Dodger Thoughts

Jon Weisman's outlet for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball and life

Category: Transactions (Page 10 of 36)

Dodgers are all right with lefty Kazmir

By

On December 30, 2015

In Front office, Pitching, Transactions

The Dodgers are Scott Kazmir's sixth team. Here are three of them (Getty Images)

Scott Kazmir is joining his sixth MLB team. Above are three of them. (Getty Images)

leftoriumBy Jon Weisman

Though Scott Kazmir potentially gives the Dodgers an all-lefty starting rotation, the newest Dodger isn’t your usual southpaw.

Over the past two seasons, right-handed batters have a .643 OPS against Kazmir. That’s the seventh-best figure in baseball for lefties, just ahead of Madison Bumgarner. (Clayton Kershaw, not surprisingly, is No. 1, while Alex Wood and Brett Anderson are in the top 15.)

“Kaz is a guy who’s got a very balanced split,” Dodger general manager Farhan Zaidi said in a conference call with reporters today, shortly after the Dodgers announced the acquisition of the soon-to-be 32-year-old. “His best pitch is his changeup, which really neutralizes righties. He’s not a lefty in the conventional sense.”

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Farhan Zaidi comments briefly on Aroldis Chapman

By

On December 30, 2015

In Front office, Transactions

During a conference call with reporters today about the Scott Kazmir signing, Dodger general manager Farhan Zaidi was asked about Aroldis Chapman, who was traded by the Reds this week to the Yankees. Here was his reply …

“We obviously, around the time when this down around the winter meetings, didn’t want to comment, and even now I’ll keep my words fairly brief,” Zaidi said. “This is the one time I’m going to comment on it, because we’re talking about a player on another team’s roster. We did come to an agreement in principle (to acquire Chapman), but as (additional) details came to light, we just weren’t comfortable making the move. Every situation is different, every organization has to make their own decision about it. We made the decision based on the information that (was) at hand, we stand by it and we move on.”

— Jon Weisman

Dodgers sign Scott Kazmir

By

On December 30, 2015

In Transactions

Ed Zurga/Getty Images

Ed Zurga/Getty Images

By Jon Weisman

Three-time All-Star left-hander Scott Kazmir has signed a three-year deal with the Dodgers.

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Dodgers acquire LHP Tyler Olson

By

On December 18, 2015

In Transactions

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

By Jon Weisman

Left-handed pitcher Tyler Olson has been acquired by the Dodgers from Seattle in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later.

To make room for Olson on the 40-man roster, Los Angeles designated right-hander Daniel Reynolds for assignment. Reynolds was claimed by the Dodgers 11 days ago.

Olson made his Major League debut in 2015 with the Mariners, striking out eight while allowing 29 baserunners in 13 1/3 innings. His WHIP was 2.10, but that’s a bit deceptive. Rather remarkably, Olson had seven intentional walks to lead the entire American League, despite pitching his final MLB game of the year on May 2.

To put that in perspective, the Major League leaders in intentional walks, with eight, were Philadelphia’s Luis Garcia (66 2/3 innings) and Atlanta’s Shelby Miller (205 1/3 innings).

Only one pitcher in big-league history, Butch Metzger with the Giants in 1974, has ever had at least seven intentional walks with fewer innings pitched in a season than Olson.

On April 15, Olson intentionally walked Joc Pederson with two out in the fifth and Howie Kendrick with two out in the sixth. Neither scored. Overall, two of the seven players walked intentionally by Olson in 2015 eventually came across the plate.

Spending most of his 2015 season in Triple-A Tacoma, Olson had a 4.47 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings — with no intentional walks. He turned 25 in October.

Dodgers name coaches for 2016

By

On December 17, 2015

In Coaching, Transactions

Juan Castro making a play on July 9, 2009 at Citi Field. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Juan Castro makes a play next to a sliding Alex Cora on July 9, 2009 at Citi Field. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

By Jon Weisman

We’ve got the names of next year’s Dodger coaches, and all but two will be new to their positions in Los Angeles.

Joining pitching coach Rick Honeycutt and catching instructor Steve Yeager with the Dodgers will be Bob Geren as bench coach, Turner Ward as hitting coach, George Lombard as first-base coach, Chris Woodward as third base coach, Josh Bard as bullpen coach, Tim Hyers as assistant hitting coach and good ol’ Juan Castro — who started the Dodgers’ first triple play in Los Angeles on June 15, 1996 — in the newly created position of quality assurance coach.

Here’s more on everyone joining the staff, from the Dodgers’ public relations department:

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Thompson to trayce new path in Los Angeles

By

On December 16, 2015

In Transactions

(David Banks/Getty Images)

(David Banks/Getty Images)

By Jon Weisman

Maybe when you’re the son and brother of NBA stars, there’s extra pressure to make a name for yourself. Or maybe there’s just the normal pressure that every would-be Major Leaguer faces.

Either way, Trayce Thompson — the son of former Laker Mychal Thompson and brother of current Warrior Klay Thompson — quickly became his own man last summer.

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Passing on Todd Frazier, Dodgers show commitment to Justin Turner

By

On December 16, 2015

In Infield, Transactions

NLDS GAME FOUR-LOS ANGELES DODGERS VS NEW YORK METS

By Jon Weisman

From the Dodgers’ perspective, today’s three-team trade with the Reds and White Sox was about picking up three 24-and-under players who have already had a taste of the Major Leagues.

But in an unmistakable way, it was also about a player who wasn’t part of the trade at all — Justin Turner.

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Dodgers acquire trio from White Sox in three-way deal

By

On December 16, 2015

In Transactions

From the Dodgers’ public relations department:

The Dodgers today announced the completion of a three-team trade with the Reds and White Sox, with the Dodgers receiving right-handed pitcher Frankie Montas, outfielder Trayce Thompson and second baseman Micah Johnson; the Reds receiving Jose Peraza, outfielder Scott Schebler and minor league infielder Brandon Dixon; and the White Sox receiving third baseman Todd Frazier.

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Chase Utley returning to Dodgers

By

On December 9, 2015

In Transactions

Screen Shot 2015-12-09 at 6.54.17 AM

By Jon Weisman

Giving the Dodgers a left-handed hitter and veteran who could supplement second and third base in 2016, the Dodgers are bringing back Chase Utley on a one-year deal.

Utley had a .291 on-base percentage and .363 slugging percentage in 141 plate appearances for the Dodgers after being acquired August 19 for minor-leaguers John Richy and Darnell Sweeney, while also being praised for the example he set in the clubhouse and on the field.

That being said, Utley potentially would miss Opening Day even if he’s on the Opening Day roster, should any portion of his two-game suspension for his hard slide into Ruben Tejada during the National League Division Series be upheld.

The Dodgers already have right-handed Kiké Hernandez and Jose Peraza as in-house candidates to play second base, as well as Justin Turner (recovering from knee surgery) at third base. Against right-handed pitching, Utley’s OPS was .708 with Los Angeles.

Utley turns 37 on December 17.

Another claim check: Dodgers add OF Daniel Fields

By

On December 7, 2015

In Transactions

Fields

Scott W. Grau/MiLB.com

Danned if they do, danned if they don’t. On the heels of today’s Danny Reynolds news, the Dodgers have claimed outfielder Daniel Fields from the Brewers.

The 24-year-old Fields, who bats left but throws right, has played in one big-league game, hitting a double while striking out twice for the Tigers against the A’s on June 4. He went from the Tigers to Milwaukee via waivers September 10. He had a .701 OPS for Triple-A Toledo in 2015.

— Jon Weisman

Dodgers claim pitcher Danny Reynolds

By

On December 7, 2015

In Transactions

Reynolds

There is no small news during the Winter Meetings — only small page views. Anyway, the Dodgers announced today that they have claimed minor-league right-hander Danny Reynolds from the Angels and added him to their 40-man roster.

The 24-year-old Reynolds struck out 50 batters in 43 1/3 innings  for Double-A Arkansas last season. He had control issues, walking 5.8 batters per nine innings, but allowed only one home run.

— Jon Weisman

Zack Greinke bids farewell to the Dodgers

By

On December 4, 2015

In Transactions

Screen Shot 2015-12-04 at 6.47.08 PM

By Jon Weisman

Zack Greinke has agreed to terms with the Arizona Diamondbacks on a six-year contract, according to multiple news reports, including MLB.com.

What is official is that Greinke’s three-year run with the Dodgers has come to an end.

Greinke, who turned 32 in October, pitched 602 2/3 innings as a Dodger with a 2.30 ERA (156 ERA+) — best in Dodger history for pitchers with at least 500 innings — culminating in his 1.66 ERA in 2015, the lowest by a Dodger in 99 years. Greinke also had a .300 on-base percentage at the plate and won two consecutive Gold Gloves.

It’s practically impossible to have been a Dodger fan and not loved Greinke. But it is completely possible to move forward, and that’s what the Dodgers will do.

Jansen, Turner, Grandal, Van Slyke, Hatcher, Avilan officially retained for 2016

By

On December 2, 2015

In Transactions

Screen Shot 2015-12-02 at 9.29.31 PM

By Jon Weisman

Six key arbitration-eligible players from the 2015 Dodgers — Luis Avilan, Yasmani Grandal, Chris Hatcher, Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner and Scott Van Slyke — have all been tendered contracts for the 2016 season.

None were a surprise, but the Dodgers had to make it official by 9 p.m. tonight or let them become free agents.

Any one of the sextet could still go to salary arbitration, but the Dodgers haven’t been to an arbitration hearing since Joe Beimel in 2007 and haven’t lost since Terry Adams in 2001.

Previously this week, the Dodgers signed A.J. Ellis and Joe Wieland for 2016.

Dodgers part ways with Juan Nicasio

By

On December 2, 2015

In Transactions

Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Francisco Giants

By Jon Weisman

Relief pitcher Juan Nicasio and minor-league arm Lisalverto Bonilla were not tendered contracts by the Dodgers for 2016, making them free agents.

Nicasio led all Dodger relievers in 2015 in innings pitched, finishing the year with a 3.86 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 10.0 strikeouts per nine innings. He had a 2.92 ERA through August 30, before allowing nine runs in his final nine innings and ending up off the Dodgers’ playoff roster.

This was Nicasio’s first full season as a reliever, after 3 1/2 seasons as a starting pitcher for Colorado.

Bonilla had been claimed October 21 by the Dodgers from the Ranger organization, after missing the 2015 season recovering from Tommy John surgery.

‘Quite cute’ A.J. Ellis signs 2016 deal with Dodgers

By

On December 2, 2015

In Transactions

A.J. Ellis homered and caught Alex Wood's eight one-hit innings September 16 against Colorado. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

A.J. Ellis homered and caught Alex Wood’s eight one-hit innings September 16 against Colorado. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

A.J. Ellis is returning to the Dodgers for 2016 on a one-year deal that allows them to avoid an arbitration hearing.

Ellis had a .398 on-base percentage and .486 slugging percentage in 168 plate appearances after May 26, enabling him to finish the season at .355/.403 after a slow start. As Ken Gurnick of MLB.com notes, he hit all seven of his home runs last season in his final 35 games.

Drafted in 2003, Ellis has been in the Dodger organization longer than any other active player, and is the third-longest tenured player on the big-league roster after Andre Ethier and Clayton Kershaw. He made his MLB debut in September 2008.

With 461 career games behind the plate, Ellis is ninth all-time among Dodger catchers, and will pass Joe Ferguson and Paul Lo Duca to reach seventh if he catches at least 24 games in 2016.

Ellis’ negotiating power was no doubt boosted by his award-worthy appearance Tuesday on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” in which he also showed off his future coaching ability while working with ceremonial first-pitcher Lisa Vanderpump.

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Attendance

1991-2013
Dodgers at home: 1,028-812 (.558695)
When Jon attended: 338-267 (.558677)*
When Jon didn’t: 695-554 (.556)
* includes road games attended

2013
Dodgers at home: 51-35 (.593)
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Note: I got so busy working for the Dodgers that in 2014, I stopped keeping track, much to my regret. 

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