Aug. 9: The Dodgers have released Biggio, per the team’s transaction log at MLB.com.
Aug. 5: The Dodgers have reinstated Freddie Freeman from the restricted list and designated Cavan Biggio for assignment, reports Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Biggio joined the Dodgers organization in a June trade with the Blue Jays. Over 3o games with L.A., he hit .192/.306/.329 with a paltry .635 OPS and 88 wRC+. The 29-year-old logged most of his playing time at third base, but he took over duties at first base while Freeman was away from the team.
Freeman went on the family emergency list when his son was hospitalized in late July. The first baseman was later transferred to the restricted list as a formality; players can only stay on the family emergency list for a maximum of seven days. Thankfully, his son has been discharged from the hospital and returned home (per Chelsea Freeman on Instagram). Freeman will make his return to the Dodgers lineup in tonight’s game against the Phillies.
The Dodgers already had an open spot on their 40-man roster, but they needed to free up a spot on the active roster to reinstate Freeman. Given Biggio’s poor performance with L.A. and the team’s recent acquisition of another utility player (Amed Rosario) and another left-handed hitter (Kevin Kiermaier) for the bench, it was little surprise that Biggio was the odd man out. Moreover, Ardaya notes that the Dodgers are also hoping to activate shortstop Miguel Rojas from the 10-day IL at some point in the coming days. He, too, will require a spot on the active roster.
If another team claims Biggio off of waivers, they will take responsibility for the small portion of his 2024 salary that is still on the Dodgers’ books; the Blue Jays took on a significant amount of his remaining salary as part of their trade with the Dodgers in June. He is making $4.21MM this season in his second year of arbitration eligibility. If he goes unclaimed, the Dodgers can attempt to send him outright to the minor leagues, but as a player with more than five years of MLB service time, Biggio would have the right to reject the assignment without forfeiting any salary.
In additional Dodgers news, Ardaya reports that the team is planning to activate one of Brusdar Graterol or Michael Grove from the IL “as soon as tonight.” Grove, 27, has been on the 15-day IL since mid-June with an intercostal strain. He has a 5.06 ERA (but a 2.97 SIERA) in 37 1/3 innings pitched this season. Graterol, 25, has been out all season with a shoulder injury. He is on the 60-day IL, so he is not currently taking up a spot on the 40-man roster. However, the Dodgers already had an open 40-man spot before they activated Freeman and DFA’d Biggio, so they would only need to free up a spot on the 26-man roster to activate Graterol.
#MaxStrong
#MaxStrong
Anyone else surprised Outman wasn’t optioned to AAA before Biggio was DFAed? With Kiermaier and Outman the Dodgers have two left handed defensive outfielders both hitting under .190. At least Biggio gave some infield depth while Rojas is injured and Biggio has had a couple of clutch HRs lately.
Kiermaier needs to be released as well. I would prefer Outman over Biggio and KK.
@norcal with Betts, Edman & Muncy about to join Kiermaier looks to be gone.
Possibly, but they might decide to keep him on the roster as a defensive sub. He is still the best glove man they have for the outfield.
Thank goodness Mojo. I think Kiermaier is arguably the least productive hitter the Dodgers have deployed this year…and that’s a mouthful given the number of injuries.
Personally, I’d like to see Edman (assuming he can regain his health and form) be the full time SS and Mookie return to RF. Take the pressure off the poor guy and allow him to build strength and endurance. Gavin is solid at 2B. If it turns out he can’t hit lefties, Rosario or Miggy can play 2B against the tough lefties.
I think your highlighting Mookie, Edman and Muncy is spot on. The health and productivity of those three guys will be a huge key to this season!
3 spots have to open up from among Pages, Kiké, Ahmed, Rosario, Kiermaier. I think they love Kiké’s versatility. It’s either Pages optioned or Kiermaier cut. I think Rosario or Ahmed leaves. Maybe both. And then there’s CT3 supposedly ready (ugh). Still need to lose one or two more.
FWIW, the Dodgers are now saying Mookie will take over at SS when he returns, which should be next week. It seems a simpler solution would be to put him in RF and option Outman and Pages and use some of the IF depth they bought. But Friedman is not one for doing anything the obvious way so who knows?
sure that makes sense. but what I think will happen is Mookie at SS, Edman in CF, Pages platoons with Heyward in RF.
Probably. I noticed the game after Pages flubbed a catch in CF Kiermaier started there and Pages moved over to right. Whatever they figure out it has to be soon. This team is a mess.
The cavalry is over the next hill.
Hope so but it’s going to take more than a couple of horses to fix this. The problems aren’t really new, they’re months old now.
keep the faith
and… Mookie goes to RF
Would the White Sox take a chance on Biggio? They really have nothing to lose at this point.
Seeing as how they’re no closer to filling the vacancy they’ve had at 2B for several years, they might as well give him a shot.
They’re not playing Vargas at second?
Vargas is playing 3B…today
They have nothing to gain either
Well that’s not true.
He’s free if they claim him
What do they stand to lose to get him? Nothing
What do they stand to gain? A potential fix it candidate for rest of this year and next who they could flip if he starts hitting again. Next years version of Tommy Pham.
What do they stand to lose if the bet doesn’t pay off? Nothing.
They stand to lose a roster spot and maybe another player if someone needs to be DFA’d to make room. The price is never zero.
Starts hitting again? He’s a .225 lifetime hitter with little to no power.
You aren’t getting anything of significance for him.
I mean, they took on Nick Senzel. They are really reaching at this point.
Might as well have open tryouts at Guaranteed Rate Field while the Sox are on the road.
Biggio’s known as a really good guy in the clubhouse too, I wonder if he could help even a little from a vibes standpoint? I wouldn’t bet on it but why the heck not try?
Welcome to the White Sox, where there’s really nothing to lose but every game.
Excell Sports: “Cavan, the White Sox are interested in signing you for the rest of the season”
Cavan Biggio: “there isn’t a KBO team i could sign with instead?”
Biggio could go to Houston since they need a first baseman and another biggio
As much as I like his dad and pine for a change at first…. no.
Nope Baldwin, Sosa and Vargas will grab reps.
These White Sox have a chance to do something the 2005 White Sox were unable to do… go wire to wire.
The 2005 white Sox even now would be able to beat these 2024 white sox in a game
They aren’t just a bunch of 50 year olds, they are accomplished 50 year olds
#MaxStrong
Miss you in the ATL Freddie!
Thoughts and prayers!
Biggio to Braves. He can’t be worse than Rosario.
Have you looked at his numbers?
@getrealgone2
You can certainly think that..
He just needs to be better than Merrifield at 2b which is a bar an ant could step over.
@Gman7777
When the bar is set that low the level of badness becomes irrelevant. Neither are qualified to be in the majors.
Biggio is only in the majors because of his name.
Cavan is a pretty sweet name
Too bad Joe Morgan could not play 2B with Freddie at 1B.
Then you would have a Million Dollar Baby, redemption and daisies, all at once!
Biggio to the bus station. Exact change only please. Ahahaha!
They look about the same. I’m figuring his defense can’t be as bad as Rosario.
Too bad hopefully he can get a chance on a non winning team so he can work on his craft
If he’s smart he’ll spend the winter learning how to hit at Driveline.
Cuz that worked GREAT for Ty France…
Like maybe the Jays?
He has been on a bad team and a good team. That might not be the problem.
Hmmm… Toronto has 3 spots open on their 40 man roster..
Wasn’t there a ship right here a minute ago?
Nah man…it sailed
@iains 2
The Jays need to evaluate the talent they have. They’ve evaluated Biggio’s. That’s why they got rid of him.
Biggie can play as much 2B as he wants with the White Sox as many have already mentioned. He can’t hurt this anymore than it has all season long…
Uh no, Baldwin, Sosa, Vargas and others will get the needed runway
I know, I’m just jaded right now with all the losing, that adding Biggio would help extend the losing streak. Sorry it’s just rough watching the Titanic sink right now…
More like My Little Tugboat.
He should look for his glove while he’s dfa
Actually, I was sorry to see Biggio go. He looked pretty solid defensively and, although his average was obviously terrible, he hit a couple of homeruns and I think may have won a couple of games with the bat. Hope he catches on with some team.
He can compete with Senzel to see who blows more.
He also lost at least two games foxD with errors at 3B in critical situations, in one-run games. Sorry, I respectfully disagree with your assessment of Biggio’s defense. He did nothing particularly well, beside cover 1B while Freddie was out.
We do agree though that his offensive numbers were horrible.
Kiermaier looks lost at the plate as well. I know his defensive reputation is solid; but, I don’t see him helping us. Much prefer Outman who has greater offensive upside and plays an above average CF.
norcal
would not surprise me to see KK DFA’d when the roster jam comes. Let me rephrase: I prefer Outman too.
Doc just loves Kiki and CT3. They’re “his guys”. Hard for me to see how Rosario gets the nod over those two if it’s Doc’s call. Personally, I prefer Rosario’s right handed bat.
KK is Kermaier. Not Kiké.
Kiermaier will very likely be let go before Hernández.
Though the guero Boriqua might not be far behind-hoping his recent hot streak continues as I’d like to see him on the LAD playoff roster.
Sorry, my mistake. I agree with you
What a strange theory.
The Dodgers may seem to have tough decisions on their hands as members of the A Team are reactivated, but the reality is the spare parts are all banjo hitters with sub .200 BAs, but I get the sentiment.
Oh Susannah!
Thank you. “Banjo hitter” just isn’t used near enough.
KK has been lost at the plate for years. Lol
Problem with being a KK is you’re behind the eight ball when you roll out of bed into the lineup. Automatically start every game 0 for 2.
The Tigers will claim him since they don’t have enough mediocre infield utility players already in their system…
Him and McKinistry are the same guy! Ibanez and Vierling are decent players.
Was also thinking about Kreider, Sweeney, Leonard in Toledo, Workman & Cruz in Erie and I’m sure I’m missing some others in GR and Lakeland
Agree on most of those.
Juries still out on Leonard and Sweeney though and Workmans strikeout issue improved this year. They have some good ones coming up in Lee and McGonigle.
Nice to have Freddie back and to hear his kid is on the mend. I’m sure he’ll get a huge standing-o from the fans tonight.
Hope some of you caught the moment. The best one you are likely to see in a ballpark this year.
@Blue
was a beautiful moment. especially the respect/love given by the Phillies, notably Harper and Castellanos.
Biggio is a dud and hasn’t hit in four years. Why would anyone think he’s going to at this point? He had a couple years where at the start of his career where he was decent and then pitchers figured him out. he brings nothing to the table other than he can play half decent defense at a few different spots.
He can go to the Marlins and get playing time. Im glad Max is doing better.
Maybe he can catch on in an independent league, his family name might sell a few seats
Yeah he and Billy Ripken
Nepobaby
Back to T.O. For the rest of the year. Why not. Leave the prospects in aaa, then off to Florida complex in September.
@BetterMuppet:JUDGEorKERMIT?
Really doubt it. As I said before, they need to evaluate the return on the trades and the guys they called up from AAA before they give Biggio reps. Not to mention, that he’s still ARB eligible which means they would either have to go through ARB with him or non-tender him. My guess is non-tender. Those are 2 good reasons not to pick him up.
This guy would have been out of baseball 4 years ago without his last name!
There goes one of the guys that Rosario was hitting better than. Just 3 more and Amed can be the starter somewhere.
Biggie poor man’s Gordon Beckham
Other way around bud
Cavan might as well fly directly to Miami lol
As A Jay’s fan Biggio seemed gun shy and didn’t swing enough.
Can’t hit. Can’t field. Only in the big leagues because of his last name.
Exactly!
If I were Biggio, I’d humble myself and accept an assignment to the minors leagues. This season was a disaster and he has a lot to work on to get back to being a productive major league player. At some point you need to face reality and work on your craft!
Face reality and find another line of work
Why give up? Double down! Put in the work!
Biggio deserves nothing but respect…DFAs are hard on guys…he came to LA, played where a high pressure team needed him, and then when the chips were down with Freeman moved to first base and had one of his best weeks in a long time. I’d love to see him accept a AAA assignment and stay with the team, but I expect he’ll leave given the character he showed the last few weeks.
That being said I don’t see a spot for him on the postseason roster of any real playoff team so I’m not sure how things will play out before a spring training invite somewhere next season. But he’s a good egg. Dodgers are where they are tonight in part because of him.
Biggio ended up being a net zero. Created some runs at the plate and gave up some on the field. Definitely not a difference maker in any sense of the word. Best thing that can be said about players like him is the old “good in the clubhouse” cliche….
He’s not MLB material!
No one is claiming him and he’ll accept the AAA and keep the money.
LA Angels maybe? they need a 3B
The Angels need an entire new team lol
I wonder if an intense offseason working with his dad could help him out. Craig Biggio had an awesome handle on the game I’m sure he could teach Cavan some stuff
If he hasn’t learned by now it’s not happening. He’s only played this much in the majors because of his name.
100% the truth!
About time.
Biggio was great his first year but then the pitchers corrected for the massive hole in his swing and he never successfully corrected back. Any pitcher that can execute a high inside low and away strike can get him out everytime.
This past year he tried again in the offseason to correct the swing problem with the Jays hitting people but it didn’t work. The hitting people and other Jays players told him to trust the new swing and adjustments so he listened to them and that didn’t work either.
Biggio has lightning fast hands and a good eye at the plate but he is a dead pull hitter in only one zone and when he tries to go the other way or up the middle we have all seen the negative results
If I were Biggio I would go somewhere that will allow a massive retool of the swing. The only method I see working for him is what Jose Bautista did except from the left side. That is to stand right on top of the plate and force pitchers to come to you and swing for the fences every time.
Biggio is going to be a manager in the show one day. respected guy in the club house, smart baseball IQ, played a few seasons, spent a lot of time on the bench studying the game.
I agree Biggio will be a manager someday in the not too distant future. Smart guy, grew up in the game, great personality, a leader. Playing career sputtering right now. But could be a Terry Francona story.
Cavan is simply one of those guys that can’t come off the bench – he NEEDS to play full time before you see his value.
But until he plays better he cannot get that full time play – Catch 22
He started 21 of the 30 games he was with the Dodgers and hit .192.
He started 34 of the 40 games he played with the Jays and hit .200. Either way, he stunk this year, whether he came off the bench or started.
Not nearly good enough to play full time, forgot his name, he sucks!
The Dodgers released him now to beat the rush for the non-tender deadline.
About time! This guy has been in the league the last 3 years because of his last name. He is not his father, he sucks!
I heard it was because he knows the name of Rob Manfred’s mistress.
I’d actually like to see the Yankees scoop him up.. their bench is atrocious and he can play 3rd SS and 2nd in a pinch
Should have let calvin and craig play together like lebron and bronny #missedopportunity
Where’s daddy getting him a job next?
@GB2
Bagging groceries. But it’ll have to be full time so he can reach his true potential. Part time, he won’t get the reps he needs to be good at it. Such a viscous circle.
Release the hound
I see a future with the white Sox.
“He, too, will require a spot on the active roster.” No, this is straight up wrong. There should be NO commas around too.