THE BELTWAY BOYS: Tomko Signing: Nationals Win, Dodgers Lose

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Tomko Signing: Nationals Win, Dodgers Lose

[December 22nd] --"The Los Angeles Dodgers and Brett Tomko have agreed to terms on a two-year, $8.7 million contract that includes a club option for a third year and a $1 million buyout." - L.A. Times

Using my barely adequate math skills (that almost kept me out of college), I'm figuring that Mr. Tomko is going to earn nearly $4.5 million per year. Because the Dodgers will almost certainly not want to pick up his option for the third year, the $1 million buyout clause brings his contract value to almost $5 million per season. Tomko went 8-15, 4.48 last year, and had his best season nine years ago. That was also his first season. Since then, he's barely been able to hold his own against major league hitting.

I was very upset with Bowden a few days ago when it seemed he couldn't even sign a bottom-of-the-barrel pitcher like Tomko. I WAS WRONG. Bowden was being fiscally responsible, unwilling to tie the team's future to a contract eerily similar to Cristian Guzman's.

Way to go, Jimbo. You're not off the hook for that whole "Soriano" thing just yet, but at least I no longer entertain thoughts of using tar and feathers in a very immature inappropriate way.

# posted by Farid Rushdi @ 10:02 AM

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Rasner Rocks For Yanks

What was it that Jim Bowden said when he lost Darrell Rasner to the Yankees through waivers last winter? Wasn't it something like, "C'mon, it wasn't like he was going to make an impact at the major league level?" Well Jimbo, it seems like some of your "minor" transactions are coming back to haunt you.

Rasner, a 6'3" righty from Carson City, Nevada, was waived February 11th by the Nationals, just a couple of weeks before the start of spring training. He was picked up and assigned to 'AAA' Columbus. He had some injuries this year, but it didn't effect his pitching. In 58 innings for the Clippers, Rasner went 4-0, 2.76. But wait. There's more.

Pitching on Sunday against the Twins, Rasner pitched 6 strong innings, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits. In two starts, he's now 1-0, 1.17.

What do you always like to say, Jim, something about "You can never have enough pitching?" Let's see, you waived Rasner, and he's starting for the Yankees. You waived Claudio Vargas, and he's starting for the Diamondbacks. You waived Byung Young Kim, and he's starting for the Rockies. You traded Tomo Ohka for a guy no longer in the major leagues, and he's starting for the Brewers.

Jim, if I were you, I'd stay away from the waiver wire. Seems like you haven't figured it that it's supposed to help the team, not hurt it.

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Big Changes, Little Names

Big happenings? Nah. Just happenings. Zach Day was designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies and Capitol Punishment is reporting that the Nats have claimed him off the waiver wire. So we ended up getting Preston Wilson for nothing. That's nice. Billy Traber, he of the tight leash, was sent down to New Orleans and replaced by Mike O'Connor.

That's all well and good, but don't look to any of these moves making a difference in the play of the team. But hey, it's something to talk about. Right?