The Los Angeles Dodgers have spent the majority of the offseason tinkering with the fringes of their roster, while prioritizing remaining under the luxury tax threshold for the 2018 season.
Among some intriguing Minor League additions the club has added thus far include ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte, right-hander Zach Neal and utility man Jake Peter in a three-team trade from the Chicago White Sox.
According to the Manitoba Post, the Dodgers have further added to the depth within the organization in the form of former Chicago Cubs draft pick Wes Darvill:
On Wednesday, Darvill’s Goldeyes contract was purchased by the National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers. He will report to the Dodgers’ spring training complex in Glendale, Ariz., next month where he is expected to compete for a roster spot at the Double-A level.
Darvill, now 26-years-old, is a lifetime .234/.307/.308 hitters across seven Minor League seasons with the Cubs. He was drafted by the club in 2009 and appeared in 555 games before his release from the organization following the 2015 season.
Darvill would soon latch on with the independent-level Winnipeg Goldeneyes, where he has since revitalized his career and garnered the attention of Major League teams.
Last season for the Goldeneyes, Darvill hit .309 with 19 doubles, four home runs, 49 RBI and 53 runs scored. He added 30 stolen bases with his speed and was additionally named to the American Association 2017 All-Star Game as the starting third baseman.
At the very least, Darvill adds valuable competition to what should be an excellent Double-A Tulsa team. The Drillers posted a 77-63 record in the Texas League last season — good for a first-place tie in their division.
