Former Dodgers All-Star Joins NL Central Squad on One-Year Deal
Former Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star catcher Yasmani Grandal has found a new home. After four seasons with the Chicago White Sox, Grandal and the Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to a one-year deal for the 2024 season. Baseball writer and reporter Francys Romero was among the first to report.
According to Pirates beat writer Jason Mackey, the one-year deal is worth $2.5 million plus incentives.
Grandal was last a Dodger in 2018, but his tenure was one to remember. In Dodger blue, Grandal slashed .238/.337/.453 with a .790 OPS, hitting 89 home runs and driving in 245 RBIs in 510 games in Los Angeles. The switcher hitter had his best years in Los Angeles and played a big part in the two World Series appearances in 2017 and 2018.
The 35-year-old is likely to join the Pirates as a depth piece. Although he is far from his All-Star self, he is still a capable hitter and defender. Last season with Chicago, Grandal hit .234 with eight homes runs, 33 RBIs and a .647 OPS in 118 games. The Pirates will be his fifth MLB team, joining the Dodgers, White Sox, San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers.
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Dodgers Add Clayton Kershaw Bobblehead Giveaway for 2024 Season
The Dodgers left four bobblehead nights as “to be announced” when they released their promotional calendar at the end of January. It didn’t take long for one of those spots to be filled.
Shortly after the Dodgers signed left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw for his 17th season with the team, they also updated the promotional calendar with a bobblehead of the 10-time All-Star. On September 25, the Dodgers will be giving away a Kershaw bobblehead.
For the full bobblehead schedule, click here. For the price of admission on each bobblehead night, updated with the latest Kershaw one, click here.
Kershaw chose to return for his 17th season with Los Angeles, but doesn’t have an exact timeline for his return.
After having offseason surgery on his left shoulder, Kershaw said he’s targeting a return in “July-ish, August-ish,” but didn’t want to put an exact timeline on it.
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The Dodgers are prepared to open the season without Kershaw on their roster, but will be excited to welcome him back whenever he’s able to return.
It wouldn’t have felt right to see Kershaw in another uniform, and fortunately, Dodger fans won’t have to do that in 2024.
