Earlier in the offseason Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Alex Guerrero said he would not be willing to start the year in the minor leagues, since there's a clause in his contract that gives him say over such a move. He has backed that assertion up since then.
In 16 spring training games Guerrero is slashing .344/.364/.531/.895 with eight runs scored, two home runs, seven RBIs and two stolen bases on top of displaying his defensive versatility at second base, shortstop and third base. Being that second and short are occupied by Howie Kendrick and Jimmy Rollins for the 2015 season, the team asked Guerrero if he would be willing to play some third.
He obliged and has made it hard for the Dodgers to keep him off the Opening Day roster. According to Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com, Guerrero will be with the team on Apr. 6.
"The Cuban infielder has done enough this spring, batting .344 with flashes of power, to convince the front office not to release him," Saxon writes. "...Assuming Guerrero plays well enough as a utility guy to keep his roster spot all year, the real opportunity could come in 2016. Aside from Adrian Gonzalez, the Dodgers' entire infield could leave via free agency. Guerrero's fielding ability could determine whether the Dodgers consider him for an everyday position at some point, most likely at third base."
Speaking of third base, the projected Opening Day starter at that position is the36-year-old Juan Uribe, who has had a poor spring (.226/.273/.258/.531 with three runs scored and two RBIs in 13 games). He's owed $6.5 million in 2015 and will be a free agent after the season, but if his performance in spring training ends up reflecting his regular season contributions, the new Dodgers' front office will have no problem replacing him in some capacity.
This is where one would think Guerrero comes in, but perhaps some are forgetting about utility man Justin Turner, who has played most of his professional games at third base and is tearing it up this spring (.469/.500/.781/1.281 with six runs scored, two home runs and seven RBIs in 13 games). He'll earn $2.5 million in 2015 before he hits free agency after the season, but right now his experience at the hot corner and his bat are seemingly more valuable that Guerrero's.
So barring any injuries, unexpected drastic declines in performance from the incumbent starters, or last-minute personnel decisions on the behalf of president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Farhan Zaidi, it looks like Guerrero's role with the Dodgers will be limited in 2015 and the real opportunity for him to become a starter will be in 2016.
However, Guerrero's situation will be closely monitored since he's still owed a majority of the $28 million he signed on for prior to the 2014 season.
