Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
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1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
2) personally attacking other commenters
3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
8) making the same point over and over again
9) typing "no-hitter" or "perfect game" to describe either in progress
10) being annoyed by the existence of this list
11) commenting under the obvious influence
12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with
Honestly, I don't exactly know why the Dodgers do this to themselves. It's nothing personal against Brad Ausmus, whom the Dodgers have signed to a one-year contract for 2009 at $1 million plus incentives, according to Diamond Leung of the Press-Enterprise. But each year, the Dodgers convince themselves that a veteran offense-free catcher will be worth the cost of an extra few hundred thousand dollars over a minimum-wager, and then they wake up in May and realize they can't live without Russell Martin playing every day.
I know that there aren't 30 good hitting catchers in baseball, let alone enough to give you a solid backup. But why spend anything on these guys? If the Dodgers were really committed to their veteran moxie and ability to work with pitchers, that would be one thing, but each year, that stuff flies out the window. It's all Martin, all the time, and so a million dollars for Ausmus and his .216 EQA vs. the minimum for Danny Ardoin and his .214 EQA doesn't make sense. And neither are going to be of any help should Martin suffer a major injury.
I don't really care who the Dodgers' backup catcher is - except for the sentimental feeling that it would have been nice for a coffee-cupper like Ardoin to get to spend a full year on a roster, rather than a 16-year clockpuncher like Ausmus. So I'm not up in arms or anything.
But Martin's going to play all the time. That's his fate, just like it was the fate of Oceanic 815 not to complete its intercontinental journey. Pretending otherwise shows that sometimes, the Dodgers just get lost.
Markakis Contract
signing bonus: $2.1m (paid over 2009-2010)
2009: $3m
2010: $6.75m
2011: $10.25m
2012: $12m
2013: $15m
2014: $15m
2015: $17.5m mutual option ($2m buyout)
Markakis is sitting on 3 years service time, just ahead of the 2 years, 153 days for Ethier. Spreading the signing bonus over the life of the contract (since that's how MLB calculates contracts), Markakis will earn $3.35m this season.
WAR 2006-2008
Markakis – 2.0/3.5/5.4 (10.9 total)
Ethier – 1.7/2.1/3.6 (7.4 total)
OPS+ 2006-2008
Markakis – 106/121/134 (121 overall)
Ethier – 113/103/130 (116 overall)
Counting Stats: Runs/2B/HR/RBI/SB career
Markakis – 275/116/59/261/30
Ethier – 190/90/44/196/11
No matter how you slice it, Markakis is better than Ethier. And Markakis will earn $3.35m in 2009. No way to justify Ethier making $3.75m.
Time to settle.
Is Martin one of the Oceanic 6?
--
Will let you know if Diamond L has any insight to me on why Ausmus over Blanco or anyone else for that matter.
198. Tom Meagher
NC: Hi, Brad? It's 'stache.
BA: Yes, Mr. Colletti, sir. I am very honored to be talking to another great fan of the great game of baseball, who appreciates how great it is that we get to play this great game and teach it to the youths of our country. How may I help you, Mr. Colletti, sir?
NC: Brad, I gotta tell ya, I have always loved that attitude of yours. Brad, we've got some young pitchers on the staff, and we're looking for someone to show them how to play the game right.
BA: Good idea, sir! That's the only way to play it!
NC: Well Brad, I know you know that, because I'm sure you've been doing it for decades!
BA: Oh, me, sir? I wouldn't know about that. Aw, shucks.
NC: Brad, we are prepared to offer you a $3 million salary to come help coach our pitching staff and catchers.
BA: Wow! That is quite an offer, sir!
NC: I thought you'd like it.
BA: And I guess now you can let the kid have a few extra innings off, eh, sir?
NC: I'm sorry, what's that?
BA: Well, with me on board, this fine youngster you've got at catcher can maybe take a few extra breathers while I work the leather - right, sir?
NC: Oooh. Uh, well, you see, I just ... you see, Brad, we respect your playing skills so much that we figured you'd be more comfortable coaching, without the added burden of having to work so hard to maintain yourself in the peak physical shape that you are in ...
BA: I'm sorry, sir, I don't understand.
NC: Well, we already have Danny Ardoin, and, with all due reverence to your wonderful career, he is also a, shall we say, defensive specialist, and his arm is still in quite good... and, you know, he's not a great hitter, but he's, well, you know, we kind of think maybe he'll offer more with the bat than... it's just ...
BA:
NC: ... Well, and, we also kind of like this kid we've got at triple A, he hits pretty nice and for a backup he would ...
BA:
NC: Brad? Are you ... what are you thinking?
BA: Mr. Colletti, sir, I understand what you are saying. I understand I am not the great player I once tried to be. But I... I can't walk away from this game that I love to focus on coaching baseball. I need to leave every last ounce of blood, sweat, and tears out on that field. I want to pound my knuckles into the cement wall of the opposition over and over, until every red drop has exited my body and mixed with the glorious infield dirt to form a delicious Gamer stew. You're not getting me off that
NC: But Brad, we are prepared to offer you $3 million to coach with us! You won't receive that kind of money elsewhere. Don't you want to be with us? I mean, you're not likely to even make the league minimum this year as a player. How can you walk away from that kind of money?
BA: I don't believe in players taking money from teams or walking away from money. I believe in GAMERS giving everything they've got to the team, sir. And that's what I want to do for the Los Angeles Dodgers, give EVERYTHING I've got.
NC: Well, Brad, that's very admirable, but like I said, our other options -
BA: SCREW your other options! I'm going to give EVERYTHING I'VE GOT. Mr. Colletti, if you pay me $3 million to coach, then I will pay the Dodgers $2 million to let me play!
NC:
BA: I will give everything that's left in my bat, my mitt, and my catcher's cannon. You will not regret this for even one iota of a nanosecond. Mr. Colletti, I AM the Los Angeles Dodgers, and you would be a fool not to let me be all that I can be!
NC: Brad, I've always heard so much about your great reputation. Everyone loves you. But I wasn't so sure. I knew I needed to find some way to see if the legend I'd heard so much was the REAL Brad Ausmus, the guy I'd be getting. Brad, I tested you. It didn't occur to me for one second that if Brad Ausmus was truly BRAD AUSMUS I would do anything but put him out on that diamond where he belongs. How does $1 million sound, Brad?
BA: Aww, shucks, Mr. Colletti, sir. I guess you got me real good! Aww, boy. You really did a number on me.
NC: So do we have a deal for an even mil?
BA: If it's guaranteed, I'll bleed! Yes, Mr. Colletti, sir!
NC: FanTAStic news, Brad. And Brad, you're right. This does mean we'll finally let the kid take a couple games off each week.
BA: Can't wait, sir!
Personal catcher for....
No facial hair
Joe telling Russell that a day off means just that, not playing third...badly.
No facial hair
Somewhere Sal Fasano just shed a tear. And it dripped into his awesome mustache.
Rollie Fingers in my book.
1. Sal Fasano
2. The Toby Hall "Playboy centerfold" look
3. Russell Martin, June 7, 2008
4. Henry Blanco
5. Gregg Zaun (http://mlb.mlb.com/images/2008/03/03/UqdkiOS7.jpg)
So when was the last time the Dodgers had a payroll around 80,000,000 on January 20th?
Maybe Ned's plan is to let Arizona offer every available free agent 3-4 million and get turned down. Then we swoop in at 5 million per and pick up three for the price of a Schmidt. It is really ticking me off that Ben Sheets price keeps dropping and we won't make the effort to put him in our laps.
Way prettier than Brad Ausmus.
- Al Hrabosky (http://espn.go.com/i/page2/photos/040414hrabosky.jpg)
- King Kelly (http://images.bleedcubbieblue.com/images/admin/KingKelly.jpg)
- Wilford Brimley in "The Natural"
Amen on Ben Sheets
http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/books_9780446401548_ChapterExcerpt(1).htm
Brief quote:
"Marshall, who would soon become the first relief pitcher to win the National League Cy Young Award, had exploited the media mob assembled at a Dodgers workout to press his polemic. "Most pitching coaches are incompetent," he explained evenly, "and they merely perpetuate the old, ignorant ways of pitching. They do so because of their fundamental lack of knowledge of physiology and muscle structure. And, as a result, they destroy pitchers' arms." While Marshall delivered that diatribe, his own pitching coach, Red Adams, stood not far away, smoking a Newport menthol and rolling his eyes."
Conventional wisdom says take the running back or quarterback. Nobody could argue with you, even if the pick failed, and the player was the bust, because you always had the argument that you 'did' your job. The analysis was done, there was a 'need' at QB, or RB, and the team simply needed a RB, or QB. So a team couldn't justify firing a guy who did the 'right' thing and his 'job' in picking the safe, conventional pick.
However, the Texans did go for Mario Williams, making him the first defensive player picked first in the draft, and then the GM got fired for it. Despite Williams actually being the best player in that draft.
Ned Coletti is basically the guy who's playing it at the book. Pointing out that he's just doing his job, and saying, "We got needs here, here, and here. And we're going to fill them by the book. So you can't fire me for making the obvious and logical choice." Which I feel sums up Mota, and Ausmus. Except its only 'obvious' and 'logical' when you aren't smart enough to look for a better choice. That, and its lazy thinking.
However, the Texans did go for Mario Williams, making him the first defensive player picked first in the draft
According to Pro Football Reference, there have been 18 defensive players taken #1 overall, including 3 HOFers (and a soon to be 4th in Bruce Smith).
http://tinyurl.com/cn3zbl
Just noticed from this photo of Russell Martin clubbing, that he has a tattoo.
Anyone ever noticed it before, or know what it is of?
I always find tattoos interesting.
Instead, I'm choosing Fabio this week since he's been up and down.
Ha!
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/38036579.html
Also, the D'Backs are trying to sign Jason Jennings. He of the 8.56 ERA in 2008 Jason Jennings.
From preview, it seems like Leah and Radhika are the leaders of the groups. So they are the most likely to get kicked off, unless they pull a CJ (from season 3) and make someone else on their team in charge of everything
Or maybe they will be too riddled with guilt from their make-out session.
headaches will ensue
Stephan's quickly becoming my favorite, and so far, he's 5th for me after Richard(season 4), Stephanie(season 4), Hung(season 3), Harold(season), and now Stephan (season 5). Sometimes the villain is the best 'character'. It helps that he can actually cook too.
He opens the casket.
Inside is Paul Lo Duca.
Out of the shadows comes Paul DePodesta.
"You know, you have to go back..."
Would that make Derek Lowe, Sawyer?
Mel Kiper is projecting Matthew Stafford with the first pick to the Lions, and Marc Sanchez to the Chiefs with the 3rd pick.
On his Big Board™...!?!?
47 On his Big Hair™, you mean.
(emphasis mine)
Ausmus, 40 in April, hit .218/.303/.296 in 250 plate appearances for the Astros last year while throwing out 17.4% of attempted thieves. His value will lie in intangibles.
==========================
So Ausmus has a great VORP (Value Over Ronny Paulino)?
Kiper's also projecting Rey Maualuga with the 20th pick to the Lions who have it because of the trade of Roy Williams to the Cowboys, and Brian Cushing to the Pats with the 23rd pick.
I have seen a lot of names attached to us. We need to go OT or D line, which means Al will take Maclin or Malcolm Jenkins.
Hard life for forgotten former pro players sometimes.
On that cheery note -- off to finish work before getting "Lost."
She makes me feel bad for not liking her.
Like to cook fresh stuff, huh?
Crazy!
I also could see a possible deal down the road where LA trades for Roy Oswalt, who Brad and Mark Loretta should know very well. Houston is already strapped for cash, from what I read, so they may look to dumo payroll at some point. I believe Buster Olney has written on this subject recently.
Oswalt to lead us into the playoffs would be a nice addition.
I guess you have become lost.
Ausmus was worth $400 thousand.
Having an Andy Bernard meltdown here. lol
I thought you were all about putting the best team on the field. You don't think Blanco over Ausmus couldn't result in something significant?
And its weird to listen to a chef from Calif. talking about 'seasonal'. You live in California, everything is 'seasonal'!
I have his rookie card...
"So Caroline what was it like out there?"
"Well, you know, it was ... um ... a tremendous learning ... thing..."
http://www.insidesocal.com/usc/archives/2009/01/sarkisian-commi-1.html
It's Stefan! There is no "ph" in Finland! ;D
I didn't take the chance to ask fellow passenger Jim Gray, who had those really expensive noise-reduction headphones on, if Kobe is going to quit basketball and start taking batting practice.
But he was nice as he passed me by in the aisle and he did thank the flight attendant and wished a hearty good bye.
Bring, Back, Beimel . . .
No, our 3rd string 20 year center has gone for a career high of 21 points while Bynum was going off. Combined they probably have 20 dunks.
While Randolf, Baron, Camby, and Kaman take their time to heal the kiddy corp of Gordan, Jordan, and Thornton are at least fun to watch.
Okay, back to LOST.
I doubt they ever forgot the hand-cutting incident, and getting pulled over with the pittsburgh player and russell martin.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/01/loose-cannons.html
I noticed that Jordan has come on lately. Will be interesting to see if they deal Kaman now.
It doesn't have to be that hard. One team that can afford him, wants him. Now, Steve, you know they don't want to humiliate him. Come back with a reasonable three year offer, or two years plus an earned option, and put a big number on it, and it's probably a done deal.
If you don't make your move soon, Boras, the Dodgers are going to nickel and dime themselves out of the picture. Witness today's signing of Ausmus.
I have felt the same way for awhile. We need Manny and let's not play this waiting game, because that can give other teams time to make moves.
Scott Boras would be so embarrassed that he would send himself to an early grave.
I am kinda no longer attracted to Leah.
I hate Carla
Money quote: "What do the Dodgers know that the rest of us don't?"
http://tinyurl.com/b33wcr
I love debunking. I think I should do it professionally.
I'll show those Mythbusters guys.
If not, he should.
LA radio has officially gone to hell. I am a sad panda.
Someone said last week they think the show keeps Carla bc of her "TV presence"...but the chic is a trainwreck...no pun intended to your user name ;).
Agreed that Leah & Hosea are lame. If I wanted to watch Real World, I'd flip to MTV. They need to keep that garbage out of the show.
If the series doesnt come down to Stefan vs Fabio, I'll be shocked. Those two are clearly better than everyone else.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3851381
Same stuff, new year.
Whatever happened to our hot catching prospects anyway? Are they that far away from making their way up?
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