Andre Ethier Is A Free Agent After Dodgers Decline 2018 Option
Andre Ethier has been with the Dodgers for 12 seasons now, and it looks like it will stop there.
On Sunday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reported that the Dodgers have declined Andre Ethier’s $17.5 million 2018 club option, making him a free agent. Los Angeles will pay Ethier a $2.5 million buyout, instead.
Andre Ethier a free agent after Dodgers pay $2.5 million to buy out option.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) November 5, 2017
Andre Ethier has been a fan favorite for so many years. During his 12 years with the Dodgers, Ethier was an All-Star twice (2010, 2011) and won a Gold Glove Award in 2011. He was essentially an everyday starter for the Dodgers from 2006 to 2015, with some highlights being 31 home runs in 2009 and a .308 batting average in his rookie season. He also carries the honor of appearing in more playoff games than any other player in Dodgers history!
Unfortunately, injuries plagued Andre Ethier towards the ending of his career with the Dodgers. The right-fielder was sidelined in 2016 with a broken leg and then again in 2017 with a herniated disk. Even still, Ethier was able to make the Dodgers’ postseason roster in both 2016 and 2017.
Andre Ethier collected four hits in 13 at-bats this postseason. His last at-bat as a Dodger came in Game 7 of the World Series, and it was one of the only bright spots to come from that game. He singled in the Dodgers’ only run.
Unfortunately, with Andre Ethier’s recent injury troubles, I’m sure this decision was pretty easy for the Dodgers to make. But for fans everywhere, Andre Ethier will always be favorite!
LET’S GO “DODERS!”
I still hope the Dodgers and Andre Ethier can come to terms, for at least a one year contract, he deserves a chance to be on a WS championship team and I know he could be a valued member of that team.