Kapler Re-Signs With Rays

Well, that didn't take very long. Gabe Kapler has just signed a 1-year deal with the Rays worth $1.05 million. Over the last 2 seasons, Kapler has hit .304 against lefties with a .577 SLG, which ranks 11th best in all of baseball over that span. In addition to being a scourge to southpaws, Kapler is still an excellent outfielder.

However, Kapler's role on the 2010 squad is a bit murky. If the Rays platoon Ben Zobrist and Matt Joyce in right, Kapler could wind up being the Rays' 5th outfielder. Then again, Kapler might be platooned with Joyce if the Rays decide to make Zobrist their everyday 2nd baseman. Kapler might even see playing time as a DH if the Rays can unload Pat Burrell.

One JML free agent down, four to go.

Never Too Early To Speculate And Prognosticate

Jason Marquis will sign a 2-year deal with the Mets and will relish pitching at Citi Field. However, he won't be a media darling in New York. The team that Marquis signs with in the offseason will make the playoffs next year. Take it to the bank.

Expect a down year from Ryan Braun if the Brewers shop Prince Fielder for starting pitching. Should this come to pass, Braun will have little to no protection in that lineup and will be pitched around. If Fielder remains on the Brewers, expect what we've come to expect from Braun.

Kevin Youkilis will have another great season. He'll fall a little short of 25 HRs, but he'll set a career-high in doubles with 44. However, if he continues to man the hot corner for the Sox, injuries may slow him down.

Ian Kinsler will have another 20/20 season. He will win his 1st Gold Glove and will be about as durable as he was in 2009. He will no longer be a leadoff man. Instead, he will bat 5th most of the time. As a result, he will drive in 100 runs.

Scott Feldman will make his 1st All-Star Team next year. His newly developed cut fastball will serve him well. He will have at least 14 wins. His stamina will be much improved, and he will pitch his 1st complete game in 2010.

Unfortunately, Ryan Sadowski will not pitch in The Bigs next year unless the Giants' rotation is decimated by injuries.

Sam Fuld will effectively replace Reed Johnson as the Cubs' 4th outfielder. He'll get more playing time. His .409 OBP may not be sustainable in a larger sample size, but he'll still get on base at a relatively high clip.

Josh Whitesell will be platooned at 1st base. He'll have more ABs than he had in 2009. More importantly, he'll have better ABs. And if he does well enough, the starting job could be his by midseason. If he does poorly, he'll be buried in the Diamondbacks' farm system or let go.

Aaron Poreda will have a shot at making the Padres rotation at the start of the season, but I believe he will once again be used in the bullpen. If he can cut down on the free passes, he could be moved into the rotation by June.

The Cubs will sign John Grabow to a 3-year deal or a 2-year deal with a club option. Most Cub fans will think Jim Hendry overpaid for him, but Grabow will have earned his paycheck when it's all said and done.

Unlike the Indians and the Twins, the A's will not put Craig Breslow on waivers next year. He will continue to be one of the best middle relievers in all of baseball.

Scott Schoeneweis may sign a 1-year deal with a team looking for a lefty specialist, but I have my doubts. I believe he will get a Spring Training invite from a team, and that's as much action as he'll see in 2010.

Brad Ausmus will either sign another 1-year deal with the Dodgers or call it quits. I'm leaning towards the latter. However, he'll be an MLB skipper soon enough. Before signing with the Dodgers, Ausmus had expressed interest in playing for the Padres. Should he sign with the Padres, he and Poreda would form a Jewish battery.

Gabe Kapler will sign a 1-year deal with a team in need of a 4th outfielder. Given Rocco Baldelli's lingering health issues, Kapler could return to Boston. If the Rays make Ben Zobrist their everyday 2nd baseman, Kapler will likely be re-signed by Tampa Bay. To tell you the truth, I have no idea where he will end up.

Mets 1B prospect Ike Davis will get a September call-up.

Last but not least, Phillies in 7.

Sorry to see you go, Welcome to the tribe

I suppose I've put this off long enough. In terms of classification, JMLs who are converts invite controversy. While we've gained many players through conversion, we've also lost a lot through conversion.

Players who have left the tribe:

Bo Belinsky (LH SP) - Threw a no-no as a rookie in 1962 against the Orioles, was teammates with Barry Latman in 1964 on the Angels and again in 1967 on the Astros along with Norm Miller and Larry Sherry, was known more for his exploits off the field than on the field.

Lou Boudreau (SS/Manager) - Member of the Hall of Fame, won 1948 MVP, batting champion in 1944, led the AL in doubles 3 times, was a terrific two-way player, managed and played for the last Indians team to win the World Series.

Harry Feldman (RH SP) - was teammates with Sid Gordon, Harry Danning, and Morrie Arnovich on the 1941 New York Giants, was teammates with Phil Weintraub in 1944 and 1945, had a 3.27 ERA and a 1.296 WHIP in 217 innings in 1945.

Doug Johns (LH SP) - Played for the Orioles and the A's in the late 1990s, had a 4.47 ERA and a 1.223 WHIP in 86 innings in 1999.

Ryan Karp (LH RP) - Was teammates with Mike Lieberthal and Ruben Amaro Jr. on the Phillies in the 1990s, had 20 Ks in 17 innings of relief.

Bob Melvin (C/Manager) - Not an offensive catcher, threw out 176 of 552 attempted base stealers (32%), has won 90 or more games twice as a manager.

David Newhan (UT) - His father, Ross Newhan, is a Hall of Fame baseball writer, had a 113 OPS+ with the Orioles in 2004.

Jon Perlman (RH RP) - Logged a total of 39 2/3 innings of relief in 3 seasons in the 1980s, was teammates with Melvin in 1987 on the Giants.

Fred Sington (OF) - Played with Buddy Myer in Washington and Goody Rosen in Brooklyn, had 36 doubles and 85 RBIs in 516 career ABs, walked more than he struck out.

Players who have joined the tribe:

Lloyd Allen (RH RP) - Had 15 saves, a 2.49 ERA, and a 1.223 WHIP in 94 innings in 1971 for the Angels. Played under Jewish manager Lefty Phillips.

Jim Gaudet (C) - Had two cups of coffee with the Royals in the late 1970s.

Joe Horlen (RH SP) - Threw a no-no in 1967 against the Tigers, finished 2nd in Cy Young Voting in 1967, led the AL in ERA once and WHIP twice, won a World Series in 1972 with Ken Holtzman and Mike Epstein on the A's.

Skip Jutze (C) - Played in the 1970s, not much of a hitter, threw out 63 of 191 attempted base stealers (33%).

Elliot Maddox (OF) - Finished 8th in MVP voting in 1974 with the Yankees, stole 20 bases in 1972 with the Rangers, was teammates with Mike Epstein and Richie Scheinblum in 1971 on the Washington Senators under Ted Williams, walked more than he struck out, played every position but catcher and pitcher.

Jeff Newman (C) - An All-Star in 1979 for the A's, hit 22 HRs and drove in 71 runs that season, threw out 160 of 406 attempted base stealers (39%).

Bob Tufts (LH RP) - Logged a total of 42 innings of relief in 3 seasons in the 1980s.

Dan Warthen (LH SP) - Played in the 1970s, had a 3.11 ERA and a 1.294 WHIP in 167 innings in his rookie season with the Expos.

Steve Yeager (C) - Named World Series MVP in 1981, hit 16 HRs for the Dodgers in 1977, threw out 363 of 595 attempted base stealers (38%).

NLCS Update

Brad Ausmus and the Dodgers have been eliminated by the Phillies in 5 games. Ausmus didn't get any playing time in the series.

While there are no JMLs left in the postseason, there are some former members of the Tribe, and by that I mean there are some former Cleveland Indians...

At least we still have the Phil's GM to root for; Ruben Amaro Jr. may not have a Jewish-sounding name, but tell that to his dear old mum.

The Intangibles of Brad Ausmus

For those wondering how a guy with a career 75 OPS+ has managed to hang around for 17 seasons in The Bigs, here is an informative and insightful write-up on Brad Ausmus and the impact he's had on his teammates.

It also discusses how, more than any other position, the duties of a catcher cannot be quantified by metrics.

On This Date In 1974

Ken Holtzman hit a home run off Andy Messersmith in Game 4 of the World Series against the Dodgers.

On This Date In 1965

After declining to pitch in Game 1 of the World Series due to his observance of Yom Kippur, Sandy Koufax pitched the 2nd of back-to-back complete game shutouts on 2 days of rest in Games 5 and 7 against the Twins. Naturally, Koufax was named World Series MVP.