Dodgers News: Alexander Guerrero At Camelback Ranch In Arizona

While the Los Angeles Dodgers are hoping to land Japanese star Masahiro Tanaka, they already locked up Cuban infielder Alexander Guerrero to a four-year contract late in October.

The 27-year-old grew up as a shortstop, but the Dodgers are helping him transition to second base. Mark Ellis had the option declined on his contract with the assumption Guerrero would start from Day 1. In the last week or so, Guerrero landed in the United States after visa issues and according to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times, he’s in Arizona:

Alexander Guerrero is already working out at the Dodgers’ spring training complex in Arizona. Former major leaguer and Dodgers executive Jose Vizcaino is guiding Guerrero’s transition to second base. Guerrero was a shortstop in his native Cuba.

After he was signed, the plan was for Guerrero to play winter ball in an attempt to get him the necessary repetitions to play an entirely new position. Unfortunately, things didn’t go according to plan as he dealt with leg/hamstring injuries and stopped playing after just 11 games with Gigantes Del Cibao in the Dominican Republic.

With so much uncertainty surrounding his transition to a new position, the Dodgers are still in the market for an infielder. Michael Young is a name being thrown around while the team had scouts watching Chone Figgins’ workout in Tampa in the last week or so.

Pitchers and catchers report to Camelback Ranch on February 8 while the first full squad workout is six days later on the 14th as it sounds like Guerrero is getting a needed head start.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

ICYMI: Here’s the latest on the Dodgers pursuit of Masahiro Tanaka

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNEFsapOCY4