On the final day of 2011, here are some various Dodgers links:

• Carlos Quentin is back in the National League West. The outfielder has been traded from the Chicago White Sox to the San Diego Padres for minor league pitchers Simon Castro and Pedro Hernandez. Quentin has one more year of arbitration eligibility after making $5.05 million last season. South Side Sox has more information on the deal.
  
• Clayton Kershaw and Arise Africa are back in Zambia. Robert Baly has the details at Vin Scully is My Homeboy.
• A few days ago, Jon Weisman at Dodger Thoughts gave a broad overview of what lies ahead for the new ownership group, which is four months away. "I want them to spend, but to spend wisely. This franchise has so many needs, on and off the field, that new leadership can’t afford to be irresponsible," Weisman said.
• Mike Petriello at Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness had a nice post about the Dodgers' lack of international spending in recent years, noting that the Dodgers only have seven players on their 40-man roster from outside of North America.

Happy New Year everybody.