The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Kolten Wong to a Minor League contract and for the time being assigned him to their Arizona Complex League team at Camelback Ranch. Wong presumably will report to Triple-A Oklahoma City in the near future.
The veteran infielder became a free agent upon clearing waivers after getting designated for assignment by the Seattle Mariners at the trade deadline. It marked the end of a disappointing first season with Seattle.
Wong signed a two-year, $18 million contract with the Brewers in February 2021. The deal also included a $10 million team option for 2023, which the Brewers exercised last November.
That came after Wong batted a combined .262/.337/.439 with 56 doubles, six triples, 29 home runs, 97 RBI and 29 stolen bases over 250 games through two seasons with the Brewers.
Although Milwaukee picked up Wong’s team option for this year, he was traded in December to the Mariners for Jesse Winker and Abraham Toro.
Seattle envisioned Wong providing some stability at second base, despite coming off a down year defensively. Wong eliminated some of his recent trouble with errors but still graded out as league average or below in several defensive metrics.
That was coupled with only batting .165/.241/.227 with six doubles, two home runs and 19 RBI over 67 games for the Mariners this season.
The 32-year-old figures to provide organizational depth, much like Kole Calhoun did prior to being traded to the Cleveland Guardians for cash considerations.
Meanwhile, the likes of Matt Andriese, Ken Giles, Mike Montgomery, Jake Reed and Wander Suero remain on the Oklahoma City Dodgers roster.
Dodgers interest in Kolten Wong
As the Dodgers were exploring various scenarios this past offseason, one reportedly entailed a Wong trade along with signing one of the top free-agent shortstops and moving Gavin Lux to third base.
But Wong was ultimately traded to the Mariners, and the Dodgers planned on having Lux as their everyday shortstop before he suffered a season-ending torn ACL and LCL in his right knee during Spring Training.
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