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At the age of 38,
Scott Rolen is being looked at by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Rolen is
currently a free agent.
Cincinnati Reds
Mattingly makes
pitch for free agent Rolen
LOS ANGELES -- Manager Don Mattingly said he spoke to free-agent third
baseman Scott Rolen about playing for the Dodgers, although Rolen
hasn't revealed if he's interested in playing anywhere in 2013.
Cincinnati, where Rolen played the last four years, is still waiting to
hear from him, too, and presumably would have the inside track if he
doesn't retire.
Rolen will be 38 in April and has been limited to 157 games combined
over the last two seasons because of problems with his left shoulder,
which underwent surgery in 2011.
In those two seasons, both his average and power have declined, and his
.948 fielding percentage last year was a career low.
At Saturday's Dodger Stadium FanFest, Mattingly told reporters he spoke
to Rolen about what the Dodgers envision his role would be, but
Mattingly did not ask Rolen specifically about the veteran's decision
making or timing.
The Dodgers see Rolen as insurance if Luis Cruz fails at third base, as
well as a potential right-handed-hitting backup to Adrian Gonzalez at
first base, even though Rolen has won eight Gold Gloves playing
exclusively at third base.
The Dodgers can use bench help. They acquired Skip Schumaker from St.
Louis because he can play center field. They have Jerry Hairston as a
potential backup third baseman, but he is coming off hip surgery.
Juan Uribe, signed to be the starting third baseman but a
disappointment for two seasons, could be a backup corner infielder by
default. There does not appear to be another obvious candidate to spell
Gonzalez or be a right-handed power bat off the bench.
Read the rest of the article at the Bleacher Report
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