Dodger Thoughts

On December 12, 2015

In Uncategorized

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The latest Think Blue Review begins with the Winter Meetings and finishes with a closer look at the recent student entrepreneurs event supported by the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.

— Jon Weisman

Utley undaunted in approach toward 2016

On December 9, 2015

In Profiles

By Jon Weisman

Chase Utley has seen just about everything in his 13 Major League seasons, but this winter brings something new.

As in, a whole new set of questions.

Winter Meetings update from Kasten, Friedman

On December 9, 2015

In Front office

By Jon Weisman

It’s hard to have settled feelings about a team that’s in flux. And perhaps it’s an indulgence to ask for patience.

While unable to discuss any pending transactions until they are official — sorry about that, but that’s how MLB rolls — Dodger president and CEO Stan Kasten and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman did advocate for the long view in speaking Tuesday with SportsNet LA’s Alanna Rizzo from this week’s Winter Meetings in Nashville.

Suffice it to say, today’s Chase Utley announcement won’t be the last the Dodgers make this offseason.

Chase Utley returning to Dodgers

On December 9, 2015

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.

Dave Roberts discusses Kershaw, Greinke

In Front office, Managing

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Dallas is a pretty convenient stop on the way from Los Angeles to Nashville, and Clayton Kershaw’s house is a pretty nice place for a layover.

So on his way to baseball’s annual Winter Meetings, new Dodger manager Dave Roberts spent several hours meeting with Kershaw, to discuss next year’s team in general and the departure of Zack Greinke in particular.

Another claim check: Dodgers add OF Daniel 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

Chance to meet Vin Scully among auction items to benefit fight against cancer

In Community

By Jon Weisman

An MLB charity auction benefiting Stand Up to Cancer among other organizations is underway, and a meet-and-greet with Vin Scully is among the items up for bid.

Other Dodger-related items available include a Spring Training batboy/batgirl experience and the chance to show our Matthew Mesa what you can do as the Dodgers’ social media coordinator for the day.

In addition, this year’s auction will benefit Do It For Durrett, in honor of the late Texas Rangers ESPN.com beatwriter Richard Durrett, who passed away suddenly last year, and the YouCaring page established for Miami Marlins Sun Sentinel beat writer Juan C. Rodriguez, who is currently battling a brain tumor.

Previously: LADF online Dodgers memorabilia auction begins

Dodgers claim pitcher Danny 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

Root Beer reviews: AJ Stephans

On December 6, 2015

In Entertainment, Root beer reviews

While many root beers strive to make a bold statement, sometimes to the point of being the blue-tuxedoed uncle at your best friend’s wedding, AJ Stephans is daring only in its restraint. It dials back the sweetness and doesn’t linger, living extremely in the moment, not like a brash teenage snowboarder but rather a delicate piccolo artist inhaling each note, otherwise rapidly forgotten. Lack of edge prevents it from reaching the top tier, but unpretentiousness prevents it from sinking to the bottom.

Sampling date: December 1, 2015

Ingredients: Pure carbonated water, cane sugar, natural and artificial flavors, caramel color, citric acid, sodium benzoate

Nutritional information: 12-ounce serving, 175 calories, 0 grams fat, 44 grams sugar, 30 milligrams sodium, 0 grams protein

Headquarters: Orange, Massachusetts

Rankings to date:
1) Route 66 Root Beer
2) Bulldog Root Beer
3) Capt’n Eli’s Root Beer
4) Sparky’s Root Beer
5) AJ Stephans Root Beer
6) River City Root Beer
7) Cool Mountain Root Beer
8) Rat Bastard Root Beer

Zack Greinke bids farewell to the Dodgers

On December 4, 2015

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.

Statement from Dodger president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman on Zack Greinke: pic.twitter.com/edegqWjc2R

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) December 5, 2015

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.

Root beer reviews: Sparky’s

On December 4, 2015

In Root beer reviews

After a short 39-month hiatus, I’m pleased to return with the seventh in my series of root beer reviews.

Sparky’s Fresh Draft Root Beer is a line-drive base hit, nothing unconventional, nothing that would bring a crowd to its feet, but neither a routine grounder to the right side for an out. Its engine revs at the outset of each sip, coasting into a pinching sweetness that is more cocky than coy.

Sampling date: November 30, 2015

Ingredients: Carbonated filtered water, pure cane sugar, honey, natural and imitation flavorings, spices, sodium benzoate to preserve freshness, phosphoric acid and caramel color

Nutritional information: Not provided

Headquarters: Pacific Grove, California

Rankings to date:
1) Route 66 Root Beer
2) Bulldog Root Beer
3) Capt’n Eli’s Root Beer
4) Sparky’s Root Beer
5) River City Root Beer
6) Cool Mountain Root Beer
7) Rat Bastard Root Beer

Cirque du Soleil Kurios tent rising at Dodger Stadium

On December 3, 2015

In Dodger Stadium, Off the field

By Jon Weisman

If you’re visiting Dodger Stadium and spy something colorfully unusual in Lot 1 near the Sunset Gate A entrance, that would be the big top for Cirque du Soleil Kurios, which runs from December 10-February 7.

Above is a photo taken before today’s tent-raising; below is a short video snippet of the process.

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Curious about Kurios? Here are some facts and figures, provided by Cirque du Soleil …

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

On December 2, 2015

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

On December 2, 2015