The Los Angeles Dodgers have declined the 2014 contract options of second baseman Mark Ellis and left-hander Chris Capuano, the team has announced.
Dodgers decline options on Mark Ellis, Chris Capuano
Mark Ellis and Chris Capuano will not be returning to LA next season. They’ll have to work out a contract for 2014 as free agents.
Harry How
Ellis stood to make $5.75 million next season had the Dodgers picked him up, but instead will take a check for $1 million and try his luck in free agency. Capuano had an $8 million mutual option for 2014, but will also receive a $1 million buyout.
The 36-year-old Ellis was his usual stellar defensive self in 106 starts at second base this season -- and put up a serviceable .270/.323/.351 at the plate -- but was likely without a job in 2014 had Los Angeles elected to keep him around. The Dodgers signed Cuban infielder Alexander Guerrero to a four-year, $28 million deal two weeks ago, and all signs seem to point to him taking over at the keystone next season.
Capuano, 35, was a big part of the Dodgers' rotation in his first season with the club, but became somewhat of an afterthought in 2013 due to the additions of Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu.
The veteran southpaw still got 20 starts on the year thanks to Josh Beckett and Chad Billingsley's season-ending injuries, but was ultimately bumped to the bullpen when nagging injuries cropped up in September. Overall, he posted a 3.91 ERA in 304 innings during his two seasons with Los Angeles.
Both players are likely to get a new big-league deal this winter, it’s just not likely to come from the Dodgers.
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