The Dodgers signed Cuban defector Alexander Guerrero to a four-year, $28 million contract in October with the expectation that he could immediately step in as the club’s starting second baseman. But concerns have already emerged.
According to Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles, Dodgers management “has enough doubts about his ability to field the position steadily that it now says that will be an open competition this spring.” The Dodgers have tried to sway Michael Young from retirement to serve as a place-holder at second base.
Guerrero is thought to have a major-league ready bat -- he posted big-time power numbers in Cuba and international competition -- but the 27-year-old has played nothing but shortstop and his transition to second base hit a road block this offseason when he developed hamstring issues in the Dominican Winter League.
Mark Ellis was the Dodgers’ primary second baseman in 2013. He signed with the Cardinals in December.
