Kudos to Kent on a terrific career. For all his prickliness, he was one of the best second baseman in ML history, not just Dodger history. When he was a Giant, I feared him as much or even more than Barry Bonds. As a Dodger he had his ups and downs but as you noted above when healthy he was pretty terrific as a hitter. I won't miss him in the field, or in the clubhouse (vicariously, based on what I've heard), but will definitely miss his bat. Hope he has a good retirement fiddling with motorcycles and ranching and whatever else it is that Jeff Kent does.

A great Cal Bear, a pretty darn good Dodger (as Jon notes above), a line drive hitting machine, and a warm and wonderful man with that human touch.

ESPN could add him to its Sunday Night Baseball crew.

Good luck to Jeff. A local guy (Huntington Beach) who became one of the greatest power hitting second basemen of all time. He gets my vote for the Hall. I enjoyed his time with the Dodgers despite the rough patches with the young players the last 2 seasons.

... and there goes the ball off Kent's bat ... it's a line drive ...
a frozen rope over the big blue wall in left center and into the seats.

Thanks Mr. Kent.

Were you grumpy, surly, extremely focused, or all of these?

See you in the Hall of Fame.

I will always respect his work ethic, and his old-school approach to the game. That is going to be a great HOF class. 2 ex-Dodgers.

In honor of Jeff Kent, I am going to rearrange the trash cans in my office.

The cool thing about Kent is we won't have to hear from him until 5 years from now when he is being elected to the HOF. Trashcans stand down.

7 Bahahaha.

Godspeed Jeff Kent.

Credit to Kent for announcing his retirement at the home of his last team and not signing some bogus one-day contract so he can "retire as a Giant", whose cap I assume will be on his HOF plaque.

In his honor, I will read a motorcycle magazine in my office and not initiate a single conversation with a younger co-worker.

I do not expect Vinny to emcee the press conference.

Thanks for the hits, Jeff. But please do not consider going into the HOF as a Dodger.

6 Isn't Piazza eligible one year earlier than Kent because he wasn't under contract to anyone last year? (You're not saying Piazza won't go first ballot and Kent will, are you?)

12 I think he means Maddux. Took me a while to figure it out too.

5 Kent was definitely all of those. And he seemed to get grumpier the older he got. When he finally said that "Vin Scully talked too much" this year, it was probably a sign that the end was near. I always got the feeling that he was a nicer person away from the playing field, the locker room, and the media.

12 I think he was referring to Maddux.

I just hope that JD Drew doesn't also decide to retire on Thursday and screw up both ceremonies.

13 Ah. Maddux spent 3.5 months with the Dodgers, just a little more than Rickey Henderson's 2.5 months.

7 I've tucked in my shirt.

Yes - maddux

Diamond Leung posts some previously unpublished quotes from a 2007 interview with Kent. I like these best, I think:

"If you're going to do it, do it right. Just don't make excuses in anything you do. This game can give so much in finances, give so much in celebrity, and at times that can overshadow giving a good day's work."

"The end result is a World Series. The end result is to be a champion. The process to get there is sacrificial. ... You try no(t) to leave excuses along the way. The only excuse that I want to give at the end of the year without a championship is that you just weren't good enough."

Not too shabby for a 20th round pick.

What are these kinds of retirement announcements like? Is it something the general public can attend, or just the press? If the former, why not do it on a day and time when people could actually be there? Will there be a ceremony to honor him at a Dodger game this year?

20
Thanks for putting that up.

Focused determination for the job at hand.

Dude knows what he's do'in - stay out of his way kid.

I dont know if there are any boxing fans on this board, but the Manny Pacquiao/ Ricky Hatton fight was called off. I am pretty bummed.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=3849386

Andrew Kamenetzky chimes in:

http://sportsblogs.latimes.com/sports_baseball_dodgers/2009/01/jeff-kent-to-of.html

The 5-year waiting period for the Hall of Fame isn't based on contracts, it's just based on when the player stopped playing.

Or else Rickey Henderson never would have been eligible.

14 I've read that people who met Kent at fan functions generally thought he was nice guy. He was, after all, Jamie McCourt's go-to guy for the women-related baseball fan and charity functions.

I'm should be grateful that everything I say in the workplace isn't recorded, quoted, and scrutinized to the nth degree.

22 - It's the latter.

Whether or not the Dodgers decide to have a public ceremony for him at a game some night, it's going to be separate.

Heck of a run for Jeff Kent and I hope he finds continued happiness in his retirement. He had (at least) half of what most fans want out of a player, an undying desire to win, and a respect for the game (ok, so two-thirds) but yet he never looked like he was having fun. Kind of like the German soccer team.

28 Thanks.

When I think of Jeff Kent, I think of a line drive pulled into the left field corner. Too bad Jon was correct in predicting his decline before last year started.

One of the better Jeff Kent moments was when he brought his kids on the field at season's end.

24 I'm thinking it may be a precursor to setting up a Mayweather fight. Please?

Barry Bonds could not be reached for comment.

Anyone know if Nomar has started to make similar steps towards officially announcing his retirement?

Bill James once wrote of Kevin Brown, "I don't root for him, either, but he is a great pitcher."

If you were to substitute "player" for "pitcher," that would sum up how I feel about Jeff Kent.

I always respected him. I sometimes admired him (for certain aspects). He is certainly a Hall of Famer, and you gotta admire a player who achieves that.

But I never rooted for him, even when he played for my team. I would root for outcomes rather than for him to achieve those outcomes, if that makes sense.

I was happy that there was somebody on the team who could smoke a double when that was required, but I will also be happy not to be watching him play for my team anymore.

35 - there have been reports that some teams have expressed interest in Nomar, including the reigning World Champs.

37 Good for Nomar....Healthy he's a great asset to any team, unfortunately the last two years Nomar has proven to be anything but durable.

I have little problem with Jeff Kent being considered a HOF 2nd baseman, my biggest problem with Jeff Kent becoming a HOF is that Bobby Grich is not, and Grich was the superior player on both sides of the diamond.
I'm fairly certain the Jay Jaffe's JAWS showed Kent as a very borderline 2nd baseman because of how much of a hit his candidacy takes because of his defense. Defense from 2nd base has to be part of the equation, it is to important to ignore. We are not talking about a left fielder.

24
Rather see Pacquiao take on Mayweather anyways.

Keith Law's Top 100 prospects, the top 25 are viewable to all:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=law_keith&id=3840355

Please skip over #13 unless you want to cry.

Since I can't see the whole list, anyone know where the first Dodger appears on it? I'm afraid to ask.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=law_keith&id=3840355

Keith Law's top 100 prospects out. I'll post the Dodgers ones since prospects 26-100 are under the insiders wall.

41
It would help if his links worked. When clicking on 26-50 we get the top free agents 11-30. Some interns are good at their jobs, some aren't.

Carlos Santana while not a Dodgers prospect anymore, is 13th.

Or not, as the page linking to the 26-100 prospects instead link to Keith Law's work on free agents at the beginning of the year.

42 When I click on 26-100 it takes me to the top FA rankings. Anyone else having this problem?

Keith Law ranks the Dodgers the 20th best farm system.

20. Los Angeles Dodgers: They have hit a lull after years of graduating very good players to the big leagues, including Clayton Kershaw in 2008. Their top pick in 2007, Chris Withrow, now has thrown 13 innings in two years due to elbow trouble and had a little bit of "The Thing" this past summer, walking six in his four innings of actual game work.

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/insider/columns/story?columnist=law_keith&id=3848691

First current Dodgers starts at pick 68 with Jason McDonald.

McDonald continues to miss bats despite his lack of a big fastball. His velocity is just average and he'll often sit at only 88-89, but a plus-plus change and an above-average slow curveball have fooled minor-league hitters since McDonald returned to the mound full-time in 2006.

He'll pitch backwards when needed but is aggressive -- perhaps too much so -- with the fastball, which lacks movement, resulting in a lot of fly balls. His command and control are both above average. While this can often be overblown, he's a "competitor" -- meaning (at least to me) that he goes after hitters rather than trying to work around them. He'll have to modify his pitching plan in the majors, using his off-speed stuff earlier and even in hitters' counts, or else he risks giving up enough home runs to overcome everything else he does well.

Andrew Lambo is pick 79.

Lambo is unusually strong for his age and has a good idea of what he's doing at the plate. He played most of the year at 19 in the low-Class A Midwest League, making contact, showing good doubles power, and -- most impressive of all -- raking against lefties, something very few left-handed hitters in their first full pro seasons can do. He should hit for more power with age but can cut his swing off at its finish, and has some loop length at the start of his swing that could lead to more swings and misses down the line. His approach at the plate hasn't yielded a big walk total, but he does work the count and shows zone awareness even if he doesn't show patience. He's a below-average runner and will likely settle in as a mediocre-glove corner outfielder, so his bat will have to carry him.

Ethan Martin is pick 87.

Martin was a first-round prospect as a third baseman after the summer of '07, but came on as a pitcher in his senior spring and that, for now at least, is his baseball destiny. As a pitcher, Martin's stuff is electric, with a fastball that sits 91-95 and could easily end up higher after the Dodgers clean up his delivery. He throws a spike curveball that he doesn't command but that has such hard downward break that minor-league hitters will swing and miss at it even when it's out of the zone. He's a great athlete who needs player development's help to become a potential No. 1 or No. 2 starter; unfortunately for Martin, he required knee surgery in late July that ended his season, so his pro debut won't come until 2009, probably in June after he starts in extended spring training.

Ethan Martin was the last prospect to make the list for the Dodgers. Hope this helps.

Thanks. I figured McDonald and Lambo would be around their first on his list. No love for DeJesus, I guess.

47 McDonald has a 94 MPH fastball when relieving. It'd be nice if Keith Law would mention that in his article.

But making him a reliever forever is a waste.

53 Agreed, but Law doesn't even acknowledge that J-Mac has a good fastball.

39 I know JAWS uses WARP-3 in the evaluation, but does anyone know how fielding is accounted for? I can't imagine that +/- or RZR can be reconstructed for the past, so what metrics are in use for defense in Jeff Kent's peak years? I know older metrics are flawed, but at 2B his error rate is OK and his Range Factor per 9 is league average over his entire career. Yes, at the end we could all see the decline, but I think many here noted that one thing he did well defensively was turn the 6-4-3 DP quickly.

54 That's because McDonald doesn't have a good fastball by MLB standards. He has an average one. Even if you count him at 92-94 mph, that's pretty average for a major league reliever.

Mike (pittsburgh pa) [via mobile]: Is andy laroche (adams brother) a legitimate big league talent will he be in the opening day starting lineup i think he should be

SportsNation Jim Callis: (2:16 PM ET ) That's a good question. LaRoche's stock has dropped and I asked a few scouts about him last year, and none were enthused. It does sound like the Pirates are committed to giving him some AB to see what he can do, which is the smart move.

If it turns out that we were all wrong about LaRoche all along, would that be good news or bad news?

I did finally get an answer to my "has anyone hit like LaRoche in the minors and flamed out" question.

Meet Brad Komminsk: .334/.433/.596 with a 78/70 BB/K in AAA as a 22 year old, career OPS of .637.

56 So Cory Wade must have a terrible one sitting at 88 MPH in the 7th inning.

60 He does, yes. But he manages anyway.

Kent is a case that shows my weakness understanding defensive metrics, and hopefully some weakness in the metrics in general. At BR Kent's RF(range factor) was about league average or above many years, and it doesn't show the steep decline in particularly range that my eyes could see in the last few years. I really need to brush up on some of the newer takes on defense. Any recommendations welcome.

59 Did Komminsk hit like that his whole minor league career, or just that year?

Isn't it also true that fastballs are only as effective as a pitcher can locate them? Brian Wilson can hit 100mph but when he goes all Nuke LaLoosh and hits the mascot it's less impressive. (Not that Law doesn't take this into consideration, just wondering out loud.)

64
Plus, if they have movement.

62 I'm far from an expert on these matters, but it's pretty much a consensus view now that Range Factor is garbage. It's better than fielding percentage, so it might have been marginally useful 25 years ago when it was invented, but now...

63 Not to that degree, the .330 was probably from his strikeout rate suddenly plummeting. Oddly, one failed stint in the majors later, the guy was done.

I don't buy that McDonald has an average fastball. I've seen him hit 95 MPH and that, to me, is a plus.

If Broxton is considered elite at 97-98 consistently, then 94-95 is at least slightly above average.

66 Yep. The main problem is it doesn't take into account opportunity, so an infielder for Derek Lowe is almost guaranteed to have a good range factor.

66 That's discouraging. It certainly doesn't seem to measure range in any effective way.
I'll have to read up on +/- and something newer.

Dibbs is throwing Kent under the bus on XM The Show this afternoon.

64 That's true, but it's not something that's going to be given great weight in a scouting report since scouting, by its very nature, tends to assume each player will maximize his talent. So pitchers are generally evaluated on how good they will be if they put it all together, combined with the likelihood of that actually happening.

And really, pitchers without fastballs simply do not succeed, period. I love Cory Wade, but he'll probably have a long career as a mediocre reliever. Greg Maddux and Pedro Martinez, who I think we can all agree have pinpoint control with their fastballs, got eaten alive once their velocity went down a bit.

One of Bill James's best-known studies reached the conclusion that there has not been a single successful pitcher in major league history who had a below-average strikeout rate as a young pitcher. (I think the only exceptions were guys like Niekro who were lousy pitchers and then became knuckleballers.) Even all the stereotypical soft-tossers like Moyer, Glavine, Tommy John, etc., were relative fireballers when they broke into the league. Movement, location, and all that stuff only matter if you have a halfway decent fastball to begin with.

If you're keeping score at home, Cory Wade's K rate last year was 6.43 per nine innings, while the league average was 6.99.

70 Supposedly UZR is help in high regards. If you go to fangraphs.com type in a players name and click on the fielding icon it will have thier UZR.

Good points about Kent's defense and his HOF case. He was a HOF hitter for a second baseman, but he had no business being a second baseman for most of his career. Think of him as a first baseman, and his numbers look ordinary.

It's a staple of Jamesian wisdom that a player should play the hardest defensive position that he can handle (mostly to free up a lineup spot for a better hitter who is an even worse defender), but it's worth questioning whether Kent really could handle second base.

My eyes told me that he had good hands and, as ELD said, could turn the DP well. But he had no range. He could move to his left by running toward the outfield to chase balls down (taking advantage of the correspondingly short throw to 1b). But he made a lot of routine grounders look like line drives in the box score.

His defensive deficiencies SHOULD count against him, but they won't.

And FWIW, I agree with ToyCannon about Bobby Grich.

40 Ya I would too, but the article (which pretty much doubles as a press release from the Hatton camp and places all the blame on Pacquaio) suggested that Hatton's next bout will be a rematch against Mayweather, but in the UK. While I guess a packed fight with the crowd singing and all that stuff could be cool, I'd rather not see a rematch of what I considered to be a fairly one sided fight. Plus, if that is the case, we'll have to wait a while for Mayweather to fight either Pacquaio (who he will defeat) or Cotto (who actually would stand a chance against Floyd.)

58 - I don't think it will be good or bad, it will just be.

It might serve as a reminder that there is something to scouting that is lost in numbers (in the sense that a slightly above average player taking advantage of below average opponents produces what I might call a false positive). All we can do is learn from past events and hope not to make the same mistake twice - especially when there are so many new and interesting mistakes to be made.

72 - what about Halladay? I always assumed he was a bit of a junkball pitcher, does/did he have a good fastball?

It might serve as a reminder that there is something to scouting that is lost in numbers (in the sense that a slightly above average player taking advantage of below average opponents produces what I might call a false positive).

But that's something that would be much easier to figure out statistically than subjectively.

I agree with you that numbers can't tell us everything, but that's a bad example of it.

75
I have heard that before and it is a terrible idea. People do not want to see them go at it again. I did not want to see Pacquiao take on Hatton either, because they are both brawlers and Pacquiao would have just destroyed him.

74 My take is that Kent's defensive defiencies will be counted against him in a big way, but that he'll make the Hall anyway. That's how good his offense was compared to that of a normal middle infielder.

I get the impression that BBWAA types think defense is much more important than it actually is. Some people will omit Kent from their ballots for this reason, but I think he'll eventually get in nonetheless. And although I haven't studied the issue, my impression is that the lousiness of his defense has been overstated anyway.

Pacquiao is the real life version of Ippo Makunouch.

77 According to Wikipedia (yeah, I know), "Halladay's arsenal includes a four-seam fastball which he can throw in the mid 90s, a two-seam (sinking) fastball which he throws at 92-94 MPH, a curveball which he throws around 77 MPH, a cutter which he throws at 90-92 MPH, and a changeup, which he added in 2006."

78 - how do you figure it out statistically? If the numbers tell you that a guy put up a line of .356/.525/.783 and it doesn't tell you who he was doing it against, what good are the numbers? I suppose that if you have splits of the numbers you can get to that, but having a scouting report that says, "numbers are inflated by feasting on bad pitchers while struggling against good pitchers" seems just as valuable.

76 OK, but the problem is, the scouting reports on LaRoche were, until this year, probably more glowing than his actual numbers.

that's funny Eric, because that's where I looked also. I just remember one of the baseball video games a while back having one of his pitches be a palmball. Also, with the exception of Nolan Ryan, I don't remember a lot of power pitchers in recent years posting as many complete games as Halladay does.

84 - chalk it up to a learning experience, then.

85 It was just the first site Google spit out while searching for Roy Halladay mph.

Carlos Perez is nasty in MLB 2K1, even though he only throws 82 and loses velocity quickly, because he throws a palmball and a screwball.

Carlos Perez is probably nasty in every sense of the word.

we need more palmball pitchers. imagine going into a three game series against the dodgers and seeing Billingsly, palmballer, Kershaw. that would make hitters crazy.

73 There is no UZR per-2002.

74 The LA Dodger Jeff Kent probably had no business playing 2B any more, but if UZR means anything (0.0 is average), his UZR for the three seasons prior, 2002-2004, ages 34-36, were 2.0, 0.0, 5.8 - average or better.

Dodgers should teach the Shake ball.

re:83 I would think the argument is how to determine a lousy pitcher. Numbers should show who the lousy pitcher is (guy with high OPS against, velocity, k/bb ratio) just as well as the scout seeing the high OPS against would.

Same reasoning for determining who the good pitchers are.

80. I agree that HOF voters "care" about defense, but asymmetrically, I think. That is, bad hitters who were defensive wizards get extra credit. And DHs are pariahs. But I've never seen discussion of a non-DH who was denigrated for defensive ineptitude. Of course, you know WAY more about the HOF than I do, so I'll accept correction on that claim.

83 . alex7 has it right in 93 . Just because numbers don't typically control for quality of opponent (pitcher and defense) doesn't mean it's not possible. It would take some work, but it's theoretically simple.

It would appear after reading quite a few prospect lists from respected sources that we are over valuing DeJesus or they are just missing the boat. I think most of these pundits saw him play this fall in the AFL and really downgraded him.

In the area of prospects I can say enough of the info Tot Holmes brings at www.dodgers.scout.com. His latest story on Ethan Martin really gives you the perspective behind him being our number one pick.

96 requires registration.

BP just came out with their list of top Giants prospects and my brother's college teammate, Sergio Romo, is #10. It's going to be tough rooting against him over these next few years.

Didn't Sergio Romo spent half the season with San Francisco?

91
I remember when Kent was signed much discussion ensured on DT about how the subjective view was that he was a terrible defensive 2nd baseman but that the stats showed he was adequate.
After watching him play 2nd base for 4 years I felt like Go Bears, that he had great hands but the worse range I'd ever seen. His strong arm helped him on the DP.

96
True, but it is worth it if you like to follow the minor league system.

Checking baseball reference, Sergio Romo pitched in 29 games, and 34 innings. I guess he falls under the 50 inning limit.(If I remember right) but it still seems a bit odd that he's listed.

ToyCannon, did scout.com give any kind of scouting report on Matt Sartor, their #26 prospect?

Ken "FWIW" Rosenthal says sources say that Brad Ausmus is going to choose between the Padres and the Dodgers as far as whom to serve as backup catcher for. I've said before that I like Ausmus as far as his defensive ability and gamecalling and all, though he bat seems no better than Danny Ardoin's at this point. Won't be too pricey though.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9114534/Sources:-Ausmus-picking-between-Dodgers,-Pads

99 Yeah, but he didn't pass his innings limit and I guess he didn't go over the service time limit either.

"his bat," not the caveman-like "he bat." I'd be fine giving AJ Ellis a shot, frankly (and maybe he'll still get one at some point next year), but can understand why they'd want some experience to backup Martin I guess. if they actually play that person.

"He bat" would have been a good nickname for Manny.

speaking of trainwreck(s) ;-) off subject but here's Joaquin Phoenix, rapper (and stage-faller-offer):

http://tinyurl.com/8lr25p

Hard to watch but hard to stop watching, too.

For a backup catcher, I'm less interested in game-calling and standout defense, and more interested in someone who can at least be adequate with a bat. Martin needs more rest throughout the season, and he won't get it unless Torre has confidence in the #2 guy's ability to hit the ball.

103
After reading the report, the answer is a surprising no. At this point I still have no idea what he throws. This is the closest thing he has:
""He was been tremendous for us," Great Lakes manager Juan Bustabad said. "He's a bulldog. He throws strikes and comes right at hitters."

But Bustabad didn't get to keep him all that long. He was promoted to Inland Empire in the California League and lowered his ERA to 2.15 over 20 appearances. He struck out 40 in 37.2 innings with the 66ers and his control became even sharper, walking only seven batters."

I'd rather have Henry Blanco then either of the above mentioned players.

Doesn't AJ Ellis minor league career look a bit like Paul La Duca's?
http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=4363

http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=8440

Or Lo Duca

110 -- You see, that is a perfect example of why I stopped paying the money to be a scout.com "Insider." Bill Shelley, before he died, would do the same kind of thing: no scouting information on a prospect, but a bunch of meaningless drivel about what a great competitor a guy is. Oh, and a bunch of player stats anybody can look up at Baseball America or Minorleaguebaseball.com for FREE.

109 - Perhaps, but I can't name too many backup catchers who are at least adequate defensively who are also very adept with the bat. Aren't most of those people starters? I'm trying to think of any players that fit the criteria of: a) available, b) a backup c) good bat. Mike Piazza? :-)

114
I'm on the Blanco bandwagon with ToyCannon.

Hmm, yeah Henry Blanco; I would like that. Has no one signed him yet? I thought the Cubs made a mistake not bringing him back.

In case anyone was wondering, the Blanco bandwagon is in fact painted white.

117 - Oil-based paint? (Because this wood is pine. "Ponderoooooosa pine")

115 ,116 Still remember those 4 HR's he hit in Spring training.

118
The first ever complaint I received as a librarian about someone wanting something removed from the library because they thought it was objectionable was for a VHS copy of "Paint Your Wagon."

However, they didn't the proper reason for objecting to it, i.e., it's really bad.

120 - That's odd; that's the only thing I can think that is objectionable about it, that it's not any good (or in Homer-like fashion, disappointing that it's not a straight Western), but that shouldn't be grounds for removal or a lot of other movies would be gone, too, eh? I sentence those people to watch "Terror of Tiny Town" in repetition for 24 hours!

Halladay's a lot like Lowe - tall, strong guy who could throw consistent mid-90's if he wanted to but instead sits in the low-90's to allow his pitches to move better (and damn do they move). His K-rate isn't anything special (like Lowe) but when you have that much movement it doesn't matter much and allows you to go deep into games.

120 If only it would have featured a drunk horse...

Ausmus picks Dodgers

Per Rosenthal

Maybe the best writing you'll read all day.

http://earlpomerantz.blogspot.com/2009/01/london-times-part-five.html

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9114534/Sources:-Ausmus-picking-between-Dodgers,-Pads

Free-agent catcher Brad Ausmus has agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract with the Dodgers, according to a major-league source.

Danny Adroin and A.J. Ellis say nooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!

125 But what if I'm reading To Kill a Mockingbird.

126 - "Danny Adroin and A.J. Ellis say nooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!" I think that's why I don't find this too upsetting. ;) Still would've preferred Blanco, though.

127
I've got to reread "The Bridges of Madison County" for the 25th time.

127 - Then it's good I said "maybe." :)

129. Oh dear - why?!

According to fangraphs, Adroin was worth $500,000, and Ausmus was worht $400,000.

108

I just had a scary glimpse of how I must look when I am dacing

121 Terror of Tiny Town is on my DVR!

Just curious...my dental technician recommended the Sookie Stackhouse series of books yesterday (we were talking about `True Blood'). Anybody ever read any of them?

I actually spent part of my morning reading David Foster Wallace's essay on cruise ships, so Pomerantz is going to have to be really good to beat that.

132 The extra $600,000 was for him not being Gary Bennett.

126

This line from mlbtraderumors about Ausmus is great...

"His value will lie in intangibles."

113
I see your point after re-reading all the writeups. He does a great job of getting the story about the player but not so much on the scouting side. I temper my recommendation.

135. You were talking about True Blood with a dental technician? Appointment must not have been going very well... Hope you're OK.

140 Well I guess it's better than discussing Marathon Man.

Oh, and 125 , yeah, that was good. Thanks.

I have never thought of talking about sexually-explicit shows with my dental technician.

My g/f enjoyed the Sookie Stackhouse books (not sure if she's read all of them). Has mostly enjoyed the show so far though not as much as the books, apparently. She's into fantasy and some horror, preferably with female lead characters.

Towers has talked with the 39-year-old Ausmus on several occasions this offseason, and the GM likes what the three-time Gold Glove Award winner brings to a team -- his leadership and his ability to handle a pitching staff. The two are also good friends. Still?

http://tinyurl.com/7q5y5c

140 3 hour appointment, $2200.00 bill. Boy, am I glad that is over! :)

Most shocking headline of the year to date: "Injured Harden won't pitch for Canada in WBC."

3 hours?!!! If I spend 3 hours at a dentist office, I better be getting a whole new set of teeth.

The Henry Blanco bandwagon died a quick death.

Interesting that our competition was the Depodesta Padres. With such a young pitching staff maybe Ausmus can help. AJ Ellis gets to hand around and be insurance once again.

I remember Ausmus he was the whipping boy at BP because his offense had become so bad, but it was his unlikely home run in the bottom of the 9th that tied up game 4 in the NLDS in 2005. After 18 innings Chris Burke finally won it with his own home run.

142 She was a real pistol!

143 Amazon has a boxed set of 8 for $32.00...I'm just afraid of winding up with a
bunch of Ann Rice type books.

40-man roster now at 38 with Ausmus.

Room for Manny and Wolf?

Anybody watching PTI? Michael Wilbon (pretending to be Kobe in the role-playing segment) belittled the pre-Manny Dodger left-fielders, including Andre Ethier, Luis Gonzales, and Rickly Ledee. He then backtracked on Gonzo and said he was pretty good.

Shouldn't sports commentators, y'know, watch sports? If you're going to scoff at Dodgers that have trotted out to left field, why not go after Juan Pierre?

152 Try backtracking on Ethier instead.

147 A stud that has held a front tooth on for the last 25 years or so broke recently...I've literally walked around looking like Alfred E. Neuman for the last couple of weeks till they could do the bridge prep. Also having a crown replaced and a filling done.

Liked getting it all done at once, but three hours was tough!

152 Wilbon loves his Cubbies (and ex-Cubbies).

153 Andre Ethier did most of his damage last year as a right fielder. Even before the Dodgers traded for Manny. I think Ethier only had two homers as a left fielder.

Wilbon and Kornheiser are good because of their personalities; they do not really know anything about sports.

Ethier in LF has an OPS of 804. In RF it is 882. Not exactly small sample size either for Ethier.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/bsplit.cgi?n1=ethiean01

Does anybody seriously think that Ethier's hitting performance is affected by which outfield corner he stands in while defending?

157. Well, I think it'd be more accurate to say that they know a little about lots of different sports. Neither is a baseball guy, though.

I'm liking the MLB network stuff. Not loving it, but it's the best baseball coverage on TV, and it's just the Hot Stove Season.

159 He's a moody guy by some accounts, so maybe RF is a comfort zone.

160
A real little bit.

159. Well, how about this: LF is the last spot in the OF. Next step down is the bench. So when Ethier is playing LF, he's nervous, looking over his shoulder, [insert metaphor here], and pressing too hard. When he's in RF, he's more confident that he's a starter and not 3.5. So he relaxes and therefore hits better.

Yeah, I don't believe it either.

160 Last night really made me wish PBS would re-air Ken Burn's Baseball.

157 I agree, they're both entertaining, if not incredibly knowledgeable. I usually don't get worked up over what they say, but the sneering tone in which Wilbon said Ethier's name really got my goat.

Why isn't it 9pm yet?

166
Go to Brazil.

I would if I could.

166

Why does it have to be on so late?

Rotoworld says it's amazing that Danny Ardoin was kept on the roster this long.

169
Lost. Then Top Chef and UFC Primetime.

Either's OPS in 2008 in LF was only .675 (in 142 PA). I think it was more of a fluke than anything, but the 2008 Dodger LF performance looks like this:

Manny: .396/.489/.743, 36 R, 17 HR, 53 RBI in 229 PA
Non-Manny: .261/.317/.322, 60 R, 2 HR, 40 RBI in 503 PA.

171 I am a big Urijah Faber fan - hopefully he destroys Jens Pulver on Sunday's WEC card.

173
I am sure he will. He dominated him in their first fight.

I spent 3 hours in the chair a couple months ago. Did 4 crowns at once.

Speaking of fights, when Sundance film screenings turn into UFC:

http://tinyurl.com/blcnj2

(Man, I won't condone throwing fists, but as a sometime critic I sure wouldn't want a publicity rep harassing me into changing my opinion of a film.)

Kent is one of my least favorite Dodgers ever but he was a great hitter and an extremely hard worker. He was a professional on the field and showed everybody how it's done in terms of work ethic.

170 Rotoworld apprently doesn't know that Gary Bennett existed.

Meanwhile, in a fit of either irony or revenge -- or meaninglessness, the Padres have signed Henry Blanco, according to Buster Olney. Heh. Oh well, we can take comfort in knowing that he'll probably get way too much playing time and that the Padres still mostly stink. Guess our painted wagon meant nothing to Dodgers' brass though.

I am more of an Urban Faber fan than a Urijah Faber fan.

175 Not fun!

179
If Henry Blanco catches Chris Young every start, perhaps the opponent will only attempt to steal every other time on base instead of every single time.

178
Rotoworld apprently doesn't know that Gary Bennett existed

But Bennett is no longer on the 40-man roster, unlike Ardoin.

Is it wrong of me to be glad Henry Blanco didn't sign up with us so we dont have to hear the story about him cutting his fingers off over and over?

Fixing the link in 176 :
http://tinyurl.com/99l8gp

I guess its the "Intangibles" (per MLBTR) that pushed us to pay $1 Million for Ausmus while the Pads signed Blanco for $750k...

185 - Thanks. Weird.

That story makes me afraid to hate on a film where the publicist is big and at the same screening.

Two threads ago: no Marty, I do not work for the Inquirer, I am at one of the (much) smaller local papers between Phila and Allentown

This thread: does anybody know if the '92 Blue Jays ever officially give Kent a ring in a box?

I just asked Diamond about Ausmus vs Blanco... Don't know if he knows any more than us why they went that direction.

I finally watched ep1 of FNL. I was not disappointed

188 I don't know for sure, but traditionally everybody who is even tangentially associated with the team gets a ring (announcers, cup of coffee players, groundskeepers, office workers, etc), so I'd say the chances that Kent got one are about 99.9%.

Offense 2006-2008
Blanco: .260/.295/.386, 72 OPS+
Ausmus: .229/.311/.300, 60 OPS+

SB Against 2006-2008
Blanco: threw out 31 of 75 base stealers (41.3%)
Ausmus: 39/165 (23.6%)

2009 Age
Blanco: 37
Ausmus: 40

2009 Base Salary
Blanco: $750,000
Ausmus: $1,000,000

Ummmm, why?

192 Clearly, it's because of the intangibles.

Maybe it's because GMs overvalue speed. Ausmus runs about twice as fast as Blanco.

Also, does Blanco have any Gold Gloves? I didn't think so.

I think I want to write a new kind of blue-collar superhero movie called "The Intangibles."

194 - Maybe we should've signed Michael Young to be backup catcher, then.

Okay, I really need to be working.

192. Nedification, baby. Nedification.

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!

Per the earlier discussion, I'm not actually reading To Kill a Mockingbird. Today, I'm reading The Great Romance, by The Inhabitant. I will now take great pleasure in causing Bob to have to look something up in Google.

188 Interesting. I'll be in Allentown sometime this year. Not sure when.

79 I did not want to see Pacquiao take on Hatton either, because they are both brawlers and Pacquiao would have just destroyed him.

But it might have been a heck of a fight while it lasted. :-)

The Markakis deal is official, and even though it is a gaudy total ($66.1m over 6 years), it actually helps the Dodgers' case against Ethier.

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.

Anything by somebody who calls himself The Inhabitant is bound to be awesome.

198

You had to have a template for that

202 Are those long-term deals even useful in an arbitration hearing? Everybody knows that the salaries are always artificially low on the front end and seriously backloaded on the other end. One would think any attempt to use Markakis's 2009 salary as an argument would be laughed out of the room.

NPUT