Dodgers Sign Dallas McPherson to Minor League Deal

The Dodgers have signed journeyman Dallas McPherson to a minor league contract in order to bolster AAA-Albuquerque’s roster and provide some depth to a depleted farm system. The 32-year old has played primarily at third base over the past ten years as a professional ball player, but he has seen some time at first base and as a designated hitter as well. The big left-handed hitter has accumulated 209 homeruns in the minors, and he could add some much-needed power for the Isotopes in 2013.

Dallas McPherson is familiar with Camelback Ranch since he has played with the White Sox who share the facility with the Dodgers. Photo: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Last season he split time between the AAA affiliates for the Chicago White Sox and the Pittsburgh Pirates were he hit a combined .265 with 17 homeruns and 62 RBIs in 81 games. Interestingly enough, McPherson played for Albuquerque in 2008 when they were the AAA affiliates of the Florida Marlins, and he excelled that season hitting .275 with 42 homeruns and 98 RBIs. Dallas has played in 139 Major League games sporadically between 2004 and 2011. His last big league time came in 2011 with the Chicago White Sox where he played in 11 games and only collected two hits while striking out 7 times in 15  plate appearances. He only hit a cumulative .241 in his 446 Major League plate appearances for three different teams (the Angels, Marlins, and White Sox). That was disappointing considering he had once been a top prospect for the Angels. Injuries plagued him, and he missed the entirety of the 2007 and 2009 seasons and parts of others.

McPherson will likely get an invitation to Major League Spring Training camp for

McPherson was once a top power hitting prospect. Photo: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

the Dodgers. He should be slotted to play third base for the Isotopes. It’s still looking like Luis Cruz will be starting at third base for the Dodgers in 2013 barring any spectacular showing from Dallas or surprise signing by the Dodgers. More depth at third base is always welcomed since that means that there’s even less of a reason to hang on to Juan Uribe. The Albuquerque Isotopes still have some holes to fill especially in their rotation. Right now Stephen Fife and Matt Magill are their only two for sure starters after John Ely was traded to Houston this week. We can most likely expect the Dodgers to try to sign some more minor leaguers in the coming weeks, and we are still on alert for a possible trade to land a left-handed reliever or back up first baseman for the big club which is sorely needed. The Dodgers have yet to deal Aaron Harang or Chris Capuano. The Dodgers currently have 39 men on their 40-man roster.