When free agency initially began the morning after the 2021 World Series concluded, the Los Angeles Dodgers had 11 players reach the open market, with Steven Souza Jr. among the organization’s depth to no longer be under contract.
In addition to Souza, the group of Dodgers free agents comprised of Danny Duffy, Cole Hamels, Kenley Jansen, Clayton Kershaw, Corey Knebel, Jimmy Nelson, Albert Pujols, Max Scherzer, Corey Seager and Chris Taylor.
Joe Kelly soon after joined them, as the Dodgers paid a $4 million buyout rather than exercise a $12 million team option for the 2022 season. Kelly has since gone on to sign a two-year contract with the Chicago White Sox.
Prior to that, Seager signed a 10-year, $325 million contract with the Texas Rangers; Scherzer joined the New York Mets on a three-year, $130 million deal; and Knebel signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for one year.
Souza has now left the Dodgers organization as well, signing a Minor League contract with the Seattle Mariners, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
Free-agent outfielder Steven Souza in agreement with Mariners, source tells @TheAthletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 13, 2022
Souza signed a Minor League contract with the Dodgers after being released by the Houston Astros at the end of Spring Training last year. The veteran outfielder remained with Triple-A Oklahoma City until getting called up in the middle of June.
He had hit .279/.444/.603 with four doubles, six home runs and 16 RBI over 22 games for OKC prior to that point. Half of Souza’s homers and seven RBI came in a single game on May 30.
Souza remained with the Dodgers until getting designated for assignment on July 6 as a corresponding move to Jake Reed being added to the active roster. Souza hit just .160/.250/.360 with a home run and two RBI in 13 games for L.A.
Souza rejoined Dodgers for postseason
The 32-year-old was DFA’d for a second time last September, but again cleared waivers and remained with the organization. Despite struggling, Souza wound up being part of the Dodgers’ postseason rosters for the Wild Card Series, National League Division Series and NL Championship Series.
He went 1-for-8 with one walk and four strikeouts in 10 appearances off the bench during the playoffs.
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