Dodgers Sign Rod Barajas

The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed catcher and former Met Rod Barajas to a one-year, $3.25M contract.

I’m not surprised LA brought him back, considering that he went on a tear after leaving Flushing. The dollar figure, though, seems a bit high for a 35-year-old catcher with fading defensive skills and a career .284 OBP. I guess, though, teams must pay a premium for a catcher who can hit as many as 17 homeruns. Makes one wonder why these same teams regularly move young backstops to another position the moment they show some ability to swing the bat.

The signing of Barajas also had some influence on the Dodgers’ decision to non-tender Russell Martin, who is coming off a major hip injury.