One week has passed since the Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with Hanser Alberto, but the signing is yet to be made official due to a visa issue preventing the Dominican Republic native from reporting to Spring Training at Camelback Ranch.
Alberto confirmed that as being the issue in response to a tweet on Sunday. Financial terms of his contract have not yet been reported, but it is said to include a team option for the 2023 season.
The 29-year-old has appeared in parts of six Major League seasons since making his debut with the Texas Rangers in 2015. He remained with the Rangers organization until being claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees in November 2018.
Alberto then was claimed by the Baltimore Orioles and appeared in a career-high 139 games during the 2019 season. He hit .305/.329/.422 with 21 doubles, 12 home runs and 54 RBI while primarily playing second and third base that year.
Yessssss https://t.co/Vzdi7q1zlK
— Hanser Alberto (@elpotroalberto) March 20, 2022
Alberto also spent the shortened 2020 season with the Orioles — appearing in 54 of 60 games — but spent last year with the Kansas City Royals. There was some regression at the plate, but Alberto still hit .270/.291/.402 with 20 doubles, two home runs and 24 RBI over 103 games.
Alberto provides the Dodgers with positional flexibility as he’s primarily played second base, third base and shortstop throughout his career. At the plate, he notably has fared well against left-handed pitching, batting .333 with an .815 on-base plus slugging percentage.
Dodgers pursued Harrison before Alonso
Prior to coming to terms with Alonso, the Dodgers reportedly had interest in signing fellow utility infielder Josh Harrison.
However, Harrison first agreed to a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Chicago White Sox. Harrison’s deal includes a team option for 2023 and $1.5 million buyout.
That is a second connect between the Dodgers and White Sox, who signed away Joe Kelly despite mutual interest in his return to Los Angeles.
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