Wolf Redux?

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Is Randy Wolf in our sights?

"The Dodgers have not made an offer," Wolf said in an e-mail. "If the Dodgers want to come forward, I would be open to the possibility."

Looks like Randy is doing some campaigning.

Considering he was an "innings eater" last season he just might do.

Wolf, 32, went 12-12 with a 4.30 ERA in 190 1/3 innings for the Padres and Astros after the Dodgers declined his $9 million option for 2008 when shoulder surgery derailed his previous season.

He may be the perfect bridge until something more exciting develops.

LA Dodger Talk thinks about the numbers.

Wolf could probably be signed for a one -year deal with an option year, probably for $6 to $8 million per year. That makes more sense to me than signing a pitcher long term.

Yup, I agree. At those prices he might just be a perfect fit for now.

Hockey, Wrigley Style

What are you doing at 10AM on New Years Day?

I'll be glued to the TV watching the NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game at Wrigley Field. Check out the photo as they build the rink. Go here to see more pictures.

Pic Link: AP:

According to the NHL, more than 400 workers will take part in transforming the second-oldest ball park in the major leagues into a hockey venue for just the second regular-season outdoor game ever played in the United States.

They will use 52,000 feet of plywood and 32,000 feet of decking in the project, along with 20,000 gallons of water to create ice and 350 gallons of paint. Scaffolding being put up in front of the famed brick outfield walls at Wrigley Field will be used to recreate the ivy that is green in the summer and also used for advertising.

The goals will be along the first and third base lines with the penalty box just on the second base side of the pitcher’s mound.

Story Link: Yahoo Sports: AP:

UPDATE:
Here's a preview as the excitement begins.

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Check out the time-lapse video of the rinks construction so far.

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Wow! Check this out. Below is a live webcam stream at Wrigley Field as they continue building the rink.

Video Link:

2008 Set-Up Man of the Year

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Hong-Chih Kuo has won the Set-Up man of the Year. From the Dodgers press release:

Dodger left-hander Hong-Chih Kuo today was named the 2008 Set-Up Man of the Year, as voted on by fans on MLB.com. The award is part of the website’s This Year in Baseball Awards. The Taiwan native received 30.3 percent of the vote, ahead of Tampa Bay ’s Grant Balfour (19.2 percent), the Cubs’ Carlos Marmol (17.6 percent), and the Angels’ Scot Shields (7.5 percent).

Kuo’s 1.69 ERA (13 ER/69.1 IP) as a reliever in 2008 led the National League and ranked seventh in the Majors (min. 50.0 innings). The 27-year-old bounced back from left rotator cuff and left elbow injuries in 2007 to pitch a career-high 80.0 innings over a career-best 42 games (three starts). Kuo went 5-3 with 12 holds, one save, and a 2.14 ERA overall. He finished tied for second on the Dodgers in holds with Joe Beimel, behind only Jonathan Broxton’s 13.

One of five Taiwan-born players in Major League Baseball history, Kuo struck out 96 batters in his 80.0 innings for an average of 10.80 strikeouts per 9.0 innings. He limited the opposition to a .204 average, including a .202 mark (19-for-94) by left-handed hitters. Beginning July 27, left-handed hitters went just 3-for-23 (.130) against him.

Kuo earned his first big league save on August 14 vs. Philadelphia , closing out a 3-1 win with a two scoreless innings.

Dodgertown Relics

Pic Link: tcpalm.com: Diana Bryant:

With the Dodgers officially moving to Arizona what is to be done with all that Dodger stuff in Florida?

Los Angeles Dodgers logos and emblems are disappearing from the walls and outsides of the property (Dodgertown), as the team begins to move signs and other pieces into their new facility in Glendale, Ariz., and to Dodger Stadium in California.

Indian River County officials agreed to allow the Dodgers to take anything with the team's logo when they signed off on an exit agreement during the summer.

...

County employees and officials have been taking inventory for a while now and would like to keep certain pieces of memorabilia and historical tokens, Baird said, but the two parties are working together to decide the value and best place for individual items, such as photos and the famous street signs named after Dodger legends such as Jackie Robinson.

I would not be surprised to find Indian River County auctioning off some of the treasures. Stay tuned I'll be sure to keep an eye out.

Story Link: TCPalm.com:
Hat Tip: Sports Collectors Daily:

UPDATE: Below is a photo of a Dodgertown street sign I took a couple of years ago during Spring Training.

It's a Done Deal

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The saga is over. At least for now, or until another team decides to pop up out of nowhere.

Oh Vey!

Rafael will be staying with the Dodgers. His new contract is for $30Mil over 3 years plus a 4th year option that vest based on plate appearance in year 3.

Furcal will be paid $6.5 million next season, $8.5 million in 2010 and $12 million in 2011, according to sources with knowledge of the situation who were granted anonymity because the deal was still being finalized. The contract includes a $12-million option for 2012 that vests if Furcal makes 600 plate appearances in 2011.

The 31-year-old shortstop will receive a deferred signing bonus of $3 million when the contract expires.

It doesn't sound like too bad of a deal.

He Likes Us! He Likes Us!... I Think!

Pic Link: eBay: Galindo.2008:

Word is trickling down indicating that Furcal favors the Dodgers. Diamond Leung reports:

Rafael Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, told reporters in New York today that Furcal was leaning toward picking the Dodgers over the Braves.

Buster Olney of ESPN has the best analogy regarding the Furcal sweepstakes.

"First, Furcal was dating the A's," the official said. "Then, on Monday night, he got engaged to the Braves. And now, the ex-husband -- the Dodgers -- has come back into the picture."

UPDATE:
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports is now reporting that Fucal has chosen his suitor and it's the Dodgers. Considering he was the guy who initially reported Furcal's imminent signing with Atlanta I would take what he says with a grain of salt.

Furcal, the top free-agent shortstop on the open market this year, has decided to sign with the Dodgers, major-league sources say. Furcal had been debating for the last two days between the Dodgers and the Braves.

The Dodgers and Furcal were still hammering out an agreement Wednesday afternoon, sources said, but the Braves had been informed that Furcal would not accept their deal.