The Dodgers were one of nine teams in attendance Wednesday when former Angel Chone Figgins worked out near his home in Tampa, Fla.
Dodgers vice president for player personnel Vance Lovelace was among those watching Figgins run, throw and hit. Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said there is “a curiosity” about what Figgins, 35, might have to offer.
The Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays (managed by Joe Maddon, who has a history with Figgins from his own days with the Angels) have expressed interest. Any deal would most likely be a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
Colletti would like to add more infield depth to his roster, particularly a veteran with versatility. The Dodgers lost three role players from last year’s bench – Skip Schumaker and Nick Punto left as free agents and Jerry Hairston Jr. retired – as well as their primary second baseman Mark Ellis (now with the St. Louis Cardinals).
Cuban infielder Alexander Guerrero will enter spring training as the leading candidate to replace Ellis. But he is an unknown commodity to a large extent and the Dodgers would like to have fallback options. They remain in contact with Michael Young as well.
Figgins played second, third, shortstop and the outfield during his 11-year career.
That career topped out in 2009 when he earned an All-Star selection and was one of the American League’s top leadoff hitters. He left the Angels after that season to sign a four-year, $36 million contract with the Seattle Mariners as a free agent.
Figgins’ career took a nose dive from there. He hit .259 his first season in Seattle but .188 and .181 in the following seasons and was relegated to the bench before being released after the 2012 season. He went to spring camp with the Miami Marlins last year but was released before the season.
Figgins took the unusual step of speaking to the scouts after his workout, a heartfelt speech in which he expressed his passion for baseball and desire to make a comeback. The 5-10 minute speech impressed Lovelace, according to Colletti.
“It was the first thing (Lovelace) mentioned to me,” the GM said.
NOTES
The Dodgers did not reach contract agreements with their two remaining arbitration cases, catcher A.J. Ellis and closer Kenley Jansen, before Friday’s deadline to exchange salary figures. Jansen, who made $512,000 last season, filed for $5.05 million. The Dodgers countered at $3.5 million. Ellis is seeking $4.6 million after making $2 million in 2013. The Dodgers countered at $3 million. … Former Dodger Hideo Nomo was elected to the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. The first Japanese player to achieve stardom in MLB, Nomo was 123-109 with a 4.24 ERA over 12 seasons. Seven of those seasons were with the Dodgers and included a Rookie of the Year award in 1995 and a no-hitter in 1996. Nomo, 45, is the youngest player elected to the Japanese Hall of Fame.
Contact the writer: bplunkett@ocregister.com
