Around The Dodger Blogosphere

Is Matt Diaz the next Dodger Left Fielder? It could happen. According to Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles.com, the Dodgers search for a left fielder has been narrowed to free agents Matt Diaz and Scott Podsednik and possibly one more name that remains a mystery.

In the same article, Jackson mentions the Dodgers pursuit of another catcher, possibly Russell Martin. He also talks about Vicente Padilla joining the Dodgers as a reliever and possibly as a candidate for the closer's role if Jonathan Broxton struggles.

Ruling in Dodgers' divorce case expected Tuesday. Frank and Jamie McCourt are expected to find out Tuesday whether a judge has thrown out an agreement that could determine the ownership of the Dodgers.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Scott Gordon is expected to rule Tuesday on the validity of a marital agreement that would provide Frank McCourt with sole ownership of the Dodgers, according to multiple sources familiar with the case.

No Hall for Garvey. The 1974 NL MVP was on the Hall of Fame veterans committee ballot. To be elected, a candidate must appear on at least 75% of the 16 ballots. Only one person on the special ballot got the votes, Pat Gillick, who built three World Series champions and has served baseball for nearly 50 years, who had the necessary 75 percent (12 votes) to make it in. The results of the Expansion Era Ballot (12 votes needed for election): Gillick (13 votes, 81.25 percent; Marvin Miller (11 votes, 68.75 percent; Dave Concepcion (8 votes, 50 percent). Those receiving less than eight, aside from Garvey: Ted Simmons, Vida Blue, Ron Guidry, Tommy John, Billy Martin, Al Oliver, Rusty Staub and George Steinbrenner.

Garvey's next chance at the Hall won't come until 2013.

The Minotaur gets married. Dodgers' Ace Clayton Kershaw got married this past Saturday. Roberto at Vin Scully Is My Homeboy has the details.

Feelin' Kinda Blue. There's a new Dodger blog that I'm really enjoying. It's called "Feelin' Kinda Blue".  Check it out.

Dodgers News And Notes

No arb for Pods, Pad or Rod. The Dodgers declined to offer arbitration to their three Type B free agents; Scott Podsednik, Vicente Padilla and Rod Barajas. Am I surprised? Not really. I guess the Dodgers were worried they'd accept? It's just sad.  Very, very sad. They didn't offer Randy Wolf or Orlando Hudson arbitration last year either.

For Hiroki Kuroda, it was Dodgers or bust. During a news conference today at Dodger Stadium, Kuroda said he never seriously considered signing with any other Major League club and was excited about the one-year, $12 million deal he signed last week to remain with the Dodgers for a fourth season. I'm happy he's back too.

The Dodgers sign right-handed reliever Oscar Villarreal. The Dodgers added to their non-roster list for 2011 Tuesday, signing right-hander reliever Oscar Villarreal. Villarreal has spent parts of six seasons in the National League but hasn’t pitched in the majors since part of 2008 with the Astros. He has a career record of 24-15 with a 3.86 ERA.

Frank and Jamie are officially divorced. Frank and Jamie McCourt are officially divorced, even though their divorce proceedings could last several more years. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Scott Gordon granted a request to change the McCourts' marital status from separated to divorced, according to court documents.
The status change has no impact on the proceedings. Any assets determined to be community property would be considered as shared assets through the date of the separation, July 7, 2009, rather than the date of the divorce.

Dodger News And Notes

Some Dodger news on a Friday Evening:

Dodgers made an attempt at Cliff Lee. According to a source close to the situation, the Dodgers were in trade talks with the Seattle Mariners for pitcher Cliff Lee. The source said that the Mariners wanted one of two players, James Loney or Chad Billingsley. Of course Lee ended up in Texas today. The Rangers moved first baseman Justin Smoak and three minor leaguers to Seattle for Lee.

Did the Dodgers pay one of their executives from the team charity? It seems they paid Howard Sunkin, the team’s senior vice president for public affairs, $400,000 last year for what tax records describe as a 40-hour-a-week job at the Dodgers Dream Foundation,which is a  nonprofit charity. Uh-oh.

Frank and Jamie's divorce is the subject of a New York Times article.

The Dodgers and MSI announce partnership. The Dodgers and leading Taiwanese technology manufacturer MSI  announced a new partnership and unveiled a limited-edition Dodgers Wind Top All-in-One (AIO) PC and Netbook.