Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has openly identified adding a right-handed bat to the group of position players and addressing the bullpen as areas of importance this offseason, which manager Dave Roberts echoed.
“If you look at our roster, we lost some leverage guys to free agency, so to kind of backfill would be great,” Roberts said Thursday. “And getting a right-handed bat. I love our lineup, I love the mix of players. So I think the right-handed bat and leverage reliever is probably on our wish list.”
To this point the Dodgers both literally and figuratively have primarily focused on minor deals. The exception being trading for Corey Knebel at the non-tender deadline early this month.
According to J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group, the Dodgers have now signed former L.A. Angels infielder Elliot Soto to a Minor League contract that includes a non-roster invitation to Spring Training:
The Dodgers have signed free agent infielder Elliot Soto, per his agent, Marc Kligman. It's a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) December 18, 2020
Soto becomes the latest in a flurry of Minor League deals doled out by the Dodgers to the likes of Carlos Asuaje, Brandon Morrow, Jimmy Nelson, James Pazos and Brock Stewart. Tim Federowicz also announced his return to the organization on such a contract.
The Minnesota Twins originally selected Soto in the 13th round of the 2007 MLB Draft, but he elected to attend Creighton University. Soto was then picked by the Chicago Cubs in the 15th round of the 2010 Draft.
The 31-year-old had spent his entire career in the Minors until making his MLB debut this year, coincidentally against the Dodgers. Soto appeared in three games (two starts) at Dodger Stadium, going a combined 2-for-6 with two runs scored, a double and one walk.
Soto played second base and shortstop during his brief time up with the Angels this past season, and throughout his Minor League career has also mixed in some third base.
Roberts hopeful Justin Turner re-signs with Dodgers
As the Dodgers look for a right-handed batter this offseason, one conceivable solution is re-signing Justin Turner.
“I think what Justin does on the field, in the clubhouse, in the community, he’s one of the Dodger greats. He really is,” Roberts said. “It’s been six years he’s been with the Dodgers, and he’s in that elite company. His body of work is really special and unique.
“But it’s a two-way deal here: it’s the Dodgers and Justin and his family. For me, selfishly, I’ll take him for as long as I can have him.”
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