Dodgers Sign A’s Farmhands

The Dodgers have signed three minor league free agents familiar to General Manager Paul DePodesta, including a catcher who will compete for a spot on the major league roster in the spring.

Mike Rose, who is only 28 despite having played for 12 teams in 11 minor league seasons, will challenge Dodger returnees David Ross and Tom Wilson. DePodesta said during last week’s general manager meetings that he will pursue a starting catcher via trade or free-agent signing, but probably not until more pressing needs are met.

Rose had a good season for the Sacramento River Cats, batting .281 with a .407 on-base percentage in 107 games and being named to the Topps triple-A All-Star team and to the Pacific Coast League All-Star team. He was called up to the Oakland Athletics in September and struck out in his only two at-bats.

The other two players signed by the Dodgers -- utility player Mike Edwards and outfielder Jon Weber -- also are from the Oakland farm system. DePodesta was the A’s assistant general manager for five years before the Dodgers hired him in January.

Edwards, 28, has been in pro ball for nine seasons, the last two with Sacramento, where he batted a cumulative .294 with 176 runs batted in. Weber, 26, played most of the season in double-A Midland (Texas), batting .280 with 15 homers.

-- Steve Henson