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?”
“Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind
Memories, sweetened thru the ages just like wine
Quiet thought come floating down
And settle softly to the ground
Like golden autumn leaves around my feet
I touched them and they burst apart with sweet memories,
Sweet memories”
~Elvis Presley
During the dullest days of the break last winter, we took a few moments to profile a few members of the Dodgers management team, most specifically GM Farhan Zaidi and new additions to the coaching staff in George Lombard and Bob Geren. This year, traveling higher up on the totem pole, we decided to take a closer look at president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman mainly for the sake of having a solid reference link, but also in an effort to learn more about the primary decision maker of the Los Angeles front office crew.
Continue reading “Dodgers Management: A Detailed Look at Andrew Friedman”
While many fans of the Dodgers aren’t overwhelmingly optimistic about a productive return, pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu seems to be determined to prove his critics otherwise, as the 29-year-old southpaw will head to Japan this weekend to start a three-week long rehabbing endeavor before the beginning of MLB spring training.
Continue reading “Hyun-Jin Ryu Starting Spring Training Early”
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?”
Happy New Year, TBPC readers! We’ve made it through the holidays — spring training starts next month, and the countdown to Opening Day is on. Most of the team has taken shape, and today we take a look at the state of the Dodgers bullpen.
For those who are very familiar with the farm system of the Dodgers, they’ll know that there are three different tiers when categorizing the levels of starting pitching talent throughout the organization. The top tier, consisting of young, MLB-ready premium throwers like Julio Urias, Jose De Leon, Ross Stripling and Brock Stewart, sets the standard across baseball. The intermediate tier features names like Trevor Oaks, Chase De Jong, Carlos Frias and Scott Barlow — all pitchers considered to be right on the fringe, but could probably assume No. 5 big league spots for almost any team in the league. Then there’s the third tier, which is made up of future stars like Yadier Alvarez, Mitchell White, Josh Sborz, Imani Abdullah and Andrew Sopko. This lower tier puts an exclamation point on how strong and incredibly deep the Dodgers’ minor league system has actually become.
Continue reading “Dodgers Prospects: A Quick Glance at Walker Buehler”
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”
“Ain’t it nice to be so lucky
Ain’t it nice to be so loved
Oh come on darlin’ won’t you let me
Won’t you let me drive you home”
~The Head and the Heart
Think Blue Planning Committee 