Dodgers Sign OF Bubba Trammell for one year

[Skindiana bon3z]

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers announced the signing of free agent outfielder Bubba Trammell on Tuesday, but nobody was confirming anything about reports the club was making a stealth run at free agent outfielder Vladimir Guerrero.

General manager Dan Evans would not confirm or deny that he had offered a multi-year contract to the most attractive hitter still on the open market.

"It doesn't benefit me to talk about any free agent we might or might not sign or player we might or might not trade for," said Evans. "There are so many things we are exploring."

Of course, the one that makes the most sense for a club in need of a cleanup hitter would be the signing of Guerrero, because it would not require the trade of a veteran pitcher or top prospect. The Dodgers have cleared enough payroll, but have not signed any player to a contract for longer than three years since Evans was hired in 2001.

Another general manager told MLB.com that the Dodgers had entered the bidding for the talented Guerrero, who reportedly has received only one other offer ($65 million for five years from Baltimore).

At the Winter Meetings, Evans indicated the Dodgers would not be likely suitors for Guerrero because he was seeking a contract of six or seven years. But the bidding has not been robust for Guerrero, whose 2003 season was hampered by back problems.

    Bubba Trammell   /   OF  
 Height: 6'2"
Weight: 220
Bats/Throws: R/R

More info:
Stats
Splits
Hit chart
Dodgers site
 
 


Trammell's 2003 season was hampered, too. He spent the last half of the season on baseball's suspended list after leaving the New York Yankees in late June without permission for what was described as "personal reasons."

Nonetheless, the Dodgers are satisfied those personal reasons have been resolved and that he is a low risk, especially because they will pay him only the Major League minimum of $300,000, and it is not guaranteed.

"We are comfortable that those personal and medical issues are behind him and he can be a productive player," Evans said of Trammell.

The 26-year-old right-handed hitter figures to assume a bench role with the Dodgers, who sold primary right-handed pinch-hitter Mike Kinkade to Japan and let Ron Coomer leave through free agency. Trammell also could platoon at first base with Robin Ventura.

"We couldn't guarantee him playing time and he was OK with that," said Evans.


Trammell peaked with the San Diego Padres in 2001, when he slugged 25 homers with 92 RBIs and played in 142 games as the starting right fielder. He was traded to the Yankees in a salary swap for Rondell White during Spring Training in 2003 and appeared in only 22 games (14 as designated hitter), batting .200 with no homers and five RBIs in 55 at-bats before he left the club.

There has never been a public explanation for why Trammell left the Yankees and went home. But it was potentially a very expensive decision.

He was in the second year of a three-year contract that would have paid him $2.5 million in 2003, $4.75 million in 2004 with a team option for 2005 at $4.75 million or a $250,000 buyout. So, Trammell walked away from roughly $6 million guaranteed.

However, Trammell filed a grievance with Major League Baseball to recoup some of that salary, an indication his leave was medical in nature. Baseball sources say he was awarded a $1.85 million settlement and free agency, with Major League Baseball paying the bulk of the settlement and any club that signs him responsible for the Major League minimum salary of $300,000.

The Dodgers also announced they had re-signed pitchers Troy Brohawn and Bill Simas to minor league contracts with invitations to Major League training camp. Brohawn missed most of the 2003 season with shoulder surgery and Simas pitched at Triple-A Las Vegas. He has battled elbow problems and last appeared in the Major Leagues in 2000.

[Javier]

yea man dan evans sucks balls