Dodgers claim Mike Baxter from Mets, designate Alex Castellanos

By By Steve Dilbeck

Oct 17, 2013 | 6:28 PM

The Dodgers just sort of slipped this one in there, a move of no obvious import.

They claimed outfielder Mike Baxter from the Mets, and made room for him on the 40-man roster by designating outfielder Alex Castellanos for assignment.

Castellanos, ironically, came to the Dodgers from the Cardinals in 2011 for shortstop Rafael Furcal.

It's a lateral move that doesn't figure to have long-range impact, the outfield being the one position in which the Dodgers are well-stocked.

Castellanos is 27, so it's not like he's a major prospect. He had a somewhat disappointing season at triple-A Albuquerque (.257, 19 home runs and 14 doubles in 105 games). He appeared in eight games with the Dodgers and hit .171 with two homers and four RBIs.

Baxter, 28, has appeared in 194 major league games with the Padres (2010) and Mets (2011-13), hitting .229 with 22 doubles, four triples, four homers and 26 RBI. He’s appeared at all three outfield positions, and can play a little first base.

His best upside would be to make the club next season as a backup outfielder, but don't count on it.

If no deal is made for Castellanos he will be waived, and if he goes unclaimed, he could still return to Albuquerque, just as Scott Van Slyke did last year.