Editorials

Dodgers Reportedly Acquire Utility Player Elliot Johnson

Elliot Johnson

In what has been one of the more eventful winters of recent memory, the Los Angeles Dodgers have rebuilt themselves thanks to the new front office led by Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi.



While the Dodgers lacked the splashy moves in free agency, they relied on trades and smaller deals. Some of the moves have brought in new starters at multiple positions, but most of the moves have been made to aid in the depth in the organization. Players have been signed to minor-league deals or acquired not necessarily to make an impact on the Dodgers, but to be ready should they be called upon in a time of need.

It appears the Dodgers have once again made one of those deals on Tuesday according to Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:

Johnson was a non-roster invitee to Texas Rangers camp and spent 2014 with the Cleveland Indians. The 31-year-old can play shortstop, second base and outfield, but is not much of a threat with the bat. In five seasons with four teams, the utility man has hit a combined .215 with 12 home runs. Johnson began his career with the Tampa Bay Rays, meaning the Friedman is familiar with him.

The Dodgers have good depth in the infield with Justin Turner, Darwin Barney, Alex Guerrero, Kiké Hernandez and Erisbel Arruebarrena behind the starters, Jimmy Rollins and Howie Kendrick. It would appear that Turner and possibly Guerrero make the Opening Day roster because of Guerrero’s contract that doesn’t allow him to be sent to the Minors without his permission.

While it may not seem like a big deal now, it’s just another move that the front office has made in order to be prepared for the worst.

Dodgers 2015 Spring Training

Vincent Samperio

Vince is currently the Associate Editor and Social Media Manager for Dodgers Nation. Hailing from San Pedro, CA and a student at Cal State Long Beach, Vince has previously written for the Daily 49er and LASF Magazine.

4 Comments

  1. Lets Hope all this mature and get ready to play Dodger Ball. We need a winning attitude this year. Now since Matt Kemp went to the Pads. We need good leadership in the Doug out and in the out field. Go Dodger Blue lets win win it all. We Love LA Dodgers.

  2. I don’t know, seems like we’re scraping off the bottom of the scrap heap with these last two signings, but whatever.

  3. Matt Kemp was never a leader in the dugout. He was always a problem… for YEARS… This crap over Kemp because of one really good year has gotten old. Apparently everyone has forgotten his attitude with Joe Torre and company… It never changed, it was just tolerated because of the one MVP caliber year.

    That said, I personally would have given him one more chance with the second half he had last year, but I’d bet his attitude is the main reason he’s gone. He’s all “go team” in public, but “all me” in the clubhouse.

  4. I hope this signing is the Dodgers stock piling infielders for an impending trade, for Dillion Gee maybe

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