Along with extending qualifying offers to Kenley Jansen and Justin Turner, the Los Angeles Dodgers tendered contracts to six players who are eligible for salary arbitration this winter.
The day prior to the deadline to make such a decision, the Dodgers agreed to one-year contracts with Chris Hatcher and Scott Van Slyke, to avoid arbitration with both. In addition, Charlie Culberson, was re-signed to a one-year deal, despite not yet being eligible for the salary determining process.
While Culberson returned to the organization, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A Oklahoma City, according to J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group:
The #Dodgers outrighted Charlie Culberson to AAA. Their 40-man roster is at 39.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) December 9, 2016
Not that it necessarily equates to a forthcoming move, but the Dodgers now have one available spot on their 40-man roster by removing Culberson. That of course could easily go to Jansen or Turner, if either of the two is re-signed.
While the Dodgers may be the favorite to ink Turner, it’s believed Jansen has narrowed his decision to the Miami Marlins or Washington Nationals.
Culberson appeared in 70 games with OKC and hit .260/.310/.385 with 17 doubles and 33 RBI. He joined the Dodgers in late-August and remained with the team through the remainder of the regular season.
Primarily facing left-handed pitching, the 27-year-old batted .299/.309/.388 with three doubles, one home run and seven RBI in 68 plate appearances over 34 games with the Dodgers. Culberson played shortstop (11 games; eight starts), second base (10; nine), third base (four; two) and left field (two games).
