Dodgers sign Todd Coffey, but why?

The Dodgers signed Todd Coffey today to a 1-year, $1.3 million deal with a club option for the 2013 season.

Update (Feb. 3, 5:22 p.m.): Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times has the contract details:

2012: $1 million
2013: $2.5 million option with a $300,000 buyout

This one came out of left field. But why the need? Seriously, this signing makes no sense.

The Dodgers' bullpen was already crowded, and now there's another veteran to take time away from a youngster.

Classic Ned Colletti.

If the Mike MacDougal signing didn't mean Nathan Eovaldi would begin the season in the minors, this move certainly does. It also means Josh Lindblom, he of the 2.73 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 6.4 H/9 and 8.5 K/9 will also likely begin the season in the minors.

The only legitimate justification for this signing is the Dodgers are worried about Blake Hawksworth's injury, but he's projected to return for Spring Training.

The only way this signing would have made sense is if MacDougal wasn't re-signed (and would have been a much, much better option).

Coffey's career numbers aren't great, but he's been solid for the last three seasons (his 2010 wasn't great, though). His career ground ball percentage is 51, but that number has trended down in four consecutive seasons (43.6 in 2011). He also gets lit up by left-handed hitters (.317/.388/.470 for his career), so I guess he's a ROOGY.

The only saving grace is the contract isn't pricey and is for one guaranteed year.

You may have heard about Coffey's world famous sprint to the mound. Well, Mike Petriello has a post on it, if you'd care to have a look at it.

Petriello also points out the Dodgers' 40-man roster is full, so someone is going to get Das Boot.

"The Dodgers already had a full 40-man, so someone's got to go. The bell tolls for thee, Trent Oeltjen?"

Here's hoping. Oeltjen has zero reason to be on the 40-man roster.

Photo credit: isabellamckinney (Elizabeth McKinney) on Flickr.