Arizona Diamondbacks

Clayton Kershaw tells Dodgers to plug leak on $300 million contract talks

Clayton Kershaw doesn't want you to know what Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported Sunday, that he and the Los Angeles Dodgers "have made progress" on contract talks that would make him the richest pitcher in baseball history. Once they agree, Kershaw stands to make as much as $300 million.

The key phrase is, in Kershaw's view, "once they agree." He's unhappy that news regarding the negotiations got out before a deal was put into place. Kershaw claims the leak hasn't come from his side of the negotiations, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports:

"I think the reason we've been able to continue discussions this long is that it hasn't been talked about (publicly). Now that it's being talked about, it's a distraction because I'm being asked about it."

Asked if he was upset that some details of those discussions had gone public, Kershaw said. "Yeah."

"I don't love the fact that I have to talk about it."

Leaks and snitches, man! Kershaw hasn't been this mad in ... OK, it's been less than a week since his most recent disagreement with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kershaw always has seemed like a principled person and a nice guy. But even the Hulk was a nice guy before Bruce Banner got angry. The Dodgers shouldn't want to make Kershaw angry, not with as much as $300 million at stake. Not with the best thing the organization has going for it.

If Kershaw's characterization of the leaks is accurate, it seems more like a mistake the Frank McCourt-era Dodgers would make than the Magic Johnson-era Dodgers. But this episode simply continues a season that has not gone as planned. It's been rough, but it still can be salvaged.

When asked about a new contract, all Kershaw can do is say "no comment." Not only to the media, but also to the Dodgers.

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• Mon Jun 17, 2013 11:20 am EDT
• Big League Stew
• David Brown
• Comment

Dodgers Triple-A affiliate involved in bench-clearing brawl

An already crazy week for the Los Angeles Dodgers organization got even crazier on Saturday when their Triple-A affiliate, the Albuquerque Isotopes, got involved in a bench-clearing brawl with the Memphis Redbirds, Triple-A affiliate for the St. Louis Cardinals.

According to Josh Jackson of MiLB.com, both teams had been warned in the third inning when Cardinals prospect Maikel Cleto hit Jeremy Moore after the batter requested (but was not granted) a late timeout. Both benches emptied at that point but it did not escalate beyond heated words.

Now, fast forwarding to the following inning, Moore came up again and this time connected for a three-run homer off relief pitcher Jorge Rondon. The next Isotopes hitter was Justin Sellers, whom we've seen with the Dodgers in the past. On a 1-0 pitch, it appeared like Sellers was nicked by Rondon's pitch, though the umpires said otherwise. As a result of the pitch location, both benches cleared again, only this time with punches thrown and players wrestling each other to the ground.

You can view the actual game footage of the brawl by clicking here.

In total, eight players were ejected, including Mitchell Boggs for the Redbirds and Dee Gordon for the Isotopes, along with both managers.

Like the Dodgers brawl with the Arizona Diamondbacks earlier in the week, multiple suspensions are likely, but no injuries have been reported. That's the good news, but I'm sure there are many people within the Dodgers organization wondering if there might be better ways to start resolving these on field issues than emptying the benches and putting their players at risk. Three major incidents in under three months is not a pace you want to keep.

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• Sun Jun 16, 2013 6:49 pm EDT
• Big League Stew
• Mark Townsend
• Comment

Diamondbacks 2, Marlins 3

Patrick Corbin took a no-hitter into the sixth, and allowed two hits in eight innings of work. But an inexplicable desire to pitch to Giancarlo Stanton cost Corbin his 10th win - he got a no-decision, but we lost for the first time with him pitching.

• Mon Jun 17, 2013 EDT
• AZ Snake Pit
• By Jim McLennan

Preview, Game #70: Diamondbacks vs. Marlins

After reeling off seven wins in a row, Patrick Corbin makes his third effort to get that elusive 10th victory of the season: at home against the Marlins, there probably won't be a better chance for a while.

• Mon Jun 17, 2013 EDT
• AZ Snake Pit
• By Jim McLennan

Randall Delgado to start for Diamondbacks on Tuesday

The starter for the Diamondbacks in Tuesday's game against the Marlins has been announced, and it's Randall Delgado.

• Mon Jun 17, 2013 EDT
• AZ Snake Pit
• By Jim McLennan

Dbacks Minor League Round-Up 6/16: Owings Clubs Grand Slam

Chris Owings clubbed a grand slam in Reno's big 9-run first inning as part of their 18-7 whitewashing of Tucson.

• Mon Jun 17, 2013 EDT
• AZ Snake Pit
• By John Baragona

Aces High: Watching Reno in Tucson

Mrs. SnakePit and I made the trip down I-10 yesterday, to see the D-backs Triple-A affiliate Reno Aces, playing their equivalent in the Padres system at Kino Stadium in Tucson.

• Sun Jun 16, 2013 EDT
• AZ Snake Pit
• By Jim McLennan