Results tagged ‘ Dodgers ’

Dodgers at Padres

Dodgers at Padres

Photo courtesy of Alexander Pigeon of MLB.com

Mets, Dodgers discussed Murphy

The Mets and Dodgers discussed a trade of infielder Daniel Murphy at the Winter Meetings, a source told MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick, and may revisit those talks later this offseason.

Murphy’s name has come up sporadically in trade rumors this offseason, and for good reason: he ranked fifth in the National League batting race at the time of his season-ending knee injury in August. But Murphy does not have a clear defensive home and will hit arbitration after next season, making him a more expensive proposition than he currently is.

The Mets have been active in trade talks in recent days, also discussing potential deals for Jon Niese and Bobby Parnell, according to sources. General manager Sandy Alderson has indicated that the only players he would not consider trading this offseason are David Wright and the organization’s top handful of Minor League prospects.

–Anthony DiComo

Dodgers reportedly eyeing Kennedy

In need of a versatile presence for their infield with the departure of Aaron Miles, the Dodgers have contacted Adam Kennedy’s representatives, according to MLB Trade Rumors. Kennedy has Southern California roots and has been a travelin’ man since leaving the Angels in 2007 for the Cardinals after seven seasons as their second baseman.

Kennedy, a high school star in Riverside, Calif., before becoming a postseason star for the 2002 World Series champion Angels, has played first and third base as well as second in recent seasons for the Athletics, Nationals and Mariners. He’s a .272 career hitter with a .326 OBP and .385 slugging mark across 13 Major League seasons.

Kennedy, who turns 36 on Jan. 10, hit .234 in 114 games for Seattle in 2011. Twice a .300 hitter with the Angels, he is best known for his three-homer epic in the ’02 ALCS against the Twins.

The Dodgers acquired Mark Ellis as their new second baseman, joining James Loney, Dee Gordon and Juan Uribe in the projected infield. Kennedy is highly regarded as a tough-minded, positive clubhouse presence. – Lyle Spencer

Furcal deal will happen

The trade sending Rafael Furcal to the Cardinals is not fully completed yet, but it will be. A Cardinals source said Sunday morning that “it will get done,” and Furcal cleaned out his locker on Saturday night. It’s not yet clear what the Dodgers will receive in return.

-Matthew Leach

Cards may, or may not, be done

The Cardinals have of course made their big move already this month, moving Colby Rasmus and acquiring three pitchers in an eight-player deal. They are not necessarily finished dealing, however.

Multiple reports have suggested they may still be pursuing a closer such as San Diego’s Heath Bell, though it appears that other clubs are well ahead of them on that front. The club could also use some middle infield help. Ryan Theriot is slumping and has some of the poorest defensive numbers of any shortstop in baseball, and top backup Nick Punto has just gone on the disabled list for the third time in 2011.

Enter the Dodgers, with whom the Cards have had conversations regarding Rafael Furcal. The two-time All-Star has missed much of the year due to injury, but he’s been playing better lately. The Dodgers won’t give Furcal away, but if a deal could be struck, he could be a highly intriguing addition to a team that’s clearly playing to win this year. The Cardinals could conceivably take on some salary, if they elected to receive cash rather than three players to be named later as the completion of their deal with Toronto.

Manager Tony La Russa left open the possibility that the Cards could make another addition, though he certainly didn’t play it up.

“I don’t know how to rate that,” he said. “I think ‘Mo’ [general manager John Mozeliak] is the only one that has the knowledge and the experience. I know there’s still days [until the non-waiver Trade Deadline], and there’s conversations. But I don’t know how to rate it. … I think he’s still got conversations, because he’s started a bunch of stuff and they keep it going.”

–Matthew Leach

Donnie Baseball wins debut

With only an unearned run for support, Clayton Kershaw fired seven scoreless innings Thursday as the Dodgers edged the World Series champion Giants and ace Tim Lincecum, 2-1, presenting new manager Don Mattingly with an Opening Day first victory.

The 23-year-old Kershaw, the youngest Opening Day starter for the Dodgers since Fernando Valenzuela in 1983, struck out nine and allowed four hits with one walk. He outdueled Lincecum, the two-time Cy Young Award winner, who also went seven innings with five strikeouts, five hits and three walks.

– Ken Gurnick

Mattingly ready

Don Mattingly said he was “definitely excited” as first pitch approached for his first game as Dodgers manager Thursday. He bought a luxury box for the “20 to 30″ family and friends who traveled for his debut. “I feel a little better than I thought I would,” he said. “I thought I’d be more edgy.”

He said predecessor Joe Torre called earlier in the week to wish him luck “before going to Hawaii.” He said Torre also “scolded” him for the Dodgers’ bench-clearing confrontation with the Padres Saturday, the second such incident for the Dodgers this spring.

“I didn’t mind what happened the other day,” said Mattingly, who earlier said he liked the “spirit” his team showed in an exchange of hit batters that resulted in umpire warnings to both clubs.

– Ken Gurnick

Let’s get it started

The last time it counted – 149 days ago to be exact – Brian Wilson struck out Nelson Cruz swinging to give the Giants their first World Series title since 1954.

Hot Stove season came and went. Spring Training games were played.

Now, it’s time for a new season.

Opening Day 2011 features six matchups (all times ET): Braves-Nationals at 1:05 p.m.; Tigers-Yankees at 1:05 p.m.; Brewers-Reds at 2:10 p.m.; Angels-Royals at 4:10 p.m.; Padres-Cardinals at 4:15 p.m.; and Giants-Dodgers at 8 p.m. in the ESPN Opening Night game.

The Giants begin their quest to become the first repeat champion since the 1998-2000 Yankees, and the first in the NL to repeat since the 1975-76 Reds. But the Phillies added Cliff Lee, giving them a philthy rotation that could be the best in MLB history. Over in the AL, the Red Sox added some serious firepower in the likes of Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford.

The 27 other MLB clubs begin today with the same record, the same hopes, the same dreams.  Follow us all day as we chronicle the dawn of a new season, from the first pitch on the East Coast, to the last out in SoCal. Who will rise in October? Buckle up and enjoy The Show.

Chavez Still on Dodgers Radar

Eric Chavez has been on the Dodgers radar since the Winter Meetings and the club is contemplating working him out. Chavez told the San Francisco Chronicle that he feels healthy enough to hold a workout and show scouts that his chronic back and shoulder problems are healed.

Chavez, a 33-year-old six-time Gold Glove third baseman, said he will work out for the Dodgers Jan. 20, although industry sources have indicated that is not a certainty. Chavez hasn’t played more than 90 games in a season since 2006.

If healthy, he could provide an alternative at third base to Casey Blake, be a right-handed pinch-hitter or a back-up corner infielder, although he’s played only two games at first base.

The Chronicle reported that Chavez has two other private workouts lined up with American League clubs. The AL teams aren’t named.

 – Ken Gurnick 

Roundup: Hot Stove comes alive after Holidays

With a bevy of signings and a fresh batch of rumors, the Hot Stove came back to life on Monday following the holiday hiatus. In addition to the Rockies’ efforts to lock up outfielder Carlos Gonzalez for the long haul, Monday brought the completion of the Rangers’ deal with Brandon Webb and Arthur Rhodes in addition to several other smaller signings. 
It wasn’t all about pitching in Texas on Monday, however. After talks emerged over the weekend regarding a potential deal with Adrian Beltre, that possibility seems less likely now, according to MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan. The Rangers have checked with Michael Young about the possibility of a position change, an idea that the third baseman didn’t seem overly keen about, according to Sullivan. Given that, club officials now aren’t overly optimistic they’ll get anything done at this point. 
It remains to be seen if this will swing momentum in the Beltre sweepstakes back to the Halos.
In addition to the Rangers’ dealings, here’s a rundown of Monday’s news from around the league:
- The Mets signed a pair of pitchers, left-hander Chris Capuano and right-hander Taylor Buchholz. Before 2010, Capuano hadn’t pitched in the Majors since 2007, and Buchholz hadn’t since 2008, both because of Tommy John surgery. The Mets released right-hander Ryota Igarashi to make room, despite owing him $1.75 million next season.
- The Yankees expect to hear something on veteran pitcher Andy Pettitte soon, ESPN New York.com reported on Monday. The team could know within a couple of days, according to the site. Also in the Bronx, the Yankees made their signing of reliever Pedro Feliciano official on Monday.
- The Nats are “progressing” in their talks with free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche, MLB.com’s Bill Ladson reported on Monday. The two sides are not far apart at this point, a baseball source confirmed to Ladson. 
- In addition to the Twins and Nationals, there are thought to be one or two other teams in on Carl Pavano, SI.com reported on Monday. Pavano is largely seen as the best free agent pitcher on the market at this point.
- Pittsburgh has agreed to re-sign left-hander Brian Burres, MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch reported on Monday. Burres, who was non-tendered earlier this year, could be a candidate for the rotation this season.
- The Dodgers agreed to terms with veteran Tim Redding to a Minor League deal with a Spring Training invite on Monday. Redding, 32, will give Los Angeles another capable starter in the rotation, if needed. 
- The Red Sox picked up utility man Hector Luna on a Minor League agreement, Fox Sports’s Jon Paul Morosi tweeted on Monday. Luna, who will turn 31 in February, appeared in 27 games for the Marlins last season. 
- In their search for a versatile outfielder, the Reds have turned their attention to Fred Lewis, according to Fox Sports.com. Lewis, 30, proved productive for the Blue Jays last season and could fit into the Reds’ outfield needs. 
– Bailey Stephens
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