NEWS/RUMORS/AROUND MLB Thread (Oct 2016 - Feb 2017)

Grandal and Seager rave about Logan Forsythe
by Matthew Moreno | Dodger Blue — 28 minutes ago

In the end the Los Angeles Dodgers traded for Logan Forsythe, not Brian Dozier, to fill their need at second base. Forsythe is also an answer for the Dodgers as a leadoff hitter, and he was acquired in a one-for-one swap with Jose De Leon heading to Tampa Bay.

Although the Dodgers were most prominently connected to Dozier throughout much of the past two months, the Minnesota Twins sought more than De Leon in return for the All-Star second baseman. Beyond Forsythe’s on-field production, he comes with a strong reputation as a teammate.

Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, who acquired Forsythe for the Rays in January 2014 as part of a seven-player trade, specifically mentioned his mentality and style of play when discussing this week’s trade.

Yasmani Grandal, Forsythe’s former teammate for two seasons with the San Diego Padres, also raved about reuniting with the 30-year-old, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:

“I love him. He hustles, goes 100 percent each day — that’s what I like about him the most. In San Diego, we had a young team, we were just trying to figure out who we were. But you knew who he was — no matter how good he was doing or how bad he was doing, he’s going to hustle 100 percent. Having him back on my team, it’s energizing.”​

Corey Seager faced Forsythe during last season’s Interleague series between the Dodgers and Rays, and voiced a similar sentiment as Grandal:

“I played against him last year and he’s hard-nosed, blue collar, wasn’t flashy but just got the job done,” said Seager. “Hopefully he’ll fit in nice. We needed to fill second base and get a right-handed bat, and he fills both those needs.”​

Shortly after the Dodgers and Rays announced their trade, Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria expressed his dissatisfaction with the deal. Just as Friedman, Grandal and Seager did, Longoria highlighted Forsythe’s approach to the game.

The versatile infielder is under contract through 2018, though the final year on his contract is an $9 million team option that includes a $1 million buyout. Forsythe’s option was previously $8.5 million, but its valued increased by virtue of him logging a minimum of 550 plate appearances last season.

Forsythe can earn an additional $500,000 each for 550 and 600 plate appearances in 2017, and another $500,000 should he make a combined 1,200 plate appearances from 2016-17.

 

and in a (now) un-related matter...

Dozier critical of Twins’ offseason and direction
by Matthew Moreno | Dodger Blue — 2 hours ago

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ search for a second baseman this offseason became a public spectacle, with the club regularly connected to Minnesota’s Brian Dozier, Tampa Bay’s Logan Forsythe and Detroit’s Ian Kinsler.

For several weeks running Dozier appeared destined to wind up in Los Angeles. The Dodgers reportedly used Jose De Leon as the centerpiece of a trade, but the Twins sought additional compensation for their All-Star second baseman.

After weeks of ongoing dialogue, trade talks between the Dodgers and Twins reached an impasse. At that point Los Angeles pivoted to the Rays and traded for Logan Forsythe in a one-for-one swap, sending De Leon to Tampa Bay.

While Dozier’s future appears settled — presumably at least until the non-waiver trade deadline — he was critical of the Twins’ offseason, in a general sense, and the club’s direction, via Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com:

“Obviously, a lot of things went on this offseason that, quite frankly, I don’t necessarily like. But at the same time, it is what it is. Now that the point is where everybody’s focused on Spring Training and trying to get this team where it needs to be, I’m here and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

“I’ve got two years left, I don’t want it to always be like a ping-pong ball or something, any time an opening comes up and all that,” Dozier said. “That’s kind of been the disappointment through everything. I don’t really know how to put it, but I don’t want to be [dealing with] that up until the Trade Deadline and next offseason and stuff. I’m here and I’m trying to help this team win games, and that’s what I’m here for.”​

While speaking at the 2016 Winter Meetings, Dozier said his preference was to remain with the Twins and play a role in changing the franchise’s fortunes, but acknowledged there was intrigue in potentially joining the Dodgers.

The 29-year-old overcame a slow start last season to finish the year batting .268/.340/.546 with 35 doubles, 42 home runs, 99 RBI, a 136 OPS+, .370 wOBA and 132 wRC+ in 155 games. What’s more, Dozier set career highs in on-base plus slugging percentage (.886), doubles, home runs, RBI and OPS+.

Whether the Twins’ new front office made the correct decision in standing firm on their demands in a trade for Dozier will reveal itself once the regular season carries forward. For now, Minnesota retains an All-Star second baseman who is owed a modest $6 million this season and $9 million in 2018.

 

Yeah, on the surface I would think that having Frias as an insurance policy for the rotation or the pen would be more valuable than having Eibner as an insurance policy for the outfield. But what do I know?

 

fify

 

Utley mulling over multiple offers, nearing decision
by Matthew Moreno | Dodger Blue — 3 hours ago

The Los Angeles Dodgers may have concluded their search for a second baseman by acquiring Logan Forsythe in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, but it has not quelled much conversation involving Chase Utley.

The veteran infielder was among the Dodgers’ nine players to reach free agency at the outset of the season, and multiple members of the organization have championed his potential return. Speaking from Dodgers FanFest on Saturday, 2016 National League Rookie of the Year Corey Seager said he was holding out hope Utley would re-sign with the club.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently referred to the 38-year-old as his ‘favorite player of all time.’ Last October, Dodgers president of baseball operations spoke highly of Utley, citing the importance of his intangibles and presence in the clubhouse.

On Saturday, Friedman reiterated the club has maintained contact with the 14-year veteran. According to Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball, Utley has received multiple offers and is nearing a decision in free agency:

Jon Heyman ✔ @JonHeyman
Chase Utley has multiple offers, and is expected to pick
one relatively soon.
5:21 PM - 30 Jan 2017 · Aventura, FL ​

Aside from the Dodgers, Utley has fielded interest this offseason from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. If the Dodgers did not have a roster heavy on left-handed hitters, Friedman surmised the club possibly would have already re-signed Utley.

He hit .252/.319/.396 with 26 doubles, 14 home runs, 52 RBI and a 95 OPS+ in 138 games last season. Multiple injuries required the Dodgers to unexpectedly lean on Utley as their everyday second baseman and leadoff hitter.

That took its toll, and Utley’s effectiveness waned as the season progressed. With or without Forsythe in the picture, a potential reunion between the Dodgers and Utley figured to come under the pretense of him filling a role off the bench.

 

Forsythe now acclimated to batting in leadoff spot
by Matthew Moreno | Dodger Blue — 17 minutes ago

After weeks of trade speculation involving Minnesota Twins All-Star Brian Dozier, the Los Angeles Dodgers pivoted and acquired second baseman Logan Forsythe from the Tampa Bay Rays. Although Dozier would have added a right-handed bat with some power to the Dodgers’ lineup, Forsythe fills another need.

Last season the Dodgers relied on Chase Utley as their primary leadoff hitter. He succeed early before the level of production curtailed as the long season took its toll on the 14-year veteran. In Forsythe, the Dodgers added a versatile infielder and needed leadoff man.

Though, it’s a role the 30-year-old did not assume full time until 2016. “That was a little uncomfortable to start, but I had many at-bats in Spring Training to try and get used to it,” Forsythe explained during FanFest at Dodger Stadium. “The only thing that really changed was my on-deck preparation. It was a little longer before I started hitting lead off, so I just had to shorten it up. I should be just fine.”​

Forsythe added he’s maintained the same approach despite being placed atop the batting order — with a focus on utilizing right-center field.

Appearing in 127 games last season, with 125 of those as starts and batting lead off, Forsythe hit .265/.335/.436 with 24 doubles, four triples, 20 home runs and 52 RBI in 565 plate appearances. He drew 46 walks and stole six bases (caught stealing six times).

Forsythe is a career .260/.328/.433, with 30 doubles, 22 home runs and 57 RBI in 665 plate appearances when hitting first in the batting order.

 

Grandal not lacking confidence heading into 2017
by Daniel Starkand | Dodger Blue — 34 minutes ago

Despite setting a Major League record for most players — 28 — put on the disabled list in a single season, the Los Angeles Dodgers were two wins away from reaching their first World Series since 1988.

The club faced some questions this offseason, as Rich Hill, Kenley Jansen and Justin Turner were among key contributors to reach free agency. In somewhat of a mild surprise, the Dodgers retained the trio, committing a combined $192 million to re-sign them.

Los Angeles most recently addressed their biggest need — second base — by acquiring Logan Forsythe in exchange for Jose De Leon in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. To Yasmani Grandal, the Dodgers are primed to build on last season’s accomplishments.

“Baseball at times doesn’t work out the way you want it. We know we can compete. I’m very excited to see what this year has to bring,” he said during Dodgers FanFest. “I’m very excited to compete. I feel like the National League has gotten strong, and I like competition. So let’s go at it and see what happens.”​

Grandal’s confidence in the team is hardly a revelation. He voiced confidence throughout last season that the Dodgers would win the NL West, even as the San Francisco Giants maintained a comfortable lead in the standings.

“We had a lot of injuries. It goes to show that you have to stay with the process and if you believe in it, you know you’re going to be there at the end of the day,” Grandal said. “We know our talent, we know what kind of guys we have on this team, and we’ve been there now. It’s just a matter of getting that extra step. I felt like last year we took a step toward progression, and it’s just a matter of taking that extra step to see if we can win a World Series.”​

The 28-year-old Grandal is heading into his third season with the Dodgers after being acquired from the San diego Padres. Last year he led all Major League catchers with 27 home runs to go along with 72 RBIs and a .228/.339/.477 batting line.

Grandal began last season on the disabled list and once again suffered multiple injuries throughout the year. While he’s enjoyed a healthy offseason, Grandal has some concerns over his plant-based diet and potentially losing too much muscle mass.

Dodgers pitchers and catchers report to Camelback Ranch for Spring Training on Wednesday, Feb. 15.

 

Dafuq? 1) When did this happen, and 2) if Grandal has concerns, then I do too.