Marcos Mendoza | January 25th, 2019
According to reports from The Athletic the Dodgers and A.J. Pollock have come to an agreement on a 5yr $60 million deal. Pollock can opt out after three years if he reaches a certain number of Plate appearances. The 5th yr option is for $10 million with a 5$ million buyout.
Pollock has been with the Diamondbacks since he made his MLB debut in 2012. He was drafted by the Diamondbacks in 2009 with pick 17 in the first round. In eight seasons with the Diamondbacks, Pollock earned one all-star Selection in 2015 and one Gold Glove in that same season.
Last season, Pollock slashed .257/.316/484 with an .800 ops. He slugged 21 HRs with a .228 ISO, 110 wRC+ and had a 2.5 W.A.R. His HRs and ISO were career highs but his AVG was a career low. Pollock’s 2015 season was his best of his career slashing .315/.367/.498 with 20 HRs, 131 wRC+ and a career high 6.8 W.A.R.
The 31 yr old has been plagued by quite a few injuries throughout his career. He’s only played more than 150 games once in his career and that was in 2015 which he still missed 25 games. In 2016 he only played 12 games, 112 games in 2017 and 113 games in 2018. A lot of his injuries are fluke injuries that just happen from him giving 100% effort on every play.
He will be the starting center-fielder for the Dodgers in 2019, likely moving Cody Bellinger to either right-field or first-base. Pollock will likely be slotted in the middle of the lineup for the Dodgers and he will provide a lot of power for the Dodgers and will be a solid defensive center-fielder. The signing of Pollock means that the Dodgers are out of talks with superstar FA Bryce Harper.
As for the Diamondbacks, there have been discussions about moving second-baseman Ketel Marte to center-field. It’s very likely that could happen with the recent signing of INF Wilmer Flores as he could see an everyday second-base role. With Pollock signing for more than $50 million the Diamondbacks will receive pick 36 from the Dodgers in the 2019 MLB amateur draft.
If Pollock can stay healthy he will be an elite center-fielder and be a great addition for the Dodgers in 2019. If not his contract can be worrisome as it goes through his age 35 season.
The deal was first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic
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