Marlins Series Starts Friday - Stadium Giveaways, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts on Monday against the Washington Nationals. Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand. I will update this should new and updated information become available. Here are some important links:

• 2019 Broadcast Schedule
• Parking Information 
• Special Events Schedule
• Promotions & Giveaways Schedule
• Silent Auction Schedule 
• Friday Night Fireworks Schedule 
• Viva Los Dodgers Schedule
• Dodger Stadium Parking / Transportation 
• Dodger Stadium Express / LA Metro  

Please note that the Dodgers are embarking on a new culinary experience at the stadium. Fans can find the LA Feeds Blue Chef Series located in the right field plaza that will feature a special Chef Series pop-up concession stand. This homestand will feature foods from Border Grill + Socalo. More information is available at the bottom of this post.

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Friday, July 19th at 7:10 PM

Hyun-Jin Ryu vs Zac Gallen

TV: SportsNet LA, SNLA Spanish

Radio: AM 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020

Blog Kiosk: 12/19/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Ouch!

Featured above is a vintage Associated Press photo of Duke Snider grasping his right elbow after being beaned. (eBay Auction Link)

THE DUKE IS FELLED.  Duke Snider, hard-hitting centerfielder of the Brooklyn Dodgers, holds his right elbow and falls to the ground after being hit by ball being pitched by Giant relief hurler Marv Grissom in tenth inning of game at Polo Grounds, New York, night of June 29.  An examination showed no break, but Snider could hardly lift his arm later.  Giants won, 4 to 3, in 13th inning.

Snider sat out the next two games nursing that elbow, and would prove to be just fine when he came in as a pinch hitter during the third game after this incident. He walloped a triple to drive in a run in the ninth inning -- bringing the Dodgers within one run of tying a game (game link).

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2005 the Dodgers signed free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal to a three year/$39 million contract and Nomar Garciaparra to a one year/$6 million contract. In 2014 the Dodgers received veteran shortstop Jimmy Rollins from the Phillies in exchange for minor league pitchers Tom Windle and Zach Eflin. 
• Happy Birthday, Lou Koupal, Gordie Windhorn, Tom Wilson, Welcome Gaston, Wally Gilbert, Rex Barney, Geoff Zahn & Mike Fetters!

Blog Kiosk: 7/26/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Ugh... I don't like losing. Per Ken Gurnick at MLB.com:

"They beat us," said Roberts. "We got beat this series. I don't think we laid down. They got the big hits when they needed to. That's the difference in this series."

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2018 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1950 Dodgers outfielder Jim Russell becomes the first ballplayer in major league history to hit a home run from both sides of the plate during a game for the second time in his career. His record is eventually surpassed by Mickey Mantle in 1956 when he does it for a third time. In 1990 super-utilityman Mike Sharperson become the first player in Dodger history to start every infield position in the same season. In 1991 Montreal starter Mark Gardner no-hit the Dodgers for nine innings, but eventually lost the game in the tenth inning. He allowed two singles and reliever Jeff Fassero gave up the winning hit to lose, 1-0.  Dodger pitchers Orel Hershiser, Kevin Gross and Jay Howell combine for a two hit shutout. In 1995 the Dodgers signed free agent amateur pitcher Eric Gagne out of Seminole State College. In 2008 the Dodgers received third baseman Casey Blake from the Indians for Jon Meloan and Carlos Santana. 
• Happy Birthday, John Butler, Sam Leslie, Hoyt Wilhelm, Glenn Mickens, Jody Reed & Brandon Morrow!

Marlins Series Starts on Monday - Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

Cuban Torta

The next homestand starts on Monday against the Miami Marlins. Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand. Here are some important links:

• 2018 Broadcast Schedule
• Parking Information 
• Special Events Schedule
• Promotions & Giveaways Schedule
• Silent Auction Schedule 
• Dodger Stadium Express / LA Metro  

Ropa Vieja

There are two new food items being made available for this homestand only, and they are available at the On Deck Circle stand on Field Level section 48, Loge Level section 133 and Reserve Level section 4. First, you can get the Cuban Torta which features Smoked Pork, Thin sliced Deli Ham, Dill Pickles, Swiss Cheese, Yellow Mustard, stacked on Telera Bread and pressed.

Also available is the Ropa Vieja. This features Braised Beef with Pepper, Onions, and Olives, mounded on Steamed Basmati Rice, Black Beans and topped with Pico de Gallo.

A holdover from the last series, you can also get the Chorizo Torta that features a Chorizo sausage split in half, ranchero bean spread, shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, queso fresco, and smoke jalapeno aioli.

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Monday, April 23rd at 7:10 PM

Walker Buehler vs Jarlin Garcia

TV: MLBN (out-of-market only), SportsNet LA, SNLA Spanish

Radio: 570 LA Sports, KTNQ 1020

Marlins Series Starts on Monday - Autograph Appearances, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts on Monday against the Miami Marlins.   Below are some odds and ends for this upcoming homestand. 

The Miami Cuban Dog will be available for this homestand at the Extreme Loaded Dog concession areas located on the field, loge and reserve levels. It features a quarter-pound, all-beef hot dog topped with smoked ham, pulled roasted pork, Swiss cheese, yellow mustard and pickle chips.

I will update this post with more information should it arrive.  So, be sure to check back.

The second 2016 issue of the new Dodger Insider magazine, featuring Justin Turner on the cover (see on right), will be available at Dodger Stadium. Beginning this year, the Dodgers merged their previously separate Playbill and Dodger Insider magazines into one publication (at least 80 pages per issue) with a new edition available each homestand and one in October, 13 issues total. It will be distributed at auto gates (one per vehicle) and via Fan Services for those who use alternate transportation. 

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Monday, April 25th at 7:10 PM
 RHP Wei-Yin Chen vs. RHP Ross Stripling
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Monday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:40 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:10 PM.  The first 40,000 fans in attendance will receive a Clayton Kershaw bobblehead.  See it on the left.

Dodger broadcaster Rick Monday will throw the ceremonial first pitch. It is the 40th anniversary of the iconic moment on April 25, 1976 at Dodger Stadium in which Monday, then a member of the Chicago Cubs, rescued an American flag that was about to be burned on the center field grass by protestors. Monday will have the flag from this day with him for pregame ceremonies. Kevin Massey will perform the national anthem. Massey is currently starring in the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder,” at the Ahmanson Theatre.

Blog Kiosk: 12/2/2015 - Dodger Links - Roberts, Kershaw and Puig

It's great to have you back, Dave!  Via Joey Nowak at MLB.com:

"To be able to put this hat and this jersey on again, it'll never be mistaken and forgotten, how impactful these people [have been] and the legacy they created," Roberts said. "I look at it as a responsibility to continue forward and do things the right way."

Photo above via @MLB on twitter.  You can check out more photo's from yesterday's press conference from Jon SooHoo here.  Below are more links to check out:

• Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider live blogged the Dave Roberts press conference.  Check it out here.  Below is an excerpt:

A word that I like, I like “grit.” I wasn’t a great baseball player, and so I had to do a lot of things and grind and try to create opportunities for myself. And I think grit is something I believe in — it’s an unrelenting passion and desire for a common goal.”

“I’m always trying to learn. I’m always trying to grow. I want to be the best that I can be. That’s kind of my goal for staff, for people in the organization, for players. I think if we can shoot for that, everything else takes care of itself.”

• Just to clear things up.  Via Dylan Hernandez on twitter, Kershaw never said those things about Puig:

Friedman denies Kershaw told him to trade Puig.

— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) December 1, 2015

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Impressive first interview gave Dave Roberts inside track to Dodgers manager job."

"After our first-round interview, it was like he had our answer key. He had all the answers we wanted to hear going through it," said Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. "It was incredibly impressive."

"We went into it with a completely open mind," general manager Farhan Zaidi said. "There's no way Dave walked out of that interview without thinking 'I totally nailed that,' because that's what we all thought."

• Via Matthew Moreno at Dodger Blue, "Being Genuine Is Key To Connecting With Yasiel Puig, Says Adrian Gonzalez." 

“From my experience, Puig responds well to genuine people; when he understands there’s no agenda and people really just care for him,” Gonzalez said.

“I think that’s one reason why he’s really responded well to me. I told him from day one I don’t want anything from you. When I tell you something it’s for your own good. I’m not doing it because I’m trying to get something out of you or I’m trying to get something for myself.”

• This is good news.  Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Don Newcombe resting at home after fainting at Dodger Stadium press conference."
• Topps recently announced, via instagram, that a Crash Davis (Kevin Costner) of Bull Durham fame autographed card will be inserted into packs of 2016 Topps Archives.  Check it out on the right.
• Holy mackerel!  Are we about to have another reason to loudly boo Barry Bonds? Apparently, he will be a hitting coach for the Miami Marlins, via Mike Oz at Big League Stew.

The coaching hierarchy as it's been reported has Bonds as a second hitting coach alongside Frank Menechino, who has been with the Marlins since 2013. New Miami manager Don Mattingly and Menechino are said to be "all in" on the idea, according to Peter Gammons.

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Blog Kiosk: 10/29/2015 - Dodger Links - Greinke, Sax and Vin Scully

After a little medical procedure during the recent playoffs - putting him out of commission - Vin Scully looks quite dapper just a few weeks later in the photo above.  He seems healthy, strong and prepared to tackle the oncoming 2016 Baseball season with his usual gusto.  The pic above is from a recent interview he had with broadcaster Alanna Rizzo, and it will air tonight on SportsNet LA at 7:00 PM.  So, if you've got the channel you should go check it out.  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“Yes,” Scully told Rizzo in regards to the 2016 season. “Oh yeah, definitely. I’m looking forward to next year, maybe because it’s my last year. I’m looking forward to it as much as my second year because I got by the first year and I was so thrilled there was another one coming up — well, that’s how I feel about ’16. I’m chafing at the bit.”

Ugh!  I still can't wrap my head around the notion that 2016 will be Scully's last year behind the mic.  Worse yet, there are hundreds of thousands (possibly millions) of fans who will likely be unable to enjoy his words due to the Time Warner mess. 

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

• Former Dodger scout Ronnie King passed away on Monday, via Jim Jenkins at the Sacramento Bee.  He was responsible for signing Steve Sax.

“He was like a second father to me,” said Sax, a former Dodgers second baseman. “He was a tutor to a lot of players, an unbelieveable man. He would work all of us out tirelessly to make sure we did things right. He knew just about everything in baseball. He wasn’t boastful but could always give you that special input. Between seasons, I’d come back home to meet with him. If it wasn’t for Ronnie, I probably would have never made it to the major leagues.”

• Zack Greinke was named to the 2015 Sporting News National League All-Star team.  Check out the story here. 
• Mark Saxon at ESPN writes an excellent profile on Dodger managerial candidate Gabe Kapler.

"He's incredibly bright, he's a tremendous leader of people, and he's an exceptional communicator. It's so hard for players, who are so mired in it, to sometimes see the bigger picture or even look at it from a different perspective. Gabe is incredibly skilled at seeing things at different perspectives."

• BTW, it appears that Don Mattingly has been hired by the Miami Marlins, via Molly Knight at Vice Sports.

Mattingly's deal is for four years, according to the source. He will be the club's eighth manager since 2010. The Marlins are thought to be waiting until after the World Series to make a formal announcement.

• Bud Black also appears to have already gotten a new managerial job.  Via James Wagner at the Washington Post, "Nationals expected to name Bud Black next manager."
• You know I love card collecting... And I love my LA Kings... So, when Sheng Peng at Jewels from the Crown put together, "A Hockey Card History of the Los Angeles Kings" blog post you know I'm gonna love it.  Check it out here.

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Marlins Series Starts Tomorrow - Scheduled Autograph Sessions, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts tomorrow against the Miami Marlins, and several former Dodgers' are scheduled for an autograph session with fans.  Below are the scheduled autograph opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

For this series only the Extreme Loaded Dog concession will be offering a Cuban Dog that features a quarter-pound all-beef hot dog topped with ham, pulled pork, Swiss cheese, yellow mustard and pickle chips.  The Think Blue BBQ will also offer Caribbean Sticky Ribs - pork spare ribs with pineapple barbeque sauce, ghost pepper and molasses marinade and it will be served with tropical cole slaw.

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Monday, May 11th at 7:10 PM
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Monday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  It is Cuban Heritage Night at Dodger Stadium.  Folks who ordered a special ticket package in the All You Can Eat Right Field Pavilion or Infield Reserve will get an exclusive Cuban Heritage Dodger T-shirt with your ticket.  See that on the left.  If not already sold out go here for information.

Archbishop José H. Gomez will also throw a first pitch in celebration of the 5th annual Catholic Schools Night at Dodger Stadium. Cuban-American actor, director and Academy Award nominee Andy Garcia will also throw an ceremonial first pitch. Two-time Grammy nominee Karina Nuvo will perform the national anthem. Yasiel Puig will join in the Cuba Night fun by by participating in pregame ceremonies.

Dodger alumnus Lee Lacy will sign autographs in the left-field plaza from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Pantages will offer a “Motown the Musical” blue carpet photo opportunity in the left-field plaza.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Felix Fernandez Jr. of Perris. Fernandez enlisted as an Airman and during his 28 years of service, he has deployed several thousand airmen to various locations in support of Operations Desert Storm, Desert Shield and Enduring Freedom. Fernandez is currently stationed at 452 Force Support Squadron March Air Reserve Base.

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Tuesday, May 12th at 7:10 PM
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Tuesday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:40 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:10 PM.  The first 40,000 fans in attendance will receive a Clayton Kershaw bobblehead.  See it on the left.

“America’s Got Talent” 2014 finalist and Sony Music Masterworks recording artist Emily West will perform the national anthem.  UPDATE:  Three-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Victor Espinoza, a native of Tulancingo, Hidalgo, Mexico, will throw the ceremonial first pitch.  He rode American Pharaoh; who won the Derby last week.

Dodger alumnus Al Ferrara will sign autographs in the left-field plaza from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. KLAC 570 LA Sports’ Petros and Money show will broadcast live from the left-field pavilion plaza from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Army E4 Specialist Julio Ramirez of Los Angeles. Ramirez was deployed to South Korea in 2010, where he earned the Superior Unit Award for his efforts in response to the North Korean attack on a border island. Ramirez is currently stationed in Fort Irwin where he works to extend diplomatic courtesies and hospitality to foreign and domestic visiting leaders.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) conducts silent auctions throughout the season featuring more than 25 signed pieces of memorabilia from Dodger players, coaches and alumni. Auctions will take place behind the Vin Scully press box on the club level. The items up for auction on Tuesday include a Clayton Kershaw autographed photo, Joc Pederson autographed baseball and Zack Greinke autographed Dodger jersey. The auction will end at 8:45 p.m.

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Wednesday, May 13th at 4:50 PM
SNLA / AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Wednesday's game starts at 4:50 PM.  Auto gates open at 2:20 PM, and stadium gates open at 2:50 PM.

American folk rock artist Lissie will perform the national anthem.

Dodger alumnus Al Downing will sign autographs in the left-field plaza from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Luis Martinez of Salinas. Martinez enlisted in 2006 and in 2009 was assigned to Marine Expeditionary Force Group where he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Martinez later transferred to 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines in Hawaii, where he completed one Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan for six months.

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WTF! My Head is Spinning! Dodgers Trade for Howie Kendrick?!

I'm still in shock about this afternoon's happenings.  It's like a whirlwind came over 'Dodger Nation' and decided to wreak havoc.  Let's just toss everything around and see if we can jumble the club into a super-powered statistically driven behemoth unseen in the game.

What we are witnessing is what happens when you pair some of the smartest folks in the game with the financial muscle of a Wall Street bank.  We get extremely bold moves. 

As you know, the Dodgers traded Dee Gordon, Dan Haren and Miguel Rojas to the Miami Marlins for Andrew Heaney, Chris Hatcher, Austin Barnes and Kike Hernandez.  Then, just as the dust was starting to settle, the Dodgers have reportedly moved Andrew Heaney to the Angels for Howie Kendrick - straight up.

CORRECTION: Andrew Heaney to Angels for Howie Kendrick, not Austin Barnes.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) December 11, 2014

Wha...?  I just can't keep up.

So as it stands, we have the makings of a creative three-way trade.  The Dodgers get Howie Kendrick, Chris Hatcher, Austin Barnes and Kike Hernandez.  The Miami Marlins get Dee Gordon, Dan Haren, Miguel Rojas and potentially a bunch of cash.  The Angels get Andrew Heaney. 

Whew!  What a crazy day it's been.

Hilariously, Andrew Heaney responded to being a Dodger for all of a few hours on twitter:

Well, @Dodgers we had a good run! Great to be a part of such a storied franchise. #thanksforthememories
— Andrew Heaney (@Heandog8) December 11, 2014

BTW, the Dodgers might not be done.  There are reports that they are close to signing free agent starter Brandon McCarthy.

UPDATE:  BTW, I had already made a Dodger fantasy Baseball card for Andrew Heaney and feel compelled to share - just because I don't want to feel like I wasted my time.  Check it out below.

UPDATE II:  Just to let you know what we might be missing when it comes to Andrew Heaney here is a listing of various scouting reports on him:

• Frank Neville scouting report at the Sporting News."

The talented lefthander doesn’t have a dominant pitch, but he has three above-average offerings and a smooth, repeatable delivery.  Heaney’s stuff plays up because he has some deception and he is effective at locating to both sides of the plate.

• Via Michael Beller at Sports Illustrated, "Fantasy baseball Pitcher Scouting Report: Andrew Heaney."

The 23-year-old lefty features a fastball that sits at about 91 mph, a changeup that typically clocks in about 10 mph slower, and a slider that registers in the high-70s.

• Via Chris Blessing at RotoScouting, "Andrew Heaney Scouting Report (2014)."

Listed at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Heaney has physical projection left. Long and lean, the young lefty looks stoic in the windup. With a three-quarters arm slot and easy arm action, his velocity is a product of consistency and power generated from his base. Heaney’s core is in near-perfect symmetry. Everything is laid back and easy.

• Via John Sickels at Minor League Ball, "Prospect of the Day: Andrew Heaney, LHP, Miami Marlins."

Born June 5, 1991, Heaney makes dominance look easy, throwing a 90-95 MPH fastball (sometimes as high as 97) with a low-effort delivery. He locates the fastball with precision, made all the more effective due to the contrast with a wicked slider (likely his best overall pitch) and a very good changeup.

• Via Clark Spencer at the Miami Herald, "Miami Marlins prospect Andrew Heaney being held in high regard."

“Pitchability-wise, he’s got the plus fastball,” (Wayne) Rosenthal (the Marlins’ minor-league pitching coordinator) said. “He’s got an out-pitch slider, and he’s got a changeup. So you’re looking at three plus pitches.”

UPDATE III:  It is now officeial.  Here is the Dodger official press release.

 The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced the acquisitions of infielder Howie Kendrick from the Angels and prospects infielder/outfielder Kike Hernandez, catcher Austin Barnes and right-handed reliever Chris Hatcher from the Marlins. The acquisitions were made through two separate trades, a seven-player deal with Miami - with Los Angeles acquiring Hernandez, Barnes, Hatcher and left-handed pitcher Andrew Heaney in exchange for infielder Dee Gordon, right-handed pitcher Dan Haren, infielder Miguel Rojas and a player to be named later or cash considerations - and a subsequent trade that sent Heaney to the Angels in exchange for Kendrick.

Pic at the very top via Wikimeadia Commons, Shishike.

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Dodgers Make Another Big Trade - Dee Gordon and Dan Haren go to Marlins

Holy moly!  What a day for the Dodgers.

After lulling its audience into believing they would do nothing the Dodgers go ahead and splurge all at once.  Following on the heels of the trade that brings Jimmy Rollins to play shortstop we find out that a blockbuster trade has been completed with the Miami Marlins.  Keep in mind, though, that this deal has yet to be confirmed by the clubs involved, but has received widespread confirmations throughout the peanut gallery.

The Dodgers will send fan favorite Dee Gordon and starting pitcher Dan Haren to Miami for top rated left-handed starting pitching prospect Andrew Heaney, right-handed reliever Chris Hatcher, infield prospect Austin Barnes and infield prospect Kike Hernandez.

Wow!  What a bevy of players.

From what I understand, Andrew Heaney is one of Miami's top starting pitching prospects, so he'll slot in nicely into Haren's spot.  Also, Chris Hatcher had been fairly effective in a relief role this past season in Miami.  As for the remaining two players, they have potential, but are hardly key pieces to the deal.

Something of note, Heaney would likely rank as the Dodgers 2nd or 3rd best prospect in our system, so we got quite a prize for Dee Gordon and Dan Haren.  The Dodgers front office definitely sold high on Dee.

I'll have more details later on; including my own card creations for the new Dodgers, so stay tuned.

UPDATE:  If you can't tell, I'm kinda excited about this trade.  It's the kind of deal I expected to see from our new front office and I'm glad that my expectations are being met.  On the flip side, I really like Dee Gordon... Like, I considered him to be the most 'True-Blue' Dodger on the entire roster kind of like for him.  If I were a younger lad I might be in tears at the thought of him playing elsewhere.

UPDATE II:  This is cold!  Via Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald, the Dodgers are paying all of Dan Haren's $10Mil salary for 2015 should he not retire, or they will pay nothing if he does retire (as he has already threatened to do).  UPDATE: Reports now indicate that the Marlins can keep the $10Mil even if Haren decides to retire.  Wow!

Hearing that #dodgers, as part of trade with #Marlins, agreed to pay Haren's $10 million. So Haren is a "free pitcher" for #Marlins.
— clarkspencer (@clarkspencer) December 11, 2014

UPDATE III: It is now being reported that Dodger infielder Miguel Rojas was also a part of the trade.  He goes to the Marlins, via Joe Fisaro at MLB.com:

I've heard INF Miguel Rojas is also headed to #Marlins from #Dodgers and Miami will receive financial compensation if Haren retires
— Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) December 11, 2014

UPDATE IV:  Here's the official Dodger press release on all the details of this crazy blockbuster trade:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced the acquisitions of infielder Howie Kendrick from the Angels and prospects infielder/outfielder Kike Hernandez, catcher Austin Barnes and right-handed reliever Chris Hatcher from the Marlins. The acquisitions were made through two separate trades, a seven-player deal with Miami - with Los Angeles acquiring Hernandez, Barnes, Hatcher and left-handed pitcher Andrew Heaney in exchange for infielder Dee Gordon, right-handed pitcher Dan Haren, infielder Miguel Rojas and a player to be named later or cash considerations - and a subsequent trade that sent Heaney to the Angels in exchange for Kendrick.

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Welcome to the Blue, Ricky Nolasco!

In a move to bolster our starting pitching staff, the Dodgers pick up Miami Marlins veteran starter Ricky Nolasco. 

In exchange for Nolasco we give up AAA reliever Steven Ames, AAA reliever Josh Wall and Single A pitching prospect Angel Sanchez.  Both Ames and Wall figure on being serviceable pieces to a Major League bullpen in the future, while Sanchez may turn out to be a decent starter.  In fact, earlier this year Sanchez flirted with a no-hitter while with the Great Lakes Loons, via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, and is ranked #8 by MLB.com and #25 by Baseball America in the Dodgers farm system.  On the other hand, Sanchez is not considered one of our best high-echelon starting pitching prospects and is 23 years old in Single A.

So, we basically give up 2 middle relievers and a potential starting pitcher for the best pitcher on the Marlins.  Not too bad, eh?  I think Colletti deserves a big round-of-applause for this one.  We didn't give up too much in order to get a solid arm in our quest for a pennant.  Heck, Nolasco should slot in as our #4 starter, so I think he'll fit in quite nicely.

Furthermore, the Dodgers also get some International Singing monies.  They receive bonus slot #96 valued at $197,000.00.  So, the Dodgers can go ahead and sign another kid to add to our stable of teenage prospects.  This is becoming a bigger win than I originally imagined.

In celebration of Colletti's brilliant move to bring a solid arm to our starting staff, I made the above fantasy card of Rocky Nolasco.  See it above.  It uses a 1968 Topps card design, and I grabbed the pic from 2012 media day: Marc Serota/Getty

Below are Nolasco's Major League stats, per Baseball Reference.


Per a Dodgers press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired right-handed pitcher Ricky Nolasco from the Miami Marlins in exchange for minor league right-handed pitchers Steven Ames, Josh Wall and Angel Sanchez. The Dodgers also acquired international signing bonus slot No. 96 valued at $197,000 from the Marlins as part of the deal.

Nolasco has gone 81-72 with a 4.44 ERA in 213 games (197 starts) in eight Major League seasons from 2006-2013 with the Marlins. He’s posted double-digit wins and a sub-4.00 ERA in five consecutive seasons since 2008, ranking among the NL leaders in wins (69, 5th), strikeouts (891, 6th), complete games (9, T-7th), shutouts (4, T-9th) and innings pitched (1064.1, 6th) in that span. Nolasco is the Marlins’ all-time wins leader with 81 wins and also holds franchise records with 1,001 strikeouts and 1,225.2 innings pitched in 213 career games with the club. In addition, Nolasco owns the Marlins’ franchise single-game strikeouts record with 16 on Sept. 19, 2009 at Atlanta.

The 30-year-old has made 18 starts for Miami this year, going 5-8 with a 3.85 ERA and 10 quality starts. He last pitched on Wednesday at Atlanta, allowing just two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts in 7.0 innings and picked up the victory in the Marlins’ 6-3 win.

The Corona, CA, native, who attended Rialto High School, was acquired by the Marlins from the Cubs in 2005 after he was originally selected by Chicago in the fourth round of the 2001 First-Year Player Draft.

Wall, 26, went 0-1 with an 18.00 ERA in six relief appearances with the Dodgers this season and is 1-1 with a 12.08 ERA in 13 career big league appearances in 2012-13. The Louisiana native was 1-2 with a 5.60 ERA in 25 games this season with Triple-A Albuquerque and has a 40-47 record in 252 games (115 starts) in nine minor league seasons. Wall was originally selected by Los Angeles in the second round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft.

Ames, 25, has gone 2-2 with a 3.67 ERA in 30 appearances this season with Triple-A Albuquerque. The Washington native has gone 8-10 with a 2.22 ERA in 170 career relief appearances at the minor league level during his five professional seasons. Ames was added to the Dodgers’ 40-man roster on Nov. 20, 2012 and was originally selected by the Dodgers in the 17th round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.

Sanchez, 23, has gone a combined 2-7 with a 4.67 ERA in 16 games (15 starts) this season with Single-A Great Lakes and Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. The native of the Dominican Republic has a 16-23 career record in 63 career games (54 starts) in three minor league seasons after signing with the Dodgers as a non-drafted free agent on July 12, 2010.

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Blog Kiosk: 3/21/2013

Are the boys in Blue doing some coloring?  No... they're filling in their March Madness brackets- bracketology, if you will.  Pic via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers 2013.

• Zack Greinke feels great after pitching in his first game in weeks, via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA.
• Jon Saraceno and Bob Nightengale at USA Today write about that fateful night, 20 years ago, when Steve Olin and former Dodger Tim Crews died in a boating accident.

This week, one of the Dodgers' new co-owners, Stan Kasten, called the family in an attempt to re-establish a relationship. Who knows, son Shawn, 25, might be asked to throw out the first pitch from the same mound his father once stood.

"I'm built exactly like my dad was — thick legs and long arms,'' he says. "We even have similar facial hair. I threw like him, too. It was genetic because I never studied the way he pitched.''

• Ted Lilly speaks with BJ Rains of MLB Trade Rumors about his long-term relationship with his agent.

It was after my first year of pro ball and I wasn’t in the middle of any negotiations, but after talking to him and getting to know him, I didn’t make any commitments but just felt more and more comfortable with his genuine personality. I felt like his motives were in the right place, and it still is the same today. It’s not about the money. A lot of guys I’m sure say that but knowing Larry for as long as I have, when I say it’s still the same, it’s still the same that it really isn’t about the money. He really enjoys helping young guys out.

• JP Hoornstra at Inside the Dodgers has some words from Haley Ramirez about his injury.

“This is the main thing — L.A. Dodgers,” he said. “Even when I was playing in the WBC, representing my country. It was an honor for me. But at the same time I was thinking this team — what they were doing in the spring, to get to know each other, to stay together. To get this news today, it’s not easy. It’s going to be tough, but what can we do? I know they’re going to do the best they can and play hard every day until I get there.”

• Baseball back in Montreal?  Via Bill Beacon at The Star.com, a $400k feasibility study is underway.
• RIP.  The lady who was the real life inspiration to the movie "The Natural" died several months ago, via ESPN.  Her name is Ruth Ann Steinhagen and she shot Eddie Waittkus of the Cubs in a fit of stalking madness.
• More Marlins woes. Via Extra Mustard the Miami Marlins are determined to burn every bridge they can find.
• Be sure to bookmark this.  A new website called The National Pastime Museum will officially open its doors on Opening Day (March 31st).  They'll be more vintage Baseball artifacts than you can shake a stick at.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 1/23/2013

Keith Olbermann recently shared a preview pic on moby of a Topps 2013 Heritage Maury Wills card, as seen above.

• Jon SooHoo shares some photos from Day 2 of the Dodgers Community caravan, and here's a video from the day.
• John Sickels at Minor League Ball takes a prospect retrospective look at Pedro Martinez.
• Via Bill Shaikin on twitter, the Dodgers deal with Time Warner expected to be from $7Billion to $8Billion.

(twitter link)

• Eric Stephens at True Blue LA writes a great little story focused on a Don Sutton game ejection in 1977.
• Jon Weisman at Variety analyzes the Dodgers/ Time Warner television deal. 
• Are you looking for a Hyun-Jin Ryu fix?  Well, via @MyKBO on twitter is an article from Korea Joongang Daily focused on his recent departure from Korea to America.

“When I went to the U.S. to sign the contract, it was to get results,” Ryu told a press conference yesterday at Incheon International Airport. Ryu reached the deal in Los Angeles on Dec. 9 after a month of negotiations.

“But now I am in a position to produce the result, so that makes me nervous,” he said. “What matters now is how quickly I can take the pressure off my chest. If I try to adjust, doing as I usually do in Korea, it will be fine, I guess.” 

• Dodgers Nation notes that Dee Gordon and Verizon have teamed up for a promotion on twitter.
• Sherman Oaks product Giancarlo Stanton appears to yearn for LA, via Lance Pugmire at Sun Sentinel.

How do you weigh what the Marlins are doing when you're so close to Southern California baseball, where the Dodgers and Angels are spending, spending, spending? Does it make you homesick?

"I don't get homesick or nothing, but you see that. You can't be hoping you're on other teams. You've got to worry about the now. I've said I was upset" about the Marlins.

• Are you interested in getting your own real Stanley Cup LA Kings Championship ring?  Well, they produced a handful (either 4 or 5) that have been donated to various charities so that they may be raffled off.  Here is the first ring available from Celebrities for Charities.  It's just $2.00 for each raffle ticket.
• Here's a report from All Tribe Baseball on the 2013 Indian Tribe Fest.
• I love this post from UniWatch.  For one game in 1977 the Kansas City Royals had to wear Milwaukee Brewers uniforms.  Go here to find out why.

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 11/15/2012

Check out this funny pic tweeted by Dodgers prospect Joc Pederson with his Mesa Solar Sox teammates.  He writes, "last away game with the squad."

• Beyond the Box Score discusses the Hall of Fame Pre-Integration Era Veteran Committee Ballot that includes former Brooklyn Superbas shortstop Bill Dahlen.  I am a big believer that "Bad" Bill Dahlen should be in the Hall.
• Chad Moriyama shares his interview with Dodgers pitching prospect Chris Reed.
• Via Greg Zakwin at Plaschke, Thy Sweater is Argyle writes "The Dodgers' Recent Moves Seem Entirely Public Relations Based.
• MLB Fan Cave is coming back in 2013.  Go here to apply.
• Roberto at Vin Scully is My Homeboy tracked down some pics of Hyun-Jin Ryu leaving Korea and arriving at LAX.  They weren't kidding about comparisons in body size to David Wells.  Ryu is a big boy.

(pic from sportschosun.com)

• Via doellingd on reddit, Giancarlo Stanton and Bryce Harper had a hilarious exchange on twitter.

• A politically liberal blog call Think Progress writes, "The Miami Marlins are the Epitome of Corporate Sports Cronyism."
• Nate Silver, the Baseball stats geek turned political polling star, does a question and answer session at Deadspin and it's glorious.  Check it out here.  I found the below to be the funniest exchange:

BlackJack87: What is the statistical probability that a 28 y/o male gets laid this weekend? Specifically, me.
Nate Silver: It's inversely correlated with your likelihood of asking this question.

• Wax Heaven is back!
• Via Big League Stew, the New Zealand national Baseball team at the WBC performed the "haka!" You gotta see it, so go over there.  The "All Blacks" do this before every rugby match, and it is beyond entertaining. 

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Dodgers Blog Kiosk: 7/5/2012

Here is Matt Kemp in a Rancho Cucamonga Quakes uniform from Tuesday, July 3rd via twitter @IEPhotoNow.  Below, Kemp signs for fans, via twitter @IEPhotoNow.

• The revolving door leading to the Disabled List continues to haunt the Dodgers. Andre goes down.  At least Mark Ellis came back to the roster.  Via a Dodgers press release:
  

  The Los Angeles Dodgers today placed outfielder Andre Ethier on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique (retroactive to June 28) and reinstated Mark Ellis from the disabled list. Ethier was batting .291 with 23 doubles, 10 homers and 55 RBI in 75 games this season.

• Are you kidding me?  Dee Gordon steals third but dislocates his thumb in the process, via Alex Angert and Ken Gurnick at MLB.com.

But a dislocation is bad enough, because it means ligaments were completely or partially torn, and it is the thumb on his throwing hand. Gordon said the swelling was significant. He's virtually certain to go on the disabled list.

"I stole third and I actually don't know what was caught, but I think it went underneath the base," said Gordon, who swiped his Major League-leading 30th base. "It was a weird play and a weird thing happened. I felt I hit something real hard and got up and looked at my batting glove and it looked big. I looked at my finger and it was not a good sight."

• Here are some photos from redditor canada_dryer of Matt Kemp's first day at rehab with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
• From the Dodgers Insider- "The Voice of the Dodgers" The Vin Scully Series Part 1.

“I always had the dream of taking an untutored kid who showed some promise and of putting him on the air for what he was, a neophyte learning the trade,” said Barber in his autobiography, Rhubarb in the Catbird Seat. “Scully was a perfect choice. He was a green pea, but he was a very appealing young green pea. It was obvious he had something on the ball; you didn’t know precisely what it was, but he had it.”

• I have no idea who writes the Dodgers Insider, but here's another great article featuring Dodgers President Stan Kasten.  It's called "Stan Kasten- The Direction of the Dodgers".  It includes a interview with the man himself.

First of all, as you know, no matter how long you’re in the game, losses really hurt (chuckling) and losing streaks are the worst of all. So yeah, this is a bad week for all of us who are Dodgers fans. I do have to say, to be fair, I was thrilled that we were doing as well as were doing up until two weeks ago, given the unbelievable injuries to the key people that we’ve had. Ya know, we’d love to have Matt back, we’d love to have Mark Ellis back, we’d love to have Ted Lilly back, and yet without guys like that, and other people that we’ve lost along the way, we really held up well. That was a real testament to the fortitude of this team, the resilience of the backup players who had to step up and the managing of Don and the coaching of his coaches. So that’s a real strength I think and that hasn’t gone away, we still have those strengths. But when we get players back, we obviously expect to get better.”

And...

And all I will say to you is this, I think we demonstrated with Andre Ethier that we will be aggressive in retaining the players that we really appreciate. I think that when we get going on these international signings, we will demonstrate there too that we’re going to be aggressive in pursuing international talent. 

And...

And I think going forward, it’s a new day with a little more resources, with a little more aggressive philosophy than they’ve been able to have recently, and I don’t think I need to say more about that. So I hear what you’re saying. There IS a value to a veteran bench. We’ve had many nights this year, where our veteran bench has really come through and, in fact, until two weeks ago, they were doing it regularly all season, so lets give them that credit.

And...

It won’t be a matter of resources as I’ve described to you before. At the trade deadline, the currency that is most valuable is not money, it’s prospects… and there are a number of teams that are deeper in those than we are, frankly. So that’s why you need to build that organization up, not just to build the pipeline and use players yourself, but to use as currency to improve your team in other ways.

• I'll call the Carlos Lee trade to Miami a win for the Dodgers.  In fact, I endorse the below tweet, via @BattingStanceG.

• Chad Moriyama looks at 5 potential Dodgers trade targets.