The Los Angeles Dodgers have finalized their three-year deal with infielder Juan Uribe today. Uribe, who will play second base for the Dodgers in 2011, will make $21 million during the life of the contract. Uribe set career highs with 24 home runs and 85 RBI with the Giants in 2010, hitting a combined .266/.318/.464 in two seasons in San Francisco. Uribe has versatility, in that he can play all over the infield. He has started at least 95 games at second base, shortstop, and third base in the last three years.
"Juan provides us with a big bat in the middle of the infield and can change a game with one swing," said Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti. "His versatility is a huge asset, as he can play second base, third base and shortstop and he’s a two-time World Champion, so he knows what it takes to win."
Uribe doesn't get on base very much -- his career on-base percentage is .2998 -- but he does provide power, averaging 18 home runs per season for the last seven years, hitting 20 home runs four times. His signing made incumbent second baseman Ryan Theriot expendable, and the Dodgers traded Theriot to St. Louis for pitcher Blake Hawksworth today. The Dodgers currently have 39 players on their 40-man roster.
For more Dodgers news, be sure to read the SB Nation blog True Blue LA.