Dodgers News: Dodgers Decline Options On Mark Ellis And Chris Capuano
Free agency got underway this morning and the Los Angeles Dodgers have 10 free agents along with two players they have options on, Chris Capuano and Mark Ellis.
Capuano has an $8 million mutual option with a $1 million buyout while Ellis had a team option of $5.75 with the same buyout of $1 million. This afternoon, the Dodgers official Twitter account announced the team declined options on both players:
Today, the #Dodgers declined the 2014 options on both Mark Ellis and Chris Capuano.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 31, 2013
It’s not surprising that both players were declined options as the Dodgers recent signing of Alexander Guerrero signaled that they were moving on from Ellis and Capuano’s price tag was too high for what he provided.
Hitting primarily out of the second spot in the lineup, Ellis hit a solid .270 with six home runs and 48 RBI while he played a solid defensive second base throughout the season. While declining the option doesn’t mean the Dodgers can’t bring him back, he’d likely be back in a reserve role if a contract were worked out.
Meanwhile, Capuano pitched well at the beginning of last season, but he wasn’t great this season. Coming into the year as the Dodgers fifth starter, Capuano posted a record of 4-7 with a 4.26 ERA, but had an odd streak of either giving up zero or five runs for nine straight starts.
His finest moment this season came in NLDS Game 3 when he pitched three innings of no-hit relief of Hyun-Jin Ryu, as the Dodgers beat the Braves 13-6.
Going into the off-season, the Dodgers now have 33 players on their 40-man roster as Ned Colletti and company are taking the necessary steps to improve the team in 2014.
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In case you missed it, here’s the Dodgers pool celebration, PLUS Yasiel Puig’s celebration dance off!
http://youtu.be/LknQOqL7uME
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