DODGERS NEWS/RUMORS/AROUND MLB Thread

didn't miss your point at all
you yourself was the one who said you were now a fan of both the dodgers and padres
thanks for providing the dictionary definition
i presume it's because you didn't know the meaning since it's what i intended and still do
orel was and still is one of my favorite dodgers
but when he became a giant, i stopped rooting for him
so yeah, if you claim to be a dodger fan and root for a player on an opposing team -- especially a division rival -- yes, i find that disingenuous
not telling you who to root for, not even saying you're wrong for choosing to do so
it's just not the way i'm wired
kemp was one of my favorite dodgers
but he's a padre now
i have no problem wishing him well individually, but i hope he and the padres fail miserably
why? because he's no longer a dodger
you see, to me, the name on the front of the jersey trumps any name on the back

 

stupid

 

stfu madden
yes it was a bit of a freak show, but he raised $1MM for cancer research — something you conveniently failed to allude to
so if it inconvenienced a couple of [somewhat] otherwise meaningless spring training games, so be it
big picture fat ass

John Madden hated Will Ferrell's spring-training tour
by Israel Fehr | Big League Stew — 10 hours ago



Will Ferrell's wacky spring-training tour was a grand success. He accomplished his goal of playing 10 positions in one day for 10 teams across five Cactus League games and raised an estimated $1 million for charity.

Still, there were a few people out there who voiced their displeasure that a 47-year-old man with a dodgy track record in professional baseball was taking part in a number of exhibition games.

You can count Hall of Fame football coach and longtime broadcaster John Madden among those that opposed Ferrell's stunt.

"I hate it," Madden told KCBS 740 in San Francisco. "That's a lack of respect, that's a lack of respect for the game, I think, and a respect for what players have to do to get where they are."

If Madden had his way, Ferrell would have been shown he didn't belong on a big-league field. Madden went on to tell a story about the time NBA Hall of Famer and Golden State Warriors legend Rick Barry wanted to join one of his practices with the Raiders in the 1970s:

"I’m in training camp in Santa Rosa. Rick Barry comes walking by and he was playing for the Warriors at that time. He was a friend of Al Davis’ and he said he was going to go in and suit up and go out on the field and practice, to fool Al. I swear this is true," Madden said. "Jack Tatum and George Atkinson walked by and I said, look, if this guy comes out on the field, he’s live bait and I want you to go after him the way you would go after any other player that plays on another team. I said, go ahead and dress, but we’re going to treat you like a football player and not like an NBA player."​

Barry ultimately opted not to follow through with his idea.

Fortunately for Ferrell, the opinion of Cubs manager Joe Maddon carried much more weight than John Madden's in this scenario. The Cubs were one of teams Ferrell suited up for on Thursday and his presence was a big hit with their players and coaches.

"It was a lot of fun, man," Maddon told CSN Chicago. "Nice play in the outfield, he was a lot of fun on the bench. I think it’s good for baseball in general to have him do something like that with his popularity."

We'll happily side with Maddon over Madden on this one.​

 

Santos impressing Dodgers, willing to closer until Jansen returns
by Scott Andes | Lasorda's Lair

Sergio Santos threw just his third spring training inning, making his third appearance for the Dodgers on Thursday evening at Peoria against the Padres. He looked impressive, pitching a scoreless frame, and whiffing two batters. The 31-year old right hander is a Southern California native, born in Los Angeles, and attending high school in Santa Ana.

Santos has a great chance of not only making the Dodger’s opening day roster, but perhaps even filling in at closer while Kenley Jansen is on the mend from foot surgery. Santos has pitched three scoreless innings for the Dodgers this spring, not allowing a hit or run and whiffing four.

Santos was drafted in the first round of the 2002 amateur draft by the Arizona Dbacks, and was trade to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2005 along with Troy Glaus for Miguel Batista, and former Dodger Orlando Hudson. However he didn’t make his MLB debut until 2010. Santos was originally an infielder, primarily a shortstop and was converted to a pitcher in 2009.

Santos ended up with the White Sox in 2010, and it was with the Pale Hose that he converted from the infield to the mound. Santos pitched 25 consecutive scoreless frames on the road in 2011, to set a new Major League record. He actually pitched 30 consecutive scoreless frames if you count back to the previous season.

Santos wasn’t much of a hitter, but had a live arm. He pitched in 56 games with Chicago in 2010, posting a 2.96 ERA, and a 3.10 FIP. That season he whiffed 56 and walked 26 for a 9.8 strikeout per nine rate. The next season in 2011 he pitched in 63 games, posting a 3.55 ERA/2.87 FIP with 92 whiffs and 29 walks in 63.1 innings pitched. That year he posted the highest strikeout rate of his career (13.1) although he also posted a troublesome walk per nine rate of 4.1. That season he saved 30 games for the White Sox.

In 2012 he was traded to the Blue Jays for Nestor Molina. That season he pitched in just six games after suffering from right shoulder inflammation. Eventually he would need shoulder surgery to correct the injury.

In 2013, Santos was expected to be the closer for Toronto, but once again had to succumb to surgery. He had a triceps strain, and then had to have surgery on his right elbow to clean up bone spurs. Despite the injuries, Santos pitched very well in 2013. In 29 games he posted a 1.75 ERA/1.85 FIP with 28 whiffs and just 4 walks in 25.2 innings pitched.

The 2014 season was a struggle for Santos, who pitched in 26 games, but posted an 8.57 ERA and walked 18 in 21 innings pitched. All total Santos has posted a career 11.4 strikeout per nine rate, and a 3.89 ERA/3.29 FIP in 180 games. He has 39 career Major League saves. On January 8, 2015 he signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers.

Santos has had control problems throughout his career though. His career walk per nine rate is 4.4, as he has allowed 81 free passes in his 166.2 innings pitched.

Santos primarily throws three pitches, a four-seam fastball, that can reach up 96-97 on the gun. He has a slider, and a changeup. Santos has stated that he is willing to take over the closer role until Kenley Jansen returns from his foot surgery.

Santos had experience pitching in a setup role, and as a closer. If he stays healthy, continues to impress, then there is a very good chance he could not only make the Dodger’s opening day roster, but possibly see some time in the ninth inning as well. He definitely has the ability to miss bats.

 

posted this in the cubans thread as well...

It was recently rumored that Hector Olivera may require Tommy John surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow. As such, the Dodgers reportedly asked for a second MRI on Olivera’s elbow and were denied, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.​

 

Pederson Focused On Improving As A Hitter
by Matthew Moreno | Dodgers Nation — 1 hour ago



Over the last three seasons, any discussion involving the future of the Los Angeles Dodgers has included Joc Pederson’s name. Considered one of the club’s top prospects, Pederson made his Major League debut last September and is widely expected to take over in center field this season.

As is often the case with any young player attempting to break out in the Majors, plate discipline tends to be one of the more difficult adjustments when transitioning from the Minors. Pederson’s strikeout rate is a criticism he’s faced in recent years but it isn’t something he appears overly concerned with, according to Bill Plunkett of the OC Register:

“I’m just working to get better. I’m not a perfect player. I’m going to strike out. It’s not like I’m trying to strike out. I just need to continue to work to grow as a hitter.”​

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly previously compared Pederson’s swing to that of Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and he said Thursday Pederson’s body control is key:

“The one thing we talked about with Joc is to make sure he has control of his body because he has the leg kick,” Mattingly said before the game. “You’ve got to have that under control. You’ve got to be able to slow it down.”
​

Pederson appeared in 18 games last season with the Dodgers and struck out in 11 of his 38 plate appearances; however, he also drew nine walks. Through six games (14 plate appearances) this spring, he has four strikeouts and zero walks.

It hasn’t been an easy landscape for Pederson, who’s faced Jon Lester and James Shields in the Dodgers’ last two games. The ebb and flow of Thursday’s game saw him strike out against San Diego Padres reliever Kevin Quackenbush, then hit the decided home run in the ninth inning.

While there may be growing pains with Pederson at the plate, what he brings to the table defensively and moving forward is why he’s expected to be the starter in center field come April 6.

​

 

not sure where else to put this
he was brash and at times obnoxious
but the big guy knew his stuff and oftentimes reported things hours before others [magic/aids, shaq coming to LA]
if you listened to sports radio in LA back in the 90's, you knew joe
xtra sports 690 and 1150
RIP joe... i'm only surprised you weren't the first to report this...

Joe McDonnell, Los Angeles sports media fixture, dies at 58
by Ryan Parker | Los Angeles Times -- 30 minutes ago



Joe McDonnell, a Los Angeles sports commentator and talk show host who was known for his once enormous size and magnetic personality, has died, the Angels confirmed. He was 58.

McDonnell died Friday afternoon at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, according to family friend and sports publicist Steve Brener. The cause has not been determined.

McDonnell, who at one time weighed 740 pounds before undergoing gastric-bypass surgery, was known throughout the Los Angeles sports-talk radio scene since the 1980s. His nicknames included Big Joe and the Big Nasty.

McDonnell was admired by fans and teams alike.

"For more than 35 years, Joe has been a regular at Lakers games and press events," Los Angeles Lakers President Jeanie Buss said in a statement. "Known for his quick wit and strong opinions, Joe’s love of and support of the Lakers has always been appreciated. Over all these years, our players, coaches and staff have enjoyed working with and knowing Joe. He will be sorely missed.”

"He was as tapped into the Los Angeles sports scene as much as anyone I've ever seen, in any market, ever," Erik Braverman, one of McDonnell’s former sports-talk radio bosses, told Times columnist Bill Plaschke in 2010. "He epitomized the Los Angeles sports fan."

McDonnell was known for getting scoops and exclusives involving some of L.A.'s most famous athletes because he was held in such high regard.

McDonnell paired with Long Beach Press-Telegram sports columnist Doug Krikorian on a long-running radio talk show that aired at various times on four local stations.

In 2010, Krikorian called his broadcast partner “loud, opinionated, obnoxious, irreverent, outrageous, unpredictable, knowledgeable, brash and, most of all, entertaining.”

After McDonnell overcame a serious infection in 2010, he reflected on his life in an interview with Krikorian.

"I have a new zest for life since I came so close to losing mine," McDonnell said at that time. "I definitely see things a little differently now. Things that might have incited me to anger in the past don't bother me now."

McDonnell's survivors include his wife, Elizabeth.

Funeral services are pending.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.​

 

Commissioner, Dodgers in early talks about All Star Game at Dodger Stadium
By Steve Dilbeck | Los Angeles Times — 2 hours ago


The last All Star Game at Dodger Stadium was in 1980

Rob Manfred, Dodgers start 'preliminary' talks about a possible All-Star game at Dodger Stadium.

They’re talking about bringing the All-Star Game back to Dodger Stadium, which is something, though it’s hard to know how excited to get over the possibility.

At first blush, with the next three games all scheduled in National League parks, it doesn’t sound promising that the Dodgers could host the game in 2018.

But new Commissioner Rob Manfred stopped by Monday to talk to the Dodgers and afterward told the media that discussions about the possibility had at least been initiated.

“I’ve had some preliminary conversations with Stan Kasten about an All-Star Game in L.A.,” Manfred said. “I’m aware of what the facts are in terms of how long it’s been since we’ve had a game there. And obviously a market like L.A., you can’t ask for a better showcase for the game. So more to follow on that one.”

The Dodgers haven’t hosted an All-Star Game since 1980. The game was played at Angels Stadium in 2010.

Last year’s game was played in Minneapolis, but the next three are all scheduled in N.L. parks – Cincinnati, San Diego and Miami. Another N.L. team – Kasten’s old Nationals – is also interested in hosting a game. That could make even a 2019 bid a long shot.

“We’re working on the bidding process,” Manfred said. “We’d like to be in a situation – I think we are in a situation – where we have multiple teams interested in having All-Star Games. And we think we can put a process together that ensures that we get the city that would be the best host for the game.”

 

Joc Pederson taking control in center field
by Eric Stephen | True Blue LA — 90 minutes ago

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Dodgers and Rangers meet up on Tuesday, the first of three games against one another in a five-day span, including this weekend's two exhibition games in San Antonio.

Joc Pederson starts in center field, his eighth start at the position (five more than anyone else on the team), and 11th start overall in 14 days. The rookie is 9-for-22 (.409) with two doubles, a home run and a pair of walks so far this spring, but more than that has impressed the staff throughout big league camp.

"We like what we've seen from Joc. As we talked about it early, we're looking about Joc's process as much as his results, that he's hitting .409. How's his work, does he have good routines, how is he kind of dealing with it all?" manager Don Mattingly said Tuesday morning. "I even talked to him today about having good at-bats, not putting pressure on yourself about worrying about get a hit. If you walk, even if you make an out and you're having good at-bats, that's going to turn into a good season."

Pederson, who made a couple of stellar defensive plays on Monday, is considered the best center field defender on the club among potential regulars, and has he inside track to win the center field job. But Mattingly wouldn't commit just yet, with just under three weeks left in camp.

"We haven't made any decision on who's going to be where," Mattingly explained, "but we do like the way things are going for Joc."

 

2015 Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers
by D.J. Short | NBC Sports Hardball Talk — 4 hours ago

The Big Question: Will the revamped front office put the Dodgers over the top?

After losing in the NLCS in 2013, the Dodgers won their second straight NL West title last season before being ousted by the Cardinals during the NLDS. It was bitterly disappointing, especially to see the division rival Giants go on to win the World Series, but such is life with the randomness of the playoffs. However, rather than stand pat and hope for better luck in 2015, the Dodgers decided to shake things up by reassigning GM Ned Colletti and giving big money to Andrew Friedman to lure him from the Rays. Friedman, who was hired as president of baseball operations, then brought on Farhan Zaidi from the A’s to serve as general manager and made a host of other changes throughout the organization.

Friedman and Zaidi were accustomed to making the most out of limited resources with their former organizations, so being free from these shackles allowed them to not only improve around the margins with their new team but also make some bold moves. After letting free agent Hanley Ramirez walk, the Dodgers remade their middle infield by acquiring Jimmy Rollins and cashing in on Dee Gordon‘s big 2014 to get Andrew Heaney as a chip for Howie Kendrick. They flipped Matt Kemp to the Padres and landed a new primary catcher (Yasmani Grandal) in the process. They threw money at risk with the backend of their rotation by signing Brandon McCarthy to a four-year, $48 million contract, Brett Anderson to a one-year, $10 million deal and the rehabbing Brandon Beachy for $2.75 million. The Dodgers will pay $30.5 million (between Kemp, Dan Haren, and Gordon) for players who aren’t playing for them this season. Talk about a different world.

This is a lot of turnover for a roster that already had some great pieces in place. Clayton Kershaw, with three Cy Young Awards in the last four seasons, is the undisputed best pitcher on the planet. Meanwhile, Zack Greinke has been excellent during his first two seasons in Los Angeles and Hyun-Jin Ryu has gone underappreciated since coming stateside. Yasiel Puig is one of the most talented and exciting players in the game today and will likely face more pressure to be the face of this offense with Kemp and Ramirez elsewhere. Fortunately, Adrian Gonzalez is a durable and consistent force in the middle of the lineup.

Barring something unexpected, like an injury to Kershaw, it’s hard to not see the Dodgers as the overwhelming favorite to win their third straight NL West crown. Perhaps the gambles in the backend of the starting rotation won’t work out, but they have the prospect depth and the money to make a trade if an in-season upgrade is necessary. However, the great unknown of October lingers. And no front office change or player acquisition can bring certainty.

What else is going on?

• The dynamic between Don Mattingly and the new Dodgers’ front office will be fascinating to follow. After Friedman joined the Dodgers and Joe Maddon opted out of his contract with the Rays, many immediately assumed that they would be reunited in Los Angeles. However, the Dodgers stood behind Don Mattingly while Maddon ended up with the Cubs. Still, Mattingly wasn’t chosen by them. He was a holdover. Mattingly has never been vocal about his use of analytics in the past, but he said back in January that “you’re a fool” if you’re not using them as part of your decision making. He’s talking the talk, which is a good idea for a person who wants to keep his job, but we’ll have to see if he meshes with the new regime.

• Kenley Jansen underwent surgery in mid-February to remove a growth from his left foot and is expected to miss the first month of the season. Some speculated that the Dodgers would throw money at Francisco Rodriguez (who eventually signed with the Brewers) or Rafael Soriano (who is still a free agent), but they appear content to rely on internal options to fill in. Joel Peralta was acquired from the Rays over the winter and figures to be in the mix, but keep an eye on Chris Hatcher. Hatcher, who came over to the Dodgers in the Gordon trade, is another former catcher (like Jansen) and quietly posted a 3.38 ERA and 60/12 K/BB ratio across 56 innings last season. There’s some uncertainty with this situation, but they should be able to get by for a month.

• Juan Uribe currently projects to be the regular third baseman if he’s healthy, but the Dodgers are one of the teams who have been linked to Cuban free agent infielder Hector Olivera. In fact, they reportedly made a $77 million offer before Olivera switched agents. Who knows if that offer was legitimate — he’d probably already be a Dodger by now if that was true — but clearly they like him. He’s 29 and was one of the best hitters in Cuba, so he could be ready to make an impact in the majors right away.

• While Andre Ethier is on the outside looking in for playing time, rookie Joc Pederson is penciled in as the Dodgers’ regular center fielder this season. He turns 23 in April and is coming off a monster season in Triple-A where he batted .303/.435/.582 with 33 home runs and 30 stolen bases across 121 games. Baseball America recently ranked him as the No. 8 prospect in the game. He put up those numbers in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League and strikeouts are an issue for him, so expect some growing pains, but he should be exciting to watch.

• Zack Greinke is guaranteed $71 million from 2016-2018, but he has the ability to opt out of his contract after this season and test the free agent market. He would almost certainly fetch more if his 2015 is anything close to his first two seasons in Los Angeles. From that perspective, the Dodgers likely won’t be upset if it works out that way. And heck, they certainly have the money to bring him back if they want.

• Vin Scully is back in the booth for his 66th season, which is a treat for all baseball fans. Don’t take him for granted.

Prediction: The Dodgers will win the NL West handily.

 

Dodgers bullpen full of options, and depth
by Eric Stephen | True Blue LA — March 16, 2015

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- We are past the halfway point of camp for pitchers and catchers, so let's take stock of where things stand in the Dodgers bullpen.

The one glaring omission on the opening day roster will be closer Kenley Jansen, who will open the season on the disabled list after surgery to repair a bone growth on his left foot.

That opens up one more spot in what is really a wide open bullpen competition. When asked Monday morning how many bullpen spots are up for grabs this spring, manager Don Mattingly jokingly answered, "Seven," though he wasn't that far off.

"Obviously we have guys we know are pretty much accounted for, but there is definitely a competition for a lot of spots. We have a lot of guys throwing the ball well," Mattingly said. "There will be difficult decisions to make."

Here is my current snapshot of the Dodgers bullpen as it relates to the opening day roster, with the usual caveat and reminder that the active roster is very fluid and changes often throughout the year. The Dodgers had 12 pitchers on its opening day roster last year and ended up using 24 pitchers on the season, without counting Drew Butera.

LOCKS
Joel Peralta, J.P. Howell

Both are veterans, both have been productive the last few years either peripherally or otherwise, and both are under contract for 2015 - Howell for $4 million and Peralta for $2.5 million. Both have also battled health problems this spring - Peralta with his shoulder and Howell with his groin - but both are healthy now and on track to pitch the important innings they were acquired to pitch.

OUT OF OPTIONS
Chris Hatcher, Juan Nicasio

Because they can't be sent down to the minors without first being designated for assignment and subjected to waivers, these two are near locks, but with three weeks before opening day I hesitate to anoint either one just yet. Hatcher is closer to a lock, and while the Dodgers like Nicasio's stuff in relief his spring has been up and down to date.

Nicasio avoided arbitration with a one-year, $2.3 million contract, but that won't anchor him to the pen. As a non-guaranteed contract, the Dodgers can release him if they so choose in the final days of spring for 45 days termination pay, or roughly $565,574.

MOST LIKELY
Brandon League, Dustin McGowan

League would be a lock if he were healthy, but his shoulder injury puts his opening day availability in doubt. McGowan gets an edge because he signed a major league contract and currently occupies a 40-man roster spot, but it's only for the league minimum of $507,500 and isn't guaranteed, meaning they could easily jettison McGowan if they had to. The presence of a $1 million roster bonus for making the team suggests there was at least some doubt at the time of his signing.

NON-ROSTER CANDIDATES
Sergio Santos, David Aardsma, Mike Adams, David Huff, Chad Gaudin

Santos has looked the best of this crew, finally healthy and looking like he did when he was closing games for the White Sox.

Gaudin is unique in that he could either be starting depth in Triple-A or serve as a swing man in the Dodgers' pen. Adams when healthy might be the second-best relief pitcher the Dodgers have, behind Jansen, but hasn't yet proven healthy after dealing with shoulder injuries during his two years in Philadelphia. Adams has only pitched in one game so it's hard to handicap just yet, but I'd chalk him up as someone who might start in the minors before ultimately making an impact on the big club later in the season.

Mattingly mentioned the other two on Monday morning.

"[Aardsma is] throwing the ball well. For us we're not necessarily concerned about the velocity, but more with how he uses his pitches," Mattingly said. "We don't feel like you need to throw 96 or 97 to get people out, but you do have to use your pitches in combination and get the ball to where you want to to get outs, and he has been good this spring."

"[Huff] has been impressive. He's been able to get both sides out. You don't want to be stuck with guys who gets only one side out," Mattingly said. "He gives you a guy who could pitch multiple innings, even a spot start in there. He just seems to be able to do a lot of things. We feel like he's throwing the ball really well. On the mound he seems to always be in control."

HAVE OPTIONS WILL TRAVEL
Pedro Baez, Paco Rodriguez, Yimi Garcia, Daniel Coulombe, Adam Liberatore

These are the pitchers who could make a difference but because they can most easily be shuttled back and forth to the minors face an uphill batter compared to most. Rodriguez has the most accomplished major league experience of the group and is looking like his old self.

"Paco has been fine. The one thing we saw at the end of '13 was that he lost sharpness to some of his pitches," Mattingly said Sunday. "But we're seeing that kind of come back."

Baez impressed in his major league time last season and they like his stuff. All five of these will likely contribute at some point this year. Carlos Frias would have made this list as well but he was optioned to minor league camp earlier Monday.

SUMMARY
Depending on your point of view, the Dodgers essentially have 14 pitchers fighting for five bullpen spots, or perhaps it is 12 pitchers fighting for three spots. At the very least, there will be some very talented pitchers in Triple-A Oklahoma City.

"The best way to have success [in the bullpen] is to have as many options as you can," said Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman earlier in camp.

The only bloated contract of the bunch is League at $7.5 million, but he pitched well enough last year to earn a spot on merit, assuming he's healthy. The point is that there is nobody stashed in the bullpen because they have to be.

Howell was with Friedman with the Rays for seven seasons, and summed up his new boss's process.

"There are no scholarships. If you're under contract, no one cares. You have to play well. That to me is my favorite environment. That's the reason I got to be here, because I got to play in that," Howell said. "You have to be on top of your game and have to be professional. If you struggle you're going to get chances, but the best man wins the job. There is no 'contract wins the job' anymore, and that's an amazing feeling. That's how you win championships."

SNAPSHOT PICKS
A lot can change in three weeks, but here is my guess on March 16 of the opening seven in the Dodgers bullpen: Howell, Peralta, Hatcher, Santos, Nicasio, Rodriguez, McGowan.