NEWS/RUMORS/DISCUSSION Thread

nah, i love codge
he's older, likes the dodgers, plays golf, likes koufax... wait...

yeah, fuck him

 

Kershaw believes Dodgers have makings of a great team
by Matthew Moreno | Dodger Blue — 2 hours ago

In spite of losing Zack Greinke to the Arizona Diamondbacks, the failed trade for closer Aroldis Chapman and Hisashi Iwakuma’s three-year deal coming undone due to a failed physical, the Los Angeles Dodgers remain a confident bunch.

Winners of three consecutive National League West titles, Los Angeles is hardly the perceived locked to finish atop the division in 2016. However, don’t anoint the Diamondbacks or San Francisco Giants NL West champions simply because of a splashy offseason.

Speaking at the Dodgers fourth annual FanFest on Saturday, Adrian Gonzalez provided a reminder of the praise heaped on the San Diego Padres at this juncture last year and what their end result was.

The Dodgers first baseman went on to laud the club’s depth, believing they’re in far better position to withstand injuries this season.

Clayton Kershaw also spoke highly of the Dodgers’ roster, which returns the same core from last season. “Now that Howie [Kendrick] is back, we pretty much have our same team position-player wise. Corey is in for Jimmy, but other than that, we pretty much have the same group back,” Kershaw said.

“If we do what we’re supposed to do we have an opportunity to be a great team. It’s just a matter of everybody doing what is expected of them.” As for replacing Greinke, Kershaw doesn’t feel additional pressure and believes filling the void will be done by a collective effort.

“Zack was obviously an incredible pitcher for us for three years, and last year arguably one of the best in the game. It’s not easy to replace a guy like that,” Kershaw said. “I think you have to look at it as not replacing him with one guy, but as a staff.”

This year’s FanFest was the first time the Dodgers ace was in attendance. “It’s pretty cool to see the excitement. It kind of rejuvenates us a little bit, understand the fans are excited for us to get back and going,” Kershaw said. “This is my first time back in L.A., so seeing the guys for the first time again is fun.”

Kershaw confirmed he had the opportunity to speak with Yasiel Puig during their trip to Cuba with Major League Baseball. “It was great,” Kershaw said of their conversation. Puig corroborated that message, and said he and Kershaw will speak again during Spring Training.

 

The kind of player any team would love to have for any of a number of reasons off the field.

Last season, some Gnat fan called in to sports radio here in the Bay Area to say that he hates Kershaw because he's too much of a hothead. This was after that game where Clayton bobbled a grounder and failed to make the play, and in frustration threw the ball into the ground or something like that (I don't recall the details). He added that Kershaw should look to Bumgarner to learn how to play the game with class.

I was seething and tried to call in to respond, but couldn't get through. I would've loved to remind the idiot about Bumgarner's need to dictate to batters how they should run the bases if they go yard on him, and his multiple incidents of staring down umps and opponents whenever he disagrees with something.

At least the host, a Giants fan, ended the call and then added his two cents that no matter how much disdain the caller had for the Dodgers, trying to question Kershaw's class was absolutely absurd.

There are players that I always respect even though they're on the rival team - Posey, Gwynn, Rivera, and Montana are a few that come to mind - because they've earned it. Kershaw without-a-doubt would be one even if I didn't like the Dodgers.

 

reverse that

 

ah, got it
thought you meant nixon should seek nutritional advice from the portly panda

 

how many special assistants are we up to now?

Greg Maddux, Raul Ibanez join Dodgers as special assistants to Andrew Friedman
The Dodgers' front office added to its ranks again.

The Los Angeles Dodgers made headlines again on Tuesday, this time for yet more additions to their front office: Hall of Fame right-hander Greg Maddux and longtime outfielder Raul Ibanez.

Both Maddux and Ibanez are joining the team as special assistants to president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman:

According to the team's press release, their roles in the organization will be all-encompassing:

In their roles, Maddux and Ibañez will assist in all aspects of baseball operations, including scouting, player development and working with the club’s players, both at the Major and minor league levels.

As FOX Sports' C.J. Nitkowski pointed out on Twitter, Ibanez is yet another former FS1 alum to join the Dodgers, after the club brought in Gabe Kapler last year.

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/...ddux-raul-ibanez-hired-andrew-friedman-020216

 

Idk what they'd do but that's two guys that I can only think of positively, so, that's cool