Dodgers News: Alexander Guerrero ‘Leading The Pack’ At Second Base
The 2014 season is nearing and the Los Angeles Dodgers are still figuring out who will be playing second base on Opening Day in Australia.
The team signed Alexander Guerrero to a four-year deal in October and saw incumbent second baseman Mark Ellis sign with the St. Louis Cardinals; however, Guerrero has had leg troubles this winter and hasn’t been able to get the reps that the Dodgers wanted at second base.
Even with the setback, Guerrero is still the favorite to begin the year at second base according to Dodgers’ GM Ned Colletti via the Dodgers official Twitter account:
"(Alex Guerrero) is certainly leading the pack." -Ned Colletti on the #Dodgers 2B.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) January 8, 2014
Colletti mentioned that Guerrero, Dee Gordon and Miguel Rojas are the primary candidates for the position. Guerrero still can’t enter the United States at the moment, due to problems with his visa and he’ll report to Arizona once he’s cleared. The 27-year-old was slated to play in the Dominican Winter League for the Gigantes del Cibao, but was able to just play 12 games because of a hamstring injury. He hit .289 with a home run and six RBI in 38 at-bats as the natural shortstop is learning a new position.
Gordon spent the off-season working at a new position, the outfield, with the Tigres de Licey in the Dominican Winter League, but has recently joined the Indios de Mayaguez in the Puerto Rican Winter League to play second base. He’s hit a combined .381 in 16 games this winter and gives the Dodgers a speed element. Rojas has been with the Tiburones de la Guaira in the Venezuelan Winter League. He’s hit .241 with just two home runs and six RBI in 40 games for the Tiburones.
The Dodgers will have the spring to determine their new second baseman, but Guerrero it sounds like it’s his job to lose.
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