By Jon Weisman
As the 9 p.m. deadline approached tonight to retain the rights to the players eligible for salary arbitration or cut bait, the Dodgers had eight players on the docket — including outfielder Chris Heisey, acquired hours earlier.
Shortly after the deadline, the Dodgers announced they were keeping all eight on board, signing Darwin Barney to a one-year deal and tendering contracts to catchers A.J. Ellis and Drew Butera, infielders Dee Gordon and Justin Turner, pitchers Kenley Jansen and Juan Nicasio, and Heisey.
In theory, all of the players besides Barney could go to salary arbitration, though few if any will.
suekamm
I’m pleased that A.J. Ellis will be back. His defensive abilities should outweigh the problems he had with his bat last season. (Let’s hope he’s using the off-season to work on hitting ;) )
oldbrooklynfan
I think using both Ellis and Butera equally, at least for a time, is a good idea until one of them emerges as the starting catcher.
Don Bright
I’m thinking if that’s the case, then FedEx needs to be the platoon catcher. Butera will never be anything more than what he is now. Once a week guy.