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The Caddy’s

                                            For what seems to be a long time, I have read posts from fans wanting the Dodgers to get rid of Austin Barnes. Their usual logic is that he has an anemic bat. There is plenty of evidence to support their stance. Barnes career WAR is 4.1. His career BA is .223. His OBP is respectable at .324. But his OPS and OPS+ are below the MLB average. He does not throw out a lot of baserunners. His caught stealing percentage for his career is 17.9%. He has played 100 or more games just twice in his career, more a credit to the first-string catchers he has played behind, than a condemnation of his skills. 

                                             Yet two Aces of the staff preferred to have Barnes catch them. One was Zack Greinke. The other was Kershaw, especially after AJ Ellis was traded away. There has to be a reason. Barnes game calling has always been his strong suit. He is like a second manager on the field. He is respected by the entire pitching staff. When they have the meetings about the opposition’s hitters, his knowledge is put to good use. Barnes best year by far was 2017. He hit .289 with 8 homers and 38 driven in. He was Grandal’s back-up, but Grandal was so bad the last part of the season that Barnes took over for him. 

                                             He also played the bulk of the games in the postseason including all seven games of the World Series against Houston. He wasn’t in there for his bat. In 2020, Smith caught 8 of the 18 games the Dodgers played in the postseason, Barnes caught the other 10. He was behind the plate when Urias struck out Adames for the series win. He also had a key hit in that game that knocked Snell out of the game. He hit .269 last season, his best average since 17. 

                                             So, I thought I would go back and look at the long line of back-up catchers during the Dodgers time in Los Angeles. When they moved to LA in 1958, Roy Campanella had been paralyzed, so John Roseboro became the Dodgers #1 catcher. He would stay in that position until he was traded to the Twins in the winter of 1968. His primary back-up in 58 was Joe Pignatano. He got into 63 games that season. He did not hit much, but he was an excellent defensive catcher. He threw out 45% of opposing baserunners in his career. Rube Walker, in his last season, was the third catcher. Rube had been Campy’s back-up for many years. 

                                              Pignatano was traded after the 1960 season and Norm Sherry, Larry’s brother, became the back-up. He would back up Rosey until he was traded after the 62 season. Doug Camilli also saw time with the Dodgers until he was traded after the 1964 season. Sherry has been documented will helping Sandy Koufax become the pitcher he was from 61-66. In a spring game, he told Sandy to quit trying to strike everyone out. It worked, and Koufax became one of the most dominant pitchers in the game. Camilli was the son of former Dodger, Dolph Camilli.

                                             In 1964, 22-year-old Jeff Torborg played in 28 games for LA. He would become the primary back-up in 1965. Jeff would play 10 years in the majors, almost all as a caddy to the first string, but on September 9th, 1965, the 23-year-old caught Sandy Koufax’s perfect game. It was one of three no-hitters he would catch in his career. After Roseboro was traded, the Dodgers brought in Tom Haller to be the primary catcher, so Torborg was still the caddy. In July of 1970, he caught his second no-hitter, this time thrown by Bill Singer. In 1973, after he had been traded to the Angels in 1971, Torborg was behind the plate for the first of Nolan Ryan’s 7 no-hitters. He would retire after the 73 season. Jeff would go on to manage for five different teams. Cleveland, the White Sox, Expos, Mets and Marlins. 

                                             There were other catchers who had cups of coffee with LA, Hector Valle in 65. Jim Campanis, Al’s son, played in parts of three seasons with LA then was traded to the Royals by his dad who had taken over as the GM for Bavasi. Bob Stinson in 69-70. Also in 1970, Joe Ferguson got into a couple of games. In 1971, Duke Sims, who had come over in a trade with the Indians became the #1 catcher. Haller was his primary backup with Bill Sudakis and Joe Ferguson also seeing time.

                                              In 1972, the Dodgers did not really have a primary catcher. Chris Cannizzaro got the most starts, but Sims, Steve Yeager, in his first MLB action and former Giant, Dick Dietz, also saw time at the position. Ferguson became the starter in 1973, but he would only have that spot for a year. Yeager was his backup in 73, but their roles would be reversed in 1974. Yeager became the starting catcher because of his superior defense and game calling abilities. Ferguson, caught some, but also got time in the outfield. He got to show off his cannon arm in a World Series game at Dodger Stadium when he moved in front of Jimmy Wynn and gunned down an A’s runner at the plate.

                                           Yeager would be #1 until 1980. Along with Ferguson, he had Ellie Rodriguez as a backup in 76. In 77 they brought in Johnny Oates in a trade, he would play in LA until 1979. Ferguson came back in 78 and would stay until 1981. He got traded to the Angels and missed the 81 series.  Scioscia became the primary in 81 with Boomer now his backup. Even though he was second to Scioscia, Boomer played in all six World Series games in 81 and was the Co-MVP with Guererro and Cey. 

                                            Yeager was Scioscia’s caddy until 1985. Scioscia was #1 until he retired after the 92 season. Alex Trevino backed him up in 86-87. They brought Rick Dempsey to the team in 88. Dempsey backed Scioscia up until 1990. Hall of Famer, Gary Carter played his lone season in LA in 91 as Scioscia’s #2. A changing of the guard was coming though. 92 was Mike’s last year, his backup was Carlos Hernandez, but late in the year, 23-year-old Mike Piazza got into 21 games. IN 93, Mike became the #1 catcher. 

                                           There was a reason Piazza did not get many days off behind the plate, LA had not had a catcher with his kind of offensive skills since Campy. Hernandez was his backup and would be so for a few years. As Piazza ran away with the ROY, Carlos got into 50 games, mostly late inning for defense. Tom Prince played in 40 games for LA in 1996, Hernandez was injured. Hernandez was traded after the season and Prince was Piazza’s backup in 97. 

                                          In 1998, FOX bought the team and traded Piazza away along with Todd Zeile to the Marlins. In return LA got a defensive catcher, Charles Johnson, with a weak bat. Prince again was the backup, but Johnson would last only the one season and he was gone. In 1999, Todd Hundley was brought in as the #1 catcher. Angel Pena was his primary backup with Paul LoDuca also seeing some time. Hundley still had the job in 2000, but they brought in veteran Chad Krueter to be his #2. LoDuca also saw some playing time. 

                                          In 2001, LoDuca took over the starting job with Krueter and Pena as his backups. He would keep the job until 2004 when he was traded during the season to the Marlins. Krueter and then David Ross were his backups. Jason Phillips was the #1 in 2005.  Ross and Dioner Navaro were his backups. Russell Martin got the job in 2006. Navaro and veteran Sandy Alomar Jr. backed him up. Russell was the #1 catcher until 2010. After that season he left via free agency. 

                                        Over those 6 seasons, he had Mike Lieberthal, Chad Moeller, Danny Ardoin, Gary Bennett, AJ Ellis, and Brad Ausmus as his relief. Rod Barajas had the job in 2011. AJ Ellis took over as #1 in 2012. Matt Treanor backed him up in 2012, in 2013 it was Tim Federowicz. Drew Butera became the backup in 2014. Friedman traded for Yasmani Grandal after the 2014 season and he became the #1 catcher with Ellis backing him up. Austin Barnes saw his first action in 2016, and Ellis was traded for Carlos Ruiz, who finished out 2016 and left. Grandal left after 2018. Barnes and Smith shared the duties pretty evenly in 2019. But Smith took over after that. 

                                       The Dodgers right now have couple of catchers in their system who bear watching. Cartaya has slipped some. But he is only 23. Rushing’s future might be in the outfield. Jesus Galiz is their # 30 prospect. Yeiner Fernandez is another. But those guys are several years away. Hunter Feduccia got a cup of coffee with the team in 24. But he is rule-5 eligible. 


   

                                   Photos: Barnes, Roseboro, Pignatano, Camilli, Yeager, Ferguson, LoDuca, Sherry. Torborg.

Born June 14th, 1948, in Los Angeles California. AKA The Bear

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Bumsrap

Probably so.

Bumsrap

I think he should stop reminding everyone of that nightmare.

Badger

Baseball cards? Bet they’re gone by now. Sold to pay lawyers.

I need some clarification from the geek squad here. I’m researching whether signing bonuses count toward AAV. I came up with this:

“No, signing bonuses are not included in the calculation of a player’s average annual value (AAV) in Major League Baseball (MLB). The AAV is calculated by dividing the total contract value, minus bonuses, by the number of years in the contract.”

I also read yes, they do, but Snell has deferred money also and his cap hit is $13 million. Huh? It sounds like billionaire accounting, which has always been foreign to me, but MLB allows it. In fact they encourage it. They also allow the rich to do whatever the ef they want which ultimately makes the playoffs pretty much out of reach for most teams, and most fans. It’s good to be rich.

Now, who’s next on the up front bonus deferred $ list? I’ll take Teo and Adames for $200 million.

Dave

Doesn’t seem fair to defer so much money, but every team could do it if they knew how to make it profitable.. But then the luxury tax limits would lose their effectiveness.
As much as I am glad the Dodgers have used it to their advantage I don’t see it as an overall positive for the sport. But I’m not an economist and might be missing the forest for the trees.

Badger

It will be the same group of teams throwing mountains of money toward big name free agents. I suspect they will all get their share. Everybody else? Draft, develop and hope. At the same time they will be cashing revenue sharing checks. How much is that? Don’t know, only know MLB is swimming in money.

Bluto

First, Badger. I saw this from Ardaya:
Snell’s signing bonus basically makes sure the present value of the deal is still high even with the deferrals. AAV is $36.4m, but his CBT figure is expected to be around $32-33m.
Second, deferals:
This is touched on above, but what’s not fair, IMHO, about deferrals is that the player isn’t automatically earning interest to make up for inflation. It doesn’t have to be COLA, but there should be some added to the amount defered.

Badger

So… the bonus does count against AAV?

Bluto

Yes, of course.

Badger

Well thank you, of course. Clearly the information I posted was wrong.

Bumsrap

Some teams would be hampered if they had payroll costs for players no longer active. So, there’s that.

Badger

Most would.

Jeff Dominique

Signing bonuses are included in AAV. The only loophole is that deferred money is valued at the present value. Snell’s AAV will be somwhere between $32MM and $35MM once the actual present value is calculated. Technically they need to wait until the deal is approved by MLB.

Bumsrap

What interest rate would be used to calculate present value?

Jeff Dominique

The present value is based on the annual Federal mid-term rate as of the October prior to the contract’s start; this is the rate used for calculating the Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) purposes. Currently that rate is 4.43%.

Badger

Didn’t see this til now Jeff. I kinda figured they would. I still don’t understand, with the size of that contract why would such a large signing bonus be necessary? But, Snell is here as we both talked about earlier. This is a big deal.

Jeff Dominique

I can’t know for sure, but my conspiratorial mind thinks that the Dodgers receieved about that much from the playoff revenues. About $30MM from gate receipts (extrapolated from what the players share was) plus gate receipts and concessions. It has to be close. What better way to invest. Kind of like found $$$. Now they only need to pay $13MM annually for 5 years. Plus funding the escrow account beginning before the end if year 2.

Last edited 10 days ago by Jeff Dominique
dodgerram

Happy thanksgiving to everybody from across the pond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Who will be next on the Dodgers shopping list ?
Devon Williams ? Robert jun.?Adames? Soto?Teo?Treinen?

Lux plus Knack or Wrobleski for Williams ?

Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keith

I’ve been campaigning for Adames from day one, but I believe the competition for him is getting higher every day, so I’m starting to get a little doubtful about seeing him in Dodger blue.

John

As always, great stuff Bear. Happy Thanksgiving

Dionysus

Happy Thank’sgiving

Wally Moonshot

Happy Thanksgiving to all the bloggers. 2024 was my first go around on this site and it’s been a lot of fun. Looking forward to an exciting 2025.

Bluto

Per Sportstrac:

“The Dodgers have now secured $964M of deferred payments since July 2020. Shohei Ohtani: $680M/$700M. Mookie Betts: $115M/$365M. Blake Snell: $62M/$182M. Freddie Freeman: $57M/$162M. Will Smith: $50M/$140M.”

Keith

Happy thanksgiving everyone

Keith

Thanks for the article Bear, I enjoyed seeing how the chain of catchers progressed through the years.

OhioDodger

Trading Piazza and letting Beltre walk really pissed me off. Never cared for Grandal either.

Keith

I blame Boros for Beltre leaving, i always thought he pushed Beltre to Seattle so he could get us to sign one of his other clients who never did squat for us, can’t remember who it was, maybe Jody Reed?

Keith

Thank god the fox years didn’t last very long

Jeff Dominique

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I certainly have a lot to be thankful for. First and foremost, my family. My hobby…LA Dodger Chronicles. Bear, who has been a special partner when I most needed one. The best commenters/participants in the blogosphere.

Of course, I am also thankful for the Dodgers winning the World Series Championship. I am thankful I do not have to hear about the Mickey Mouse championship anymore. And I am thankful that AF appears to want more.

Last edited 10 days ago by Jeff Dominique
OhioDodger

 😀 Yes, it is wonderful not to have to listen to all the losers moaning about 2020 not being a legitimate championship. Jeff, thanks again for this great Dodger blog. Best Dodger site out there by far. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

OhioDodger

Yep. Been reading a lot of that crap. It is not just on X. Funny how they don’t realize how much money the owners are not reinvesting in their teams. Just whine about not being able to compete when they have the money and don’t spend it on better players.

OhioDodger

Another great article Bear. Thanks. Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels.

OhioDodger

Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Chroniclers and Go Dodgers!!!

Singing the Blue

Happy Thanksgiving all!

Let me add my thanks to the others above for Jeff and Bear’s great work on keeping this site flowing with constant interesting and thought-provoking articles.

And my thanks to all of you commenters for keeping this place civil throughout the year. With people screaming at each other on other blogs, this is a true oasis. Let’s hope to keep it that way.

Hot Stove should get busy starting next week and all the way through the Winter Meetings.

And mark January 15th on your calendars because that’s probably the date (or close to it) we’ll find out if Sasaki is coming here or going to SD.

Singing the Blue

I think he can be posted anytime and I expect that to happen right around December 15th which means he’ll have until the end of Jan to sign. If they post him around mid Dec he’ll start talking to teams at that time and be ready to sign when the next period for signing opens on Jan 15th.

Actually, according to Mayo, if they post him between Dec 2 and 15, he could technically sign during either period.

Keith

i wonder if the Dodgers will be able to use any of the 2.5 mil they had earmarked for Sasaki on other players, if in fact they know he’ll be in the next posting period.

Last edited 10 days ago by Keith
Duke Not Snider

Some of these “caddies” really established an identity, like AJ Ellis. And some labored in obscurity.
When Barnes first arrived, he showed flashes of potential stardom, perhaps a strong successor to Grandal. But Smith emerged and Barnes receded into the shadows. Yet teammates must call him “captain” for a reason. There’s long been talk of him having a future as a coach and manager.
I wonder what AJ Ellis is doing these days. He seemed to have the personality for broadcasting.

Last edited 10 days ago by Duke Not Snider

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