[Houston Chronicle] Astros re-sign Brad Ausmus to one-year deal

If he is so valuable, why haven't other teams been interested in signing him as a F/A?

 

we didn't give them any time...and ausmus isn't interested in going anywhere else at this point. it's a last-year contract...a close out of his career.

 

One of the reasons Ausmus hasn't been coveted in the recent past is he has made it known he wanted to play in Houston or San Diego.

 

Or it could be his .600 OPS, but it's probably what you said.

 

Teams aren't allowed to discuss offers with other team's free agents until 15 days after the World Series ends. They can call them (a la the Astros calling the agents for Hunter and Rowland), but they cannot discuss offers. That, and like bobrek said, he made it clear it was going to be Houston, San Diego, or retirement.

 

Ausmus is valuable for his in-house management and leadership qualities and ability to call a near-perfect game from the plate. It's not his fault that Jennigs pitched a crappy season, but look what he's been able do with WANDY. From a pitching standpoint, he's one of the most valuable catchers in the league; there's a good reason Clemens wanted him around.

It's also, not coincidentally, part of why people say he'll make a good manager after his career is over. And if he sticks around with a Astros for another season, he very well might have to opportunity to start managing sooner rather than later.

 

As I wrote "ONE of the reasons...."

 

No one's denying Brad sucking it up at bat. But every team has a player who can't hit, and Brad makes a great candidate to be the one on ANY team. Trouble is, the Astros have two (okay, way more than two, but I'm talking about from back when the 'Stros weren't suck): Ausmus and Everett. And they're both valuable players for non-offensive reasons.

But the 'Stros only need one of them. Which one? I really don't know. This last season has really showed me how much they need Everett playing short. But I fear how bad pitching will be when Brad is gone.

 

But has San Diego really shown any interest in Ausmus?

 

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/clubhouse_news.aspx?sport=Mlb&majteam=SD

 

Agree with that assessment.