Check out the Dodgers NLCS Roster

The Dodgers officially announced their NLDS roster for their match-up against the Cardinals, and it includes a couple of changes.

(graphic via @Dodgers on twitter)

Chris Capuano, used as a long-reliever for the Braves series, will not pitch against the Cardinals.  Considering how poorly he's done against them in his career this is probably for the best.  He has a lifetime ERA of 6.00 against them.  Below are his career stats against them.

Also out of the roster is lefty-reliever Paco Rodriguez.  As you know, he's struggled of late.  Over the last month of the regular season he has recorded an ERA of 5.68 and a batting average against of .308.  In the playoffs, he's given up 4 hits and 2 earned runs in less than an inning of play.  Leaving Paco of the roster effectively leaves us with just one lefty, JP Howell, in the bullpen.  So, this move has some risk.  On the other hand, maybe his 78 appearances this year has been too much of a grind on the 22 year old, and he needs some time off.

Coming onto the roser are right-handed relievers Carlos Marmol and Edinson Volquez.  Both players came to the Dodger late this season; Marmol via a trade with the Cubs for Guerrier and Volquez as a free agent after being dumped by the Padres.

Marmol has pitched surprisingly well during his approximate 3 months with the Dodgers; making 21 appearances with a 2.53 ERA.  He's even done well against the Cardinals in his career.  Check out his career stats against them below.

Edinson Volquez, on the other hand, has not pitched well this season.  In his 6 appearances (5 of which as a starter) in Blue he's given up 13 earned runs in 28 innings.  He likely replaces Capuano as our long-guy out of the 'pen. 

Tonight's game starts at 5:37 PM PST on TBS.  Zack Greinke will go against Joe Kelly. 

Be sure to get home to watch as early as you can.  Put up your shoes and pour a glass of your favorite drink.  Rest, relax and put your Blue on 'cause this game should be a fun one.

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Blog Kiosk: 8/3/2013 - Dodgers Links - Soccer at Dodger Stadium, Marmol and Ryu as ROY

When Puig become the artist.  I love this pic of Puig playing the photrographer.  Pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2013.

• "LA Dodgers leading majors in attendance through July," via Josie Becker at True Blue LA.
• Dylan Hernandez at the LA Times wrties, "Don Mattingly backs Hyun-Jin Ryu's rookie of the year candidacy".

“I think he’s been underrated,” Mattingly said. “I don’t hear a lot of people talking about him.”

• Via Dustin Nosler at Feelin' Kinda Blue, "Dodgers promote SS Corey Seager to High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes".
• "Marmol gets revenge against old mates," via Bruce Levine at ESPN.

“I expected louder boos, Marmol said. “When I was warming up in the bullpen, a lot of people were very nice and thanked me. I guess the others forgot. I know I was bad this year and they are mad at me. Nothing I can do about that.” 

• Dodgers tie a new franchise record.

The #Dodgers have tied the all-time franchise record established in 1924 for consecutive road victories with 12.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 2, 2013

• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA takes a look at the Dodger season in thirds.
• Chris Olds at Beckett interviews the man who pulled the 2013 Bowman Platinum Superfractor of Yasiel Puig.
• Via Kevin Baxter at the LA Times, "Making a pitch for soccer at Dodger Stadium: The first soccer games at Chavez Ravine will be played Saturday night when Everton faces Real Madrid and the Galaxy plays Juventus."

The conversion from baseball diamond to soccer field required 12,500 square feet of new sod and Bermuda grass, which took Hansen and his crew of nine two days to place, smooth and outline. The temporary field, which is about 210 feet wide, runs parallel to the right-field line starting just outside the third base coaching box and extending 315 feet to the warning track in right field.

• Here is a pic of the pitch at Dodger Stadium.

The perfect pitch: pic.twitter.com/QTDvy38LEX
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 3, 2013

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Carlos Marmol Makes His Way to the Big Club - Are Dodgers Just Being Careful with Jose Dominguez?

In some news that causes me to scratch my head, the Dodgers just announced that veteran reliever Carlos Marmol has been brought up to the Dodgers.  On the next available flight out of town will be youngster Jose Dominguez.  Per a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today selected the contract of right-handed reliever Carlos Marmol from Double-A Chattanooga and optioned right-hander Jose Dominguez to Triple-A Albuquerque. Marmol, 30, was acquired along with cash considerations from the Chicago Cubs on July 2 in exchange for right-hander Matt Guerrier. The Dodgers also acquired international signing bonus slot No. 92 valued at $209,700 from the Cubs as part of the deal.

Marmol, who will wear No. 49, has made five minor league appearances (0-0, one save, 3.60 ERA) since being acquired by Los Angeles, allowing two runs in three appearances with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga (3.0 IP) before being promoted to Double-A Chattanooga on July 18, where he tossed 2.0 hitless, scoreless innings. The native of the Dominican Republic last pitched on Sunday, striking out one and throwing 17 pitches (nine strikes) in a scoreless frame at Birmingham (White Sox).

I thought Dominguez pitched very well for a greenhorn, so it was shocking to see this develop.  On the other hand, he might be aching a bit.  Dodgers Nation noted on twitter that he limped after his relief appearance last night.

Jose Dominguez looks to be limping on his way back to the dugout. Dodger relievers haven't given up a run in 10 straight innings.
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) July 23, 2013

And Ken Gurnick on twitter shared that he tested his quad this morning without any discomfort.

Jose Dominguez said he tested his quad today and was able to throw with no discomfort.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) July 23, 2013

Obviously, the Dodgers were concerned enough about Jose that they opted to take it easy on him.  It's hard to say if this is the right move for now, but I can't blame them for doing this; especially considering what a horror this season has been for the health of individual players.

Clearly, they are just being careful.

UPDATE:  As I suggested above, Jose Dominguez is actually injured.  He has not been sent to AAA.  Instead, he is on the 15-day DL, via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.

The Dodgers have changed Dominguez from optioned to the 15-day disabled list with a left quad strain.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) July 23, 2013

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Blog Kiosk: 7/4/2013 - Dodgers Links - Puig, Cruz and Last Nights Homer Parade

Yasiel Puig was named National League Player and Rookie of the Month of June.  See the Dodgers press release here.  Pic above via twitter @Dodgers.

• Cards That Never Were produces a fantasy 1962 Topps NL Stolen Base Leaders card featuring Maury Wills.  Awesome!
• In a somewhat surprising move, the Yankees have signed Luis Cruz.

The @Yankees sign INF Luis Cruz.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 3, 2013

• Check out Cruz in Yankees pinstripes, via twitter Marly Rivera of ESPN.  BTW, he went 0 for 3 with a throwing error in his debut.

• Wait... What?  Via Evan Grant at Sports Day DFW tells us that Manny Ramirez has just signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers.
• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Yasiel Puig injury: Dodgers OF hits Coors Field wall, leaves game".  Ken Gurnick at MLB.com reports that Puig is day-to-day.
• Via Ken Gurnick on twitter:

Marmol has cleared outright waivers and has accepted a minor league assignment.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) July 4, 2013

• 7/3/13: Dodgers slug four home runs amidst their 17 hits, getting long balls from Juan Uribe, Adrian Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez and Matt Kemp

Video Link:

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Welcome to the Blue, Carlos Marmol!

How about that!  A rumored trade actually comes true.  So, in celebration I made the above fantasy card of Marmol.

Fortunately, this deal is far from horrible.  In fact, it makes a lot of sense when placed into the context of the story written by Bill Shaikin of the LA Times yesterday.

Kasten, speaking generally, said the Dodgers had no interest in trading any of their few top-tier prospects for a veteran whose contract expires when the season ends.

"If it's for a piece that would be a piece we could keep for the long term, you'd have to look at it," Kasten said, "but certainly not for a rental."

Kasten said he believes it takes three to five years to rebuild a minor league system. The new owners have invested heavily in scouting, particularly in international scouting.

This deal for Marmol in exchange for Matt Guerrier is all about bringing in fresh blood to the bullpen by essentially exchanging a under-performing bullpen veteran for another under-performing bullpen veteran.  Of course, since Mormol had been DFA'd by the Cubs he may never actually find himself in Los Angeles.  I suspect he'll pitch in AAA before even wearing Blue.  Anyway, the Dodgers also got cash back from the Cubs (said to be about $2Mil per Tim Brown) and International Signing bonus slot #92 money.

The key, I think, is the latter item.  The Dodgers basically get to spend an extra $209,700 on international free agents in order to bolster their farm system, and I suspects we'll know soon who that extra player will be.  BTW, I did not realize you could trade international draft slots until today.  This provides a very interesting aspect to future trades, and I am hopeful that one day teams will be allowed to trade their drafts picks in the amateur draft.

Per a Dodgers press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired right-handed reliever Carlos Marmol and cash considerations from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for right-hander Matt Guerrier. The Dodgers also acquired international signing bonus slot No. 92 valued at $209,700 from the Cubs as part of the deal.

Marmol, 30, was 23-32 with a 3.50 ERA and 117 saves in 483 games (13 starts) in eight big league seasons with Chicago. The native of the Dominican Republic, who was originally signed by the Cubs as a non-drafted free agent on July 3, 1999, has limited opponents to a .185 batting average in his career with 703 strikeouts, the most in Cubs history by a reliever, in 542.1 innings. Since 2007, Marmol leads Major League relievers with 644 strikeouts, 125 more than his closest competitor (Jonathan Papelbon, 519), and ranks fourth with a .174 opponents’ batting average. The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder was selected as a 2008 NL All-Star and has posted 20 or more saves in each of the last three seasons, including a career-high 38 saves (4th, NL) in 2010.

Marmol was 2-4 with a 5.86 ERA and two saves in 31 appearances this season. He struck out 32 in 27.2 innings this year and limited opponents to a .252 batting average, including a .119 mark against left-handers (5-for-42). Prior to being designated for assignment on June 25, Marmol had tossed scoreless relief in five of his last six games.

*The Fantasy card above uses a pic via 2011 media day, via Ezra Shaw/Getty.

Below are Mormol's career stats, via Baseball Reference:

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Blog Kiosk: 7/2/2013 - Dodgers Links - One of Puig's Attempted Defections and Where is Grady Little Now?

Above is a look at July's issue of Dodgers Magazine featuring Adrian Gonzalez, pic via twitter @Dodgers.

• Dustin Nosler at Feelin' Kinda Blue has an interesting report on the International Signing period that starts today.  Apparently, we have our eyes on a kid named Lucas Tirado.
• True to the Blue has the early scoop on the 3 new Nike Yasiel Puig T-Shirts.  They are fabulous.  To the right is one of them.
• All of the talk yesterday was about a potential trade bringing Carlos Mormol, Garza or Utley to the Dodgers.  I refuse to spend any time thinking or writing about these or any "trade rumors".  I've made the mistake in the past in thinking there was merit to the discussion, but at the end of the day most of it is just a useless mental exercise.  Besides, most of it is bunk, anyway.  The above causes me to point to a great article by Bill Shaikin of the LA Times called "Dodgers will spend again to improve, but improving farm system is key".  He shares a quote from team President Stan Kasten.

 "There are no shortcuts. I also think the direction we pursued last year — established veterans, looking at big free agents — we are going to move away from that.

"I know people think we are in this deal, in that deal, and in any deal. That is not what the next phase of this franchise requires."

His way of thinking reminds me of how the Kings established a long term plan 5 to 6 years before they eventually won the cup.  It's all about Prior Proper Planning Preventing Piss Poor Performance.  Clearly, we are still in the early stages, and I look forward to seeing how everything develops.

• Via Jeff Passan at Yahoo, "Coast Guard crew reflects on time with Yasiel Puig during attempt to defect to U.S."  This is a must read!

One night, the gravity of the situation depressed Puig. Torres could tell the toll his impending return to Cuba was taking, so he went to his locker and retrieved a pair of tennis balls. He brought them to Puig, along with a Sharpie, and asked him to sign.

Carlos Torres was the first American to get Yasiel Puig's autograph, looped in perfect cursive with his number for Cienfuegos: "Y Puig 14."

• "The way Stephen Fife is going do Dodgers really need a starter?"  Via Steve Dilbeck at the LA Times.
• Dodger Penguin recaps the Mike Marshall signing at Harry's Dugout this past Saturday.
• Sports Illustrated has out a "Where are they Now?" feature in their newest issue and they include former Dodger manager Grady Little.  Here is a little taste of it.

“I started to feel the same way after a five-game losing streak as I felt after a five-week winning streak,” he says. “I knew that wasn’t right. I’d been going for a lot of years. And at that time I thought, I don’t want to do this anymore.”

• "Puig's electrifying debut month"  Yasiel Puig had a record-setting first month in the bigs, his 44 hits second in MLB history in that span after Joe DiMaggio.  Check out their video below celebrating it.

Video Link:

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