Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports
Earlier this week, the Dodgers made their first signing of the 2019 offseason, coming in the form of Rocky Gale. The news was reported around noon on Wednesday by Red Sox beat writer, Chris Cotillo.
Dodgers re-signed Rocky Gale to a minor-league deal, per source.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) November 27, 2019
Gale is no Gerrit Cole or Anthony Rendon, but his signing may prove key to a Dodgers team still not quite certain if their young catcher, Will Smith, has the ability to be the team’s everyday catcher. Gale, 31, provides veteran catching depth to a young Dodgers team.
Last season, Gale began the year with the Oklahoma City Dodgers, the L.A. Dodgers’ AAA affiliate, before being traded to the Tampa Bay Rays on July 31st. Gale played seventeen games with Tampa Bay’s AAA affiliate, the Durham Bulls, where he hit .323 in 64 plate appearances. The only Major League time Gale had in 2019 was with the Dodgers prior to his trade. In five games at the Major League level, Gale posted a dismal .266 OPS with -0.2 fWAR.
Rocky Gale’s contract includes an invite to Spring Training.