The Dodgers Add a Carroll for Christmas

I know, I know, the headline is perhaps the cheesiest of The Ghost of Moonlight Graham

era—an era which is approaching in one year, by the way.

But I like the tie in with the holiday season.

The other headline I was thinking of was, “The Jamey Carroll Sweepstakes Comes To An End.”  Which would have been fitting because there was a serious sweepstakes for the 35-year old.

I am not joking either. There were about 10-12 teams that showed interest in Carroll. You can surely make the argument that Carroll was the most sought after free agent on the market this winter.

However, the team that eventually landed Carroll’s services was the Los Angeles Dodgers.

According to the Los Angeles Times , the Dodgers inked the utility infielder to a two-year, $3.85 million deal.

Carroll hit .276/.355/.340 in 93 games with the Cleveland Indians last season.

I am guessing Carroll signed with the Dodgers for one main reason—playing time. Most teams who were after Carroll looked at him as strictly a utility player.

The Dodgers give Carroll a chance to start. With Orlando Hudson and Ronnie Belliard departing as free agents, 24-year old Blake DeWitt is currently the only second baseman on the roster.

The Dodgers will give DeWitt every opportunity to win the starting job in spring training, but if he doesn’t pan out, Carroll will be able to step in.

Carroll is a career .273 hitter in eight seasons with the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals, the Colorado Rockies, and the Cleveland Indians.

You can follow The Ghost of Moonlight Graham on Twitter @ theghostofmlg