SB Nation Los Angeles - Dodgers Acquire Juan Rivera From Blue Jays, DFA Marcus Thameshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48949/la-fave.png2011-07-12T20:59:52-07:00http://losangeles.sbnation.com/rss/stream/20365032011-07-12T20:59:52-07:002011-07-12T20:59:52-07:00Dodgers Only On The Hook For Pro-Rated Minimum Salary For Juan Rivera
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<p>One of the concerns of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> trading for Juan Rivera earlier on Tuesday was that the outfielder / first baseman had a hefty salary of $5.25 million this season, and a team 11 games out of a playoff spot, and one <i>in bankruptcy</i> at that, was in no position to take on any salary. However, the Dodgers won't be paying much at all for Rivera's services.</p>
<p>Rivera was designated for assignment by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Blue Jays</a> on July 4, so Toronto didn't have much leverage in that they would have been on the hook for his full remaining salary, roughly $2,266,393 for the rest of the season, had they released him. Per Bob Elliott of the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.torontosun.com/2011/07/12/rivera-returns-to-la-in-jays-dodgers-deal">Toronto Sun</a>, the Blue Jays are paying all but "roughly $175,000" of Rivera's salary.</p>
<p>With 79 days left in the 183-day regular season, the pro-rated minimum salary ($414,000 for the whole season) is roughly $178,721. Now the only question is, what player (or future cash considerations) will the Dodgers give up. The answer is likely not anyone of note, though we shall see.</p>
<p>"Juan will provide us with a right-handed hitting counterpart to <span>Tony Gwynn Jr.</span> and can also fill in for <span>James Loney</span> from time to time at first base," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said on Tuesday.</p>
<p><i><b>For more news and information on the Dodgers, be sure to read the SB Nation blog <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/">True Blue LA</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-dodgers/2011/7/12/2273324/dodgers-juan-rivera-trade-minimum-salary-blue-jaysEric Stephen2011-07-12T11:33:41-07:002011-07-12T11:33:41-07:00Dodgers Trade For Juan Rivera From Blue Jays, DFA Marcus Thames
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<p>At 41-51 and 11 games out in the National League West, one would not expect the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> to be buyers with the trade deadline nearly three weeks away. But they did make a pair of moves today that suggest a willingness to add, not subtract from their team. The Dodgers acquired Juan Rivera from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a> for a player to be named later or cash considerations, and have designated <span>Marcus Thames</span> for assignment.</p>
<p>Thames was brought on board to be a lefty-mashing portion of a platoon in left field, but injuries have limited his playing time. In 70 plate appearances this season, Thames hit just .197/.243/.333 and at this point is essentially unable to play the field with a calf injury. He has not played in the field for the last 15 games.</p>
<p>Rivera hasn't been much better than Thames this season, hitting .243/.305/.360, but his ability to play the field at the very least makes him an upgrade over Thames. The question is, at what cost? Rivera's salary is $5.25 million this season, meaning he is owed roughly $2,266,393 for the remainder of the season. The Blue Jays are undoubtedly sending cash in the deal, but the amount has not yet been reported.</p>
<p>Dodgers' left fielders this season have hit .213/.305/.313 with two home runs. Rivera has hit .327/.400/.509 this season against left-handed pitching, and has also played 20 games at first base. He gives the Dodgers an option at first base to rest <span>James Loney</span> against southpaws. Rivera hit a career-high 25 home runs with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> in 2009.</p>
<p><i><b>For more news and information on the Dodgers, be sure to read the SB Nation blog <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com">True Blue LA</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2011/7/12/2337821/dodgers-trade-for-juan-rivera-from-blue-jays-dfa-marcus-thamesEric Stephen