Dodgers: Matt Beaty Inks Minors Deal with AL Central Team
Former Dodgers infielder/outfielder Matt Beaty had a rough year in 2022. Los Angeles traded Beaty to the Padres near the end of spring training, and he battled through injury and ineffectiveness for most of the year before being released by San Diego in September. Between the minors and the majors, Beaty had just 201 plate appearances, missing most of the season with a shoulder injury.
Beaty will get another shot at the big leagues this year, though, as he’ll be in spring training just up the road from the Dodgers in Surprise, Arizona.
The Royals have signed 1B/OF Matt Beaty to a Minor League deal with an invite to Spring Training, per source.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 10, 2023
Beaty spent parts of three seasons with the Dodgers, posting a league-average 100 OPS+ in 556 plate appearances from 2019-21. When L.A. signed Freddie Freeman last spring, Beaty’s role quickly disappeared, and Los Angeles traded him to San Diego.
Beaty was on the postseason roster when the Dodgers won the World Series in 2020. He didn’t play in the Series itself, nor did he play in the first two rounds of the playoffs. He got three plate appearances in the NLCS against the Braves and posted a 1.000 on-base percentage, walking once and being hit by two pitches.
Beaty, who will turn 30 in April, will go into spring training hoping to earn as spot on the Royals roster. He’s played both corner infield spots and both corner outfield spots in his career, and Kansas City has a young roster that might be able to benefit from his defensive flexibility and his experience.
Beaty is a solid hitter when he’s healthy, so hopefully he can show his stuff and make an impact with the Royals.
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