Chone Figgins, Dodgers agree to minor league contract

Published Jan. 24, 2014 9:47 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Dodgers, in search of infield depth, signed former Angels infielder/outfielder Chone Figgins to a minor league contract with an invite to Major League camp.

If Figgins makes the Dodgers in spring training, he would provide depth at second base, third base and in the outfield.

He also could compete for the starting job at second base if the Dodgers decide Cuban rookie Alexander Guerrero should open the season in the minor leagues.

The Dodgers' current backup infield candidates include Dee Gordon and Justin Sellers, who each failed as the starting shortstop last season, Brendan Harris, who hit .206 for the Angels last season, and Miguel Rojas, who batted .233 at double-A Chattanooga last season.

Figgins, who turned 36 Wednesday, was cut by the Miami Marlins in spring training last year. He did not play last season.

He won a World Series championship ring as a pinch-runner with the 2002 Angels, then worked his way into the lineup as a starter at second base, third base, and center field. He was a career .291 hitter with the Angels, leading the American League in walks once and stealing more than 40 bases four times. In his six seasons as a starter, he finished among the top 25 in MVP voting four times.

He signed with the Seattle after the 2009 season the Angels declined to match the Mariners' four-year, $36-million contract -- but batted .259 in his first season, then .185 thereafter. The Mariners cut him before the fourth season â long after he had lost his starting job â and swallowed the remaining $8 million on his contract.

--Bill Shaikin