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	<title>Chad Moriyama &#187; Danny Knobler</title>
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		<title>Rumor Mill: Interest In Anibal Sanchez + Chris Capuano For Joel Hanrahan</title>
		<link>http://www.chadmoriyama.com/2012/12/rumor-mill-interest-in-anibal-sanchez-chris-capuano-for-joel-hanrahan/</link>
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		<pubDate>Wed, 12 Dec 2012 12:12:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chad Moriyama</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Analysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rumors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Anibal Sanchez]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Buster Olney]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chris Capuano]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Danny Knobler]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[De Jon Watson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joel Hanrahan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Logan White]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Los Angeles Dodgers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ned Colletti]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.chadmoriyama.com/?p=13121</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[So what&#8217;s next for the 2012-2013 off-season champion Dodgers? Danny Knobler says Anibal Sanchez has been discussed, but Buster Olney says the Dodgers aren&#8217;t going to be signing any more pitchers. As far as Sanchez goes, I&#8217;m inclined to believe Olney, because while I believe the team&#8217;s budget is comically high, I do believe they ...]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.chadmoriyama.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/ChrisCapuanoPitch-575x454.jpg" alt="" title="ChrisCapuanoPitch" width="575" height="454" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-12261" /></p>
<p>So what&#8217;s next for the 2012-2013 off-season champion <strong>Dodgers</strong>?</p>
<p><strong>Danny Knobler</strong> <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/danny-knobler/21350054/whos-next-for-big-spending-dodgers-could-be-youk-or-anibal " target="_blank">says</a> <strong>Anibal Sanchez</strong> has been discussed, but <strong>Buster Olney</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/status/278324494131679234" target="_blank">says</a> the Dodgers aren&#8217;t going to be signing any more pitchers.</p>
<p>As far as Sanchez goes, I&#8217;m inclined to believe Olney, because while I believe the team&#8217;s budget is comically high, I do believe they have one and that it would simply be overkill to get Sanchez.</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8211;</p>
<p>On the <strong>Chris Capuano</strong>/<strong>Aaron Harang</strong>/<strong>Ted Lilly</strong> trade front, Buster Olney <a href="https://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/status/278268043887517697" target="_blank">says</a> the <strong>Pirates</strong> have talked to the Dodgers about Capuano.</p>
<p>Despite the fact that the trio aren&#8217;t all that valuable to the Dodgers anymore, both Capuano and Harang have value to teams with stricter payrolls, because at the price free-agent starters are going for, a couple 2-3 WAR guys with 6 or 7 million dollar price tags are going to be a worthwhile investment.</p>
<p>I&#8217;ve had trouble gauging potential return though, because we&#8217;ve never really seen <strong>Ned Colletti</strong> trade for minor-leaguers in recent years. Either way, hopefully <strong>Logan White</strong> and <strong>De Jon Watson</strong> are in charge of that aspect of these trades.</p>
<p>Then again, Buster Olney <a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/12/olney-on-davis-myers-pierzynski-hanrahan.html" target="_blank">says</a> the Dodgers are interested in <strong>Joel Hanrahan</strong>, so that could be an option as well. If that&#8217;s the extent of the deal, I see no reason why the Pirates would hesitate, honestly. Clear win for them.</p>
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		<title>2012 Winter Meetings: Everybody waits on Greinke, Dee trade talks, no Ryu progress</title>
		<link>http://www.chadmoriyama.com/2012/12/2012-winter-meetings-everybody-waits-on-greinke-dee-trade-talks-no-ryu-progress/</link>
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		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Dec 2012 13:34:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chad Moriyama</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Analysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rumors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Daisuke Matsuzaka]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dan Haren]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Danny Knobler]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dee Gordon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hyun Jin Ryu]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jayson Stark]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jim Bowden]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joe Blanton]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joel Sherman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jon Heyman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jon Paul Morosi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Josh Hamilton]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ken Gurnick]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ken Rosenthal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Los Angeles Dodgers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Matt Thronton]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mike Petriello]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Randy Choate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scott Boras]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ubaldo Jimenez]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Winter Meetings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zack Greinke]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.chadmoriyama.com/?p=12943</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Zack Greinke saga is the story of the Winter Meetings, not only because he&#8217;s the top free agent out there, but also because he&#8217;s holding up the deals of other free agents, as they&#8217;re all waiting on him. Whatever he decides, it figures to be at least borderline historical, as Jon Heyman notes. Strong ...]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_1588" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 585px"><img src="http://www.chadmoriyama.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/DeeGordonGumby-575x431.png" alt="" title="DeeGordonGumby" width="575" height="431" class="size-large wp-image-1588" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Credit: The LFP</p></div>
<p>The <strong>Zack Greinke</strong> saga is the story of the <strong>Winter Meetings</strong>, not only because he&#8217;s the top free agent out there, but also because he&#8217;s holding up the deals of other free agents, as they&#8217;re all waiting on him.</p>
<p>Whatever he decides, it figures to be at least borderline historical, as <strong>Jon Heyman</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS/statuses/276419020507451393" target="_blank">notes</a>.</p>
<blockquote><p>Strong belief by people close to situation is greinke can beat cc sabathia $161M record deal if desires. #dodgers #rangers</p></blockquote>
<p>But who&#8217;s in the lead now? <strong>Jayson Stark</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/jaysonst/status/276354828844797952" target="_blank">says</a> the talk revolves around the <strong>Rangers</strong>&#8230;</p>
<blockquote><p>The big buzz this morning at the winter meetings is: Watch out for Texas on Zack Greinke.</p></blockquote>
<p>&#8230;and <strong>Joel Sherman</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/Joelsherman1/statuses/276498817631809536" target="_blank">gives</a> a potential reason why Greinke might be leaning that way.</p>
<blockquote><p>Told Greinke&#8217;s wife is former Dall #Cowboys cheerleader and could influence desire get back to Tex. score1 for #Rangers</p></blockquote>
<p>The <strong>Nationals</strong> are out of the sweepstakes thanks to their <strong>Dan Haren</strong> acquisition, and the <strong>Angels</strong> are assumed to be out of it as well due to price concerns, <a href="https://twitter.com/DKnobler/statuses/276454835992285185" target="_blank">according</a> to <strong>Danny Knobler</strong>.</p>
<blockquote><p>With Greinke bidding heading to $160 million and perhaps beyond, one Angels person said: &#8220;That&#8217;s going to blow us out of the water.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>Additionally, they just <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/statuses/276487689044365313" target="_blank">added</a> <strong>Joe Blanton</strong> to their rotation.</p>
<p><strong>Ken Gurnick</strong> <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121205&#038;content_id=40546992" target="_blank">reports</a> that Greinke&#8217;s personal fingerprints appear to be all over the negotiations.</p>
<blockquote><p>The speculation is that Greinke, and not Close, is orchestrating the leisurely pace of negotiations, which has log-jammed the free-agent market for pitchers. The 29-year-old Greinke could wind up with a contract bigger than CC Sabathia&#8217;s record for a pitcher of seven years and $161 million.</p></blockquote>
<p>Reading between the lines a little, this could mean that the money is close enough where it boils down to personal matters, which could lead him to stray away from the <strong>Dodgers</strong> and the most money. It could also be the reason <strong>Josh Hamilton</strong> to the <strong>Mariners</strong> talks have picked up, as his agent might sense the Rangers will be out of the market for him.</p>
<p>Hopefully not, but the reports yesterday certainly weren&#8217;t as <a href="http://www.chadmoriyama.com/2012/12/winter-meetings-2012-ryu-offer-rejected-greinkes-price-up-capuanoharanguribe-shopped/" target="_blank">optimistic for the team as the day before</a>.</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8211;</p>
<p>Those <strong>Dee Gordon</strong> rumors from yesterday? Well apparently they <a href="https://twitter.com/DKnobler/statuses/276435589711142912" target="_blank">have some legs</a>, and <strong>Jon Paul Morosi</strong>/<strong>Ken Rosenthal</strong> report that <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/statuses/276446788871933952" target="_blank">the <strong>Indians</strong> are in</a>.</p>
<p>I <a href="http://www.chadmoriyama.com/2012/12/winter-meetings-2012-ryu-offer-rejected-greinkes-price-up-capuanoharanguribe-shopped/" target="_blank">looked at the Mariners roster yesterday</a> to find a potential fit in a trade, but for the Indians I don&#8217;t see a clear-cut fit for the Dodgers current roster. I&#8217;m hoping it doesn&#8217;t involve <strong>Ubaldo Jimenez</strong>.</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8211;</p>
<p>As for <strong>Hyun Jin Ryu</strong>, <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121205&#038;content_id=40546992" target="_blank">yesterday</a> was just <a href="http://www.chadmoriyama.com/2012/12/winter-meetings-2012-ryu-offer-rejected-greinkes-price-up-capuanoharanguribe-shopped/" target="_blank">a continuation of the day before</a>.</p>
<blockquote><p>Nor would Colletti say if he felt he was closer to a deal for Korean free-agent pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin.</p>
<p>&#8220;I just feel closer to Sunday,&#8221; Colletti said, because at 2 p.m. PT Sunday the Dodgers must either have a deal with Ryu or he returns to Korea.</p></blockquote>
<p>Oddly enough, I think <strong>Jim Bowden</strong>&#8216;s thoughts most accurately reflects reality.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Dodgers not worried about negotiations w Ryu&#8230; they know Boras style &amp; will wait until Sunday Deadline to bear down with him &amp; get it done</p>
<p>&mdash; JIM BOWDEN (@JimBowdenESPNxm) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimBowdenESPNxm/status/276483453359374336" data-datetime="2012-12-06T00:29:26+00:00">December 6, 2012</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Though I would be lying if I said <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121205&#038;content_id=40546992" target="_blank">I didn&#8217;t cringe</a> when <strong>Scott Boras</strong> started comparing him and his impending contract to <strong>Daisuke Matsuzaka</strong>.</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;We have standards that all of us agree the guy is a No. 3 starter in the Major Leagues,&#8221; Boras said Wednesday. &#8220;And past practices, negotiations that we&#8217;ve done for [Daisuke] Matsuzaka, at that time Matsuzaka got paid [$52 million, six years] like he was a No. 3 pitcher in the big leagues. We think very highly of Ryu.</p></blockquote>
<p>Why?</p>
<p>1) Expecting that contract is ridiculous to me.</p>
<p>2) Why would he ever want to associate an Asian pitcher&#8217;s potential career with that of Daisuke Matsuzaka?</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8211;</p>
<p>The Dodgers do need a lefty reliever in the pen for next year, and with <strong>Randy Choate</strong> now off the board, <strong>Mike Petriello</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/mike_petriello/statuses/276456135479943168" target="_blank">brings up</a> <strong>Matt Thornton</strong>&#8216;s name.</p>
<blockquote><p>With LH RP dropping off the board, #Dodgers will probably need to get one via trade. One rumored possibility: Matt Thornton of Chicago.</p></blockquote>
<p>Would have loved this idea three or four years ago, but he&#8217;s now on a three-year negative trend, is going to be 36, and his stuff diminishing is becoming an annual event.</p>
<p>Still a better option than signing Choate for three years, but not exactly a guy you want to give up meaningful assets to acquire.</p>
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		<title>2012 Winter Meetings: Ryu offer rejected, Greinke&#8217;s price up, Capuano/Harang/Uribe shopped</title>
		<link>http://www.chadmoriyama.com/2012/12/winter-meetings-2012-ryu-offer-rejected-greinkes-price-up-capuanoharanguribe-shopped/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chadmoriyama.com/2012/12/winter-meetings-2012-ryu-offer-rejected-greinkes-price-up-capuanoharanguribe-shopped/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 05 Dec 2012 12:20:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chad Moriyama</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Analysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rumors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Aaron Harang]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alex Liddi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bill Shaikin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chris Capuano]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Corey Seager]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Danny Knobler]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dee Gordon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dylan Hernandez]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Felix Hernandez]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hyun Jin Ryu]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[James Shields]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[John Harper]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jon Heyman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jon Paul Morosi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Josh Hamilton]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Juan Uribe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ken Rosenthal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kyle Seager]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Los Angeles Dodgers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mark Saxon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ned Colletti]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[R.A. Dickey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scott Boras]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Skip Schumaker]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vinnie Catricala]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Winter Meetings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zach Lee]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zack Greinke]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.chadmoriyama.com/?p=12931</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Dodgers made an offer to Hyun Jin Ryu, but it was rejected by Scott Boras, according to Ned Colletti. The Dodgers made a long-term offer to Korean pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin on Tuesday, but it was rejected by agent Scott Boras. &#8220;Predictably, it fell a tad short,&#8221; said general manager Ned Colletti. The Dodgers have ...]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.chadmoriyama.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/HyunJinRyu.jpg" alt="" title="HyunJinRyu" width="450" height="322" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-12577" /></p>
<p>The <strong>Dodgers</strong> <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121204&#038;content_id=40528246" target="_blank">made an offer</a> to <strong>Hyun Jin Ryu</strong>, but it was rejected by <strong>Scott Boras</strong>, according to <strong>Ned Colletti</strong>.</p>
<blockquote><p>The Dodgers made a long-term offer to Korean pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin on Tuesday, but it was rejected by agent Scott Boras.</p>
<p>&#8220;Predictably, it fell a tad short,&#8221; said general manager Ned Colletti.</p></blockquote>
<blockquote><p>The Dodgers have until Sunday to sign Ryu or they lose exclusive negotiating rights and their $25.7 million posting fee is refunded.</p>
<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re debating our next step,&#8221; said Colletti. &#8220;I don&#8217;t believe we&#8217;re close right now.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p><a href="http://www.chadmoriyama.com/2012/12/2012-winter-meetings-greinke-talk-posturing-on-ryu-dickey-shields-among-targets/" target="_blank">As I said yesterday</a>, I still think this is all posturing by both sides to get the best deal possible.</p>
<p>For <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgersnow/la-sp-dn-dodgers-offer-to-ryu-hyunjin-rejected-20121204,0,7524799.story " target="_blank">his part</a>, Boras later clarified the situation to <strong>Dylan Hernandez</strong>.</p>
<blockquote>[Updated at 5:35 p.m.: Ryu's agent, Scott Boras, said he presented the Dodgers with a counteroffer. "We exchanged offers, and negotiations continue," Boras said.]
<p>Boras, said his client should be compensated like a major league No. 3 starter. So, presumably, he’s looking for something in the $50-million range. [Updated at 9:45 p.m.: This estimate was high, according to a person familiar with the discussions.]</blockquote>
<p>The reasons for the Dodgers wanting to wait should be obvious, because if they sign <strong>Zack Greinke</strong> and trade for <strong>James Shields</strong> or something of the sort, then their leverage in negotiations with Ryu becomes extremely one-sided.</p>
<p>For now? Just have to wait it out.</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8211;</p>
<p>Speaking of Greinke, the Dodgers and <strong>Rangers</strong> are <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/jon-heyman/21265126/rangers-dodgers-believed-to-be-battling-for-greinke-at-moment " target="_blank">apparently in a bidding war</a> of sorts, according to <strong>Jon Heyman</strong>.</p>
<blockquote><p>The Dodgers have been viewed as a fairly clear favorite for Greinke, but Texas is showing signs of determination, according to major-league sources.</p>
<p>The Dodgers are seen as having an almost unlimited payroll, but people familiar with the happenings now suggest the derby could go either way. Not many teams could hope to go dollar-for-dollar against the Dodgers, but the Rangers are trying to do just that.</p>
<p>The bidding is said by major-league officials to be &#8220;quite high&#8221; now, with two people pegging the dollar amount at about $160 million. And that&#8217;s with the deal not done yet. There seems an extreme likelhood now that Greinke will not only set a record for righthanded pitcher but for any pitcher, which is currently held by CC Sabathia, who signed for $161 million and seven years with the Yankees.</p>
<p>Some have suggested they could even see the Greinke deal reaching toward the $175-million mark.</p></blockquote>
<p>This situation, however, could be severely impacted by the Rangers negotiations with <strong>Josh Hamilton</strong>, according to <strong>Danny Knobler</strong>, as <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/danny-knobler/21268369/for-the-rangers-its-likely-greinke-or-hamilton-not-greinke-and-hamilton" target="_blank">they probably won&#8217;t sign both</a>.</p>
<blockquote><p>But one scenario they don&#8217;t see happening, according to sources, is a double free-agent signing of both Greinke and Hamilton.</p></blockquote>
<p>And they certainly seem on pace to sign one or the other, <a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/12/rangers-rumors-hamilton-greinke.html " target="_blank">according</a> to <strong>Ken Rosenthal</strong>.</p>
<p>For his part, <strong>Jon Paul Morosi</strong> is of <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/statuses/276099633544036352" target="_blank">the belief</a> that the Dodgers are the clear favorite, while <strong>Bill Shaikin</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/BillShaikin/statuses/276108686466875393" target="_blank">adds</a> that this drama may not be over by the time the <strong>Winter Meetings</strong> conclude.</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8211;</p>
<p>Connected to Greinke in a way, the Dodgers are <a href="https://twitter.com/pgammo/statuses/276128573377613825 " target="_blank">apparently shopping</a> <strong>Chris Capuano</strong> and <strong>Aaron Harang</strong> <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/statuses/276084118498979840" target="_blank">to whoever</a>.</p>
<blockquote><p>One exec says &#8220;Dodgers shopping Capuano and Harang around lobby. Greinke and Rhu, or Greinke and Sanchez or Dempster?&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<blockquote><p>#Dodgers becoming aggressive in shopping Harang and Capuano, source says. Could be a sign of confidence in landing Zack Greinke. @MLBONFOX</p></blockquote>
<p>I doubt either of them would be hard to deal at any point in the off-season. Both are on short-term deals, the Dodgers could eat money if necessary, and the return demands probably won&#8217;t be significant.</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8211;</p>
<p><u><strong>COMEDY BREAK</strong></u></p>
<p>The Dodgers are running around <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/dodger-report/post/_/id/3411/dodgers-shopping-juan-uribe" target="_blank">shopping</a> <strong>Juan Uribe</strong>!</p>
<blockquote><p>One of the agendas the Dodgers are pushing aggressively in the lobby is to find a trade partner to take utility infielder Juan Uribe. Needless to say, the Dodgers are garnering little interest unless they&#8217;re willing to pay his entire contract. Uribe, who has batted .199 the past two seasons combined, is entering the final year of a three-year, $21 million contract.</p></blockquote>
<p>What a disaster.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Asked an MLB official if <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Dodgers">#Dodgers</a> might be able to interest <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Yankees">#Yankees</a> in Juan Uribe with A-Rod injured. The guy chuckled.</p>
<p>&mdash; Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillShaikin/status/276068986679091200" data-datetime="2012-12-04T21:02:30+00:00">December 4, 2012</a></p></blockquote>
<p>It&#8217;s become a punchline, as it should, really.</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8211;</p>
<p><strong>Dee Gordon</strong> <a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/12/mariners-interested-in-dee-gordon.html" target="_blank">appears to be</a> a popular target for teams, including the <strong>Mariners</strong>.</p>
<blockquote><p>The Dodgers are fielding tons of inquiries on shortstop Dee Gordon, tweets Scott Miller of CBS Sports, though they&#8217;re not looking to deal him.  The Mariners are among the teams hitting the Dodgers hard on Gordon, tweets Miller.</p></blockquote>
<p>I&#8217;ve given <a href="http://www.chadmoriyama.com/2012/12/winter-meetings-shohei-otanis-second-thoughts-dee-gordon-shopped-james-loney-signs/" target="_blank">my thoughts on Dee previously</a>, though I&#8217;m not sure what the Mariners have that the Dodgers want.</p>
<p>No, it&#8217;s not <strong>Felix Hernandez</strong>. Stop.</p>
<p>I&#8217;m thinking more along the lines of <strong>Kyle Seager</strong>, <strong>Corey Seager</strong>&#8216;s older brother. The Mariners have <strong>Alex Liddi</strong> and <strong>Vinnie Catricala</strong>.</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8211;</p>
<p>Perhaps the <strong>R.A. Dickey</strong> rumors have some legs after all?</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Hearing Dodgers thinking big, have strong interest in Dickey even if they sign Grienke. But they don&#8217;t have good young OF to trade.</p>
<p>&mdash; John Harper (@NYDNHarper) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYDNHarper/status/276075183612239873" data-datetime="2012-12-04T21:27:07+00:00">December 4, 2012</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Source says Mets could get speedy SS Dee Gordon and top pitching prospect Zach Lee from Dodgers for Dickey. But that doesn&#8217;t help OF.</p>
<p>&mdash; John Harper (@NYDNHarper) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYDNHarper/status/276076782808076288" data-datetime="2012-12-04T21:33:28+00:00">December 4, 2012</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>That would be &#8230; a lot for a rental.</p>
<p>Still not sure I buy the interest as legit either. Not yet, at least.</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8211;</p>
<p>In interest of filling out their bench, the Dodgers are apparently <a href="https://twitter.com/DKnobler/statuses/276124475341291521" target="_blank">interested in trading</a> for <strong>Skip Schumaker</strong>, according to Danny Knobler.</p>
<p>He plays second, left field, center field, and right field, so there&#8217;s versatility there, but he&#8217;s a terrible defender at second, a bad one in center, and just solid-average in the corners. Over the last three seasons, since he turned 30, he&#8217;s had an OPS+ of 88.</p>
<p>Not so thrilled, really.</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8211;</p>
<p>Oh, and Colletti <a href="https://twitter.com/BillShaikin/statuses/276105195233087488" target="_blank">shot down</a> those <a href="http://www.chadmoriyama.com/2012/12/winter-meetings-2012-greinke-looks-anibal-in-reserve-sorianolowe-relief-options-ss3b/" target="_blank">rumors from yesterday</a> about them seeking starters at SS/3B. But there&#8217;s no reason to think he&#8217;s being truthful either.</p>
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		<title>Trade Rumors: Dodgers On Dempster, Soriano, LaHair, Shields, Johnson, Morneau</title>
		<link>http://www.chadmoriyama.com/2012/07/trade-rumors-dodgers-on-dempster-soriano-lahair-shields-johnson-morneau/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chadmoriyama.com/2012/07/trade-rumors-dodgers-on-dempster-soriano-lahair-shields-johnson-morneau/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 28 Jul 2012 16:41:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chad Moriyama</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Analysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rumors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alfonso Soriano]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Allen Webster]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bryan LaHair]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chicago Cubs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chris Withrow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Danny Knobler]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Garrett Gould]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[James Shields]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jerry Crasnick]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jon Heyman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Josh Johnson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Josh Lindblom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Josh Wall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Josh Willingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Justin Morneau]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Los Angeles Dodgers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Matt Garza]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Minnesota Twins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ryan Dempster]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shane Victorino]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shawn Tolleson]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.chadmoriyama.com/?p=8489</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that the Dodgers rejected a deal of Ryan Dempster for Allen Webster. The Cubs offered to send Ryan Dempster to his preferred Dodgers straight up for solid right-handed pitching prospect Allen Webster, but the Dodgers have rejected the offer. The issue seems to be this: The Dodgers don&#8217;t appear ...]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.chadmoriyama.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/JoshJohnson-575x323.jpeg" alt="" title="JoshJohnson" width="575" height="323" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-8490" /></p>
<p><strong>Jon Heyman</strong> of <strong>CBS Sports</strong> <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/jon-heyman/19663926/cubs-offer-of-dempster-for-webster-rejected-by-dodgers-who-seem-to-prefer-garza" target="_blank">reports</a> that the <strong>Dodgers</strong> rejected a deal of <strong>Ryan Dempster</strong> for <strong>Allen Webster</strong>.</p>
<blockquote><p>The Cubs offered to send Ryan Dempster to his preferred Dodgers straight up for solid right-handed pitching prospect Allen Webster, but the Dodgers have rejected the offer.</p>
<p>The issue seems to be this: The Dodgers don&#8217;t appear to love Dempster quite as much as he loves them.</p>
<p>According to people briefed on the talks, the Dodgers have thus far offered a couple of lesser prospects, guys who may project as relievers.</p></blockquote>
<p>Could it be that the Dodgers offered some combination of <strong>Josh Lindblom</strong>, <strong>Shawn Tolleson</strong>, <strong>Josh Wall</strong>, and <strong>Chris Withrow</strong>?</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Dodgers">#Dodgers</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Cubs">#Cubs</a> discussing a Ryan Dempster-for-Josh Lindblom deal, source says.</p>
<p>&mdash; Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) <a href="https://twitter.com/jcrasnick/status/229015000063295488" data-datetime="2012-07-28T00:46:45+00:00">July 28, 2012</a></p></blockquote>
<p>Seems likely that the offered deal from the Dodgers side would include both Withrow and Lindblom because the <strong>Cubs</strong> were <a href="http://www.chadmoriyama.com/2012/07/dodgers-have-deal-on-table-for-ryan-dempster-involving-two-pitching-prospects/" target="_blank">previously rumored to have shown interest in Withrow</a>.</p>
<p>In related trade news, <strong>Danny Knobler</strong> of CBS Sports <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/danny-knobler/19668820/dodgers-may-consider-adding-soriano-or-lahair-to-a-dempster-deal-with-cubs" target="_blank">reports</a> that the trade might be expanded to include <strong>Bryan LaHair</strong> or <strong>Alfonso Soriano</strong>.</p>
<blockquote><p>The Dodgers and Cubs, stalled on what the Dodgers would give up in a trade for Ryan Dempster, have had some discussions on expanding the deal to also include Alfonso Soriano or Bryan LaHair, sources say.</p>
<p>The inclusion of Soriano or LaHair is still viewed as a longshot, perhaps even a &#8220;massive longshot,&#8221; as one person briefed on the discussions described it.</p></blockquote>
<p>I&#8217;m guessing that an expanded deal would include haggling over either money (Soriano) or prospects (LaHair). Plus, it would probably include Webster or <strong>Garrett Gould</strong> in addition to a reliever or two.</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8211;</p>
<p>If the Dodgers can&#8217;t get Dempster, their attention may turn towards <strong>James Shields</strong> or <strong>Josh Johnson</strong>, <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/jon-heyman/19669537/dodgers-considering-shields-and-johnson-with-demspter-deal-on-hold" target="_blank">according</a> to Heyman.</p>
<blockquote><p>With the Dodgers and Cubs seemingly at an impasse in Ryan Dempster talks, the Dodgers are looking at Josh Johnson and James Shields as rotation alternatives.</p></blockquote>
<p>Johnson <a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/07/josh-johnson-rumors-friday.html" target="_blank">won&#8217;t come cheap</a> though.</p>
<blockquote><p>The Marlins seek a Mark Teixeira-like package for Josh Johnson, Jon Heyman reported yesterday. In other words, Miami seeks at least three good young pieces for the right-hander. The Blue Jays are pursuing Johnson and the Rangers, Angels and Orioles also appear to have interest.</p></blockquote>
<p>Not sure it matters at that price, because the Dodgers don&#8217;t have the horses in the system to make the trade feasible.</p>
<p><strong>Matt Garza</strong> of the Cubs was once considered an option, but it <a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/07/matt-garza-likely-staying-put.html" target="_blank">doesn&#8217;t look like</a> he&#8217;ll be dealt anymore.</p>
<blockquote><p>Matt Garza won’t start before Tuesday’s non-waiver trade deadline, so the chances of a midseason deal involving the right-hander are remote, Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com reports (on Twitter). Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and MLB Network Radio notes that Garza might not be traded until the offseason (on Twitter).</p>
<p>An MRI revealed a slight fluid buildup in Garza&#8217;s triceps area, manager Dale Sveum told reporters, including Doug Padilla of ESPNChicago.com. The Dodgers and Red Sox are among the teams with reported interest in Garza.</p></blockquote>
<p>Only reason I worry about this is because it seems more and more like the Dodgers only rotation option is Dempster, which lessens their leverage in a deal.</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8211;</p>
<p>Bats are <a href="https://twitter.com/jaysonst/status/228991312949559296" target="_blank">a priority</a> for the Dodgers <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/danny-knobler/19668820/dodgers-may-consider-adding-soriano-or-lahair-to-a-dempster-deal-with-cubs" target="_blank">as well</a>, but are more rumor than substance at this point.</p>
<blockquote><p>The Dodgers have talked about quite a few other hitters, including both Justin Morneau and Josh Willingham of the Twins. The Twins have said it&#8217;s a longshot that they trade Willingham, however.</p></blockquote>
<blockquote><p>Phillies still listening on Victorino. Reds, Dodgers, Pirates &#038; Giants among teams interested. But no indication they&#8217;re ready to deal him</p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Justin Morneau</strong> is the most intriguing target to me, specifically because he&#8217;s making $14 million this year and $14 million next year. His line of .256/.318/.448/.766 is far from impressive, and there are injury concerns, but he does have upside. Plus, the amount of money he&#8217;s making is not likely something the <strong>Twins</strong> want to deal with, so he might not be as expensive in terms of prospects.</p>
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		<title>Trade Rumors: Dodgers On Dempster, Greinke, Johnson, Shields, Pence, Victorino, Morneau</title>
		<link>http://www.chadmoriyama.com/2012/07/trade-rumors-dodgers-on-dempster-greinke-johnson-shields-pence-victorino-morneau/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chadmoriyama.com/2012/07/trade-rumors-dodgers-on-dempster-greinke-johnson-shields-pence-victorino-morneau/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jul 2012 22:03:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chad Moriyama</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Analysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rumors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Allen Webster]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Buster Olney]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Danny Knobler]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Garrett Gould]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hanley Ramirez]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hunter Pence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[James Shields]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jason Vargas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jayson Stark]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joe Blanton]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[John Ely]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jon Heyman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jon Paul Morosi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Josh Johnson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Justin Morneau]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ken Rosenthal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kevin Millwood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Los Angeles Dodgers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Matt Garza]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ned Colletti]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ricky Nolasco]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ryan Dempster]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shane Victorino]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stephen Fife]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ted Lilly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zack Greinke]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.chadmoriyama.com/?p=8448</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[GM Ned Colletti says the Dodgers are far from done after landing Hanley Ramirez, as they still want a starter and a bat. The Dodgers landed the middle-of-the-order bat they&#8217;ve been looking for in Hanley Ramirez, but general manager Ned Colletti on Wednesday said he&#8217;s still looking for a starting pitcher and another hitter. &#8220;We&#8217;re ...]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.chadmoriyama.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/RyanDempster.jpg" alt="" title="RyanDempster" width="491" height="400" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7535" /></p>
<p>GM <strong>Ned Colletti</strong> <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120725&#038;content_id=35551530" target="_blank">says</a> the <strong>Dodgers</strong> are far from done <a href="http://www.chadmoriyama.com/2012/07/trade-analysis-dodgers-acquire-hanley-ramirezrandy-choate-for-nate-eovaldiscott-mcgough/" target="_blank">after landing <strong>Hanley Ramirez</strong></a>, as they still want a starter and a bat.</p>
<blockquote><p>The Dodgers landed the middle-of-the-order bat they&#8217;ve been looking for in Hanley Ramirez, but general manager Ned Colletti on Wednesday said he&#8217;s still looking for a starting pitcher and another hitter.</p>
<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re still hunting for starting pitching. We won&#8217;t let this deal stand in the way of that,&#8221; said the general manager, who dealt starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi and Minor League pitcher Scott McGough to the Marlins for Ramirez and left-handed reliever Randy Choate.</p></blockquote>
<p>Completely makes sense, but who? Hence the mess of rumors to follow.</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8211;</p>
<p><u><strong>Ryan Dempster Dumpster Fire Of Rumors</strong></u></p>
<p>Yesterday, it was widely reported that the Dodgers <a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/07/ryan-dempster-rumors-wednesday-1.html" target="_blank">were</a> the front-runners for <strong>Ryan Dempster</strong> and that the team was confident they could land him.</p>
<blockquote><p>A trade between the Dodgers and Cubs still seems “realistic,” Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweets.</p></blockquote>
<blockquote><p>The Dodgers have the upper hand in talks with the Cubs, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets.</p></blockquote>
<blockquote><p>The Dodgers are feeling increasingly confident that they can work out a deal for Dempster, ESPN.com&#8217;s Buster Olney tweets. The Cubs don&#8217;t have many alternatives given Dempster&#8217;s interest in playing for L.A. and his no-trade protection.</p></blockquote>
<p>Today, it has been <a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/07/ryan-dempster-rumors-thursday-1.html" target="_blank">more of the same</a>.</p>
<blockquote><p>The Dodgers and Cubs continue talking and &#8220;might&#8221; be getting closer to a deal involving Dempster, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets.</p></blockquote>
<blockquote><p>Rival executives say the Dodgers are projecting an air of optimism about their chances of obtaining Dempster, ESPN.com&#8217;s Jayson Stark reports (on Twitter).</p></blockquote>
<p>There seems to be a consensus on his destination, which makes sense since he&#8217;s all but said it&#8217;s the only place he&#8217;ll go at this point.</p>
<p>I had no problem with acquiring Dempster, because I figured he would be the upgrade that would come the cheapest for the team. That is, until I saw this tweeted:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Cubs">#Cubs</a> have asked <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Dodgers">#Dodgers</a> for Allen Webster as primary piece in Ryan Dempster talks.</p>
<p>&mdash; Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/227968874455388161" data-datetime="2012-07-25T03:29:49+00:00">July 25, 2012</a></p></blockquote>
<p>Uh &#8230; yeah &#8230; no thanks.</p>
<p>I thought <a href="http://www.chadmoriyama.com/2012/07/dodgers-have-deal-on-table-for-ryan-dempster-involving-two-pitching-prospects/" target="_blank">the price</a> was supposed to go down as they lose leverage, not up.</p>
<p><strong>Allen Webster</strong> is a more advanced version of <strong>Garrett Gould</strong> with better velocity.</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8211;</p>
<p><strong>Danny Knobler</strong> of <strong>CBS Sports</strong> <a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/07/rangers-dodgers-pursuing-james-shields.html" target="_blank">reports</a> that the availability of <strong>James Shields</strong> has drawn interest.</p>
<blockquote><p>The Angels aren’t the only team in pursuit of James Shields. The Rangers and Dodgers have also made the Rays trade offers for the right-hander, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports.</p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Jon Paul Morosi</strong> of <strong>Fox Sports</strong> <a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/07/ryan-dempster-rumors-wednesday-1.html" target="_blank">says</a> the Dodgers have alternatives to Dempster in &#8230; uh &#8230; vastly superior pitchers.</p>
<blockquote><p>The Dodgers have Zack Greinke and Josh Johnson on their list in case they don&#8217;t trade for Dempster, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweets.</p></blockquote>
<p>Odd but okay.</p>
<p><strong>Jayson Stark</strong> of <strong>ESPN</strong> <a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/07/stark-on-marlins-phillies-dodgers-garza-twins.html" target="_blank">reports</a> that the Dodgers are in on basically every starting pitcher on the market.</p>
<blockquote><p>The Dodgers are in on a number of starting pitchers, including Nolasco, Blanton, Kevin Millwood, and Jason Vargas in addition to Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza. They&#8217;ve also checked in on outfield and first base help, including Victorino and Justin Morneau.</p></blockquote>
<p>The team is also looking at outfield and first base, which wouldn&#8217;t surprise <strong>Ken Rosenthal</strong>.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Dodgers">#Dodgers</a> deal for Victorino or Pence possible even if team gets Dempster along with H. Ramirez. LA has been in talks with <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Phillies">#Phillies</a>.</p>
<p>&mdash; Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/228145145290309632" data-datetime="2012-07-25T15:10:16+00:00">July 25, 2012</a></p></blockquote>
<p>&#8212;&#8211;</p>
<p>In terms of pitching, I&#8217;m sort of at the point now where if the Dodgers don&#8217;t swing a trade for an elite arm, I&#8217;d rather they just do nothing. If Dempster is seriously going to command at least a top five prospect in the system, why bother? With <strong>Ted Lilly</strong> on his way back, the team has five starters, and <strong>John Ely</strong>, <strong>Stephen Fife</strong>, and Webster wait in the minors.</p>
<p>As far as the bats go, I&#8217;ve <a href="http://www.chadmoriyama.com/2012/07/trade-rumors-dodgers-on-ryan-dempster-shane-victorino-jimmy-rollins/" target="_blank">already explained why I&#8217;d rather the team</a> not acquire <strong>Shane Victorino</strong>, and <strong>Justin Morneau</strong>&#8216;s 0.0 WAR line of .253/.314/.437/.751 doesn&#8217;t impress me. The only name that&#8217;s intriguing is <strong>Hunter Pence</strong>. His .267/.334/.447/.781 line isn&#8217;t impressive, but he&#8217;s a ~3 WAR player that would represent a meaningful upgrade.</p>
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		<title>Dodgers Sign Yasiel Puig To 7-Year/$42 Million Deal, According To Sources + Information</title>
		<link>http://www.chadmoriyama.com/2012/06/dodgers-sign-yasiel-puig-to-7-year42-million-deal-according-to-sources-information/</link>
		<comments>http://www.chadmoriyama.com/2012/06/dodgers-sign-yasiel-puig-to-7-year42-million-deal-according-to-sources-information/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Jun 2012 18:58:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chad Moriyama</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Analysis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transactions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ben Badler]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Danny Knobler]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[J.P. Arencibia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jesse Sanchez]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Keith Law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kevin Goldstein]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Los Angeles Dodgers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Yasiel Puig]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.chadmoriyama.com/?p=7860</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Well, this came out of nowhere, huh? I saw the articles on Yasiel Puig being declared a free agent and I figured that the Dodgers might be interested due to their desired goal of returning to the international market, but none of the rumors had the Dodgers as players. So much for that, as according ...]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.chadmoriyama.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/YasielPuig.jpg" alt="" title="YasielPuig" width="500" height="335" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7861" /></p>
<p>Well, this came out of nowhere, huh?</p>
<p>I saw the articles on <strong>Yasiel Puig</strong> being declared a free agent and I figured that the <strong>Dodgers</strong> might be interested due to their desired goal of returning to the international market, but none of the rumors had the Dodgers as players.</p>
<p>So much for that, as <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120628&#038;content_id=34081436" target="_blank">according</a> to <strong>Jesse Sanchez</strong>, the Dodgers have apparently signed the 21-year-old Cuban to a seven-year deal worth $42 million.</p>
<blockquote><p>According to an industry source, the Dodgers have agreed to a seven-year deal worth $42 million with 21-year-old international prospect Yasiel Puig, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound outfielder from Cuba.</p>
<p>The Dodgers haven&#8217;t commented on or confirmed the signing.</p>
<p>Puig (pronounced Pweeg) was declared a free agent Wednesday, not long after establishing temporary residency in Mexico, and was eventually cleared by the U.S. Department of Treasury&#8217;s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).</p>
<p>In order to avoid being subject to new CBA guidelines that will limit spending on international prospects to $2.9 million per team without penalty, Puig must sign the record-setting deal, have the contract approved by Major League Baseball and pass a physical before Monday.</p></blockquote>
<blockquote><p>A top prospect in the island&#8217;s premier league, the Cuban National Series (Serie Nacional), Puig hit .276 with five home runs during his first campaign with Cienfuegos in 2008-09 and had a breakout year the next season, hitting .330 with 17 home runs and 78 RBIs. He did not play for Cienfuegos during the 2011-12 seasons because he was being disciplined for attempting to defect.</p>
<p>Puig, a member of the country&#8217;s national team, is the latest high-profile Cuban player to sign with a Major League club. Outfielders Yoenis Cespedes signed a four-year $36 million deal with the A&#8217;s in mid-February, and Jorge Soler signed a nine-year, $30 million deal with the Cubs earlier this month. Left-handed pitcher Omar Luis Rodriguez signed a Minor League deal worth $4 million with the Yankees last week, and fellow lefty Gerardo Concepcion signed a five-year, $6 million deal with the Cubs in early February.
</p></blockquote>
<p><strong>J.P. Breen</strong> at <strong>FanGraphs</strong> <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/cuban-of-yasiel-puig-declared-free-agent/" target="_blank">wrote a profile</a> on him when he was declared a free agent.</p>
<blockquote><p>Now, statistics from the Cuban Serie Nacional should obviously be taken with a grain of salt. The level of competition is perhaps not even comparable to what Puig would potentially see in Triple-A, but legitimate similarities exist between the numbers Yoenis Cespedes compiled in 2010-2011 and what Puig racked up in the same year.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.chadmoriyama.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/YasielPuigYoenisCespedes.jpg" alt="" title="YasielPuigYoenisCespedes" width="488" height="65" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7863" /></p>
<p>The obvious difference is the significantly higher home run total from Cespedes. It’s that level of power that has allowed Cespedes to transition directly to the major leagues and post a .222 ISO as a 26-year-old without any experience in the United States.</p>
<p>The remainder of the numbers — the on-base percentage, strikeout-to-walk ratio, etc. — are comparable. Even the doubles are comparable. Puig reportedly has above-average speed and was once considered the “fastest player in Cuban baseball” before defecting, so it’s not overly surprising that Puig would collect more triples than Cespedes.</p></blockquote>
<p>He followed that up with <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/dodgers-invest-in-yasiel-puig/" target="_blank">an article</a> today after the signing.</p>
<blockquote><p>Puig’s Cuban numbers back up the possession of a solid hit tool (just 39 strikeouts in 327 at-bats) as well as discipline (49 walks) and power (.251 ISO), at least as far as international statistics can. Clay Davenport roughly compared Cuban baseball to Class Low-A, and Puig’s numbers at age 19 (he didn’t play in 2010-2011 due to discipline over his attempts to defect) would be impressive there.</p>
<p>Speed is speed, and Puig hit six triples with his Cuban team but also was thrown out in four of his nine stolen base attempts. Evaluation of Puig’s defense will be toughest of all. Workouts can show raw ability, but they may not show the kind of reactions and decision-making necessary to defend at the MLB level.</p>
<p>It may seem rash to commit $42 million to a player with no first-hand knowledge of how he plays in games. But, given Heyman’s note that the Dodgers weren’t the high bidder (at least in terms of gross dollar amount; it’s possible a team offered more years and a lower average salary), it appears less that the Dodgers were smitten by one great workout and more that there is something legitimately enticing about the player. At least one scout has noted his power as “not quite Giancarlo Stanton or Bryce Harper, but close.”</p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Ben Badler</strong> of <strong>Baseball America</strong> <a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2012/2613609.html" target="_blank">noted</a> that seeing him in person has been difficult and reports have not been overly positive.</p>
<blockquote><p>Reports from scouts on 21-year-old Cuban corner outfielder Yasiel Puig have been underwhelming. The Rangers have been the only team linked to Puig, though their senior-level decision makers were not in attendance at his recent workout in Mexico, where teams have reported that his conditioning appears to be an issue. Teams have no performance data or game video to work off from Puig in more than a year because he was suspended for the 2011-12 season in Serie Nacional. The last time any scouts could have legally evaluated Puig was in June 2011 in Rotterdam, where scouts seemed lukewarm at best on him. He&#8217;s shown plus raw power and hit well in Cuba for a year before his suspension, but there are question marks about both his bat and his rawness in the outfield. How Puig could have acquired permanent Mexican residency documents after having been in the country for what&#8217;s believed to be less than a month is also a widespread question, though Major League Baseball has yet to declare him a free agent.</p></blockquote>
<p>Upon being declared a free agent, he <a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2012/06/yasiel-puig-racing-to-sign-though-reports-remain-modest/" target="_blank">repeated</a> the point.</p>
<blockquote><p>Reports on Puig, 21, have been modest, and other than a few light workouts this weekend, teams are working off limited information. He was suspended this past season in Cuba—some sources believe it was due to his attempts to leave the country, though some teams have conflicting information—so scouts haven&#8217;t been able to see Puig in game condition since June 2011 for the Cuban national B team at the World Port Tournament in Rotterdam. The Rangers are the only team that Baseball America&#8217;s sources have linked to Puig.</p>
<p>&#8220;How can we evaluate someone like that?&#8221; asked one Latin American director.</p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Kevin Goldstein</strong> of <strong>Baseball Prospectus</strong> chimed in with basically <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=17521" target="_blank">the same report</a>. We don&#8217;t know much.</p>
<blockquote><p>His workout in Mexico was really just an extended batting practice, as he never ran and barely did anything in the outfield. His previous attempts to defect left him on the sidelines in last season&#8217;s Serie National in Cuba, so overall, he just hasn&#8217;t been seen that much. Puig has plus-plus raw power, but reviews on every other tool vary wildly for the 21-year-old. Some think he has speed, some think he&#8217;s merely an average runner, and there are definite concerns about the stiffness of his swing and a history of swing-and-miss. No matter what exactly he is, talk of this as a desperation move to help a woeful Dodgers offense seems more than a bit foolhardy, and the Dodgers have to get him into the country first, and they&#8217;ll be lucky to get six weeks of minor league time out of someone who has barely played the game in the past 12 months.</p></blockquote>
<p>Speaking of upside, <strong>Danny Knobler</strong> of <strong>CBSSports</strong> relays this:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>One scout on Puig: &#8220;You see him on the right day, he could be Vladimir Guerrero.&#8221;</p>
<p>&mdash; DKnobler (@DKnobler) <a href="https://twitter.com/DKnobler/status/218363270858412032" data-datetime="2012-06-28T15:20:35+00:00">June 28, 2012</a></p></blockquote>
<p>Could probably say the same for a lot of inconsistent/toolsy players.</p>
<p><strong>Keith Law</strong> of <strong>ESPN</strong> <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog/_/name/law_keith/id/8107841/yasiel-puig-deal-los-angeles-dodgers-excessive-mlb" target="_blank">furthers</a> the skepticism.</p>
<blockquote><p>Based on what I&#8217;ve heard about Puig, this is a bizarre overreaction to the upcoming international spending cap, and a huge bet that, despite a stiff swing and less athletic body than Soler, Puig&#8217;s bat is good enough to justify an investment of this size. I&#8217;ve also heard that Puig was badly out of shape in his recent workouts in Mexico, and that his throwing arm is not as strong since it was last seen in games. And unlike Soler or Cespedes, Puig barely has played in games outside of Cuba, so major league scouts have not had much of an opportunity to evaluate him properly.</p></blockquote>
<p>Yeah.</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8211;</p>
<p>So basically, we shouldn&#8217;t get too excited about the fact that he signed such a massive deal, as it&#8217;s less indicative of his actual talent, and more indicative of the rules under the new CBA.</p>
<p>I don&#8217;t see any way this isn&#8217;t an overpay in the end, but if the Dodgers have this type of money to take a shot in the dark with, perhaps that&#8217;s an overall net positive. I just hope they haven&#8217;t spent this simply to make a statement and have it take out of the 2013 budget.</p>
<p>Furthermore, Dodgers scouts have a good track record with international signings &#8230; which is why I&#8217;m worried about this one, because apparently Dodgers scouts haven&#8217;t seen him play or do anything.</p>
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