Los Angeles Dodgers sign four minor league players
By David Miniel
The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to reach the National League Championship Series for the second straight year after falling short against the St. Louis Cardinals in last year’s entertaining series.
At one point during the regular season, this team was one of the hottest squads in baseball. They were able to outlast the Arizona Diamondbacks on the NL West to win the division and even celebrated in the outfield pool in Chase Field. They got a lot of heat from Diamondbacks fans after that little stunt.
But they just won the division and were excited, so you can’t really blame them for celebrating that way. Now the team was able to lock up 2013 Cy Young winning Clayton Kershaw long-term and should be working on Hanley Ramirez soon.
This team made a few key additions including second baseman Alexander Guerrero. Now according to Matt Eddy on Twitter, the Los Angeles Dodgers were able to come to an agreement with four minor league players. Only a couple of them are likely to receive invitations to Spring Training.
#Dodgers sign four to minor league deals: OF Trayvon Robinson (original L.A. draft pick), 2B Ryan Adams, C Miguel Olivo and RHP Mark Pope.
— Matt Eddy (@MattEddyBA) January 24, 2014
Ryan Adams is a second baseman who didn’t play at all last year but spent time with the Baltimore Orioles’ Triple-A Affiliate in 2012. He may not get playing time with the big league roster, but could serve as an emergency back up in the farm system.
The other minor league player is also spent time with the Baltimore Orioles and is actually a former draft pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Outfielder Trayvon Robinson spent all of 2013 with their Double and Triple-A affiliates. He batted .247/.329/.394 across the line in the minors last year.
Veteran catcher Miguel Olivo will turn 36 years old on July 15th. He’s spent some time with eight teams ever since he debuted with the Chicago White Sox back in 2002. He’s a career .241 hitter with 145 home runs and 488 RBI’s. Olivo may not have a guaranteed contract.
Last but not least is right handed pitcher Mark Pope. He hasn’t had any playing time in the Majors but could eventually begin working his way up the system. Pope has a minor league career win/loss record of 10-12, 6.40 ERA and 99 strike outs through 166 even innings of work.