It took 17 years, but Franklin Gutierrez appears poised to make his Los Angeles Dodgers debut in 2017. The Venezuelan outfielder reportedly agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Dodgers, who originally signed Gutierrez as an amateur free agent in 2000.
Considered one of the organization’s top prospects at the time, Gutierrez was included in the April 2004 trade with the Cleveland Indians that sent Milton Bradley to Los Angeles. Gutierrez made his MLB debut in 2005 and spent five years with the Indians organization before being included in a three-team, 12-player trade between Cleveland, the Seattle Mariners and New York Mets in 2008.
The following year, Gutierrez produced a 6.6 bWAR, thanks in large part to outstanding defense in center field. However, he’s struggled to remain in the lineup since 2010, including missing the entire 2014 season after being diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis.
Gutierrez returned to the field in 2015 a different player, having his best offensive season by far. He hit .292/.354/.620 with 15 home runs in just 59 games. Last season, he batted .246/.329/.452 with 14 home runs in 98 games.
It appears that Gutierrez’s days as a defensive wizard are long gone. His Defensive Runs Saved peaked in 2009 at 32 and he hasn’t produced a DRS of 10 since. The 33-year-old also hasn’t played center field since 2013.
What’s more, Gutierrez struggled with the glove in right field for the Mariners last season, and will likely be relegated to left. Although Gutierrez has experienced a drop off defensively, he’s managed to produce at the plate, particularly against left-handed pitching.
Gutierrez has a career 129 wRC+ against southpaws, which should bode well for the Dodgers. They ranked last against left-handed pitchers in several offensive categories last season.
For a team that seemingly has too many outfielders, specifically a glut of lefty-mashers, on paper at least, the reported signing of Gutierrez seems odd. That is, of course, if everyone’s healthy.
With Trayce Thompson and Scott Van Slyke coming back from significant injuries, the expected addition of Gutierrez suggests that the Dodgers may not be fully confident in Thompson and Van Slyke both being in position to contribute at the outset of the season.
Thus, Gutierrez should provide quality depth in left field behind Andrew Toles and Andre Ethier.
