Blog Kiosk: 8/17/2020 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

We are in the midst of experiencing a Dodgers' catching renaissance. First, we saw Will Smith wow the fans. Now, it's Keibert Ruiz's turn. In his first career at-bat yesterday afternoon he smashed a home run. Per Rowan Kavner at Dodger Insider:

“It was very exciting,” Ruiz said after the Dodgers’ 8–3 win that swept the series in Anaheim. “First time being in the big leagues, I just was focused on getting a fastball and making contact. Happy to be here with all these guys and keep learning.”

You can also watch him speak with the press after the game, via SportsNet LA on twitter. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1982 the Dodgers and Cubs played a 17 inning game that was temporarily halted at a tie, 1-1, because of darkness (this was before Wrigley Field had lights). The next day they begin where they left off. The Dodgers would eventually win on a sacrifice fly by Dusty Baker in the 21st inning. In 1992 Dodgers hurler Kevin Gross no-hit the Giants at Dodger Stadium, 2-0. Watch the last out of the game, as called by Vin Scully, here. Per a NY Times article:

"The later it got, the more the adrenaline started pumping," Gross said. "It was just a blur when that last out was made."

• Happy Birthday, George Harper, Doug McWeeny, Joe Bradshaw, Boog Powell, Brad Wellman, Jeff Fischer & Kyle Farmer!

2016 Topps Heritage Minor Leagues - All the Dodgers Cards

The newest Topps product to come down the pike is the 2016 Heritage Minor League Baseball card set.  It features most of the up-'n-coming ballplayers within the Dodgers farm system, and also happens to include a couple of prospects who have since been traded.  As you will recall, both Grant Holmes and Jharel Cotton were sent to the Oakland A's as a part of the Rich Hill and Josh Reddick trade on August 1st.  Go here for a complete checklist on this set.

Please note that I will update the photo for the Grant Holmes sticker card when I come across a better pic.  Also, there is a Mike Trout autographed card available with him in a Rancho Cucamonga Quakes uniform.  It is in the Looming Legacy insert set.  For obvious reason, I have not included this card in the below listings (#LLA-MT Mike Trout) even though that team is now a Dodgers affiliate.

Base Cards

#41 Andrew Sopko                             #47 Cody Bellinger

2016 Bowman Platinum - All the Dodgers Insert Cards

Last week I put up pics of the Dodgers base cards found in packs of 2016 Bowman Platinum (an Walmart exclusive offering).  Today I share pics of everything else.  Below are the various insert and autographed cards that are available. 

Veteran and Rookie Autographs

#PA-CS Corey Seager          #PA-FM Frankie Montas

Blog Kiosk: 8/10/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kershaw's Gift to Rams and First Place!

On his bobblehead night left fielder Howie Kendrick helped propel the Dodgers over the Phillies, 9-3, and pushed the team into a first place tie with the Giants.  He recorded two hits; including a two-run homer in the second inning and a run scoring double in the fifth inning.  This victory marked the third game in a row in which they have scored eight runs or more.  Per Doug Padilla at ESPN:

"I think it's just coincidence," Kendrick said about the group hot streak. "A lot of guys have been putting in the same work all year and you are starting to see some of the fruits of the labor. Hopefully we can continue to do the same thing and keep the ball rolling. Our pitching has been giving us the opportunity to win. Even when we have gotten down early, guys have battled back and we've put runs on the board and been able to do it that way."

In the meantime, there's no need for celebration yet.  The Dodgers have a long way to go.

"The job's not done yet, so you keep going," said rookie Corey Seager, who had two more hits. "You can celebrate it at the end."

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1979 Hall of Famer Don Sutton set a Dodgers franchise record with his 50th shutout.  He surpassed Don Drysdale on the Dodgers' all-time list.  In 1995 fans at Dodger Stadium force the Dodgers to forfeit that evenings game against the Cardinals when for a third time they throw promotional giveaway baseballs onto the field during play.  The game was forfeited in the ninth inning after the ejections of Tommy Lasorda and Pedro Guerrero with the Dodgers trailing, 2-1.  Here is the boxscore, via Baseball Reference.

Welcome to the Blue, Josh Reddick!

Today is trade deadline day, and naturally the Dodgers are at the forefront of every rumor.  Typically, nothing comes about, and I expected that this evening would pass without anything significant coming to Los Angeles.

Boy... Was I wrong.

The Dodgers have made the first big move of the day by acquiring an veteran outfielder and starting pitcher.  Today, the Dodgers have acquired Josh Reddick and Rich Hill in exchange for three minor leaguers.  Per a report by Doug Padilla at ESPN, pitchers Grant Holmes, Jharel Cotton and Frankie Montas are going to the A's.

2016 Bowman Inception - The Rest of the Dodgers Cards

Below is a final look at the Dodgers cards found in Topps' 2016 Bowman Inception set.  Featured are the Autograph Relics, Veteran Autograph Relics, Inceptionized Bowman Prospect Autographs, Origins Autographs and various other rarities.

Autograph Relic

#IAR-CS Corey Seager                          #IAR-JP Jose Peraza

Blog Kiosk: 7/11/2016 - Dodgers Links - Piazza, Cotton and Kenta Maeda

What a fantastic way to end the first half of the Baseball season.  Kenta Maeda was on the mound and absolutely stymied the Padres. With 97 pitches he recorded a career high 13 strike outs, two hits, no walks and a single lone run on a homer by Derek Norris in seven innings pitched.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"You could see the look in Kenta's eye after that last outing. He was set to dominate and that's what he did, and it was just what we needed," said manager Dave Roberts. "Even for his psyche, for the starters, and to go into the break so strong, it was great for him."
...
"We chased offspeed out of the zone," (Padres manager Andy) Green said. "He pitched us backwards all day long and we didn't seem to make an adjustment. He could spin us early, hard and late, mix in a fastball periodically, but it was pretty much all offspeed."

BTW, Maeda is the ninth Dodger pitcher in history to ever record at least 13 strike outs and zero walks in a game.  On another note, Yasiel Puig is once again surrounded by persistent trade rumors (link here).  I have doubts anything will get done since management clearly will not take a discount, and rightly so.  Since coming back from the DL in late June Puig is slashing .317/.417/.467/.883 with two home runs, eight RBI's and a BABIP of .347.

Photo of Kenta and Yasiel on the bench above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History: In 1978 Steve Garvey becomes the first two-time MVP in All-Star history.  In the game played in San Diego Garvey hit a game-tying, two-run single and a triple to help the NL beat the AL, 7-3.
• Happy Birthday, Hal Gregg, Dick Gray and Billy Ashley!

2016 Bowman Inception - The Dodgers Prospect and Rookie Autograph Cards

Topps newest high-end Baseball card brand just hit the market.  It is called Bowman Inception and every card available has been autographed.  A box will give you five cards at a cost of $100.  Go here for a complete checklist.  Featured below are the Dodgers Prospect and Rookie autograph cards.  I hope to have pics of all the other Dodgers cards soon.  So stay tuned.

Prospect Autographs

#PA-JC Jharel Cotton                         #PA-JDE Jose De Leon

Blog Kiosk: 6/7/2016 - Dodgers Links - Puig & Goff

Yasiel Puig and the presumptive Rams starting QB Jared Goff are now best friends.  After being drafted in late April by the Rams word spread quickly that not only is Goff a SF Giants fan but he was also a Puig-hater.  Jared Goff had made an uncouth comment about Puig on twitter back in 2013.  See my post about that here.

As you can imagine, a mini brouhaha occurred.  Folks expressed their disdain online.  Fans started to take sides.  Bloggers wrote a bunch of stories.  Soon thereafter, Puig and Goff exchanged greetings on social media, and then they quickly buried the hatchet.  Yasiel Puig even offering to escort Goff around town.  Fast forward to yesterday and we get the makings of an Los Angeles love-fest.  They met before the game for the first time, and it now seems clear that are now buddies.  Via ESPN:

"We made up a long time ago, but it was good to talk to him," Goff said. "He's a real cool guy. It was funny. It was something I tweeted when I was like 17 years old. He thought it was funny and it's cool to be down here. It's a good chance to meet him through that crazy way."

BTW, Goff was not the only Rams player in attendance.  Five other teammates came out to meet the Dodger Stadium crowd.  Check them out wearing Dodger Blue on the right.

Photo at the very top via @Dodgers on twitter.  The pic on the above right via @RamsNFL on twitter. Go here to check out a bunch of pics from Jon SooHoo from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1898 Charles Ebbets took over as manager of the team.  His team would go 38-68 under him.  The next year Ned Hanlon came on board to skipper the team.  In 1957 Jackie Robinson, along with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., receive honorary degrees of Doctor of Laws from Howard University. In 1982 Steve Garvey becomes the fifth player in MLB history to play in 1,000 consecutive games.He would receive a one-minute standing ovation from the Dodger Stadium crowd.  In 1995 Tommy Lasorda would win his 1,500th game as manager in a victory over the Expos.

Blog Kiosk: 5/31/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The Dodgers thought that they'd lucked out yesterday.  That afternoons starter, Jason Hammel, left the game early due to an hamstring cramp.  So, they wouldn't have to face one of their best starters so far this season.  Unfortunately, the Cubs bullpen was up to the task of shutting down Los Angeles.  Via Brian Hedger at MLB.com:

"Once Hammel goes out there and we're into the bullpen in the third inning, you're thinking you can grind some at-bats and wear out the bullpen," Turner said. "It's Game 1 of a four-game series. [Wood] did a good job of pounding the zone and getting quick outs, and I think he went four innings. You have to tip your cap to him."

Five Cubs pitchers combined for a one-hit shutout victory; including seven no-hit innings by their relievers.  The lone Dodger hit was a single by Justin Turner in the first inning.  The Dodgers lost 2-0.

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2106.  Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays game.  Below are more links to check:

• This Day in Dodgers History: This is remarkable.  In 1948, Tommy Lasorda, as a member of the Schenectady Blue Jays of the Phillies system, struck out 25 batters in a 15 inning game to defeat the Amsterdam Rugmakers.  Lasorda has said in the past that he likely threw more than 300 pitches that day.  In 1965 the Dodgers, for the first time in history, field an all switch-hitting infield in a game against the Reds.  The players were Wes Parker, Jim Lefebvre, Maury Wills and Jim Gilliam.  In 1968 Don Drysdale hurled his fifth consecutive shutout to extend his scoreless innings streak.  This is the game where a Giants batter was called out on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch since he was ruled to have not made an attempt to get out of the way of the pitch.
• Happy Birthday, Dave Roberts!

2016 Topps Pro Debut - All the Dodgers Base Cards

Certainly related to the wealth of talent currently within the farm system, the Dodgers have eight base cards within the recently release 2016 Topps Pro Debut Baseball card set.  As you know, this brand highlights the best and brightest prospects in the game, and features these players on the flagship Baseball card design.  I love the fact that they are all wearing the uniforms of their minor league teams.  Go here to see a complete checklist.

Below are pics of the eight Dodgers prospects in the set.  Of note, this set includes the very first licensed card of right-handed pitcher Josh Sborz.  He was drafted 78th overall by the Dodgers last year, and is currently pitching in high-A ball for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.

#26 Alex Verdugo                                #46 Cody Bellinger

2016 Bowman Baseball - All the Dodgers Insert Cards

Now that you've seen the base cards, here is everything else.  Shown below are the various Dodgers inserts and autograph cards that are available.  Note that the Kenta Maeda auto'd cards are available only through a redemption card.

Chrome Prospect Autographs

#CPA-JC Jharel Cotton

2016 Bowman Baseball - The Dodgers Base Cards

Bowman Baseball cards are now official on the market.  This is a prospect driven set, and as you might expect it's filled with some of the best and brightest the Dodgers have in their minor league system.  In fact, the prospect portion of the base set includes a couple players who are getting their first official licensed cards.  They are pitcher Yadier Alvarez and outfielder Starling Heredia.  Check them all out below.  Go here for a complete checklist.

Yadier Alvarez is an 19 year old pitcher from Matanzas, Cuba.  He had signed an $16 million bonus with the Dodgers last year.  Starling Heredia is from the Dominican Republic, and he signed a reported $2.6 million bonus last year, as well.  He was just 16 years old.

Base Set

The Adrian Gonzalez card is a red parallel and the Trayce Thompson is a silver parallel card.

#40 Clayton Kershaw                            #46 Adrian Gonzalez

Blog Kiosk: 4/23/2016 - Dodgers Links - Puig's Magnificent Throw

Yasiel Puig's throw to nail Trevor Story at third base yesterday was so shocking these fans forgot how to spell his name, (watch it here if you haven't seen it yet) but the Cuban sensation had a different explanation for the flub.  He wrote on twitter:

What happened, guys? Too much cerveza? Hahaha I love my fans

As for the throw, Puig had this to say.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"If I can't do it with my bat and I can't do it with my glove, I'll do it with my arm," said Puig. "I have to do something to help my team. I just try to throw to the base and my teammates do the rest."

Photo above via Puig on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History:  In 1958 Gil Hodges hit his 300th career home run and Pee Wee Reese played his 2000th career game. Also, in 1999 Cardinal third baseman Fernando Tatis hit two grand slams in the same game in one inning against the Dodgers - the first and only player to do it.  He hit both grand slams against Chan Ho Park.
• YouTube: Get inspired listening to Steve Sax on Conrad's Corner.  (Link Here)

Blog Kiosk: 3/15/2016 - Dodgers Links - Kazmir, Ryu and Justin Turner

That is some sweet looking leather.

Yesterday afternoon the Dodgers shared a pic of Kiké Hernandez's new glove on twitter, and made note that it features his twitter handle.  I would rather make note of the awesome blue leather straps.

Below are more links to check out:

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider provides the details on the first "cuts" of spring, here.  Eight players were sent to minor league camp; including right-handed pitching prospect Jharel Cotton.
• Eric Stephen at True Blue LA has a complete roster listing of Dodgers' minor league ballplayers here.
• Eric also writes, "Scott Kazmir finds rhythm in 'B' game." 

"I was working on a couple pitches, but was just trying to get that catcher-pitcher relationship down where we were in sync and had a good rhythm going," Kazmir recalled. "There were some things we tried in the first few innings that made it a little more difficult. We changed it a little bit, then by the third or fourth inning we were right there thinking with each other."

• Hyun-Jin Ryu finally got back onto the mound yesterday afternoon, and threw twenty pitches.  Via JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers:

“It was very good,” Ryu said through an interpreter. “It wasn’t all about the speed. It was more about location and how I felt.”

• Justin Tuner is on the mend.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Turner 'still standing' after quite the workout."

"I'm still standing," Turner said. "Everything is a test to see how I feel on both sides of the ball. I had a little extra adrenaline with the fans in the stands. I was anxious to get back out there in a real game. Playing on the back fields is good to get the work in, but it's not the same adrenaline and intensity with the fans in the stands. I felt great. Ran, slid into home, dove for a ball. Everything felt fine."

• An WBC Qualifier series will begin this coming Thursday, and Adrian Gonzalez will be playing for Team Mexico.  Also, via Yvonne Carrasco at Dodger Insider, "Valenzuela to throw first pitch at WBC qualifier."  Go here for a schedule of games being played in Mexicali, Mexico and Panama City, Panama.
• Those rare Ty Cobb cards found in a paper bag have been selling briskly.  Rich Mueller at Sports Collectors Daily informs us that a fourth card (and its highest graded example) of the seven found sold for in excess of $1Million.  That's for that one card.  Wow!  It is believed that the first three cards reported to have been sold was for an accumulative value of over $1Million.  Check out what the million dollar card looks like on the right.
• Wow!

Well, the stitches are out but I still have to wear a cast for 2 wks. Can't wait to get some @Dodgers to sign it! ;) pic.twitter.com/DKfS8Icq1l

— Josh Ravin™ (@FreshSqueezed22) March 14, 2016

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Blog Kiosk: 3/11/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

The rookie coffee run continues for the Dodgers -- even during spring training.  This morning it appears that several of the young kids were tasked with getting coffee for the team, as evidenced in the photo above tweeted by Kyle Farmer.  From L-R: Julio Urias, Jose De Leon, Kyle Farmer?, Jharel Cotton, Caleb Dirks and Jacob Rhame.

Below are more links to check out:

• It's always a pleasure to work with Daniel at C70 At the Bat, so when he asked me to participate in his "Playing Pepper" question and answer session I was happy to oblige.  This series explores my, and several other Dodger bloggers', thoughts on the upcoming Dodger season.  Check out what I wrote, along with Alex Campos at Dodgers Way and Scott Andes at the LA Dodger Report, here.
• Via Richard Kagan at Baseball Magazine, "Brooklyn Dodgers’ World Series Comet: Al Gionfriddo."
• Via Barry M. Bloom at MLB.com, "Injured Guerrero progressing, nearing return."

"He's taking batting practice, taking grounders, but as far as our comfort level of him playing in a Major League game, we're not there yet," Roberts said.

• Via Fox Sports, "MLB Commish Manfred talks Snapchat, Dodgers and PEDs in wide-ranging interview."

Despite the league's wider access in many markets, Manfred did express his concern regarding the Dodgers ongoing TV troubles in which a large percentage of Dodgers' fans have been unable to watch their team in the local market due to limited access to the team's new cable channel. Calling the team one of the league's historic franchises, the commissioner said the league had no problem getting involved in discussions between the team and cable providers but was quick to point out they were limited in their influence.

In other words, there is no change in the situation, and ultimately there really isn't much the league can do.

• Former Dodger Randy Wolf to retire, via Jeff Todd at MLB Trade Rumors.
• Ron Cervenka at Think Blue LA wonders aloud, "Is Scott Schebler the next Paul Konerko, etc?"
• The ever popular Kiké Hernandez now has his very own store.  Go here to check it out.

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Dodgers Notes from Spring Training: Spring Game 2/Away Game 1

Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.  See what they've written below.

------------------

 LOS ANGELES DODGERS (1-0) at Texas Rangers (2-0)
Friday, March 4, 2016 – 12:05 p.m. PST | Surprise Recreation Campus
LHP Scott Kazmir (0-0) vs. RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez (0-0)

TV: None Radio: AM 570 (Eng.)

------------------

(Roberts and Ventura, pic via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2016)

Panini's 2015 Elite Extra Edition Baseball - The Dodgers Base Cards

One of the last Baseball card products to hit shelves before the end of the calendar year is Panini's 2015 Elite Extra Edition set.  As you may know, this is Panini's prospect set, so it includes many of the best minor leaguers in the game.  Go here for a complete checklist.

Below are the Dodgers base card.  Like for most sets these days, there are numerous parallels available.  I share pics of both the normal base card (called "Prospects" cards) and its autographed parallel.  (In a handful of cases I've only been about to find one of them, so I'll update this post when the other shows up.)  I also include example pics of the other parallels available at the very bottom.

Base Prospects

#18 Yadier Alvarez

Blog Kiosk: 12/21/2015 - Dodger Links - Ryu, Maddux and Don Newcombe

Although it's a bit too late to make a bid I just had to point this item out.  The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes held an auction recently in benefit of the San Bernardino United Relief Fund that included the above team signed jersey.  As you can see, it features specially made Star Wars jerseys that were worn for a game on May 24, 2014.  Signers include Dodger prospects like Corey Seager, Chris Anderson, Jharel Cotton and Kyle Farmer.  It sold for $305.  Of special note:

The jersey was purchased at the game’s silent auction and generously donated back to the Quakes by the 501st Legion – Southern California Garrison (501st.com) and Cory Leeper (IG: @coryvader).

Below are more links to check out:

• Here's some good news.  Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Ryu expects to be ready for Spring Training."

"I have no reason to believe I won't be ready for Spring Training," Ryu said.

"Other than throwing off a mound and going all out, I pretty much can do everything I want to do. I'm on a great program and everything is going great. No discomfort, absolutely nothing."

• Nick Cafardo at the Boston Globe notes that Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux may be returning to the Dodgers.

 Greg Maddux is expected to join a West Coast team — likely the Dodgers — as a part-time special assistant. Maddux said he doesn’t want a full-time coaching career. His son, Chase, is a freshman pitcher at UNLV and Maddux wants to spend time watching his games. He also enjoys traveling with his family.
...

“I enjoy working with pitchers,” Greg Maddux said. “If there’s something I can do to help a young guy think about the game more and what he’s throwing and why he’s throwing it, I can help like that.”

• Via Marly Rivera at ESPN, "Cuba's famed 'Hot Corner' gets visit from baseball greats."

“It was a lot fun. It’s obvious they love baseball,” commented the Dodgers' ace, who took part in all the events during the three-day tour. “They asked me to name an ideal U.S. lineup, and I mentioned a few players, but they kept telling me the Cuban team would crush them. I missed quite a few, so now I’ve really got to think about that lineup.”

• Even with a lack of significant trades or free agent signings the Dodgers are still considered to have one of the Top-Five rotations in Baseball, via Paul Casella at MLB.com.
• Via Bill Plaschke at the LA Times, "Don Newcombe, a link to Dodgers' greatness, wants to see more of it."

"Look at me when I talk to you," he says. "The Dodgers are the greatest team in history of baseball, and the Dodgers will be world champions again before I leave this earth."

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Blog Kiosk: 11/21/2015 - Dodger Links - Some Odds and Ends

Clayton Kershaw is seen with Easton Corbin and his band in the photo above, as tweeted by Kershaw's Challenge.  The other night, Kershaw and his charity Kershaw's Challenge held their 2nd Annual Live Benefit Concert in Dallas, Texas and Corbin was there to help out.  Check out the Kershaw's Challenge website here.

Below are more links to check out:

• Via Joey Nowak at MLB.com, "Dodgers honored for Vin's return video."

The Dodgers took home the first award of the day on Friday when it was revealed on social media that they were the recipient of this year's Best Video Board Moment Award.

It stems from an Aug. 28 game against the Cubs, when Dodgers partner Magic Johnson and talk show host Jimmy Kimmel delivered the news that beloved Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully would be returning in 2016 for his 67th season.

.@Esurance MLB Award for Best Video Board Moment goes to @Dodgers and legendary broadcaster Vin Scully. #AwardWorthy https://t.co/4FTGTBsDvD

— MLB (@MLB) November 20, 2015

• David Hood at True Blue LA reviews prospect Josh Sborz.

Sborz jumped between starting and relieving while at Virginia, but the Dodgers drafted him with the intention of returning him to the rotation. It’s easy to see physically why he should work in the role. Sborz is a well-built 6’3, 225 lbs. that isn’t in need of any additional physical projection. He has demonstrated solid arm strength in college and was often used as a multi-inning reliever, so stamina should not be an issue in converting to starting.

• FYI, the Dodgers palced Ross Stripling and Jharel Cotton onto their 40-man roster; thereby protecting them from the Rule 5 Draft

The #Dodgers have selected the contracts of RHPs Jharel Cotton and Ross Stripling to the club’s 40-man roster.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) November 20, 2015

Eric Stephen at True Blue LA adds:

Stripling: "In minor league baseball, there really isn't a whole lot of transparency as far as knowing where you reside in an organization's mind, so this would be a great indicator to see exactly what they think of me what my future is as a Dodger."
Cotton: "It's an honor to be given this opportunity," Cotton said. "I've been working hard towards this, had a few bumps in the road but that's what made the pitcher I am today."

• Awesome!  This is definitely worth thumbing through.  Via Eric Nusbaum at Vice Sports, "We Made Juan Uribe a Free Agency Book."

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