Dodgers News: Chone Figgins Agrees To Minor League Deal, Spring Invite

With the departures of Nick Punto, Skip Schumaker and Jerry Hairston, Jr. the Los Angeles Dodgers have been searching for a utility infielder. Michael Young has been rumored as a possible option, but he’s reportedly considering retirement.

A name that has been generating interest is former Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Seattle Mariners infielder Chone Figgins, who sat out the 2013 season after being released by the Miami Marlins. After attending a workout a week or so ago, it sounds like the Dodgers and Figgins have reached agreement on a deal according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports:

Source: Figgins agrees to minor-league deal with #Dodgers with invitation to major-league spring training. @jcrasnick said close.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 23, 2014

In his last full season in 2012 with the Mariners, Figgins had a slash of .181/.262/.271/.533 and produced just four stolen bases. After an All-Star season in 2009, the 35-year-old infielder signed a contract worth $36 million over four years.

With the departure of the three veteran utility players, the Dodgers were in the market for a backup third baseman, a position Figgins has played most of his career. Defensively, he’s had a negative dWAR two of the last three seasons and an overall negative WAR in the last two seasons.

The Dodgers final few roster spots will be interesting especially if Young is still brought into the fold. Cuban infielder Alexander Guerrero was signed to start at second base, but the organization isn’t exactly sold he can start right away. Infielders Justin Sellers, Dee Gordon and Miguel Rojas will also be in the mix as Figgins gives the Dodgers even more insurance.

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