Add Angel Berroa to the list of names that have moved elsewhere, as he agreed to a Minor League deal with the New York Yankees. He'll look to make the big club as a backup infielder, because I'm guessing he won't displace that Jeter guy at short...
I'm a little surprised the Dodgers didn't try to resign him. Well, maybe they did, I guess I have no idea. I can't blame them for not picking up his $5.5 million option for this year to basically be a backup. That's way too much money. But, I thought with a glove like his and some experience, they may look to retain him. Guess not.
With the signing of Mark Loretta earlier this winter, that probably meant that Berroa was never seriously considered to be brought back.
Showing posts with label Berroa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Berroa. Show all posts
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Berroa's option declined
The Dodgers have declined to exercise the $5.5 million option for Angel Berroa, choosing instead to buy him out at $500,000. Well, it's the Kansas City Royals who end up paying, his former team. For some reason, the Dodgers have the uncanny ability to trade for players without paying a penny of their contracts. Go figure.
He still belongs to the Dodgers, as he is salary arbitration eligible. Or, he could be non-tendered in December, then re-signed. The minimum he could be signed for is $2.85 million.
When he first came to the Dodgers, I thought he was the worst player on Earth. That's pretty much because he played like the worst player on Earth. But I'll give him plenty of credit - he was a key component of their turnaround in September by taking over full-time duties at shortstop. His hitting improved to be a good threat at the bottom of the order, and his defense was solid.
I think the key for him as far as rejoining the Dodgers is Rafael Furcal. If Raffy is back, he may seek out other teams to see if he can be a starter, and I wouldn't blame him. If there's no interest, I think he should be brought back more as an insurance policy and defensive replacement. There's definitely value to him.
He still belongs to the Dodgers, as he is salary arbitration eligible. Or, he could be non-tendered in December, then re-signed. The minimum he could be signed for is $2.85 million.
When he first came to the Dodgers, I thought he was the worst player on Earth. That's pretty much because he played like the worst player on Earth. But I'll give him plenty of credit - he was a key component of their turnaround in September by taking over full-time duties at shortstop. His hitting improved to be a good threat at the bottom of the order, and his defense was solid.
I think the key for him as far as rejoining the Dodgers is Rafael Furcal. If Raffy is back, he may seek out other teams to see if he can be a starter, and I wouldn't blame him. If there's no interest, I think he should be brought back more as an insurance policy and defensive replacement. There's definitely value to him.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Ken Rosenthal tidbits
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has an article up looking at various happenings around baseball. Here's some of the Dodger-related notes:
* Team officials are growing tired of the young players not making smart decisions during close game situations. Most notably, Matt Kemp has been described as great one second, and clueless the next. Even Russell Martin has been accused of "flattening out." Blake DeWitt, on the other hand, has been praised for his smarts.
The question remains on how to handle such a large group of young players. Does management just let them play it out and learn? Does someone get sent down to the minors to send a message? Either way, the return of Rafael Furcal will help, and even Andruw Jones, who is another strong veteran presence.
* The team has 3 choices with Brad Penny: 1) Exercise his $8.75 million option for 2009. 2) Buy him out for $2 million at the end of the year. 3) Trade him before the July 31 deadline.
* Derek Lowe will be a free agent after this year, but a return to Boston does not appear imminent. He could play for either New York team, who will have plenty of openings in their rotations. His sinker could be a perfect fit for Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Or, being a native of Dearborn, Michigan, the Tigers are an option.
* Dodgers' bench coach Bob Schaefer is very happy to be coaching Angel Berroa again. Berroa was described as being totally devastated to get sent to Double-A a year after winning the AL Rookie of the Year. But, a scout describes his recent play as flat and uninspired. His best bet would be to stay on as a utility man once Furcal is back.
* Team officials are growing tired of the young players not making smart decisions during close game situations. Most notably, Matt Kemp has been described as great one second, and clueless the next. Even Russell Martin has been accused of "flattening out." Blake DeWitt, on the other hand, has been praised for his smarts.
The question remains on how to handle such a large group of young players. Does management just let them play it out and learn? Does someone get sent down to the minors to send a message? Either way, the return of Rafael Furcal will help, and even Andruw Jones, who is another strong veteran presence.
* The team has 3 choices with Brad Penny: 1) Exercise his $8.75 million option for 2009. 2) Buy him out for $2 million at the end of the year. 3) Trade him before the July 31 deadline.
* Derek Lowe will be a free agent after this year, but a return to Boston does not appear imminent. He could play for either New York team, who will have plenty of openings in their rotations. His sinker could be a perfect fit for Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Or, being a native of Dearborn, Michigan, the Tigers are an option.
* Dodgers' bench coach Bob Schaefer is very happy to be coaching Angel Berroa again. Berroa was described as being totally devastated to get sent to Double-A a year after winning the AL Rookie of the Year. But, a scout describes his recent play as flat and uninspired. His best bet would be to stay on as a utility man once Furcal is back.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Angel Berroa acquired by Dodgers
The Dodgers made good on their promise to add infield depth by trading for Angel Berroa of the Kansas City Royals for Single-A shortstop Juan Rivera. He was once upon a time the 2003 American League Rookie of the Year, so his career has pretty much sputtered since then.
Barroa was spending the season in Triple-A Omaha, hitting .291 with 10 HR and 27 RBI. Man, those numbers would earn him an All-Star berth with the Dodgers! The $3.5 million left on his deal will be picked up by the Dodgers, who would rather pay the money than trade away a prospect. It's probably the right thing to do.
The arrival for Berroa most likely means the demotion of Chin-lung Hu. Hu's glove is really good, but his hitting is atrocious. He's hitting a meager .165 with 7 RBI in 103 AB's. With the offense pretty much on life support as it is, even his sharp glove is not enough to keep him up. I still think he's one of the top prospects they have, so maybe he can get caught up offensively to be a threat in the future. Imagine Furcal at SS and Hu at 2B for next year. That's a great defensive combo.
Berroa is expected to receive the call up for Saturday's game against the Chicago Cubs.
Barroa was spending the season in Triple-A Omaha, hitting .291 with 10 HR and 27 RBI. Man, those numbers would earn him an All-Star berth with the Dodgers! The $3.5 million left on his deal will be picked up by the Dodgers, who would rather pay the money than trade away a prospect. It's probably the right thing to do.
The arrival for Berroa most likely means the demotion of Chin-lung Hu. Hu's glove is really good, but his hitting is atrocious. He's hitting a meager .165 with 7 RBI in 103 AB's. With the offense pretty much on life support as it is, even his sharp glove is not enough to keep him up. I still think he's one of the top prospects they have, so maybe he can get caught up offensively to be a threat in the future. Imagine Furcal at SS and Hu at 2B for next year. That's a great defensive combo.
Berroa is expected to receive the call up for Saturday's game against the Chicago Cubs.
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