Daily Dodger in Review: The search for Alex Guerrero’s position

ALEX GUERRERO, 28, infielder.

Final 2014 stats: Had one hit in 13 September at-bats for the Dodgers. Spent most of the season at triple-A Albuquerque, where he hit .329 with 15 homers and 49 RBIs, with .364 on-base and .613 slugging percentages in 65 games.

Contract status: Signed for three more years a $21.5 million.

The good: Was off to an absolute tear to start the season with the Isotopes. He had a .376/.417/.735 slash line through his first 33 games, with 10 homers and 29 RBI. Bought a lakeside mansion in Florida for $2.5 million.

The bad: Signed out of Cuba as a shortstop to a four-year, $28-million deal before spring training, the Dodgers quickly learned short was not his natural position. They’re still in search of that, though he spent most of the season at second base for Albuquerque (he had six errors in his 65 games).

The worst part of the season for Guerrero was undoubtedly getting half his ear bitten off by catcher Miguel Olivo in a dugout incident that required him to have surgery and miss seven weeks.

What’s next: He cannot be sent back to the minors without his consent, though it is likely the Dodgers’ preference. If he says no, he would be used in a utility role.

The take: Everyone seems convinced Guerrero can hit. He was on the cusp of being called up in May when Olivo went all Mike Tyson on him.

If he has any legitimate future, he needs to become more polished and experienced at second. Some are seriously doubtful it will ever happen.

But he wasn’t signed to that four-year deal with control of his roster position in the second year because the Dodgers were planning on taking the slow route. He’s 28, so great patience is not exactly the order of the day.

Yet with Howie Kendrick here next season, the Dodgers have no immediate need for him. If he demands to stay on the 25-man roster, he would not get the playing time he needs. It’s up to the Dodgers to convince him it’s best to spend another season being groomed in the minors.

He also played a little third and some outfield for the Isotopes, so utility may prove his default role.