One day after the Los Angeles Dodgers released Carl Crawford, they added a new name to the crowded outfield by signing Will Venable to a one-year contract. Venable became a free agent after he exercised the opt-out clause in his Minor-League deal with the Philadelphia Phillies on June 10.
The 33 year old struggled during Spring Training with the Cleveland Indians and was released in late March. Venable hit .205/.304/.307 with seven doubles, two home runs and 19 RBIs over 41 games with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Venable hit .251/.317/.406 with 81 home runs and 307 RBIs over parts of eight seasons with the San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers. Up until a trade last August to the Rangers, he spent the entirety of his career with the Padres.
While the decision to sign the versatile outfielder may have come as a surprise, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained Venable is the answer to a void the club was looking to fill, via Bill Plunkett of the OC Register:
“You look at our roster right now and a left-handed bat for a start in the outfield or off the bench late in the game – I think it was needed,” Roberts said. “I think it was one of those things where we were actively searching internally or outside the organization for someone who could fill that role.”
Venable and Roberts have preexisting relationship from their overlapping time with the Padres. With 13 pitchers on their active roster, the Dodgers have maintained a short bench for several weeks now.
Although Venable may not be much of an offensive upgrade over Crawford, his ability to play all three outfield positions gives the Dodgers added versatility. As for serving as a pinch-hitter off the bench, Venable is a career .256/.324/.421 batter against right-handed pitching.
His tenure with the Dodgers may be short-lived as Yasiel Puig is expected to be reinstated from the disabled list on Monday. Activating Puig will require Los Angeles to make a corresponding move on the 25-man roster.
