Welcome Back to the Blue, Franklin Gutierrez!

This was something I didn't expect.  According to Manolo Hernandez on twitter, veteran outfielder and one-time Dodger prospect Franklin Gutierrez will be signing a one-year free agent contract with Los Angeles.  As you may know, Franklin had originally signed with the Dodgers as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2000, then quickly became the teams top prospect, and was eventually traded to Cleveland in 2004 to get Milton Bradley. 

OF Franklin Gutiérrez is returning to his roots as he’s agreed to a deal with the @Dodgers: a very solid source to @beisbolporgotas.

— manolo hernandez d. (@beisbolporgotas) February 11, 2017

Welcome Back to the Blue, Chase Utley!

Some might argue that Adrian Gonzalez, Clayton Kershaw or Justin Turner are the Dodgers' leader in the clubhouse.  Given this recent signing, Chase Utley clearly is that person.  Per Peter Gammons on his blog:

It was clearly peer driven, respect from teammates, young and old, that even with the acquisition of Logan Forsythe—which was universally applauded by the Dodger players—the players lobbied Friedman and Zaidi for the return of Utley and his impact on what at times seemed to be a disjointed culture. And the powers that be listened, especially since Utley made it clear that the Dodgers were the team for whom he wanted to play.

Blog Kiosk: 2/13/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

We are days away from the official start of Spring Training.  This coming Wednesday Dodger pitchers and catcher must report to Camelback Ranch.

BTW, I thought I would also put up a fantastic aerial pic of the Coliseum that was taken during the Dodgers very first home game there in 1958.  A crowd of 78,682 attended.

Pic at the very top via @Dodgers on twitter.  The pic on the right is via Cut4 on twitter.  Below are more links to check out:

• Happy Birthday, Ernie Rudolph, Eddie Pye & Nathan Eovaldi!