Dodgers Nation: Blue Heaven Podcast

The doors have opened to spring training and Clayton Kershaw came back home to the Dodgers. But before dive into the Kersh contract, Brook and Doug take a look at each of LA’s most recent lower profile signings like utility man Hanser Alberto and former Arizona slugger Jake Lamb. But the big news. Clayton Edward Kershaw returns to the Dodgers on a one-year deal. The guys examine the deal and break down the numbers for the franchise legend. Plus thoughts on him almost leaving for Texas. For more thoughts on Kershaw, Clint checks in live from spring training in Arizona where he has all the latest sights and sounds around camp. Next, we dive into every single bit of Freddie Freeman watch, painfully living and dying with every single rumor… and Instagram post. Finally, thoughts on a potential Trea Turner contract extension and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MLB and the MLBPA mercifully come together and reach an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement, ending the lockout and re-starting baseball and our lives! We react to the news, break down some of the details, and look at what could be next for the Dodgers on the soon-to-be cooking free agent hot stove. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The guys catch up on all the latest in MLB's labor talks and once again cross their fingers for baseball to return soon. Plus Dodgers updates and how many games we think will end up being played in 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Powered by a poll from our Dodgers Nation twitter account, Eric Eulau breaks down the best LA first baseman -- as voted on by YOU -- of the last 30 seasons of Dodger baseball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob Manfraud canceled the first two weeks of regular season games and we are not happy about it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clint, Brook, Doug, and Eric go through all the latest MLB lockout news on the presumed judgment day for opening day remaining on schedule. We break down the threats and the live updates from between 7pm and 8pm PT. Plus our plans for the opening day holiday if there is no baseball on time and we discuss some of the biggest Dodgers home runs of all time. Finally, some Joe Kelly news, Dave Roberts extension news, and Clint reveals the thing he hates most about In-N-Out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Dodgers' scheduled opening day date inches closer while Major League Baseball and the MLBPA meet to work on a new collective bargaining agreement. In protest... or because there's still no baseball technically in sight, the Blue Heaven boys burn their insides with very spicy wings. At least on the live stream/video side of things. On the audio podcast, we react to the wing gauntlet after ruining Brook's life. In a better, more Dodgers-centric topic, the guys along with 3 Up, 3 Down's Eric Eulau take their first crack at way too early opening day roster predictions. The biggest questions? Will Brusdar Graterol be an odd man out if the team makes another free agent signing? Does David Price have any role in 2022? Is this finally the year Tony Gonsolin shines as a full-time starter? Plus reactions to the new spring training hats which are fitted trucker hats, two things that don't go together. And accepting advertisements on MLB uniforms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Before getting into the biggest topics, we chat about the latest news in Dodgers Nation, including some minor league signings by the LA front office, and one by the Rockies front office. Plus, in honor of Valentine's Day, who is the most loveable Dodger of all time? In bad news, the MLB lockout standoff is looking more and more like it will cost fans an on-time opening day. We touch on the latest from Saturday's failed talks and look ahead at some drop-dead dates on the calendar. Later, in news we don't really want to talk about, Trevor Bauer was not hit with criminal charges stemming from assault allegations. There are some thoughts on the matter and discussion on what comes next.  Finally, in a podcast audio-only exclusive, we share our thoughts on the idea of a shared LA make up parade following the Rams Super Bowl 56 win. Justin Turner wants it to happen. LeBron James wants it to happen. Mookie Betts wants it to happen... but should it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The lockout squabbling has officially begun with arguments spilling onto social media after the latest lack of movement toward a new CBA. We catch up on all the latest between the league and Max Scherzer and dozens of other players who took to the net to voice their frustration with owners after not hold up their end of the bargain. Plus words from Rich Hill on the generally terrible Rob Manfred. But first, the Dodgers farm system was ranked number 1 by Keith Law. Of course this comes one week after our interview with top pitching prospect Ryan Pepiot, so the Blue Heaven magic continues into 2022. There was a Clayton Kershaw update of sorts from team physician Dr. Neal El Attrache who had both good and not so good news. Next, former Dodger, and friend of the show, Adrian Gonzalez officially announced his retirement so we look back on the difference maker of a trade that got him to LA nearly a decade ago. And finally, some updates on the free agency hot stove involving Joe Kelly, Kenley Jansen, and Freddie Freeman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MLB owners and players continue to be at an impasse this offseason. We dissect the latest reports from insiders ahead of another in-person meeting on Tuesday. Plus reactions to David Ortz, first ballot Hall of Famer and recognizing Jackie Robinson on what would have been his 103rd birthday. The real pièce de résistance of the episode, we catch up with Dodgers' top pitching prospect Ryan Pepiot who's been working out at Camelback Ranch in Arizona this offseason. Ryan pulls back the curtain on the important things like lessons learned in 2021, any nicknames coming up to the big leagues with him, and the ever-important question... is a hotdog a sandwich. Shoutout to the right-hander for being a Friend of the Show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We got somewhat positive news on the MLB lockout front when the league and players union met in person for the first time in months. Today, we discuss the latest updates and how it related to our optimism for the 2022 season starting on time. The Dodgers named a new GM and we reveal our number one move for him to endear himself to the fanbase. Plus we touch on the latest rumblings on the hot stove surrounding Carlos Correa, Freddie Freeman, and Clayton Kershaw. Finally, we dive into the announcement that robot umpires are knocking on the door of the big leagues with the news that the electronic strike zone is coming to Triple-A this season. No wonder Joe West retired!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a week baren of primo Dodgers news, there is a lot of added focus on LA's win on the international prospects circuit. We dive into some of the names signed over the weekend plus react to some interesting rankings coming out of ESPN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With that, we talk about the latest on Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen via am570's Dave Vassegh. Once again, the argument is made that perhaps it would best serve Kershaw to sit out the first month or two of the new season in an effort to completely heal and, mainly, be fresh down the stretch. On the Kenley front, we wonder if it makes sense for him to want to return to LA for 2022. It wouldn't be an offseason podcast without our latest thoughts on Freddie Freeman and whether he could actually become a Dodger in 2022. Perhaps the extended lockout downtime gives him a chance to look beyond Atlanta for the next chapter of his career. We also talk Albert Pujols, who fans in the comments seem to really want back in Dodger blue in 2022. The counter argument is don't let him tarnish the legacy he built in his short time in LA. And we once again talk Zack Greinke -- although for the first time on Blue Heaven -- and list the reasons why he makes a lot sense for the rotation this season. Plus, could a Gavin Lux trade be the path to another massive blockbuster deal for Andrew Friedman? And, of course, our latest MLB lockout thoughts and Rob Manfred slander. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joined by Doug McKain and Gary, the guys end the year with some light, aiming bantering about mostly nothing. Plus Carlos Correa and Freddie Freeman talk. And our favorite Christmas movies ever. We apologize in advance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices