Transactions – Page 9 – Dodger Thoughts

Dodger mix picks Hicks

On February 10, 2016

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

By Jon Weisman

Ex-San Francisco infielder Brandon Hicks has become the 21st player to receive a non-roster invitation to the Dodgers’ big-league Spring Training camp.

After missing the first half of the 2015 season with an injury, Hicks had a .308 on-base percentage and slugged .326 for Triple-A Sacramento last year. Robert Avery of the Pasadena (Texas) Citizen recapped the Houston native’s year, which included this highlight.

… On July 23, playing second base against El Paso, Hicks was involved in a play that River Cat officials say was the greatest play of the entire season.

First baseman Adam Duvall attempted to backhand a hard-hit grounder that careened off his glove and sailed into the air. That’s when Hicks entered the picture. He grabbed the ball bare-handed and on the run, spun and fired to first base where pitcher Brett Bochy was waiting, getting the runner by a split second. …

Kendrick looks forward to reuniting with Dodgers, teaming up with Seager

By Jon Weisman

On February 5, 2016

In Transactions

Corey Seager feeds Howie Kendrick to retire Curtis Granderson and start a double play in the first inning of Game 2 of the 2015 National League Division Series. (Patrick Gee/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

Howie Kendrick will go from playing alongside 16-year veteran Jimmy Rollins in 2015 to 27-game veteran Corey Seager in 2016.

But Kendrick isn’t worried about the adjustment period this year, any more than he was when he and Rollins joined the Dodgers last year.

“It’s just gonna be one of those things of just getting a feel for how (Seager) plays,” Kendrick said today in a conference call with reporters. “I played with him a little bit toward the end when I came back after I was hurt, and Seager’s a great guy.”

Kendrick wasn’t surprised, having come across Seager’s older brother Kyle many a time when Kendrick was with the Angels.

“I really like his brother,” Kendrick said. “Kyle’s an awesome guy. … Then once I got around Corey, I was like, ‘Man, it must just run in the family,’ because both of those guys are really awesome people, let alone as players. His demeanor as a player is really calm — you don’t see him get upset too much. He has a confidence about him when he gets out on the field. Out on defense or even in the locker room or in the dugout, that’s going to be huge, because you’ll be able to talk to him.

“We’re gonna make mistakes. Hopefully he’ll ask me questions, and I can give him as much info as I possibly can. I’m always open to helping guys out, and you never know, I might learn something from him, too.”

Howie Kendrick and the long Dodger lineup

By Jon Weisman

On February 4, 2016

In Front office, Infield, Transactions

Welcome back, Howie!

Today the #Dodgers announced the signing of Howie Kendrick to a two-year contract. pic.twitter.com/tMgRtHGtk7

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 4, 2016

By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers’ lineup might be defined less by the absence of a traditional leadoff hitter than by the absence of a traditional No. 8 hitter.

Of their eight most likely 2016 position-player starters — and we’ll count newly resigned second baseman Howie Kendrick among them — none has a projected on-base percentage below .311, nor a weighted on-base average below .319.

In 2016, according to Fangraphs, the average No. 8 hitter in the National League had a .302 OBP and .283 wOBA.

Dodgers regain Howie Kendrick on two-year deal

By Jon Weisman

On February 4, 2016

In Infield, Transactions

By Jon Weisman

If the Dodgers were prepared to move into the 2016 season without Howie Kendrick, it’s also clear how happy they should be that he’s coming back.

The 32-year-old second baseman has signed a two-year contract to reunite with the Dodgers, whom he provided a .336 on-base percentage and 109 weighted runs created last season.

The immediate impression is that Kendrick is the player who solidifies the Dodger infield. His return frees Chase Utley to spend more time supporting Justin Turner at third base and Kiké Hernandez to roam around the field as he did in 2015. Kendrick himself might dabble in the hot corner.

Though Opening Day is nearly nine weeks away, and Spring Training and injuries will certainly shuffle the deck, here’s how the Dodger roster of position players currently shapes up:

Catchers: A.J. Ellis, Yasmani Grandal
Infielders: Adrian Gonzalez, Howie Kendrick, Corey Seager, Justin Turner, Chase Utley
Infielder-outfielders: Alex Guerrero, Kiké Hernandez, Scott Van Slyke
Outfielders: Carl Crawford, Andre Ethier, Joc Pederson, Yasiel Puig
In the wings: Austin Barnes, Micah Johnson, Trayce Thompson, plus the non-roster invitees

An above-average player for each of the past five years, Kendrick is a nice one to say hello to again.

Greg Maddux, Raul Ibanez join Dodger front office

By Jon Weisman

On February 2, 2016

In Front office, Transactions

Greg Maddux finished off the Dodgers NLDS Game 1 victory at Chicago on October 1, 2008. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Raul Ibanez finished his MLB career with Kansas City in 2014. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Raul Ibanez wrapped up his MLB career with Kansas City in 2014. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

By Jon Weisman

For the third time, Greg Maddux is a Dodger.

The Hall of Famer and two-time Dodger pitcher, as well as 19-year MLB veteran Raul Ibanez, have been hired as special assistants to president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and the entire department.

In their roles, Maddux and Ibañez will assist in all aspects of baseball operations, including scouting, player development and working with the club’s players, both at the Major and minor league levels.

For the past four seasons, Maddux has been a special assistant to Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels, after having been in a similar role for the Cubs and GM Jim Hendry. He was also pitching coach for Team USA during the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Maddux, who unbelievably turns 50 in April, pitched 114 1/3 of his 5,008 1/3 career innings with the Dodgers, combining 2006 and 2008 stints into a 3.94 ERA. As an Atlanta Brave, he was the last pitcher to win four National League ERA titles (1993-95, 1998) until Clayton Kershaw matched him from 2011-14.

The 43-year-old Ibanez played his final big-league game in September 2014, completing his 2,161-game MLB career with 305 home runs, hitting as many as 34 in 2009 for Philadelphia.

Dodgers boost non-roster invites to 20 with De Jong, Dirks and Rhame

By Jon Weisman

On February 1, 2016

In Spring Training, Transactions

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By Jon Weisman

Right-handed pitchers Chase De Jong, Caleb Dirks and Jacob Rhame have joined the 17 previously announced players given non-roster invitations to Major League Spring Training.

De Jong was acquired with infielder Tim Locastro from Toronto on July 2 in exchange for three international signing slots. Now 22, De Jong had a 3.96 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 50 innings for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga after the trade, making 10 starts in 11 appearances. In his final two games with Single-A Lansing before the trade, De Jong pitched 16 innings, allowing one run and striking out 20.

Dirks was acquired from Atlanta the same day, in a separate deal of an international signing slot. Also 22, Dirks played for four minor-league teams last year, finishing with Double-A Tulsa, and struck out 64 in 50 innings with a 0.90 ERA and 1.14 WHIP.

Rhame, on the other hand, was drafted by the Dodgers in 2013. He spent most of the year with Tulsa, for whom he had a 3.06 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 50 innings, with a 1.06 WHIP.

Brandon Beachy to be non-roster player at Spring Training

By Jon Weisman

On January 27, 2016

In Transactions

The Dodgers have outrighted pitcher Brandon Beachy to Triple-A, with the right-hander coming to big-league Spring Training at Camelback Ranch as the team’s 17th non-roster player (seven of them pitchers).

Beachy signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers on January 6. Los Angeles now has 39 players on its 40-man roster.

— Jon Weisman

Neil Rampe to lead Dodger training staff

By Jon Weisman

On January 26, 2016

In Health/injuries, Transactions

Neil Rampe (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

Neil Rampe, who has been the Arizona Diamondbacks’ manual and performance therapist since 2008, has been officially announced as the Dodgers’ new athletic trainer, replacing former vice president of medical services Stan Conte.

In addition, Nathan Lucero, who has been the Houston Astros’ head athletic trainer for seven seasons, and Thomas Albert, formerly with Cleveland, will be the Dodgers’ assistant athletic trainers.

Rampe will oversee all of the Dodgers’ medical programs, including athletic training, physical therapy, rehabilitation and strength and conditioning, as well as the training, strength and conditioning of Dodger minor league players.

He began his career as the assistant strength and conditioning coach in the University of Minnesota athletic department, then served as a certified athletic trainer at the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine in Colorado from 2002-03.

Dodgers extend 16 non-roster invites to MLB camp for Spring Training

By Jon Weisman

On January 25, 2016

In Minor leagues, Spring Training, Transactions

Julio Urias signs autographs at Spring Training in 2015. (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

2016 non-roster invitations
Pitchers (6): Chris Anderson, Lisalverto Bonilla, Brooks Brown, Jose De Leon, Julio Urias, Matt West
Catchers (3): Kyle Farmer, Jack Murphy, Shawn Zarraga
Infielders (2): Charlie Culberson, Rob Segedin
Infielder-outfielders (2): Cody Bellinger, Elian Herrera
Outfielders (3): Corey Brown, Alex Hassan, Rico Noel

By Jon Weisman

Minor-league pitching prospects Julio Urias, Jose DeLeon and Chris Anderson are among the 16 players not currently on the 40-man roster who have been invited to Major League camp for Spring Training.

The 19-year-old Urias is the No. 1 left-handed pitching prospect in baseball, according to MLB.com, while DeLeon, 23, is the No. 5 righty. The 23-year-old Anderson, the Dodgers’ first-round draft choice in the 2013 draft, had a 4.05 ERA and 7.0 strikeouts per nine innings for Double-A Tulsa in 2015.

The hottest non-roster invite on the hitting side is Cody Bellinger, who is ranked sixth among first-base prospects in the minors.

Dodgers bring back a different Joe Blanton

By Jon Weisman

On January 19, 2016

In Transactions

Joe Blanton allowed two runs in six innings of his first Dodger start, on August 5, 2012. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

Joe Blanton’s new life as a full-time reliever — illustrated by his 1.57 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings in 21 games for the Pirates last season — has reunited him with the Dodgers for 2016 on a one-year contract.

Blanton started 10 games for the Dodgers in 2012, and it didn’t go all that well, with a 4.99 ERA and 1.42 WHIP despite an 8.0 K/9. The following season, spent with the Angels, went even worse (6.04 ERA), which led to his release in the midst of a multi-year contract.

But as Neil Weinberg of Fangraphs noted in November (via Mike Petriello of Dodgers Digest), Blanton turned the beat around by shifting emphasis to a slider and lowering his arm slot. Throw out the four starts he made in 2015 for Kansas City (which sent him to Pittsburgh near the July trading deadline), and Blanton had a 2.04 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 9.7 K/9 out of the bullpen.

The 35-year-old will give the Dodgers reliever depth as someone who can throw multiple innings in an outing. His 2015 stats on pitches 1-25 were almost identical to his numbers on pitches 26-50.

Once he pitches a 2016 game, Blanton will become the latest two-term Dodger and potential member of the Grover Cleveland All-Stars (click to enlarge).

Alex Anthopoulos takes long view of Dodger tenure

By Jon Weisman

On January 12, 2016

In Front office, Transactions

Alex Anthopoulos at Spring Training in Dunedin, Florida last year. (Nathan Denette/AP/The Canadian Press)

Alex Anthopoulos at Spring Training in Dunedin, Florida in 2015. (Nathan Denette/AP/The Canadian Press)

By Jon Weisman

As word spread of Alex Anthopoulos joining the Dodgers as vice president of baseball operations, one big question naturally followed. How long would a lead actor (just named 2015 Sporting News MLB Executive of the Year) want to take on a supporting part in another organization?

But Anthopoulos worried about the spotlight, nor is he putting a time limit on his move to Los Angeles. In fact, he’s doubling down on his commitment by moving his family to Southern California after school lets out in Toronto this year.

“That came up with a few of the clubs that I spoke to,” the former Blue Jays senior vice president and general manager said in a conference call with reporters today. “A few of them said, ‘You’re probably only going to be here for a year.’ It was flattering to hear that, but at the same time, we know that there’s only 28 of these jobs with other teams. I wouldn’t move my family out here if I felt this was going to be a quick stay.”

Infielder-outfielder Rob Segedin joins Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

On January 12, 2016

In Transactions

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By Jon Weisman

Ronald Torreyes, who was designated for assignment when Kenta Maeda was signed, and Tyler Olson, who met the same fate the day Brandon Beachy returned to the Dodgers, have been traded to the New York Yankees for minor-league infielder/outfielder Rob Segedin and a player to be named later or cash considerations.

The 27-year-old Segedin had a .379 on-base percentage at Double-A Trenton last year and a .350 OBP in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, slugging .426 combined. A right-handed hitter, he has played 265 career professional games at third base, 66 in right field, 48 at first base and 44 in left field.

According to the Bergen Record, Segedin earned his degree in 3 1/2 years, with a double major in finance and management from Tulane, the alma mater of his new boss, former Green Wave ballplayer Andrew Friedman.

Dodgers trade Joe Wieland for Erick Mejia

By Jon Weisman

On January 12, 2016

In Baserunning, Transactions

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Speedy, switch-hitting minor-league infielder Erick Mejia has been acquired by the Dodgers from Seattle in exchange for right-handed pitcher Joe Wieland.

Mejia, who turned 21 in November, played at four levels in 2015, spending most of his time with Single-A Everett, where he had a .361 on-base percentage and was successful in all 18 of his stolen-base attempts. Over his last two years, Mejia has stolen 33 bases in 36 attempts.

On August 3, Mejia was named Northwest League Player of the Week, after going 12 for 28 with a double, triple, two walks and two steals.

Wieland, who was acquired 13 months ago in the Yasmani Grandal trade, made two starts for the Dodgers, allowing eight runs in 8 2/3 innings. He spent most of the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, delivering a 4.59 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 7.3 strikeouts per nine innings. He turns 26 later this month.

The lowdown on new Dodger righty Kenta Maeda

By Jon Weisman

On January 7, 2016

In International, Transactions

Kenta Maeda pitches in the second inning against the MLB All-Stars at the Kyocera Dome during the Japan All-Star Series on November 12, 2014 in Osaka. (Yuki Taguchi/MLB Photos)

Kenta Maeda pitches in the second inning against the MLB All-Stars at Osaka’s Kyocera Dome during the Japan All-Star Series on November 12, 2014. (Yuki Taguchi/MLB Photos)

By Jon Weisman

Bolstering their starting rotation, the Dodgers have signed 27-year-old right-hander Kenta Maeda to a contract. Not just any contract, but an eight-year contract.

“We are excited to be bringing Kenta Maeda into the Dodger organization,” Dodger president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. “We have had the chance to scout him extensively in Japan and on the international stage and believe he has all the tools to be a successful Major League starting pitcher. We were honored to hear of his strong desire to be a Dodger and that only added to our motivation to bring him on board. We look forward to Kenta adding another chapter to the Dodgers’ global legacy and to him strengthening our ballclub in the years ahead.”

Listed at a slender 6 feet, 154 pounds, Maeda follows a line of pitchers from Japan including Hideo Nomo, Kazuhisa Ishii, Takashi Saito and Hideki Kuroda. He has a 2.39 career ERA in 1,509 2/3 career innings with the Hiroshima Carp of the Japan Central League, striking out 7.4 batters per nine innings.

By comparison, Kuroda — who also pitched for Hiroshima, from 1997-2007 — had an ERA of 3.69 and 6.7 strikeouts per nine innings when he joined the Dodgers at age 33. Kuroda went on to have a 3.73 ERA (3.59 FIP) in his first season with Los Angeles and 3.45 ERA (3.55 FIP) in four seasons.

In 2015, Maeda’s ERA was 2.14 in 206 1/3 innings — his seventh consecutive season with at least 175 innings. He was fourth in the league in ERA and third in strikeouts, and won his second Sawamura Award, the Japanese equivalent of the Cy Young Award.

BABIP: Brandon Alan Beachy in play for Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

On January 6, 2016

In Transactions

On July 11, Brandon Beachy threw 78 pitches in his first MLB game since 2014. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Brandon Beachy prepares to take the mound July 11 for his first MLB game since 2013. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

Brandon Beachy, who made two starts for the Dodgers last year during his attempt to comeback from a second Tommy John surgery, has signed a one-year contract with Los Angeles for 2016.

The 29-year-old right-hander still has a 3.36 career ERA (3.41 FIP) with 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings and a 1.16 WHIP. However, he has made only seven Major League starts in the past three years, including a pair of four-inning efforts for the Dodgers in July.

Beachy’s July 11 start for the Dodgers, in which he allowed three runs, was his first MLB outing in nearly 23 months. In his second game July 20, he was one strike away from retiring his eighth batter in a row before faltering. Each time, he blamed his inability to execute his pitches rather than his stuff.

Dodger Thoughts

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

Category: Transactions (Page 9 of 36)

Dodger mix picks Hicks

Kendrick looks forward to reuniting with Dodgers, teaming up with Seager

Howie Kendrick and the long Dodger lineup

Dodgers regain Howie Kendrick on two-year deal

Greg Maddux, Raul Ibanez join Dodger front office

Dodgers boost non-roster invites to 20 with De Jong, Dirks and Rhame

Brandon Beachy to be non-roster player at Spring Training

Neil Rampe to lead Dodger training staff

Dodgers extend 16 non-roster invites to MLB camp for Spring Training

Dodgers bring back a different Joe Blanton

Alex Anthopoulos takes long view of Dodger tenure

Infielder-outfielder Rob Segedin joins Dodgers

Dodgers trade Joe Wieland for Erick Mejia

The lowdown on new Dodger righty Kenta Maeda

BABIP: Brandon Alan Beachy in play for Dodgers

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