypassed the bottom of the barrel and are catching night crawlers under the barrel.
Patty Barrels. Good to see him maybe get another shot. Even if it is with that team.
So what are we doing? Nothing said about Wong, nothing said about Valaika either.. They must be embarrassed in telling us about this since this is about money.
Happy we got something for a guy who’ll never play in the bigs with Seattle.
No way Pat Valaika is 30, he’s been around forever