Los Angeles Dodgers: Remaining free agents that would fit nicely in LA
By Jason Reed
2. Brandon Guyer
Brandon Guyer never really got his fair shake with the Cleveland Indians and as a result will likely get a minor league contract this offseason. While there might be a big league team that wants him as a bench piece, I would take the same amount of money (if that is the offer) to play on a contending team like the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Guyer would then become a prime candidate to be the player that comes out and has a big impact on the team that nobody saw coming. The front office potentially already make that signing by bringing outfielder Paulo Orlando but could double down with another potential breakout in Guyer.
The two would be battling in Spring Training to potentially get the final spot on the big league club or both could go to AAA Oklahoma City and produce there. Either way, one of the two (if not both) would get a chance at the big league club eventually to produce.
What makes Guyer an interesting signing is that he has shown to be a truly elite hitter against left-handed pitching and could become the Dodgers’ go-to bat in left field when a southpaw is on the mound.
While his numbers were bad last season it also came in limited plate appearances. Across 792 plate appearances against southpaws in his career, Guyer has a .274 average with 24 home runs, 82 RBIs and a .824 OPS.
2016 was particularly great for Guyer, who saw 151 plate appearances against southpaws and hit .336 with six home runs and a 1.051 OPS.
That is definitely worth a flier for the Los Angeles Dodgers, even if the team has to pay him slightly more than they would otherwise.