The Dodgers will hold an open competition at second base this spring. Although international free agent signing Alexander Guerrero is considered to be "leading the pack," he hasn't locked down the job yet, as ESPN Los Angeles' Mark Saxon reports.
Dodgers rumors: Alexander Guerrero not guaranteed second base job
Los Angeles signed Guerrero to start, but he might not be ready for everyday second base duties.
Jennifer Hilderbrand-USA TODAY Sports
When the Dodgers signed Guerrero to a four-year, $28 million deal in October, they hinted that their newest player would transition from shortstop to second and start there for the team immediately.
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However, doubts about the 26-year-old's ability to make that transition in such a short period and a hamstring injury in the Dominican League this winter have concerned the Dodgers enough to hold an open competition at second this spring. Guerrero might be "leading," but the club has another (relatively) strong candidate in Miguel Rojas.
Rojas, who turns 25 next month, is a "defensive wizard" who signed with Cincinnati as an amateur free agent out of Venezuela. He spent the first seven years of his career in the Reds minor league system, before heading to Los Angeles' Double-A team last year. There, he hit .233/.303/.307 in 130 games.
Guerreo is expected to be more productive offensively, but the club doesn’t appear to be ready to rush him to the majors if he hasn’t adjusted to his new position.
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