The Dodgers avoided arbitration hearings for the tenth straight season after signing catcher Yasmani Grandal and pitchers Luis Avilan, Josh Fields and Alex Wood all to one-year deals on Friday, the team announced. Earlier in the week, Los Angeles agreed on a $1.125 million contract with Vidal Nuno — the lefty pitcher netted in the trade that sent catcher Carlos Ruiz to the Mariners in November.
Continue reading “Dodgers Bullpen: How Exactly Does Vidal Nuno Fit In?”
After initially reaching an agreement in mid-December, the Dodgers finally announced on Tuesday the signing of free agent right-handed pitcher Kenley Jansen to a five-year, $80 million contract.
Continue reading “Dodgers Finally Make Kenley Jansen Deal Official”
According to reports from several different media outlets on Sunday afternoon, the Dodgers are very close to signing Cuban second baseman Jose Miguel Fernandez to a minor league deal.
Continue reading “Dodgers Nearing Deal with Jose Miguel Fernandez”
As far as roster improvement goes for the Dodgers this winter, much of the emphasis has been put on rumors surrounding Brian Dozier and the options at second base, however, according to recent rumblings, Los Angeles may be looking for some outside help for the bullpen to bridge the gap to All-Star closer Kenley Jansen.
Continue reading “Who is Dodgers’ Best 8th-Inning Relief Option?”
With six weeks remaining before pitchers and catchers start filing into the clubhouse at Camelback Ranch, there’s certainly enough time to make a few roster upgrades heading into Cactus League play if the front office crew of the Dodgers decides to do so. But if the team brings an almost identical look from last year to the beginning of the 2017 regular season, will the club have enough firepower to win a fifth consecutive division title, and more importantly, have the strength to make a deep run into the playoffs in October?
Continue reading “Can 2017 Dodgers Succeed Without Major Upgrades?”
Perhaps the Dodgers were hoping to make a trade with the Twins by now, clearing out a few spots on the 40-man roster in the process. Or maybe team representatives are waiting until the honeymoon is over, permitting time for a physical examination and allowing agents and lawyers to gather in one place to review the contract. Quite possibly, the front office could be mulling over which player to outright to the minors, creating one opening on the big league roster. Either way, at least one corresponding move will need to be made before star reliever Kenley Jansen officially signs his name to his new five-year, $80 million dollar deal.
Continue reading “Dodgers Roster: How to Make Room for Kenley Jansen”
On Tuesday, while publishing the first edition containing our projections for the Dodgers‘ 25-man roster heading into 2017, there were a few areas of the squad that provoked some curious contemplation, with the depth chart at catcher being among the most interesting. After the departures of veterans A.J. Ellis and Carlos Ruiz, 28-year-old Yasmani Grandal will step up to be the new leader of the catching crew, headlining an area of the team that seemingly got loads of years younger with the blink of an eye.
Continue reading “Exploring the Dodgers’ Depth Chart at Catcher”
Staying on pace with the tradition we began last winter, we thought that it’s about the proper time to jot down our initial 25-man roster projections for 2017, although there’s probably a very good chance the front office crew of the Dodgers orchestrates at least a handful of significant transactions between now and spring training.
Continue reading “Dodgers 25-Man Roster Projections: 2017 First Edition”
After having reached an informal agreement well over a week ago, the Los Angeles Dodgers finally announced the signing of free agent third baseman Justin Turner to a four-year contract on Friday afternoon.
Continue reading “Dodgers Roster: Justin Turner Signing Finally Becomes Official”
When we initially decided to take our first look at the Oklahoma City rotation at this point last year, all spots were seemingly up for grabs, with nine different pitchers contending for starting slots at the highest level on the Dodgers‘ farm. The big league pitching staff was still in rough shape, as the front office crew was working diligently to finalize deals with veteran lefty Scott Kazmir and Japanese sensation Kenta Maeda as the final days of 2015 dwindled away.
Continue reading “A Preliminary Projection of Oklahoma City’s 2017 Starting Rotation”
Think Blue Planning Committee 