Welcome to the Blue, Scott Alexander!

I think it's becoming clear that any deals done this off-season will be of the variety we saw a few days ago. In other words, we shouldn't expect any blockbusters. Instead, the Dodgers front office will seek to make measured improvements at positions that can be upgraded.

As you surely know by now, the Dodgers consummated a three-team trade last week that saw them get two players for the price of three. Below is a quick rundown of what went down:

Dodgers get: LHP Scott Alexander and INF Jake Peter
Royals get: RHP Trevor Oaks (from the Dodgers) and INF Erick Mejia (from the Dodgers)
White Sox get: LHP Luis Avilan (from the Dodgers), RHP Joakim Soria and cash

2017 Panini Flawless - All the Dodgers Cards

Panini's Flawless Baseball cards came out just before Christmas, but I am only know able to post up pics I've been able to find all over the 'net. As you know, Flawless is a super-premium card brand that will cost you about $1,400 for a single box of ten cards. In that pack you are guaranteed six autographs, two memorabilia cards and two gem cards (a real embedded precious jewel). Go here for a complete checklist. Please note that the numbering, as has been the case with Panini's publicized checklist, is inaccurate (with the base set as an exception).

Check out all of the Dodgers cards below. BTW, all base cards have an embedded gem in the card.

Base 

#9 Jackie Robinson              #20 Clayton Kershaw

#25 Corey Seager             #39 Mike Piazza

Blog Kiosk: 1/8/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

I love the above action photo of Dodgers legend Jim Gilliam sliding on homeplate. It is an International News Photo dated to a May 7, 1957 game against the Cincinnati Reds. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

Gilliam scores as Ed Bailey sadly walks away.

Short and sweet, eh? Unfortunately, the Dodgers would lose this game, 9-2. Below are more links to check out.

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1956 Jackie Robinson is awarded the prestigious Spingarn Medal by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for his strong support of civil rights initiatives. Martin Luther King Jr. was given the honor the prior year.
• Happy Birthday, Chauncey Fisher, Brian Johnson & Derek Thompson!

Welcome to the Blue, Mark Prior!

As you know by now, the Dodgers are filling their open bullpen coach position with former Cubs phenom Mark Prior. He would be replacing Josh Bard -- who has moved to New York to be the bench coach for Aaron Boone's Yankees. Per Tim Brown at Yahoo Sports:

Prior, 37, retired from pitching in 2013. He was then hired by his hometown San Diego Padres, working as the club’s minor-league pitching coordinator for the past three years, where he frequently was praised for his work ethic and insights

Blog Kiosk: 1/4/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Check out Sal "The Barber" Maglie getting a big smooch from his catcher, Roy Campanella, in the above September 25, 1956 United Press photo. Per the descriptor on the reverse:

MAGLIE NO-HITS PHILS, 5-0, Brooklyn, N.Y.: Brooklyn Dodgers catcher Roy Campanella plants a big kiss on the cheek of pitcher Sal Maglie in the dressing room here Sept. 25, after the 39-year-old Giant cast-off hurled a no-hit, no-run game against the Phils to move the Brooks to within a half game of the league-leading Milwaukee Braves.  The 5-0 win was the first no-hitter in Sal's long career, and he is the oldest hurler since Cy Young to pitch a hitless game."

Photo above via eBay (link here). Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1957 the Dodgers, Walter O'Malley, purchased a 44-passenger twin engine airplane for $775,000. They would be the first team to own their own plane. In 2001 the Dodgers signed free agent reliever Giovanni Carrara. In 2006 the Dodgers received Tim Hamulack and Jae Weong Seo from the Mets in exchange for Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll.
• Happy Birthday, Eddie Zimmerman, Herman Franks, Tommy Corcoran, Bart Shirley, Charlie Manuel & Ted Lilly!

Blog Kiosk: 1/3/2018 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Here's a fun, dated Apr 6, 1943, International News press photo featuring Brooklyn Dodger first baseman Dolph Camilli getting all gussied-up. A couple weeks prior to the start of the season, Camilli along with Leo Durocher, Arky Vaughan, Mickey Owen, Bobo Newsom, and Billy Herman played parts in a movie called "Whistling in Brooklyn". There was even a short appearance made by Dodgers super-fan Hilda Chester.

"MAKING DOLF PURTY FOR THE MOVIES" --  New York...Dolph Camilli, Brooklyn first baseman, has some makeup applied as he works out with the Dodgers.  He was photographed by a movie camera for a part in a new Red Skelton movie."

Pic above via eBay (link here). Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 2005 the trade that sends outfielder Shawn Green from the Dodgers to the Diamondbacks and includes $8 million changing hands is approved by the Commissioner of baseball, Bud Selig. The trade would officially consummated eight days later. In 2006 the Dodgers signed free agent starting pitcher Brett Tomko to a two year/$8.7 million contract. 
• Happy Birthday, Frenchy Bordagaray & Chris Van Cuyk!