The Los Angeles Dodgers made a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays for some help on the offensive side with their acquisition of utility player Cavan Biggio on Wednesday.
The Dodgers saw an opportunity to make a trade for Biggio after he was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Friday. He was batting .200/.323/.291 at the time of the move.
The experience of getting designated was hard for Biggio to explain, but he is taking it in stride and is looking forward to the new opportunity he has been granted with the Dodgers.
“It’s hard to put in words,” Biggio said. “It’s a place where I was drafted in 2016 and played with a lot of guys until a couple days ago. A lot of emotions that I sat and went through. I put myself in a good position and now my next step forward is being here. I’m excited about it.”
Biggio got a firsthand look at this year’s Dodgers squad when the two squared up for a series in Toronto back in April. Now on one of the most talented teams in baseball, he is not taking this second chance for granted and is appreciative that the Dodgers are taking a chance on him.
“To have a team like the Dodgers pick me up after my time in Toronto, where I spent so many years and built so many relationships, and played against this team about a month and a half ago, it’s very special,” Biggio said. “I’m very fortunate and grateful to be here.”
Biggio was drafted in the fifth round by the Blue Jays in 2016 MLB draft and eventually worked his way up to be the organization’s No. 10 overall prospect in 2019.
He started the 2019 season in the Minors with Triple-A Buffalo, but earned a call up after hitting .312/.448/.514 in 43 games with the Bisons.
In 100 games with the Blue Jays, Biggio had a .234 batting average, 71 walks, and 48 RBI. However, he did flash good slugging ability with his 16 home runs and 17 doubles, which translated to a promising .429 slugging percentage overall.
He showcased a good amount of improvement the next season in a limited sample size thanks to the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. His average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage all improved and he reduced his strikeout rate by 5.6%.
His home run rate was down, but was more well-rounded overall, with almost as many doubles in 134 less at-bats.
Unfortunately for him, that upward trajectory hasn’t continued in the four seasons since 2020, but he welcomes a change of scenery.
“I think we’re going to find out, but I’m excited about it,” Biggio said.
He was immediately inserted into the Dodgers’ lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Texas Rangers, going 1-for-3.
Cavan Biggio’s Dodger Stadium experience
Cavan Biggio is the son of MLB Hall of Famer Craig Biggio and benefitted a lot from the experience and knowledge that comes with a father who is a professional athlete.
Cavan had a limited experience with Dodger Stadium and doesn’t remember much outside of Dodger Dogs and Shawn Green.
“I came one time. I don’t think I was allowed on the field, but I remember having a Dodger Dog. That’s pretty much the only thing I remember. And Shawn Green was on the team,” Cavan said.
Craig was a member of the Astros from 1988-2007 and thus had more experience playing against the Dodgers than he otherwise would have after the league realignment that sent the Astros to the American League in 2013.
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