A.J. Pollock arrives at Dodger Stadium

LOS ANGELES —- The Dodgers officially announced their signing of free agent outfielder A.J. Pollock this morning and then just before noon, Pollock was introduced to the media at a press conference at Dodger Stadium.

“This ball club had been to the World Series two years in a row,” Pollock said in his opening statement, “just knowing how hard is to get there, it is a testament to just how good this team is,” and then alluding to his wife who was also at the press conference, “we’re super excited and like I said, it hasn’t really sunk in yet, it’s just an unbelievable opportunity for us and we just can’t wait to out there and get to work.”

“We were looking at the Dodgers the whole time, you are just thinking, that is just a great fit, we love them, we know them really well,” Pollock said, “it just worked out, it was crazy last couple of weeks, you know with negotiating and but I don’t know the details too much, I am just here, so it’s pretty exciting.”

Pollock said they talked to a lot of teams and just came down to what he and his family and agent thought best. Pollock also said that he always wanted to keep the Dodgers in play.

Pollock said that a lot of his injuries were impact injuries, freak stuff. His injuries were not really overuse.

Andrew Friedman, President of Baseball Operations echoed these thoughts later saying that the due diligence indicated Pollock does all he can to stay healthy.

Manager Dave Roberts later said that he sees Pollock as an everyday player who will get occasional rest.

“I came here to win, this team is trying to win a World Series,” Pollock said, “and there is only a couple teams out there that can really realistically say we got a chance, these guys expect to win a World Series. Us, we expect, I have to get used to that.”

“Whatever Doc [Roberts] wants me to do, I am ready to do, if it off the bench for that day, I am ready to go.”

Asked if he ever “hated” the Dodgers when he was with the Diamondbacks, Pollock laughed and said “when you play against the Dodgers, of course man, these guys are good,” Pollock said, “ that’s what it comes down to, I think this is a place where you either love them or hate them, I think it just means when you are really good, and you have a team is winning and expects to win, and carries themself a certain way, of course, teams are not going to like that, so yeah I wanted to beat these guys every time I played against them.

Pollock said they couldn’t put a number (salary) on fit but he also again said how much his wife and himself loved it out in Los Angeles.

Pollock also recognized that there might be fans that who compare him to how they felt about Yasiel Puig. He said he understood that and said he would concentrate on what he does and be the best player he can be.

He was really excited to be working with the new hitting coach, he said they have a great relationship and he said it woudl be great to have another familiar face.

He added that he and his wife are excited to start looking at neighborhoods and places to live.