Former Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman/left fielder Alex Guerrero has signed with the Chunichi Dragons of the Japanese Central League, the team announced. Guerrero will wear No. 42 for the Dragons.
After falling off from their days as an organization that regularly signed international free agents, the Los Angeles Dodgers re-entered the market in recent years to mixed results. Among their failed attempts to supplement their roster with international talent was Guerrero.
He signed a four-year, $28 million contract in October 2013, receiving a $10 million signing bonus. There was some thought Guerrero, a middle infielder in his native Cuba, would fill the Dodgers’ void at second base.
Lauded more so for his bat than glove, Guerrero failed to catch on at second. He also never quite found a position or fit in on the Dodgers roster.
A clause in Guerrero’s contract prevented the club from optioning him to the Minors without his consent. And Guerrero never seemed interested in providing it.
The Dodgers ultimately designated him for assignment at the end of May and released Guerrero in June.
Guerrero began the season on the 15-day disabled list after left knee soreness dogged him throughout Spring Training. An MRI revealed ‘minimal damage’ in the troublesome knee, though surgery was not required.
Guerrero participated in extended Spring Training and advanced to a rehab assignment with three affiliates (High-A Rancho Cucamonga, Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City).
But forced to make a decision on Guerrero with the days available on his rehab assignment dwindling, it was then that the Dodgers elected to cut ties. As a result he never played for the Major League club this season.
Guerrero batted .224/.251/.414 with nine doubles, one triple, 11 home runs and 36 RBI over 117 career games with the Dodgers. He slugged his way into the lineup in 2015 but eventually cooled off and saw sporadic playing time.
