The Dodgers have designated shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena for assignment, the team announced today. The move was to create space on the active roster for recently signed Brett Anderson.
Arruebarrena, 24, defected from Cuba last November and signed a 5 year, $25 million dollar deal with the Dodgers in February.
He spent most of last season in the minors, hitting at a .259/.304/.417 clip with 6 home runs and 32 RBI’s in 247 at-bats.
Arruebarrena appeared in 22 games at the major league level last season, and hit only .195/.244/.220 over a span of 41 plate appearances.
Arruebarrena is not known for his offensive ability and before he signed with the Dodgers he was projected as a defensive minded shortstop who will hit in the bottom half of the order.
Is Arruebarrena the answer to the Mets glaring shortstop need? Maybe, maybe not. But I believe he is at the very least worth a look at.
He’s going to be 25 before Opening Day, and would strengthen the Mets defensively up the middle for sure, something it seems the Mets are worried about with Wilmer Flores.
