Dodgers Sign Their Rover, Hairston Jr. to Two Year Deal

This just became official. The Dodgers have signed utility man Jerry Hairston Jr. The deal is for two years and six million dollars with incentives.

We knew that the Dodgers had been looking at Hairston for a while now, and it looks like the deal is done. I actually was suggesting the Dodgers sign Hairston a couple of weeks back if you remember. The 36-year old rover does bring the Dodgers a lot of value off the bench. Hairston is very versatile and has major league experience at almost every position. Hairston can play second, shortstop, third base, and anywhere in the outfield. The rover was originally drafted by the Orioles out of the 11th round of the 1997 draft. The Dodgers will be Hariston’s ninth major league team. Hairston has played for Baltimore, Chicago, Texas, Cincinnati, Yankees, San Diego, Washington, and Milwaukee. Hairston is 5’10, and 195 pounds, bats and throws right handed. Last year as he split time between Washington and Milwaukee he batted .270, with 5 home runs, and 31 RBI. Hairston is a career .258 hitter with 64 home runs. The Southern Illinois graduate and Arizona native is a third generation ballplayer. It is a family affair for the Hairstons as they have been in Baseball for many years.  Jerry’s grandfather, father and uncle all played in the majors, as does his brother Scott Hairston, who played for the Mets last season.

I like this signing. Hairston is a very versatile player who can play all over the diamond and provide some decent pop off the bench. A lot of fans are very upset with all of these recent signings. The only reason I am upset at all is because they didn’t bring back Hiroki Kuroda. That’s it. Otherwise all of these moves scream….Meh……

Here is the thing that most Dodger fans just don’t want to admit or hear, but Ivan Dejesus and Russ Mitchell have no future with the Dodgers, and Justin Sellers can’t hit. Unfortunately this more than likely pushes Justin Sellers back to Albuquerque to start the season. Once again I’m not terribly upset by it, I am however terribly upset about losing Hiroki Kuroda.

The front office’s M.O. has always been to fill out these back end bench roster spots with older players. They like to have young players stay in the minors until they’re ready and have the opportunity to play every day. I don’t agree with it either, but there is not much we can do until new ownership takes over. Once that happens we may see a change in philosophy. Until then get used to it Dodger fans. Welcome to the Dodgers, Jerry! Go Blue