DODGERS NEWS/RUMORS/AROUND MLB Thread

Report: Dodgers, Cubs interested in Jon Niese
by Bill Baer | NBC Hardball Talk — 2 hours ago

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports is reporting that both the Dodgers and Cubs have interest in Mets left-hander Jon Niese. It’s been no secret that the Mets would like to move Niese and/or Dillon Gee in the right circumstances as that would relieve the logjam in the starting rotation.

Niese, 28, has the prorated portion of his $7 million salary for the 2015 season remaining, plus $9 million in 2016 and a $500,000 buyout for either the ’17 or ’18 season. He has a 4.12 ERA this year along with a 58/27 K/BB ratio in 83 innings.

Though Jake Arrieta and Jason Hammel have both been excellent in the Cubs’ starting rotation this year, Jon Lester — the club’s big off-season signing — has struggled, as have Kyle Hendricks and Travis Wood. The Dodgers have had dominating starting pitching at the top end with Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw, but lack depth and Niese would certainly help in that regard.​

 

shit, if we can include collaps0, i'd settle for nothing in return

 

consider the source

 

this has to make guerrero happy

Crawford scheduled to begin Rehab Assignment
by Tyler Monroy | Dodgers Nation — 1 hour ago

During May and early June the Los Angeles Dodgers’ disabled list was made up of several starters and key contributors. Among them were Pedro Baez, Carl Crawford, Brandon League and Yasiel Puig.

Baez and Puig have since returned, League is nearing his, and now so too is Crawford. According to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times, Crawford is set begin a rehab assignment this week:

Dylan Hernandez ✔ @dylanohernandez
Carl Crawford expected to start playing games for Class-A
Rancho Cucamonga this week. Took live BP this weekend.
8:17 AM - 28 Jun 2015​

Crawford tore his oblique back in April and was transferred to the 60-day disabled list after initially being placed on the 15-day DL. He hit .245/.260/.408 in just 15 games played prior to going down with the injury.

In his absence Alex Guerrero and Scott Van Slyke largely handled left field duties, with Andre Ethier sliding over upon Puig’s return. As part of a crowded outfield, it doesn’t appear Crawford will return in the same capacity before being sidelined.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly recently stated Ethier will remain the starter in left field even once Crawford is activated from the disabled list. In 71 games this season Ethier is slashing .260/.340/.457 with nine home runs and 27 RBIs.

Ethier’s success and Mattingly’s comments shouldn’t necessarily dismiss the idea of Crawford potentially regaining the starting spot. He’s historically hit better August through October throughout his career and could provide the Dodgers with a speed threat once his legs are back under him.​

 

Astros Targeting Cueto Over Hamels
By Zach Links [June 28, 2015 at 4:31pm CDT]

In recent weeks, the Astros have been connected to Phillies ace Cole Hamels, but it doesn’t sound as though he’s their top pitching target. Instead, it’s Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto that is atop Houston’s wish list, according to sources who spoke with Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle.

One of the main reasons for their preference of Cueto over Hamels is that the Astros are seeking out a 2015 rental or possibly someone whose contract runs for one more year. With a hefty contract that runs through 2018, Hamels simply doesn’t fit the bill. Cueto, meanwhile, is only owed the prorated portion of his 2015 salary of $10MM, which is a little over $5MM the rest of the way. Hamels, meanwhile, is set to earn the balance of his $22.5MM salary for the remainder of this season, $22.5MM in the next three seasons, and a $20MM option/$6MM buyout that can vest with good health and a certain number of innings pitched.

For his part, Hamels recently indicated that he would be “open-minded” to being traded to any team, including the Astros. Instead, it sounds like Houston has their attention focused on the Reds’ pitching, where other suitors include the Dodgers, Yankees, and Blue Jays, a source tells Drellich. All in all, Drellich hears that the Phillies have been pumping up the perception of the Astros’ interest as negotiating leverage in talks about Hamels.

The Astros are casting a wide net in their effort to add a solid starter to their rotation to go with Dallas Keuchel, Collin McHugh, Vincent Velasquez, and Lance McCullers. In addition to Cueto and Mike Leake, the Astros are doing their homework on A’s lefty Scott Kazmir, Brewers right-handers Matt Garza and Kyle Lohse, and White Sox right-hander Jeff Samardzija.

 

f ever there were a time for management to step in, it would be here
they kept seager out of the future's game, so don't be surprised if they did the same here
the hr derby is nothing more than a contrived exhibition solely for the fans
not trying to be the no fun guy
but sorry, the team comes first and nothing good [for said team] would/could come from this

Joc Pederson would consider participating in HR Derby
by Tyler Monroy | Dodgers Nation — 8 hours ago



As the 2015 MLB All-Star game rapidly approaches, the Los Angeles Dodger still do not have a player set to participate as a starter. However, rookie center fielder Joc Pederson has generated some steam and closed the gap in voting over recent weeks.

Although Pederson is still striking out a high rate, particularly recently, his power has caught the attention of many. Considering Pederson’s power and possibility of reaching the All-Star game, it’s naturally led to questions of him participating in the Home Run Derby.

Given that Pederson is very much focused on helping the Dodgers win day in and day out, he hasn’t paid any mind to being a Home Run Derby participant. That being said, it’s something he would consider, according to Manny Navarro on ESPN:

“If I’m invited to the All-Star Game to play, I’d take it into consideration,” Pederson said Friday of participating in the derby. “I’ll take any of the home runs I hit — long or short. They all feel good.”​

Based on data collected by HitTracker, Pederson has hit two of the 10 longest home runs this season at 480 and 467 feet. The only person to hit a home run ball further is Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who is now on the disabled list after undergoing surgery to repair a broken bone in his left wrist.

Yasiel Puig was one of four Dodgers to make the National League All-Star team last season, and he kept busy over the break by also participating in the Home Run Derby. Unfortunately it was a flat performance as he failed to hit a home run, then went hitless in the Midsummer Classic.

While it may seem far off for Pederson to make the All-Star team as a starter, he still has a chance to be a reserve. San Francisco Giants outfielder Nori Aoki, who is currently fourth in outfielder voting, was recently put on the 15-day DL, which could lead to Pederson making another jump up in fan voting.​

 

• Mets starter Jon Niese is just “one of many” arms that the Dodgers has some interest in, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports on Twitter, and there are “no active discussions” ongoing between the Dodgers and Mets.

not to debunk the all-knowing rosendouche < sarcasm
but why would we be interested in a starter that is not as good as our current #4 and [arguably] no better than our current #5?
and, oh yeah, you'd be on the hook for $9MM for next year :crazy:

 

Although I don't think Niese is very good or exciting it's not bad to get a pitcher of his caliber IMO. Getting a #4 or #5 can help down the road. bolsinger and frias are rookies and haven't thrown many MLB innings in a full season so who knows how they handle that later on in the year. Anderson has been great but is still a health risk. I also like the idea of getting someone who would be as good as Frias to then put Frias in the bullpen, I think Frias would work great in a set up role and then bounce back in the rotation if need be.