Angels Sign Veteran Utility Man on MiLB Deal

The Halos add more depth to their system.

The Los Angeles Angels have signed veteran utilityman Hunter Dozier to a minor league contract. MLB.com's Jon Morosi was the one to break the news of the signing.

Source: Hunter Dozier has agreed to a minor league deal with the Angels that includes an invitation to @MLB camp. @MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 18, 2024

The deal includes an invitation to the big league camp, and Dozier will need to prove he belongs. He last played for the Kansas City Royals in 2023 but was released in May.

The Royals still owe him $9 million for the 2024 season due to the release, so the Angels will only owe the prorated league minimum for any time spent on the roster. That total would then be subtracted from what Kansas City owes.

In 29 games last season, Dozier hit just .183 with two home runs and nine runs batted in. The Royals saw a better fit to cut him, rather than continue giving him at-bats.

He first broke out in 2019, hitting .279 with 26 home runs and 84 runs batted in. But since then, Dozier's bat has been almost unplayable.

Dozier's on-base percentage has not cracked .300 since the abbreviated 2020 season, nor has his slugging percentage cracked .400. The Angels are hoping to re-ignite the spark. He has played at all spots on the infield and provides some depth at the corner outfield spots as well. 

This will give the Halos some major versatility if he can make the roster. New manager Ron Washington has done well with corner infielders over his career, so maybe Dozier can return to form. 

If anything, the Angels are giving him a chance to prove himself. This is a low-risk move for them, and it'll be interesting to see how he does in their system.