Buying Coffey with a Penny in Japan While Waiting for the Caravan

Considering how poorly the Dodgers relief staff did last season, it should not come as a surprise that they continue to add depth. On Friday it was announced that the team signed Todd Coffey. He was good out of the pen last year with Washington and figures on providing some quality innings of middle relief. From the Dodgers press release:

The 31-year-old went 5-1 with a 3.62 ERA and limited opposing hitters to a .244 batting average in 69 games last season with Washington. Against right-handed hitters, Coffey posted a .193 opponents’ batting average with just a .250 on-base percentage and a .290 slugging percentage. He also limited first batters faced to a .175 mark (11-for-63) with 17 strikeouts last season.

(Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images North America)

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In todays "whatever happened to that guy" report, we find out that former Dodger Brad Penny has just signed a 1 year contract to play for the Softbank Hawks of the Japanese Pacific League, via SI. Ken Rosenthal expands further and notes that it's a $4Mil deal plus $3.5Mil in performance bonuses. It is the largest largest contract given by a Japanese team to an American pitcher on their first contract with them.

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(Pic via Jon SooHoo/ LA Dodgers)

The Dodgers 2012 Community Caravan will happen this coming week. They'll be visiting hospitals, schools, and various community non-profits on Tuesday and Wednesday. Unfortunately, nearly all of the events are not open to the public except for one. On Tuesday, February 7th, the team will dine at an unannounced location from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM. Via the Dodgers Press Release:

The Dodgers will lunch in South Los Angeles at a location that will be unveiled via the Dodgers’ Twitter @dodgers at 12:30 p.m.

So, if you are lucky enough to be nearby and can make it out to meet some Dodgers be sure to check out their twitter account. The following folks are expected to be on the bus:

Day one of the Dodgers’ Community Caravan will feature Dodgers Dee Gordon, Tony Gwynn, Kenley Jansen, Adam Kennedy, Josh Lindblom and Ramon Troncoso. Dodger Alumni Tommy Davis, Al Ferrara, Shawn Green and Dennis Powell and Dodger broadcaster Eric Collins.