Los Angeles Dodgers Offer MLB Star a Fresh Contract Despite No Hope Of a Baseball Return

With the 2023 regular season just weeks away, all MLB franchises are securing their roster for a strong season. However, the Los Angeles Dodgers have not done much to strengthen their squad during the free agency. And now when the Dodgers did make a move, their new signing probably won’t be able to contribute much to the clubhouse.

If reports are to be believed, the Blue Crew made a kind offer to their star player despite knowing that he might not play a single game this year. But why this act of kindness from the Dodgers? Well, Andrew Toles, who last played an MLB game in 2018, is struggling with mental health. And once again, the Dodgers have set an example by extending Toles’ contract so that he can get the required help to fight his illness.

Los Angeles Dodgers renew Andrew Toles’ contract to help him recover from mental illness

For those wondering, this is not the first time the LA Dodgers have extended Toles’ contract, despite knowing that he might not be able to contribute to a single game throughout the season. As earlier mentioned, Toles has not played any baseball since 2018, but the Dodgers are still paying him by extending his contract every year.

The Dodgers have not only recognized the 29-year-old’s plight and struggles with schizophrenia but have made sure that they stay behind him with a hand on his back ready to support him if he ever were to stumble. Their love for all their players is apparent in the way they have handled this situation.

Toles’ journey has been a rocky road. While playing for the Tampa Bay Rays in the minor leagues, he grappled with anxiety and sleep issues, which led to mental lapses on the field. However, when he made it to Dodgers as an MLB athlete, his performance had been out of this world akin to a grand slam, so much so that the manager Dave Roberts had called him a “dream.” 

Sadly, his mental health struggles began to consume him, leading him on a stormy journey through mental health facilities, homeless shelters, and run-ins with the law. It wasn’t until his father, Alvin Toles, gained guardianship of him that he found the pillar of support he needed.

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The real dream, for any parent out there, is for their children to have a happy and fulfilled life. And Alvin has been a resilient father. He is someone who never lets a day go by without ensuring that his son is cared for and safe from the demons that threaten to overtake him.

Baseball fans lent their support to Andrew Toles

Andrew Toles might have a horrible run-in with mental health issues, but the support of his team and his father is certainly something he is truly fortunate to have. And the baseball community certainly agrees!

While the baseball ‘dream’ is paving his way through a long and winding road of recovery where he can focus on getting better, the baseball world and the love of his father are like behemoths who will help him overcome the obstacles he faces along the way.

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