The Dodgers have claimed infielder CJ Alexander off waivers from the Yankees, according to an announcement from the latter club. The Yanks designated him for assignment earlier this week. To open a 40-man spot for Alexander, the Dodgers have designated outfielder Steward Berroa for assignment, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.
Alexander, 28, has limited big league experience. Between the Royals and Athletics, he has appeared in 10 big league games and stepped to the plate 25 times with a .160/.160/.160 line, produced with four singles and no walks.
His minor league track record is naturally greater in both quantity and quality. Last year, he slashed .302/.361/.559 in 411 Triple-A plate appearances, split between the Royals’ and Athletics’ systems. That production translated to a wRC+ of 130.
This year, his offense has dipped a bit. He started the year with Triple-A Las Vegas and hit .252/.348/.509 in 42 games, but that actually led to a wRC+ of 98 in the inflated offensive environment of the Pacific Coast League. The A’s put him on waivers at the beginning of June and the Yankees claimed him. In 13 games for the RailRiders, he had a .196/.302/.196 line, which pushed him to the waiver wire yet again.
The Dodgers presumably feel there’s a path to getting him back closer to his 2024 form, or perhaps just somewhere in between last year’s production and this year’s. He has a bit of defensive versatility, capable of playing the four corner spots.
Third baseman Max Muncy appeared to injure himself last night and may end up on the injured list. That could push Hyeseong Kim into a more regular role. The Dodgers came into today with four position players on optional assignment: catcher Hunter Feduccia and outfielders Esteury Ruiz, James Outman and Berroa. Jon Heyman of The New York Post reported earlier today that Ruiz would be joining the team, presumably to take Muncy’s roster spot. Grabbing Alexander gives the Dodgers an optionable infielder who could be called upon if their infield group takes another hit.
Berroa, 26, was acquired from the Blue Jays in a cash deal in May. He has since put up a huge .330/.424/.433 slash line in 27 Triple-A games, though aided by a .403 batting average on balls in play in that sample, stealing 11 bases along the way.
Dating back to the start of 2023, he has a combined .268/.367/.401 line and 110 wRC+ in 955 minor league plate appearances. He has also stolen 101 bases in that time while playing all three outfield spots. He made his major league debut with the Jays last year, hitting .189/.333/.216 in 45 plate appearances.
He now heads into DFA limbo, which can last as long as a week. The waiver process takes 48 hours, so the Dodgers could take as long as five days to explore trade talks. The last time Berroa was in DFA limbo, the Dodgers gave up some cash to skip the waiver line. He has been in good form since then, so it seems like he has a decent chance of getting scooped up in the coming days.
Photo courtesy of Neville E. Guard, Imagn Images
ZZZZZzzzz
His fourth team in under a year. Something tells me he isn’t going to stick in LA either.
Is he the replacement for Muncy?
You can literally read that answer above i. the article.
It wasn’t there when I posted the question.
His knee is and then he can collect disability for the rest of his life.
Dodgers have Chavis, Bote, Freeland, Senzel, Hoese, all can be called up.
Bote retired.
Over claiming a .160 career hitter from the Yankees?
If Muncy does go on the I.L., I’d like to see what Alex Freeland can do at 3rd.
Dodgers – call up Ryan Ward or trade him – leading AAA in HRs for second straight year and OPS of .954. and and not like his K% is awful or anything – at an acceptable 24%. Plays outfield too so I don’t get why they are sticking with Estuary Ruiz. – seems like a good contact hitter but no slug to speak of
If someone really wanted Ward, all they’d have to do is offer cash.
If anything, he can’t be worse than Conforto!
Ruiz plays good outfield defense, which is what the Dodgers are lacking and he therefore better fits the big league clubs needs than Ward.
Can that guy be trusted. He has 4 first names.
Charles Joseph Wesley Alexander
Muncy out now for probably 6 weeks
If the dodgers work fast enough fixing his swing, they can trade him for a pitcher at the deadline. 😉