The Los Angeles Dodgers bolstered their depth with the acquisition of Cavan Biggio from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Minor League pitcher Braydon Fisher and cash considerations.
Biggio was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays after hitting just .200/.323/.291 with four doubles, two home runs and nine RBI in 44 games this year.
The 29-year-old brings more versatility to the Dodgers as he can play second base, first base, third base and all three outfield positions. Moreover, Biggio gives the team another left-handed bat off the bench.
Manager Dave Roberts anticipates Biggio primarily starting at third base against right-handed pitching and discussed what he brings to the club.
“He’s a baseball player. He’s versatile, can play anywhere essentially on the diamond,” Roberts said.
“For us right now, Max the injury is taking longer than we had hoped, and so to get some coverage versus right-handed pitching, running him out there at third base is sort of the plan.
“And if I have to kick him out, whether it be to center, to right, to second base, during a game for whatever reason, if the game calls for it, we can do that. But yeah, it’s primarily just to play third base versus right-handed pitching.”
The Dodgers had a need for another left-handed bat with Max Muncy still working his way back from a right oblique strain. “Yeah, it was,” Roberts said of the importance of bringing in another left-handed hitter.
“And obviously, there’s some things that potentially could happen down the road. But right now, I thought getting another left-handed bat makes sense.”
Roberts believes the Dodgers hitting coaches can help turn Biggio’s season around with a few mechanical adjustments. “Our hitting guys dug in a little bit and felt that there’s some things that we can unlock offensively,” Roberts began.
“But he controls the zone and can hit to all fields, but he’s had some success in the big leagues, so I think he’s just kind of figuring out what worked for him, what hasn’t, what he thinks he’s doing, what he’s not doing, and sort of trying to build that relationship.
“But right now, the message is go out there, play free and easy, and play to win.”
Biggio made his Dodgers debut in Wednesday’s game against the Texas Rangers and went 1-for-3 with a single.
Dave Roberts recalls first meeting with Cavan Biggio
Roberts shared a story of when he first met Biggio at an airport before the Blue Jays drafted him. “Funny story is I saw him maybe in an airport years ago, I think was an airport or somewhere,” Roberts recalled.
“I say, ‘Hey, one of these days, you’re going to be a Dodger. You’re going to play for me one of these days.’ And he remembered that little interaction, and sure enough, it came to pass.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
