True Blue LA - Dodgers 2021-22 free agent trackerWhere The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2022-03-27T21:24:37-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/226092032022-03-27T21:24:37-07:002022-03-27T21:24:37-07:00Albert Pujols reunites with Cardinals after 11 years away
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v St Louis Cardinals" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_rkVAG3RNEYgdTNQhg9_vtVxH-k=/0x0:2954x1969/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70679472/1235114076.5.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jeff Curry/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>3-time MVP returns to St. Louis, for whom he last played in 2011</p> <p id="vFqbRC">Albert Pujols will play a 22nd major league season, returning to St. Louis, where he played the first 11 years of his Hall of Fame career, per multiple reports. The Cardinals are signing Pujols to a one-year contract, per both <a href="https://twitter.com/katiejwoo/status/1508297046242988032">Katie Woo at The Atheltic</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/dgoold/status/1508295682158911488">Derrick Goold</a> <a href="https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/with-pujols-still-available-as-potential-platoon-pop-cardinals-test-their-young-dh-options-against/article_9d676b22-ff08-5978-bcce-be1e6eeae980.html">of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch</a>.</p>
<p id="VKgZeX">Woo <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F3212437%2F2022%2F03%2F27%2Fwoo-the-cardinals-are-interested-in-bringing-back-albert-pujols-heres-how-it-could-work-and-how-it-could-backfire%2F%3Fsource%3Demp_shared_article&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.truebluela.com%2F2022%2F3%2F27%2F22753239%2Falbert-pujols-contract-cardinals" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">reported earlier Sunday that the Cardinals were having “increased conversations” with Pujols</a>, who won his three MVP awards and two <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a> with St. Louis.</p>
<p id="tNHhq2">After <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/2021/5/9/22427685/albert-pujols-angels-messy-divorce">getting released by the Angels</a> <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/2021/5/12/22430938/joe-maddon-albert-pujols-departure-angels-news-shohei-ohtani-cutters">five weeks into the season</a>, the 41-year-old Pujols signed with the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> on May 17, <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/5/17/22435720/dodgers-commitment-albert-pujols-playing-time-roster">eventually settling into a part-time role for the first time in his 21-year career</a>.</p>
<p id="MSTTLh">Pujols thrived with his limited duties, hitting .303/.347/.606 with 10 home runs and a 149 wRC+ against left-handed pitching. He also excelled as a pinch-hitter, hitting .378/.415/.541 in the role. Pujols totaled 41 pinch-hit plate appearances with the Dodgers, matching his total in 20-plus seasons with the Cardinals and Angels.</p>
<p id="JSDe76">“I don’t take anything for granted. I take my at-bats,” <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/10/22/22739882/dodgers-postseason-records-chris-taylor-nlcs-game-5">Pujols said</a> <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/10/21/22739539/chris-taylor-aj-pollock-home-runs-dodgers-nlcs-game-5-braves">during the NLCS</a>. “I treat my game like it’s the last game of my career, and that’s since day one, when I got the opportunity to wear a uniform with the Cardinals in 2001.”</p>
<aside id="pi5JeF"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"2021 review: Albert Pujols ","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2021/12/3/22814299/albert-pujols-dodgers-2021-season-review"}]}'></div></aside><p id="UnNZiI">Pujols, who turned 42 on January 16, enters 2022 with a chance to move up on several all-time leaderboards:</p>
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<li id="gBahZR">
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/HR_career.shtml">5th place in home runs</a> (679), 17 behind Alex Rodriguez (696), and 21 homers shy of 700. Pujols hit 17 home runs in 2021.</li>
<li id="LangCy">
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/TB_career.shtml">4th place in total bases</a> (6,042), with Willie Mays (6,080) in third and Stan Musial (6,134) in second. Pujols had 119 total bases in 2021.</li>
<li id="Von3nQ">
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/stats/all-time-totals">3rd in runs batted in</a> (2,150), 63 behind Babe Ruth’s official total (2,213) for second. Pujols had 50 RBI in 2021.</li>
<li id="XX63YN">
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/G_career.shtml">12th in games played</a> (2,971), with a decent chance to reach fourth (Rickey Henderson, 3,081). Pujols played in 109 games in 2021. Only nine players have played in 3,000 MLB games.</li>
<li id="HyR6gW">
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/H_career.shtml">12th place in hits</a> (3,301), reasonably close to 10th (Paul Molitor, 3,319).</li>
<li id="djSstv">
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/R_career.shtml">14th place in runs scored</a> (1,872), within striking distance of 12th (Lou Gehrig, 1,888).</li>
<li id="JOd8rC">
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/PA_career.shtml">9th in plate appearances</a> (12,690), close enough to sixth (Cal Ripken Jr., 12,883).</li>
<li id="jIrOLU">
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/AB_career.shtml">8th in at-bats</a> (11,114), within shouting distance of sixth (Eddie Murray, 11,336).</li>
</ul>
<p id="JUsJHt">Pujols’ intention to keep playing became clear when he joined Escogido in October, <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/10/29/22752305/albert-pujols-dominican-republic-winter-league-debut">playing in the Dominican Republic winter league for the first time in his career</a>.</p>
<p id="cHKuQZ">“I think Albert can do whatever he wants to do, and if he wants to play next year he’s certainly going to be a really good contributor to whatever ball club,” manager Dave Roberts said during the playoffs. “He’s a winning baseball player and he’s been huge for us.”</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2022/3/27/22753239/albert-pujols-contract-cardinalsEric Stephen2022-03-18T19:16:56-07:002022-03-18T19:16:56-07:00Kenley Jansen signs 1-year deal with the Braves
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<img alt="NLDS: LA Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/s3MGvMw0N_1do1bF-0tY4aQtB4g=/0x0:5472x3648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70644451/1235829470.0.jpg" />
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<p id="mX9rHJ">After 17 years in the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> organization, Kenley Jansen has a new team. The All-Star closer signed with the Braves for a one-year, $16 million contract, Atlanta announced on Friday.</p>
<p id="VHX9dH">The Dodgers signed Jansen out of Curacao as a catcher in November 2004, but after it became clear his major league future wasn’t behind the plate, he was convinced to switch to pitching midway through the 2009 season. Almost exactly one year after making his professional pitching debut in High-A, Jansen made the majors during 2010.</p>
<p id="VSGNYb">His 12 seasons as a Dodger is <a href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/XO3ST">tied for sixth-most by a pitcher in franchise history</a>. </p>
<p id="czuQIh">Jansen debuted with the Dodgers within six weeks of Freddie Freeman’s debut with the Braves. Both <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2022/3/18/22982575/freddie-freeman-contract-details-dodgers-payroll-luxury-tax">signed with the other team on Friday</a>.</p>
<p id="Z3rFrq">Jansen cashed in after bounce-back results in 2021, posting a 2.22 ERA, his best ERA in four years, to go with a 3.08 FIP and 2.83 xERA. Jansen struck out 83 batters in 69 innings, and though he had his highest walk rate (12.9 percent) in 11 years, that improved over the final two months (7.5 percent).</p>
<p id="u34xDZ">He made $20 million in 2021, the final season of a five-year, $80 million contract signed after the 2016 season. Because Jansen <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2016/11/7/13539540/dodgers-qualifying-offers-kenley-jansen-justin-turner-free-agents-draft-picks">was extended a qualifying offer that offseason</a>, he was ineligible to receive another this year, meaning the Dodgers won’t get draft pick compensation now that he’s signed elsewhere.</p>
<p id="9d7pS5">Jansen is the Dodgers all-time leader in saves (350), trailing only Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman for the most saves with a single team. Jansen is also atop the franchise leaderboard in games pitched (701) and relief strikeouts (1,022), the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/8/25/22642216/kenley-jansen-1000-strikeouts-dodgers-all-time-list">12th pitcher in MLB history with 1,000 strikeouts in relief</a>. </p>
<p id="msSLCE">After getting passed over in key postseason moments in 2019 and 2020, including starter Julio Urías closing out the NLCS and <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a> in relief to clinch the Dodgers’ first championship in 32 years, Jansen was especially strong this October, allowing no runs in seven innings in his eight postseason games, striking out 14 of his 25 batters faced. </p>
<p id="0m0KaR">After steering clear of free agency questions during the playoffs, Jansen after the Dodgers were eliminated in the NLCS talked about his future with reporters in Atlanta. From <a href="https://www.ocregister.com/2021/10/24/free-agency-could-dramatically-change-the-dodgers-going-forward/">Bill Plunkett at the Orange County Register</a>: </p>
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<p id="Jrhl9X"><em>“I’m thankful to have been here all these years. This is the only team I know. They believed in me when I was 17 years old as a catcher. They made me a pitcher and they believed in me as a pitcher and here I am now.</em></p>
<p id="x5G7YP"><em>“It happened fast. I enjoyed this journey. I’ll always say whatever happens I’m proud to be a Dodger and I’ll always be a Dodger.”</em></p>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2022/3/18/22784091/kenley-jansen-contract-braves-one-year-wowEric Stephen2022-03-18T11:10:59-07:002022-03-18T11:10:59-07:00Nelson, Duffy, options, the 60-day IL & roster space
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8HsLHb03acGHspkLPQxAUlYAzLg=/0x0:6368x4245/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70642387/usa_today_16292960.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Freddie Freeman 6-year deal official. How LA signed three players with one roster spot</p> <p id="0UYh7N">Jimmy Nelson and Danny Duffy are both officially back with the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>, both signing one-year contracts with a team option for 2023, while rehabbing from injuries. Nelson’s deal became official on Thursday, and Duffy on Friday.</p>
<p id="OZunnX">The timing of the moves allowed the Dodgers to maneuver with just one spot on the 40-man roster. <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2022/3/17/22983497/dustin-may-injured-list-dodgers-60-days-jimmy-nelson-roster">Dustin May was placed on the 60-day injured list Thursday</a> to create room on the roster for Nelson, then Nelson landed on the 60-day IL on Friday morning <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2022/3/17/22753276/danny-duffy-dodgers-free-agent-contract">to make room for Duffy</a>.</p>
<p id="yjuhwA">Just an hour later, Freddie Freeman’s contract was finalized, and Duffy was placed on the 60-day injured list to make room.</p>
<p id="9f9asy">Nelson is recovering from Tommy John surgery that he had last August along with right flexor tendon repair. He’s expected to miss most of this season while rehabbing, though Nelson told Bill Plunkett at the Orange County Register that he’s targeting a September return.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nelson had Tommy John surgery last August, the latest in a series of injury setbacks that have defined his career. Hopes to be ready to pitch in September. "There's unfinished business for me, personally."</p>— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) <a href="https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr/status/1504136396931416064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2022</a>
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<p id="VEuglX">The Dodgers traded for Duffy in July, but the former Royals pitcher never pitched for the Dodgers. He had a flexor tendon injury that required surgery in October, but hopes to pitch by June this season.</p>
<p id="hZ36t7">Duffy has a $7 million option for 2023, <a href="https://twitter.com/ByRobertMurray/status/1504848465322725376">per Robert Murray of FanSided</a>, that can increase to $10 million with at least 15 games and 15 innings pitched in 2022. This year, Duffy will make “roughly $3 million,” <a href="https://twitter.com/Jack_A_Harris/status/1504873890840907777">per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times</a>.</p>
<p id="6Jtzpa">Nelson is signed for 2022 plus a club option for 2023. He’ll earn $700,000 this year, the minimum MLB salary per the new collective bargaining agreement, <a href="https://twitter.com/FabianArdaya/status/1504535552669872142">per Fabian Ardaya at The Athletic</a>. His 2023 option is for $1.1 million, with performance bonuses.</p>
<p id="Ilk5X1">Duffy and Nelson are two of <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/12/2/22815055/dodgers-payroll-contract-options-2023-daniel-hudson">eight Dodgers signed through this season with options for 2023</a>. The team holds options on Justin Turner, Max Muncy, Blake Treinen, Daniel Hudson, Duffy, and Nelson. AJ Pollock has a player option for next year, as does Trevor Bauer, who is <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/7/8/22569623/trevor-bauer-mlb-investigation-assault-restraining-order-dodgers">currently on administrative leave while under MLB investigation</a>.</p>
<p id="94rqJ0">Infielder Hanser Alberto’s <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2022/3/13/22975401/hanser-alberto-los-angeles-dodgers-mlb-news-free-agency">reported deal with the Dodgers</a> <em>also</em> calls for a club option in 2023, though that hasn’t yet been made official by the team. </p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2022/3/18/22983606/freddie-freeman-jimmy-nelson-danny-duffy-dodgers-injured-list-options-40-man-roster-spaceEric Stephen2022-03-16T17:14:23-07:002022-03-16T17:14:23-07:00Andrew Vasquez signs with Blue Jays
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v San Francisco Giants" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jGGhf2zUcUeNhwtm34ntBmelkz4=/0x0:4800x3200/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70633208/1338343274.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Vasquez pitched in 2 games for LA in 2021</p> <p id="I03Ebc">Andrew Vasquez pitched a few games for the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> in the season’s final month, and parlayed that as a free agent into a major league contract with the <a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a>, signed on Tuesday.</p>
<p id="vAI8m8">Vasquez will get $800,000 with Toronto.</p>
<p id="mhuHla">The Dodgers acquired the left-hander on August 31 from the Twins <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/9/1/22651372/michael-busch-four-extra-base-hits-dodgers-double-a-tulsa">in a minor league trade for catcher Steve Berman</a>, then was <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/9/2/22654983/andrew-vasquez-los-angeles-dodgers-scott-alexander-mlb-news">added to the roster a few days later</a>. Vasquez pitched in two games for the Dodgers against the Giants in a crucial September series, striking out three of his six batters faced. He allowed one single and an unearned run in his 1⅔ innings.</p>
<aside id="ou7aZZ"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"2021 review: Andrew Vasquez ","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2021/12/28/22855957/andrew-vasquez-2021-dodgers-review"}]}'></div></aside><p id="XKUG0y">The Dodgers used a franchise-record 39 different pitchers in 2021. Vasquez was one of five (along with Neftalí Féliz, Yefry Ramírez, Conner Greene, and Justin Turner) to post a 0.00 ERA with Los Angeles.</p>
<p id="duShlO">On the tender deadline of November 30, <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/11/30/22811039/dodgers-roster-andrew-vasquez-nontender-free-agent">Vasquez was not tendered a contract by the Dodgers</a>, making him a free agent.</p>
<p id="RM0rHV">The Rancho Cucamonga native has pitched in parts of three seasons with the Twins and Dodgers, with an 8.10 ERA in 12 games and 6⅔ innings, with 10 strikeouts and four walks. </p>
<p id="87LRrh">Vasquez has 45 days of major league service time and one option year remaining.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2022/3/16/22981998/andrew-vasquez-contract-blue-jaysEric Stephen2022-03-15T14:01:36-07:002022-03-15T14:01:36-07:00Jimmy Nelson returns to Dodgers
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v San Diego Padres" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2qehF7Vqk1cBbYS3Cne3QpqOm-8=/0x0:5000x3333/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70627171/1336600140.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="0GGvX2">Jimmy Nelson is expected to miss most if not all of the 2022 season after elbow surgery, but the right-hander is back with the Dodgers, per folks on the scene at Camelback Ranch in Arizona.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Free-agent reliever Jimmy Nelson, who had elbow surgery in August, is back with the Dodgers. Source: my eyes, in their clubhouse this morning.</p>— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) <a href="https://twitter.com/pedromoura/status/1503766375277367297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2022</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sources: Jimmy Nelson’s deal with the Dodgers is a big league deal with a club option for 2023. Is on the expected recovery track after elbow surgery in August.</p>— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabianArdaya/status/1503788132126248961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2022</a>
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<p id="JtfsEe">The Dodgers have not yet announced the move. They would need to make a corresponding transaction to make room on the 40-man roster, but the rehabbing Nelson could be placed on the 60-day injured list and not count against the list.</p>
<p id="z0gjpi">When he was on the mound in 2021, Nelson was great, leading the Dodgers with a 1.86 ERA, 1.89 FIP, and 37.9-percent strikeout rate in his 28 games and 29 innings. Nelson <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/8/6/22613881/jimmy-nelson-tommy-john-surgery-flexor-tendon-repair-dodgers-60-day-injured-list-out-for-season">had Tommy John surgery in early August</a>, a procedure that also required right flexor tendon repair, ending his season.</p>
<p id="x87Ssz">It’s been an injury-plagued few years for Nelson, who has pitched 51 major league innings since the start of 2018.</p>
<p id="AEuugV">Nelson during that time had shoulder surgery to repair a rotator cuff and partial labrum tear, and elbow effusion while with the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a>. Signed with the Dodgers in 2020, Nelson <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/11/22/21575978/jimmy-nelson-dodgers-2020-review">suffered back and arm problems during spring training</a>, then <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2020/7/6/21315299/jimmy-nelson-back-surgery-dodgers">had his season wiped out before it started with back surgery in July</a>.</p>
<p id="POe4uz">Re-signed to a minor league contract in 2021, Nelson had a stellar spring and <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/3/25/22351566/jimmy-nelson-dodgers-40-man-roster-tommy-kahnle-sheldon-neuse">made the opening day roster</a>.</p>
<p id="DvnKRQ">“When you’re not grinding through injuries and pain, you can actually enjoy the game,” <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/3/9/22322573/jimmy-nelson-dodgers-health-starting-rotation-bullpen">Nelson said during spring training</a>. “It’s been a long time. I’m just trying to enjoy it every day.”</p>
<p id="U6Y3aJ">Before succumbing to surgery in August, Nelson also missed time last season with <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/6/3/22514390/aj-pollock-jimmy-nelson-los-angeles-dodgers-news">a right forearm strain</a> (12 games) and <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/7/25/22593263/mookie-betts-injured-list-hip-inflammation-dodgers">left lumbar strain</a> (14 games).</p>
<p id="QRwZIs">Nelson, who turns 33 next June, has a 4.12 ERA and 4.01 FIP in parts of seven major league seasons, with 622 strikeouts and 253 walks in 662⅓ innings in 147 games, including 108 starts.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2022/3/15/22753253/jimmy-nelson-dodgers-free-agent-contractEric Stephen2022-03-13T18:14:35-07:002022-03-13T18:14:35-07:00Steven Souza Jr. signs with Mariners
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v Arizona Diamondbacks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LRPIVmcBAQkqOBJ8Wy70eka7xvk=/0x0:4583x3055/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70618026/1324412393.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The veteran outfielder has a new team</p> <p id="uS6fCf">The Seattle Mariners added some recent playoff experience in signing free agent Steven Souza Jr. to a minor-league contract.</p>
<div id="Sv6Oae">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Mariners have agreed to terms on a Minor League deal with veteran outfielder Steven Souza Jr., according to a source. The plan if for him to play at Triple-A Tacoma. <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Ken_Rosenthal</a> had the scoop first.</p>— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) <a href="https://twitter.com/DKramer_/status/1503150039824175106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2022</a>
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<p id="T9I8uE">You might remember Souza from playing in 10 of the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>’ 12 postseason games last year, after playing in 17 regular season games with Los Angeles.</p>
<p id="zZvImi">2021 was a comeback year for Souza, who missed the bulk of 2019 and 2020 seasons after a devastating knee injury. He signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers in April, and was <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/6/16/22537113/steven-souza-jr-dodgers-roster-nate-jones-dfa">called up to the majors</a> for <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/9/7/22660402/steven-souza-jr-dodgers-roster-zach-mckinstry-garrett-cleavinger">two separate stints</a> during the regular season. He was 5-for-33 (.152/.222/.333), including <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/6/18/22541144/steven-souza-jr-los-angeles-dodgers-mlb-news">a game-winning home run on June 18 in Arizona</a>.</p>
<p id="YLRuy4">Souza spent the bulk of his year with Triple-A Oklahoma City, hitting .274/.396/.554 with 12 home runs and 14 doubles in 56 games. The Dodgers <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/7/6/22565586/jake-reed-dodgers-bullpen-steven-souza-jr-dfa">designated Souza for assignment</a> <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/9/13/22672331/clayton-kershaw-los-angeles-dodgers-news-mlb">twice during the season</a>, but <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/10/6/22712147/dodgers-national-league-wild-card-roster-2021">added him back to the 40-man roster for the postseason</a>, where he was 1-for-8 with a walk in 10 appearances as a reserve in October.</p>
<p id="2fDkyw">Souza, who turns 33 in April, has hit .230/.320/.414, a 100 OPS+ with 72 home runs in 499 games over parts of seven major league seasons.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-transactions-2022-offseason/2022/3/13/22753269/steven-souza-jr-free-agent-contract-seattle-marinersEric Stephen2022-03-12T16:49:00-08:002022-03-12T16:49:00-08:00Joe Kelly signs with White Sox
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v Cincinnati Reds" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/K7G6Y9sx3Ee1wdqZhFnnFbQX9Zg=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70614670/1341211942.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Joe Kelly’s unforgettable tenure with LA comes to an end</p> <p id="cdykfB">After three years in the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> bullpen, Joe Kelly has moved on as a free agent, agreeing to terms with the Chicago White Sox.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">High-powered reliever Joe Kelly has agreed to a 2-year contract with the Chicago <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhiteSox?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WhiteSox</a>. The deal will be final when he completes a physical.</p>— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) <a href="https://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/1502799613861933057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2022</a>
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<p id="dwknrV">Kelly completed a three-year, $25.5 million contract with the Dodgers in 2021. That total guarantee included a $4 million buyout of his $12 million club option for 2022, which <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/11/6/22747096/joe-kelly-option-decline-dodgers-2022">was declined by the team on November 6</a>.</p>
<p id="zwTF3O">The 33-year-old right-hander had a 2.86 ERA and 3.08 FIP in 48 games for the Dodgers in 2021, with 50 strikeouts and 15 walks in 44 innings. Kelly’s strikeout rate (27.5 percent) was a career best, and his walk rate (8.2 percent) was his lowest since 2012.</p>
<div class="c-float-left"><aside id="9j2UB5"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Joe Kelly’s 2021 season review","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2021/11/23/22796104/joe-kelly-2021-dodgers-review"}]}'></div></aside></div>
<p id="QB07nx">Kelly pitched in seven of the Dodgers’ first 11 playoff games, but <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/10/21/22739924/joe-kelly-injury-right-biceps-strain-dodgers-out-for-season">suffered a right biceps strain in Game 5 of the NLCS</a>, ending his 2021 season a few days early. He <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/4/30/22412818/joe-kelly-shoulder-surgery-november">had shoulder surgery last offseason</a>, which delayed the start of his 2021 season until May.</p>
<p id="Es07pl">Kelly has been effective against both sides the last few years. Since the beginning of 2020, left-handed batters are hitting just .193/.255/.307 against him, and .178/.294/.280 by righties.</p>
<p id="zrkOxA">In 10 major league seasons with the Cardinals, <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a>, and Dodgers, Kelly has a 3.83 ERA, 3.94 FIP, and 107 ERA+ with 619 strikeouts and 298 walks in 730⅔ innings. He switched to relief full time in 2016 with Boston, and has better career numbers out of the bullpen, relative to starting.</p>
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<p id="yo7h5Y">Kelly turns 34 in June.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2022/3/12/22804211/joe-kelly-chicago-white-sox-mlb-los-angeles-dodgers-free-agencyEric Stephen2022-03-11T15:03:58-08:002022-03-11T15:03:58-08:00Clayton Kershaw re-signs with Dodgers
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<img alt="Division Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v San Francisco Giants - Game One" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/d8h2wlLg9_xSd-GxGtPEPoulwIo=/0x0:4256x2837/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70611228/1345581890.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Kershaw on 1-year deal: “We back!”</p> <p id="Q637DV">Clayton Kershaw will return to the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>, reportedly agreeing to a one-year contract after reaching free agency for the first time in his career. </p>
<p id="D1f0f3">Kershaw posted “We back!” on Instagram on Friday afternoon:</p>
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</div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca-_Tkormbr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by clayton kershaw (@claytonkershaw)</a></p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Free-agent left-hander Clayton Kershaw is in agreement with the Dodgers on a one-year deal, pending a physical, sources tell <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAthletic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheAthletic</a>.</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1502416452221128709?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2022</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers are in agreement on a one-year deal, source confirms. <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Ken_Rosenthal</a> had it first.</p>— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) <a href="https://twitter.com/Alden_Gonzalez/status/1502417966473830401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2022</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kershaw gets $17M plus incentives on Dodgers deal</p>— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1502431142351409163?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2022</a>
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<p id="g1dZuC">The deal is pending a physical, and has not yet been announced by the team.</p>
<p id="cL5nqq">2022 will be Kershaw’s 15th major league season. He turns 34 in March.</p>
<p id="1NIJHN">Team employees were not allowed to contact major league players, including free agents, during the lockout, <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2022/3/10/22968254/mlb-lockout-agreement-owners-mlbpa">which ended on March 10</a>. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts on March 11, a few days before pitchers and catchers were to report to spring training, said he hadn’t yet talked to Kershaw nor closer Kenley Jansen, also a free agent. </p>
<p id="E0jd9P">“We have a great relationship. Both those guys. They’re going to be Dodgers forever, as far as the legacy piece,” Roberts said. “How it plays out in the coming weeks, I just don’t know.</p>
<p id="BC4UOI">“The thing that players count on, fans, coaches, and everyone counts on stalwarts and cogs. Those two guys in particular have been that for the Dodgers.”</p>
<p id="TAVD3S">The immediate future for Kershaw involves a lot of rest this offseason. The elbow injury that <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/8/6/22613524/clayton-kershaw-injured-list-elbow-forearm-inflammation-september-return-dodgers">cost him over two months during the regular season</a> then <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/10/1/22705341/clayton-kershaw-injury-dodgers-left-forearm-discomfort">knocked him out for the playoffs</a> did not require surgery, with the left-hander <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/10/8/22717433/clayton-kershaw-injury-prp-injection-spring-training-2022-dodgers">opting instead for an injection of platelet-rich plasma</a>.</p>
<p id="j4b7ie">“We’re going to be cautious this time. I’ve never given it the rest it’s needed, for whatever reason, trying to get back for the postseason,” Kershaw told reporters during the NLDS, <a href="https://www.ocregister.com/2021/10/08/dodgers-clayton-kershaw-expects-to-be-ok-for-spring-training/">per Bill Plunkett at the Orange County Register</a>. “Really I just came back too soon the first time. So I’m going to be cautious this time. It’s going to be a while.”</p>
<p id="XdikFt">Kershaw when on the mound in 2021 was effective, with a 3.55 ERA in 22 starts, with 144 strikeouts and 21 walks in 121⅔ innings. It was Kershaw’s highest ERA since his 2008 rookie season, but his strong peripherals and batted-ball data gave Kershaw a 3.17 expected ERA, which <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=100&type=8&season=2021&month=0&season1=2021&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2021-01-01&enddate=2021-12-31&sort=18,a">ranked 11th among major league pitchers with 100 innings</a>.</p>
<p id="b4HyMD">After the 2018 season, Kershaw had the choice to opt out of the final two seasons of <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2013/8/24/4654916/clayton-kershaw-contract-extension-los-angeles-dodgers">his seven-year, $215 million contract</a>, but on the day of that decision <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2018/11/2/18056718/dodgers-clayton-kershaw-new-contract-extension">he and the Dodgers reached a new three-year, $93 million contract</a> that ran through 2021. November 3 <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/11/3/22748029/dodgers-free-agents-corey-seager-clayton-kershaw-kenley-jansen-max-scherzer-chris-taylor">was the first time Kershaw reached major league free agency</a>.</p>
<p id="U9ViMw">While returning to Los Angeles was considered the most likely return, this offseason involved more uncertainty than ever in Kershaw’s career. Kershaw made known how increasingly difficult it was be to be away from his young children during the baseball season, as far back as February 2021 <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2021-02-10/clayton-kershaw-family-dodgers-future-fatherhood-home-gym-mlb">in a profile by Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times</a>.</p>
<p id="9vzb44">Kershaw’s hometown Rangers pursued the left-hander, with Texas manager Chris Woodward <a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/chris-woodward-on-the-rangers">confirming the interest on ‘High Heat’ on MLB Network on November 22</a>.</p>
<p id="kO0PAz">“Kersh and I are really good friends. We believe in the same things as far as how to play the game, how to prepare,” <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/11/23/22797883/chris-woodward-clayton-kershaw-texas-rangers-mlb-news">Woodward said</a>. “If he wants to come back to Texas, I’m pretty sure we’re going to welcome him there. It’s home for him. I know he’d love to take his kids to school and go pitch a game that night. ... It would be a tremendous asset for us.”</p>
<p id="P3Mi3r">The weight of Kershaw’s decision factored into <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/11/7/22768984/clayton-kershaw-los-angeles-dodgers-mlb-news-qualifying-offer">the Dodgers decision <em>not</em> to extend Kershaw a qualifying offer</a>. The one-year, $18.4 million offer would net the Dodgers draft pick compensation should he sign elsewhere. If offered, Kershaw would have had to accept or decline by November 17.</p>
<p id="9pixYG">“I think just with our respect for him and for what he’s done for this organization, that wasn’t something that we wanted to do and put him on that kind of clock when he wasn’t ready for it,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said during the GM meetings in Carlsbad, <a href="https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/andrew-friedman-clayton-kershaw-qualifying-offer-decision">per Juan Toribio at MLB.com</a>.</p>
<p id="2rNoQk">“My future is going to take care of itself. I’m not really worried about that right now. I really wanted to be with this group going into October,” <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/10/1/22705341/clayton-kershaw-injury-dodgers-left-forearm-discomfort">Kershaw said on October 1 after re-injuring his elbow</a>. “I haven’t wrapped my head around [free agency], and I don’t plan to anytime soon.”</p>
<p id="iCJm6G">There were <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/11/15/22782712/dodgers-free-agents-composite-ranking-contract-predictions">a wide range of predictions for Kershaw’s contract</a>, with a rough average of over two years and over $22 million per year. In a poll, <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2021/11/15/22782709/dodgers-free-agents-crowdsource-clayton-kershaw-corey-seager">85 percent of True Blue LA readers guessed Kershaw would return to the Dodgers</a>. </p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2022/3/11/22762676/clayton-kershaw-contract-dodgersEric Stephen