After spending seven seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, A.J. Pollock has signed a 4-year, $55 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers and is due to become their everyday centerfielder.
I worry about this deal because I wonder if Pollock can stay healthy. He has had stints on the DL over the last three seasons and four of the last five seasons including missing nearly the entire 2016 season due to a broken right elbow. Pollock's best season came in 2015 when he hit .315 with 20 HR and 76 RBI along with a Gold Glove and a NL All-Star Team selection. He did hit a career high 21 HR in 2018 despite missing nearly 50 games with a broken thumb.
Unless the Dodgers plan to sign Bryce Harper or significantly strengthen their pitching by acquiring Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer, I don't think the addition of the 31-year old Pollock makes up for the loss of Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp. Pollock enters the 2019 season with a .281 lifetime batting average with 74 HR and 264 RBI.
Whatever Pollock's chances in LA and the chances of the Dodgers capturing a seventh straight NL West title and a third consecutive NL pennant, the D'Backs enter 2019 a significantly diminished team with the departures of Pollock along with Paul Goldschmidt and top starter Patrick Corbin. D'Backs manager Torey Lovullo will have his work cut out for him in the NL West.
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