Dodgers News And Rumors: A.J. Ellis Talks Potential New Contract
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis entered his seventh season with the organization this year after signing a one-year, $3.55 million contract to avoid arbitration in the off-season. Throughout his seven seasons, the 33-year-old has earned respect as an intelligent catcher. Even in his absence, the Dodgers were able to utilize him as an off-the-field asset to the pitching staff.
Ellis is eligible for arbitration over the next two years, usually meaning an increase in salary, which leaves his job security up in the air. The Dodger catcher hopes that he has gained enough respect from the organization thus far to warrant a new contract, but also understands that the team wants to win and must invest in productive platers.
As a student of the game, Ellis said that the most important statistic is the team’s record on the days he catches, knowing that he must make a daily impact on the team in order to secure his job with the team.
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Ellis should definitely be re-signed when his contract ends. He is one of the best at throwing out runners at second base, and his hitting is good. He has just one fault when it comes to batting. He tends to take the pitcher deep with hopes of a fastball or a walk. Pitchers know this, so they pitch over the plate in the beginning. Ellis needs to look for the pitch he can hit before going deep. If deep, then both he and the pitcher are playing the game accordingly.
He took your advice last night with a first pitch swing RBI single! After the game he mentioned how everybody knows he takes the first pitch. I think we’ll see him more aggressive like that if he gets his pitch. There’s also something to be said for making the pitcher work and shortening his outing as well. But I agree. Considering he’s not known as an offensive threat and he has years of data telling pitchers he’s going to sit on that first pitch– I wonder what his batting average is going to look like in the next couple months if he goes for it!
I think you both raise good points. I certainly wouldn’t be completely opposed to re-signing Ellis, but it would have to be at the right price and dependent on what other options may be available.