Thanks for Staying Blue, Justin Turner!

Oh, boy!  What a way to start a week.

Just when you thought the Dodgers flubbed the winter meetings they go ahead and make some waves.  It only goes to show you that all you need is a little patience.

It appears this past weekend was a turning point for two Dodger free agents, and I can't help but think that a little private gathering in Curaçao had something to do with it.  As you likely know, free agent reliever Kenley Jansen got hitched over the weekend, and among the Dodgers' in attendance was fellow free agent Justin Tuner (as evidenced by the photo tweeted by Turner on right). Now, both of them are expected to stay in Los Angeles.

As you know, we got news that Kenley Jansen had inked a five year/$80 million contract to stay in Los Angeles on Monday - although, still unconfirmed.  Then, almost immediately afterward, rumors spread that the Dodgers had also agreed to basic terms with Justin Turner, most noticeably via a tweet by Ken Rosenthal (btw, Jon Heyman tweets similar numbers):

Blog Kiosk: 12/13/2016 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

Few photos tell a story like the one seen above.  Featured is Jackie Robinson with David Campanella, son of Roy, and a young lad named Larry Solomon (possibly the photographers son) at the "Seated Lincoln" memorial statue at the Essex County Courthouse in Newark, NJ. (eBay Auction Link) This photo provides a poignant look at the the man who broke the color barrier in Baseball paying homage at a statue that celebrates the man who helped free the country.  Per the description on the reverse:

Making the eighth annual pilgrimage to the statue of Abraham Lincoln, 9-year-old Larry Solomon places a wreath of flowers in the arms of the Great Emancipator.  Looking on are Brooklyn Dodger star Jackie Robinson and David Campanella, son of Dodger catcher, Roy Campanella.  Thousands of persons were flocking to the cemetery in Springfield, IL, and other Lincoln shrines to pay tribute to him on the 142nd anniversary of his birth, Feb. 12, 1951.

BTW, the pic was taken by Harlem based photographer Chick Solomon for ACME.  Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodger History:  In 1956 the Dodgers tried to do the unthinkable.  They announced the trade that would send legendary second baseman Jackie Robinson to the hated NY Giants for pitcher Dick Littlefield and $35,000. It would be voided the next day.  Jackie would then announce his retirement from the game a few weeks later.  In 2001 the Dodgers received Cesar Izturis and Paul Quantril in a trade with Toronto for Chad Ricketts and Luke Prokopec.  In 2003 the Dodgers traded Kevin Brown to the Yankees for pitchers Yhency Brazoban and Jeff Weaver.  In 2005 the Dodgers signed free agent veteran catcher Sandy Alomar.  Also, they traded troubled outfielder Milton Bradley and Antonio Perez to the A's for Andre Ethier on the same day.
• Happy Birthday, Nate Oliver, Ricky Nolasco, George Shuba, Carl Erskine & Billy Loes!