The Los Angeles Dodgers officially announced the signing of Alex Wood to a one-year contract. His deal is worth a reported $4 million and includes incentives that can take its total value to $10 million.
It’s a contract similar to what Rich Hill signed with the Minnesota Twins. Many presumed a reunion between Hill and the Dodgers was likely. Instead, he, like Hyun-Jin Ryu, are moving on from the organization and in their place is the return of Wood.
In December 2018 he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, along with Kyle Farmer, Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig in exchange for Homer Bailey, Jeter Downs and Josiah Gray as part of a salary-motivated deal. The Dodgers immediately released Bailey upon completing the trade.
Wood was hampered by back injuries most of last season, which delayed his debut until late July and limited him to just seven starts. The left-hander went 1-3 with a 5.80 ERA and 1.40 WHIP with 30 strikeouts against nine walks over 35.2 innings pitched.
Prior to getting traded to the Reds, Wood went a combined 31-20 with a 3.46 ERA, 3,50 FIP and 1.71 WHIP in four seasons with the Dodgers. He enjoyed a career year in 2017, going 16-3 with a 2.72 ERA and earning his first career All-Star Game selection.
Aside from 2015, when the Dodgers acquired Wood from the Atlanta Braves at the trade deadline, he made relief appearances each year with L.A. That may hold true again this season, but the 29-year-old first will receive an opportunity to compete for a spot in the starting rotation.
Wood figures to spend Spring Training competing with the likes of Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, Jimmy Nelson and Ross Stripling for the fifth spot in the Opening Day rotation. Wood’s versatility should been a boon for a staff that may boast depth but also lacks experience.
Casey Sadler was designated for assignment to clear room for Wood on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster, which remains full.
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