Dodgers News: Figgins Said Dodgers Will Get ‘Player From Anaheim’
Utility man Chone Figgins is back in baseball after being cut last spring by the Miami Marlins and sitting out the entire year.
After his time with the Seattle Mariners left him with little value, Figgins found himself out of baseball at the age of 35. However, he held a workout in Tampa Bay and the Los Angeles Dodgers signed him to a minor-league deal this off-season with an invitation to spring training to compete for a spot on the roster.
According to Bill Plunkett of the OC Register, Figgins spoke to Dodger manager Don Mattingly before signing and was extremely confident in himself:
I talked to Don (Mattingly) before signing, Figgins said. I was, like, ‘Look if I come in, you’re going to get the player from Anaheim. I’m not going to veer off from that. I’m going to see pitches. I’m going to bunt. I’m going to go first to third. I’m going to play defense. That’s what you’re going to get. You’re not going to get something totally different from that. If that doesn’t fit your program, I’ll go somewhere else.’
Figgins was an All-Star in his time with the Angels before becoming a bust with the Mariners after signing a four-year, $36 million deal. He lasted just three seasons with the Mariners and never hit above .259, finishing under .200 the last two years. If Figgins can return to his Angel days, he’ll have a solid chance of making the team out of spring training because the Dodgers are looking for a utility player that can play multiple infield positions.
Figgins believes he’s that guy the Dodgers need via Plunkett when looking at their collection of infielders:
Brendan Harris – I know he was with Anaheim. He’s always been a solid player, Figgins said. (Justin) Turner – he’s always been a solid player. Dee (Gordon) is a young, good player. The Cuban kid (Guerrero) looks like he’s confident. But as far as if you need somebody to move around and do things? Nobody better than me to do that.
It seems as if Figgins is serious this spring and has full intentions of making the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster and only time will tell if his confidence matches his production.
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