Dodgers 2014 Off-Season Free Agent Profile: Yuniesky Betancourt

The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a few moves this off-season and are just about ready to head into the 2014 season. We continue our look at available players that could help the team.

Today, we take a look at an infielder that can provide versatility off the bench:

Yuniesky Betancourt

Betancourt is a 31-year-old infielder that spent last season with the Milwaukee Brewers. In his career, he’s hit .261 with 1,057 hits and 457 RBI over nine seasons.

2013 Season 

With the Brewers, Betancourt played five different positions and hit .212 last season. He played in 137 games and hit 13 home runs.

Pros

Betancourt can play all four infield positions and would give the Dodgers a utility player off the bench. He came up as a shortstop but has been moved around the infield since then. His versatility would give manager Don Mattingly a serviceable player off the bench that can earn a few occasional starts to give the everyday players rest.

The right-handed hitter has developed a bit of a power stroke in recent years and has hit double-digit home runs in three of the last four seasons. He hit just seven home runs in 2012 but he also played in only 57 games that year. Betancourt is also adept at driving in runs and has a 162-game average of 64 RBI. He could give the Dodgers a power bat off the bench late in the game.

Cons

The 31-year-old spent a majority of last season in a starting role and could be looking for an everyday position. The Dodgers can only offer Betancourt a role off the bench and are in need of middle infield help. Betancourt has played up the middle his entire career, but has gravitated toward the corners, where the Dodgers have strong defenders and hitters.

Despite his decent power numbers, Betancourt hit just .212 last season and struck out a career-high 71 times. The Dodgers would rather have a player with a better contact rate, especially in limited at-bats. He doesn’t add much value getting on base and would struggle in a smaller role.

Potential Contract

Betancourt made just under $1 million last season and should not see a significant increase due to his 2013 play. He’ll likely receive a one-year deal in that range that could increase to $2 million depending on the team. The 31-year-old should continue to work on one-year deals until he has a breakout year.

Chances Dodgers Sign Him: 35%

The Dodgers need a utility infielder and that is what Betancourt provides. He hasn’t been rumored to be in talks with the team but that could change in the coming weeks. With uncertainty about Alexander Guerrero being ready to start everyday and a rather thin group up the middle,  Betancourt could find himself in Los Angeles next season if the Dodgers look to add someone from the outside.

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