Rivera, Treanor, and Coffey Become Free Agents After Dodgers Decline Their Contract Options

In the wake of the travesty that befell baseball last night, the Dodgers were busy making decisions for the 2013 season Monday. I will not even comment on the series of events which led to the evil ones capturing the fall crown. The baseball season was essentially over for me on October 3rd when Kenley Jansen threw his final pitch of the last Dodger game.

Now the real fun begins. The Dodgers will work to shape the 2013 roster in order to bring the best squad together for Spring Training and beyond. The first decisions of the offseason were made today as the Dodgers declined the contract options of Juan Rivera, Matt Treanor, and Todd Coffey making the trio free agents.

Todd Coffey is recovering from his second Tommy John procedure. Photo: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

Todd Coffey, who is recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, was bought out for $300,000 on his $2.5 million salary for 2013. The right-hander pitched in just 23 games for the Dodgers this past season, and he finished with a 1-0 record and a 4.66 ERA over 19 1/3 innings. Although Coffey wasn’t a Dodger long before he succumbed to disability, we will always remember his entertaining sprints from the bullpen.

Matt Treanor, who was merely a back-up catcher to

Aug 11, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Matt Treanor (18) looks on from the dugout during a game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

A.J. Ellis this season, was bought out of his $950,000 contract for $150,000. The light-hitting catcher played in 36 games for the Dodgers, and he finished with a paltry .175 batting average with 2 homeruns and 10 RBIs. Treanor will be remembered primarily for his wife Misty May-Treanor’s gold medal victory in the London Olympics this summer. Tim Federowicz (FedEx) seems to be the logical choice as the Dodgers’ second catcher for 2013.

Juan Rivera, who played both left field and first base for the Dodgers, was bought out of his $4 million contract for $500,000. Rivera was essentially pushed out after the acquisition of Shane Victorino and Adrian Gonzalez. Carl Crawford will be the new left fielder for the Dodgers, so Rivera would have been delegated to a bench role if the Dodgers had picked up his option. The 34-year old Venezuelan native was picked up by the Dodgers last season on July 12th after Toronto discarded him. The Dodgers signed him to a one-year $4.5 million deal with a 2013 option last November. Rivera played in 109 games this season with the Dodgers, and he batted .244 with 9 homeruns and 47 RBIs. The 12-season veteran wasn’t very good this season, but we will remember his admirable performance last season over the second half and his epic loge homerun this season.

Aug 11, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Juan Rivera (21) looks on from the dugout during a game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

The only thing concerning about the parting of ways with Rivera, is that the Dodgers are now very thin in depth at first base. If something should happen to Adrian Gonzalez, the next guy in line is Scott Van Slyke?

More decisions loom for the Dodgers. They have seven players eligible for free agency. Ned Colletti is reportedly close to signing Brandon League to a three-year deal, and he also wants to sign lefty Randy Choate and veteran Jamey Wright as well. The other remaining free agents are Bobby Abreu, Joe Blanton, Adam Kennedy, and Shane Victorino all of whom I’d rather not see in Dodger Blue again next season.

The Dodgers now currently have 36 players on their 40-man roster.