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[ESPN] Ausmus agrees to $7.5 million, 2-year deal with Astros

Discussion in 'Houston Astros' started by yc324, Dec 13, 2005.

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  1. yc324

    yc324 Member

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    http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2257977

    HOUSTON -- Houston Astros catcher Brad Ausmus agreed Tuesday to a $7.5 million, two-year contract that will keep him with the NL champions.

    The 36-year-old batted .258 with three homers and 47 RBI in 134 games for Houston during the regular season and hit a tying two-out, ninth-inning homer in Game 4 of the first-round series against Atlanta, a game the Astros won in a postseason-record 18 innings to move on to the NL championship series.

    He became a free agent after the Astros were swept by the Chicago White Sox in the World Series and was offered salary arbitration by Houston last week, extending the Astros' negotiating period through Jan. 8.

    "I think he's a key member of our team," said Astros general manager Tim Purpura. "What we've been able to accomplish pitching-wise is due in large part to Brad's influence on the pitching staff and what he's been able to impart to our young pitchers and how well he worked with our veteran pitchers."

    Ausmus has played seven seasons for Houston, after spending 1997-98 with the club and returning in 2001. He won the Gold Gloves in 2001 and 2002 -- the only ones won by Astros players.

    A 13-year veteran, Ausmus has also played with San Diego and Detroit. He has 71 career homers and 508 RBI.

    Purpura said Ausmus spends so much time studying and preparing for games that he is almost like another coach.

    "He really takes on that type of role," he said. "He goes through scouting reports and all the statistical information like a college professor going through an exam. He really puts a lot of time into it."

    One question raised with the re-signing of Ausmus is whether it will help get Roger Clemens back for another season with the Astros.

    Houston declined to offer salary arbitration to the seven-time Cy Young winner last week, meaning he can't re-sign with the team before May 1.

    "I don't know if it helps," Purpura said. "But I certainly don't think it hurts, because he's got a stable commodity there behind the plate, someone who he works with extremely well."
     
    #1 yc324, Dec 13, 2005
  2. jeff from vandy

    jeff from vandy Contributing Member

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    "splash"
     
    #2 jeff from vandy, Dec 13, 2005
  3. codell

    codell Contributing Member

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    *ker-plunk*

    Is that lysol I smell?
     
    #3 codell, Dec 13, 2005
  4. coma

    coma Contributing Member

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    IMO, outside of the household names, Ausmus is one of the most integral pieces to our team.
     
    #4 coma, Dec 13, 2005
  5. russian88

    russian88 Contributing Member

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    weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
     
    #5 russian88, Dec 13, 2005
  6. bobrek

    bobrek Politics belong in the D & D

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    Before anyone rags on Ausmus and complains about his hitting or makes sarcastic "weeee" comments (ooops, too late), keep in mind that in July, August and September, he hit .298 with an OBP of .380+.

    In addition, of all the number 8 hitters with at least 200 at bats, Brad led them in average and on base percentage.

    He did not perform as badly offensively as some seem to argue.

    In addition, regardless of whatever any fans say, the pitchers and coaches love him.
     
    #6 bobrek, Dec 13, 2005
  7. Roxfan73

    Roxfan73 Rookie

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    Not to mention that everyone's wife/gf loves him too.
     
    #7 Roxfan73, Dec 13, 2005
  8. arkoe

    arkoe (ง'̀-'́)ง

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    I agree bobrek. If Clemens doesn't come back, we're be screwed without him.
     
    #8 arkoe, Dec 13, 2005
  9. weakfromtoday

    weakfromtoday Contributing Member
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    Good move. Glad to see Ausmus back.
     
    #9 weakfromtoday, Dec 13, 2005
  10. Oski2005

    Oski2005 Contributing Member

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    Don't forget sisters and daughters.

    This is what I went through this summer: "Hey, I want to go to the game!!!" "Is Ausmus playing, is Backe pitching?"
     
    #10 Oski2005, Dec 13, 2005
  11. weakfromtoday

    weakfromtoday Contributing Member
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    A lil off topic, but my mom is the same way, but with Biggio. I've literally heard her to tell my dad to stop talking, because Biggio was at the plate. Gotta love it when your mom is almost as big an Astros fan as you are.
     
    #11 weakfromtoday, Dec 13, 2005
  12. geeimsobored

    geeimsobored Contributing Member

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    Not to mention if we didn't sign him who else could we have gotten. Its either somehow get bengie molina or be forced to rely on ugh.. raul chavez or humerto quintero neither of which can hit or call games the way ausmus does.

    A good move by Purpura to bring him back, now find a way to get some new offense.
     
    #12 geeimsobored, Dec 13, 2005
  13. TMac640

    TMac640 Contributing Member

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    nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo :eek:
     
    #13 TMac640, Dec 13, 2005
  14. MadMax

    MadMax Contributing Member

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    good to see him back. i'm relieved. had he signed elsewhere, we'd have been left with a big hole to fill.
     
    #14 MadMax, Dec 13, 2005
  15. weakfromtoday

    weakfromtoday Contributing Member
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    Seriously? Why?
     
    #15 weakfromtoday, Dec 13, 2005
  16. bigtexxx

    bigtexxx Contributing Member

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    We've got to upgrade the SS position now. Need a stick
     
    #16 bigtexxx, Dec 13, 2005
  17. Mr. Mooch

    Mr. Mooch Contributing Member

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    PHEW!

    Now all we need to do is re-sign Vizcaino and we're set!
     
    #17 Mr. Mooch, Dec 13, 2005
  18. bplld

    bplld Contributing Member

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    Good to get that out of the way. Wasnt much of catchers in the FA market so good move.
     
    #18 bplld, Dec 13, 2005
  19. NickC19

    NickC19 Member

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    Brad Ausmus is a beast. I'm predicting he bulks back up, starts utilizing some of his untapped power, and knocks out no less than 47 homers this year. Mark my words people.
    [​IMG]
     
    #19 NickC19, Dec 13, 2005
  20. Sishir Chang

    Sishir Chang Contributing Member

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    Ausmus' offense is the icing and his looks, for those who care about that, is the frosting decoration on the cake. He's possibly one of the best if not the best catcher when it comes to D, calling a game and working with pitchers. One of the things that Clemens cited for unretiring was Brad Ausmus and just look at Houston's record of developing pitching talent since he's been here.

    Ausmus could bat below .200 and look like George Costanza and Janet Reno's love child and still be valuable to the Stros.
     
    #20 Sishir Chang, Dec 13, 2005
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