Dodgers set to send 65 to spring training … for now

On Friday the Dodgers announced their 40-man roster and list of non-roster invitees scheduled to attend major league spring training camp, which officially begins on Wednesday morning, February 15, 2017 at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. As of this writing the team will send 33 position players and 32 pitchers to camp, including 22 non-roster invitees.

That “as of this writing” thing is significant because on Friday evening it was reported that the Dodgers had signed veteran outfielder (and former Dodger) Franklin Gutierrez to a one-year / $2.6 million major league contract with an additional $400,000 possible in incentives. And although the Dodgers have yet to formally announce the deal for the soon-to-be 34-year-old (on February 21) Caracas, Venezuela native, his signing will force a corresponding move to the already overcrowded 40-man roster, with veteran right-hander Sergio Romo also yet to be added.

Gutierrez, who was initially drafted by the Dodgers as an amateur free agent in 2000, has 11 years of major league service – four with the Cleveland Indians and seven with the Seattle Mariners. He has the dubious distinction of having been traded by the Dodgers to Indians on April 3, 2004 (along with fellow minor leaguer Andrew Brown) for troubled outfielder Milton Bradley.

In his 11 big league seasons, Gutierrez posted a career slash-line of .257 / .311 / .409 for an OPS of .720. He has 96 career home runs and 353 career RBIs. But there is zero doubt that the primary reason why the Dodgers elected to sign the 6’2″ / 200-pound outfielder is his career .289 batting average against lefties. That said, he joins a spring training camp that already had 13 guys vying for three starting outfield jobs.

In addition to his Gold Glove Gutierrez boasts a career .289 batting average against left-handed pitching, which undoubtedly was a key factor in the Dodgers acquiring him. (Photo credit – Otto Greule Jr.)

But wait … there’s more!

Late Friday night it was reported that 38-year-old veteran second baseman Chase Utley had re-signed with the Dodgers for a yet-to-be-confirmed one-year contract believed to be in the $8 million range. While there is little doubt that Utley’s role will be that of a utility bench player at second and third base, his re-signing is far more important to the team to continue his mentoring of Dodgers 2016 Rookie of the Year shortstop Corey Seager.

“You never say never with a guy like Chase just because of the type of guy he is and the impact that he has,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman told reporters during a January 23, 2017 press conference.

There may be some Dodger fans unhappy with the Utley re-signing, but you’d be hard-pressed to name three. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

As it stands right now (enter that “as of this writing” thing again), here are the players scheduled to attend spring training 2017 for the Dodgers; but here again, three spots must be cleared on the team’s 40-man roster to make room for Romo, Gutierrez and now Utley:

Dodgers current 43-man roster:

# Pitchers B/T Ht Wt DOB
43 Luis Avilan L/L 6’2″ 225lbs 7/19/1989
52 Pedro Baez R/R 6’0″ 235lbs 3/11/1988
75 Grant Dayton L/L 6’2″ 195lbs 11/25/1987
70 Chase De Jong L/R 6’4″ 205lbs 12/29/1993
46 Josh Fields R/R 6’0″ 195lbs 8/19/1985
63 Yimi Garcia R/R 6’1″ 220lbs 8/18/1990
41 Chris Hatcher R/R 6’1″ 200lbs 1/12/1985
44 Rich Hill L/L 6’5″ 220lbs 3/11/1980
74 Kenley Jansen S/R 6’5″ 270lbs 9/30/1987
29 Scott Kazmir L/L 6’0″ 195lbs 1/24/1984
22 Clayton Kershaw L/L 6’4″ 225lbs 3/19/1988
36 Adam Liberatore L/L 6’3″ 240lbs 5/12/1987
18 Kenta Maeda R/R 6’1″ 175lbs 4/11/1988
38 Brandon McCarthy R/R 6’7″ 235lbs 7/7/1983
58 Vidal Nuno L/L 5’11” 210lbs 7/26/1987
71 Josh Ravin R/R 6’4″ 215lbs 1/21/1988
67 Jacob Rhame R/R 6’1″ 215lbs 3/16/1993
99 Hyun-Jin Ryu R/L 6’3″ 250lbs 3/25/1987
48 Brock Stewart L/R 6’3″ 210lbs 10/3/1991
68 Ross Stripling R/R 6’3″ 210lbs 11/23/1989
7 Julio Urias L/L 6’0″ 215lbs 8/12/1996
57 Alex Wood R/L 6’4″ 215lbs 1/12/1991
* Sergio Romo R/R  5’11’  185lbs  3/4/1983
Catchers
15 Austin Barnes R/R 5’10” 195lbs 12/28/1989
65 Kyle Farmer R/R 6’0″ 205lbs 8/17/1990
9 Yasmani Grandal S/R 6’1″ 235lbs 11/8/1988
Infielders
11 Logan Forsythe R/R 6’1″ 205lbs 1/14/1987
23 Adrian Gonzalez L/L 6’2″ 215lbs 5/8/1982
28 Darin Ruf R/R 6’3″ 250lbs 7/28/1986
5 Corey Seager L/R 6’4″ 215lbs 4/27/1994
25 Rob Segedin R/R 6’2″ 220lbs 11/10/1988
3 Chris Taylor R/R 6’1″ 195lbs 8/29/1990
10 Justin Turner R/R 5’11” 205lbs 11/23/1984
* Chase Utley R/L 6’1″ 195lbs 12/17/1978
Outfielders
50 Brett Eibner R/R 6’4″ 225lbs 12/2/1988
16 Andre Ethier L/L 6’2″ 210lbs 4/10/1982
14 Enrique Hernandez R/R 5’11” 200lbs 8/24/1991
31 Joc Pederson L/L 6’1″ 220lbs 4/21/1992
66 Yasiel Puig R/R 6’2″ 240lbs 12/7/1990
21 Trayce Thompson R/R 6’3″ 225lbs 3/15/1991
60 Andrew Toles L/R 5’10” 185lbs 5/24/1992
33 Scott Van Slyke R/R 6’4″ 215lbs 7/24/1986
  *  Franklin Gutierrez R/R 6’2″ 200lbs 2/21/1983
  * (not yet on 40-man roster)

Non-Roster Invitees:

73 Stetson Allie OF  3/13/1991
61 Cody Bellinger IF/OF  7/13/1995
84 Willie Calhoun IF  11/4/1994
72 Ralston Cash RHP  8/20/1991
80 Fabio Castillo RHP  2/19/1989
6 Charlie Culberson IF  4/10/1989
77 Ike Davis IF  3/22/1987
79 O’Koyea Dickson IF  2/9/1990
51 Steve Geltz RHP  11/1/1987
47 Tyler Holt OF  3/10/1989
17 Brandon Morrow RHP  7/26/1984
60 Jack Murphy C  4/6/1988
88 Trevor Oaks RHP  3/26/1993
78 Henry Ramos OF  4/15/1992
76 Wynston Sawyer C  11/14/1991
89 Josh Sborz RHP  12/17/1993
62 Patrick Schuster LHP  10/30/1990
81 Yaisel Sierra RHP   6/5/1991
37 Darnell Sweeney IF   2/1/1991
83 Alex Verdugo OF   5/15/1996
35 Bobby Wilson C   4/8/1983
59 Madison Younginer RHP   11/3/1990
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10 Responses to “Dodgers set to send 65 to spring training … for now”

  1. Evan Bladh says:

    There has got to be a trade in the horizon, Too many players.

    Utley for 9 million seems mighty steep. I understand the chemistry and all with Seager, but I don’t see him getting more than 200 ABs.

    • Ron Cervenka says:

      Last I heard is that it is an $8 million deal, although your point is well taken.

      Keep in mind that Utley is also a very good defender at 3B, where he will more than likely be used to spell JT – this in addition to spelling Logan Forsythe at 2B. He is (IMO) a better option than Kiké Hernandez – unless, of course, Kiké somehow finds his bat somewhere. In fact, it is probably a bad time to be named Kiké Hernandez or Scott Van Slyke right about now … if you get my drift

  2. HawkeyeDodger says:

    I don’t think there is any evidence that Chase is a good 3rd baseman but Forsythe can definitely slide over there.

    • Ron Cervenka says:

      That (Forsythe playing 3B) was mentioned on Twitter this morning. Makes good sense.

      Utley has played a grand total of four games at 3B in his career … all with the Dodgers. He did not commit an error in nine total chances. It will be interesting to see if he gets any playing time there this spring.

  3. Bluenose Dodger says:

    Six catchers. I thought there might have been more to go to ST but I expect that is close to the usual number.

    Henry Ramos was the last Dodger player standing in the Winter League playing for PR in the Championship Game. PR defeated Mexico 1-0 in extra innings. Romo had not signed as of the championship game.

    Kyle Garlick had better AA numbers than Stetson Allie but will only be starting his third year of pro ball in 2017.Stetson has displayed more power.

    • Ron Cervenka says:

      Having personally seen Kyle Garlick play (and spoken with him a few times) I believe that he will make it to The Show one day ,,, although probably not as a Dodger. He is very talented.

      • Bluenose Dodger says:

        I like his attitude, work ethic, confidence. I expect you are right that he will play MLB in another uniform as there is quite a waiting line for Dodger outfield time and some more kids on the way. I just hope he gets the opportunity somewhere which means he has to be traded or released. He is a long ways from minor league free agency. It takes seven years including his signing year.

  4. Respect the Rivalry says:

    A bit o’ trivia:
    50% of the Dodgers 40-man roster were born since they last won the World Series. That includes all 3 catchers.
    Grandal is closest with a DOB of Nov. 8, 1988.
    This is the official 40-man, not including the three who haven’t been added yet, none of whom are in that group.

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