Ex-Dodger Nick Ahmed Elects Free Agency: What’s Next for Veteran Shortstop?
Nick Ahmed has elected free agency after clearing outright waivers, according to the MLB.com transaction log.
The Dodgers had designated the veteran shortstop for assignment on Monday.
Ahmed joined the Dodgers a month ago when Mookie Betts and Miguel Rojas were sidelined and added some defensive insurance as a former Gold Glove winner. Los Angeles added him directly to the major league roster, where he started 14 games at shortstop.
While he continued to provide strong defense, his offensive contributions were limited. Despite hitting a go-ahead home run against his former team, the San Francisco Giants, early in his Dodgers stint, Ahmed ended up batting just .229/.245/.292 over 49 plate appearances.
Across his time with San Francisco and Los Angeles this season, Ahmed holds a .232/.271/.300 batting line through 221 plate appearances.
Ahmed signed a minor league deal with the Giants during the offseason but was released on July 10 after posting a .232/.278/.303 slash line with one home run in 172 major league plate appearances.
The 34-year-old spent the next two weeks at his home in Arizona, staying in shape and waiting for another opportunity.
Although never known for his bat, his struggles at the plate have become more pronounced over the last two seasons.
A two-time Gold Glove winner, Ahmed’s defensive skills remain strong, but his lack of offensive production has led to him being waived by three teams in the past two years – Arizona, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
Originally selected by the Atlanta Braves in the second round of the 2011 draft, Ahmed spent nearly his entire career with the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 888 games from 2014 to 2023, he posted a .234/.288/.376 slash line with 70 home runs, but his real value came from his defense, which earned him two Gold Gloves.
Notably, the D-backs released Ahmed with just three weeks left in the 2023 regular season, excluding him from the team’s remarkable run to the World Series.
Ahmed is now free to seek out a third team for the 2024 season. If he signs with another club before Sept. 1, he will be eligible for postseason play.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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