SubscribeBrad Ausmus: re-signing, not resigning
Brad Ausmus has signed a new contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2010 season … and beyond.
The veteran catcher — who has been suggested would make a great coach when he does call it quits — agreed to a one-year deal yesterday worth $850,000 plus a $1 million option for 2011 or a $150,000 buyout, according to Dodgers.com.
Ausmus, who turns 41 on April 14, had a great 2009, essentially playing once a week and hitting a career-high .295 as backup to Russell Martin.
Good news. Brad is the ultimate professional ballplayer, and he even gets a likely bonus year out of the deal. Limited as an offensive player, he still is one of the great defensive catchers, arguably of all-time. Yes, conventional wisdom has him landing as a manager after his playing days are over, and who better to learn from than Joe Torre. Maybe he could even slide right into the Dodgers dugout when Torre calls it a day.