Welcome to the Blue, Blake Treinen!

As they say, "we are now on the board."

After watching several topflight free agents get signed, it's nice to finally have a deal under our belt. Sure... It ain't the signing we were hoping for, but beggars can't be choosers. The Dodgers are at least doing something. And that something is a new reliever to put in the bullpen. According to Jeff Passan on twitter, the Dodgers have signed right-handed relief pitcher Blake Treinen:

Right-hander Blake Treinen is in agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a one-year, $10 million deal, sources tell ESPN. Treinen had multiple offers in that range and chose the Dodgers.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 11, 2019

The best part is that it's only a one-year deal.

2019 Topps Advent Calendar & All-MLB First Team Sets with Cody Bellinger

With Christmas quickly approaching, Topps has been releasing holiday Advent Calendar cards as a online exclusive product. Starting a couple of weeks ago, Topps has been selling one Advent card a day, and the Cody Bellinger's card has finally reared its beautiful Christmas bow-wrapped head. Check it out above. You have until tomorrow to place an order for it. Go here to do that. To the bottom right is a look at the reverse of the card. It says:

Blog Kiosk: 12/11/2019 - Dodgers Links & News - Some Odds and Ends

Here is Duke Snider running out a grounder during a spring game in 1956 (eBay auction link). As you may know, Snider would have one of the finest season of his career in 1956 -- leading the league in homers (43), walks (99), OBP (.399), Slugging (.598) and OPS (.997).

3/11/56 - Miami, Fla: Duke Snider, Dodgers, out at 1st during 2nd inning action, Dodgers-Red Sox exhibition game. Norm Zauchin, Red Sox first baseman stretches for ball (just out of glove). United Press Telephoto.

Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1987 the Dodgers and its rookie GM, Fred Claire, pulled off a trade that would play a significant part in their upcoming 1988 World Series run. They traded starter Bob Welch and Matt Young to the A's and Jack Savage to the Mats for relievers Jesse Orosco, Jay Howell and infielder Alfredo Griffin. Eric Stephen at True Blue LA put together an excellent synopsis of the events that lead to this trade (link here). In 2014 the Dodgers traded Dee Gordon, Dan Haren and Miguel Rojas to the Marlins for Austin Barnes, Chris Hatcher, Andrew Heaney and Enrique Hernandez.
• Happy Birthday, Frank Bell, Gene Wright, Joe Riggert, Ray Phelps, Greg Shanahan, Thomas Howard & Joe Blanton!