Blog Kiosk: 12/24/2014 - Dodger Links - Puig, Kapler and Dodgers Always Looking to Upgrade Bullpen

Yasiel Puig has begun his winter workout routine; as evidenced by a series of photos and videos he posted up on his instagram.  In the above photo he takes batting practice for the first time at the Cuban Missile Baseball Academy in Florida.  Go here to check out the video of him hitting.

Below are some links to check out:

• Panini shared preview photos of their upcoming 2014 National Treasures Baseball set; including the autographed Clayton Kershaw patch card above and the Adrian Gonzalez nickname card on the right.  Go here to check out some photos, or here for even more pics.
• Via Bill Plunkett at Baseball America, "Kapler Takes Charge For Dodgers."

Kapler fits the profile of the people Friedman has surrounded himself with this offseason since taking over as president of baseball operations—bright, energetic and open-minded to new ways of doing things.

But Kapler is hardly your typical farm director. He earned almost $10 million during a 12-year big league career. Kapler did spend a year managing in the Red Sox system and coached for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic. But he had segued smoothly into a career in the media since his retirement in 2011 as the rare former player who had a sophisticated understanding of statistical analysis in player evaluation and team building.

• Holy Moly!  Musical chairs has not stopped for Ryan Lavarnway.  Via Jeff Told at MLB Trade Rumors, he has now been claimed by the Baltimore Orioles.  He started this winter as a Red Sox, was then claimed by the Dodgers, then the Cubs and now the Orioles.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers send outfielder Jensen to Triple-A." 
• Via Cat Belanger at Dodger Insider, "True Hollywood Stories: Behind the scenes with celebrities at Dodger Stadium in 2014."

Bryan and Vin: Bryan Cranston, besides being one of the coolest guys in Hollywood, is a huge Dodger fan. According to him and his wife, Robin, the No. 1 thing on his Bucket List has always been to meet Vin Scully. This year was Bryan and Robin’s 25^th wedding anniversary, so she and I plotted to make this happen. She brought him to a game for their anniversary in August, and we brought him up to Vin’s booth. His reaction to meeting Vin was so humbled, and they shared a really nice conversation. But the real surprise was when we had Vin ask Bryan to be the public-address announcer for the game. Bryan accepted and was a fabulous PA announcer — and the two had an adorable anniversary at their favorite ballpark.

• Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Dodgers still searching for bullpen help."

“I don’t think we’re ever going to get to a point where we go, ‘OK, let’s sit back and put our feet on the desk,’ “Friedman said. “We’re always going to be looking at different areas, whether it be on the margins or more significant. I think any time you ask me this question, the bullpen will always be an answer I’ll give. It has to be my nature never to feel comfortable with a bullpen in the offseason.” 

• Chris Harris at Stale Gum may have found the greatest card since the Billy Ripken '*uck Face' card.  Check it out here.
• Guess who's excited about getting his first Topps/Bowman Baseball card?

My 1st @BowmanCards just got here. #BowmanChrome #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/pWQn2Y4GgZ
— Jose De Leon (@JoseDeLeon35) December 23, 2014

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Blog Kiosk: 12/20/2014 - Dodger Links - Kendrick, Rollins and Friedman

Our new second baseman, Howie Kendrick, made his debut at Dodger Stadium yesterday afternoon and impressed the crowd with his glowing smile.  He really seems happy to be a Dodger.  Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider:

“They’re always moving forward trying to get better, and there’s always some ways you can get better,” Kendrick said. “That’s very cool to come to an organization that’s wanting to improve the game. They’ve been division champs (two) years in a row, so hopefully we can win another one.”

The photo above was provided by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014.  Go here to check out more pics from yesterday's press conference.

Below are some links to check out:

• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Jimmy Rollins zips from red to blue."

Rollins grew up in Oakland and greeted a conference-call question about his childhood allegiance today with a laughing “Are you trying to rub 1988 in my face or something?”

On the other hand, once he resolved to let go of his 18-year association with the Phillies organization, the Dodgers were his first choice for a new team.

“I’ve always loved the color blue – that’s my favorite color,” Rollins said. “I’ve loved that uniform. And they’re built to win from this very moment.”

• So, this is when it all begins, via a tweet by @ThinkBlueLA:

Dodgers announce pitchers & catchers report Thursday 2/19 w/ 1st workout 2/20, position players Wednesday  2/25 w/ 1st workout 2/26.
— ThinkBlueLA (@Think_BlueLA) December 19, 2014

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Dodgers DFA Kyle Jensen, Ryan Lavarnway claimed off waivers by Cubs."
• Chris Olds at Beckett provides a sneak peak preview of the 2015 Topps Archives Baseball set.  Check out the Kershaw card on the right.
• Via Cary Osborne at Dodger Insider, "Quotebook: Andrew Friedman on the Dodgers’ offseason moves."

Question from a reporter: “Are you aware the Dodger fans will hate you if the Matt Kemp trade doesn’t work out?”:
“Not anymore than we’ll hate ourselves. Look, all of us are focused on winning, and the fans’ passion is tremendous and I’m looking forward to experiencing the electricity in the building next year. I love the passion they have for the Dodgers, and everything we’re doing is in the vein of trying to put ourselves in the best position to make it into October and then play as long as we can.”

• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Friedman: Moves make Dodgers 'highly functional'"

"It all gets back to us doing everything we could to mold the roster into a highly functional team, instead of a collection of talent," said Friedman

• Via Ben Badler at Baseball America, "How Will MLB Handle Big Changes With Cuba?"

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Blog Kiosk: 12/6/2014 - Dodger Links - Puig on the Cover of MLB15

Guess who will be on the cover of MLB 15?  Yasiel Puig is the king of the league.  Graphic above via @MLBTheShow on twitter.

I couldn't think of a more appropriate player to grace the cover of the newest edition of MLB The Show.  Afterall, the man is one of the more exciting players in the league and he even enjoys playing the game.  As you'll recall, earlier this year he challeneged Hunter Pence to a friendly game at IGN Studios and he whooped some butt.  Check out my previous post about it here.  You can also watch it below.

Video Link:

Below are some links to check out:

• FYI, Fernando Valenzuela will receive the Othli Award from Carlos Manuel Sada, Consulate General of Mexico, this afternoon at Rio de Los Angeles State Park as a part of Copa IME Becas.  The award recognizes those who have had a significant impact on the lives of the Mexican community and is awarded by the Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior (IME), an agency of the Mexican government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Copa IME Becas is a free community festival that started at 8:00 AM, and Valenzuela will be on hand at noon.
• Listen to Dodger GM Farhan Zaidi on AM570 with Bill Reiter and friends on LA Today that was recorded yesterday, here.
• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Dodgers claim catcher Ryan Lavarnway from Red Sox, designate Drew Butera for assignment."  If Butera clears waivers it's likely he stays within the Dodger system.  A Dodger press release can be found here.

Lavarnway, who went to El Camino Real HS in Woodland Hills and then Yale, had a .389 on-base percentage and .370 slugging percentage in 62 games with Pawtucket in 2014, while battling a strained left wrist. His best minor league season was 2011, when he hit 32 homers, and he has a career .283/.375/.479 line in the minors.

Mike Petriello at Dodgers Digest writes a great analysis on Lavarnway, and it ain't pretty.

• Jayson Stark at ESPN has the best take yet on the circus of Matt Kemp rumors circulating throughout social media.  Check that out here.

Here's one final prediction for you: The Dodgers will trade an outfielder this winter. Maybe more than one. But while they're talking about Kemp with the Orioles, Mariners, Padres and others, dealing Kemp is the option they're least interested in -- basically, their "Uh-Oh, We Can't Move Anybody Else So We'd Better Move Him" plan.

• Via David Hood at True Blue LA, "Dodgers top prospects 2015: Brandon Dixon, No. 18."

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