Tony Gonsolin is 27 years old and played his first Minor League Game in 2016. In 2019, he made his first appearance in the Show when he pitched 40 innings with a 4-2 record and sported a 2.93 ERA. For every pitcher that makes the major leagues and starts like this, there are probably 25 or more who really struggle. In the COVID-19 year of 2020, the Catman pitched 46 innings with a 2.31 ERA and 0.86 WHIP.
In 2021 Tony struggled with shoulder irritation and never was 100% but he did pitch 55 innings and had a 3.23 ERA. His velocity was down to an average of 93.8 MPH from his 95.1 MPH in 2020 as a result. There is no reason to think he will not be healthy in 2022 unless you are neurotic or psychotic.
Tony has four pitches: a 4-seam fastball, a slider, a splitter, and a curveball. Look at his career statistics:
- IP – 142.1
- Wins – 10
- Losses – 5
- ERA – 2.85
- WHIP – 1.089
- K’s 148
- BB-56
Like many young pitchers, he walks too many… at least he did in 2021 where he walked 5.5 batters per 9 IP, but that was likely caused by his shoulder issues. I say that because, in his first season, he walked 3.4 batters per 9 IP, and in his second season, it was 1.4 BB per 9 IP. That was outstanding. However, some of you want to trade the Catman because he is not Don Drysdale, I guess. To me, the Catman is on a path to have a breakout season in 2022 (if there is a season). Right about now is the time to keep Tony Gonsolin not put him in some cockamamie trade for some has been.
If Tony can pitch 120 to 130 innings, he can hold down the #5 spot in the Rotation. I think he can, and if healthy, he has the repertoire to be a solid starting pitcher. He was a reliever at St. Marys in college and it took his teammate, Corbin Burnes, a while to turn into a Cy Young Candidate. Milwaukee was smart in allowing Burnes to develop. The Dodgers need to do the same with Gonsolin. Tony’s ceiling may not be that of the current Cy Young Winner, but I could see him as a solid #3 or great #4 starter. Good things come to those who wait!
Ponder this for a minute: In Corbin Burnes’s first three seasons, he put up 0.6 WAR, compared to 3.4 WAR for Tony Gonsolin in his first three seasons. You guys are a tough crowd in wanting to throw the Catman out with the bathwater. On May 11, 2020, Fangraphs Eric Longenhagen, wrote this about Tony Gonsolin:
Gonsolin’s four-pitch mix looks like it was designed in a lab and considering the way his stuff works together, it may have been. He’s an extreme overhand, backspinning four-seam guy, and he works up at the letters with it. It’s complemented by a deep-diving, 12-6 curveball. He’ll also work an upper-80s slider to his glove side and it has shocking, horizontal length considering Gonsonlin’s arm slot. But the headline offering here is the changeup, a split-action cambio that bottoms out as it reaches the plate. Gonsolin uses it against both left- and right-handed hitters and it’s one of the best changeups in the minors. It’s a non-traditional style of pitching for a starter, so some eyeball scouts think he ends up in the bullpen. If so, it’s probably in a valuable multi-inning role.
I agree that he could end up in the bullpen, but to me, his repertoire plays out best as a starter. He deserves iT!
We know that Buehler, Urias, and Heaney as slated as starters and I believe you can add Gonsolin to that list. As much as some of you wish that Trevor Bauer will not be a Dodger, that determination is yet to be made… no matter what you believe or feel.
Allegedly the DA will be making a determination in January as to whether to charge Bauer. The fact that it has taken so long is an indication that the evidence is not clear and convincing or it could be confusing… at the least. I would be shocked if he is charged by the DA and I will also be shocked if MLB suspends him if there are no charges. Yes, I know they can… blah, blah, blah!
COVID-19
Well, I was exposed to COVID again on Monday and three of the people with me have it. Evidently, my antibodies still rule! They think it is the Omicron Strain, which is like 800 times more contagious, but much milder. Unfortunately, this virus has been politicized like nothing in the history of the world. I am convinced that the politics around this have cost tens or hundreds of thousands of people their lives. All in the interest of politics… and the dirty rotten scoundrels are on both sides of the aisle.
The NFL has adopted new COVID protocols after data suggest that asymptomatic players aren’t transmitting the virus even if they test positive. Blaze Media reports this:
After a rash of COVID-related absences have plagued the league this year, and following numerous complaints from teams about the league’s current testing policy, the NFL adopted new testing protocols last week, and did so for an eye-opening reason: asymptomatic players were not found to be transmitting the virus.
According to an ESPN report, which notes that the NFL’s stance is a “departure from the stance of public health authorities for much of the pandemic,” the NFL’s chief medical officer Dr. Allan Sills said, “We’ve really not seen this phenomenon that people have discussed, which is asymptomatic people in the facility spreading virus to others. s we’ve gone back and looked throughout the entire season, what we’ve seen consistently is that when people have symptoms, that’s when they seem to be contagious to others. And that’s why we’re asking people to come forward and acknowledge symptoms because that’s the point at which they’re vulnerable and the point at which they expose themselves to others.”
Sills was explaining the reasoning for a new policy under which the NFL has stopped weekly testing of all vaccinated players, and has allowed asymptomatic players who have tested positive to return to action sooner, if they are vaccinated.
“Our data has been consistent of that throughout the season, and I think it’s particularly true of this new variant, with omicron, of what we’re seeing. It’s all about symptom recognition and prompt testing,” Sills continued.
As the playoff season approaches for the NFL, a number of teams in the thick of the playoff race have been decimated by COVID-related absences and have had to play crucial games with large numbers of key players absent. Last week, two games were delayed after COVID protocols caused dozens of absences among the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Rams. The Browns ultimately lost a crucial game against Vegas with many of their most important players, including their top two quarterbacks, absent from the roster.
This week, the struggles have continued, as the Browns’ division rival and fellow playoff contenders the Baltimore Ravens reportedly only had 13 defensive players eligible to enter their practice facility on Wednesday. Likewise, the New Orleans Saints, who are also contending for a playoff spot, are preparing to start a largely-unheard of rookie this week after their second and third string quarterbacks both went on the COVID-reserve list, while starting quarterback Jameis Winston continues to recover from a season-ending injury.
The Science is evolving as we speak, but COVID ain’t over.
Can we not say the Virus has been politicized?
People have politicized the virus.
The media has politicized the virus.
The media has politicized the virus.
Mark continues to harp that we need to wait for the DA’s decision to render judgement on Trevor Bauer. I do not need to be talked down to with comments insinuating that I am a mindless sheep that can only get information from opinion journalists. While much of what is reported journalistically is factually challenged, that does not mean that all of it is. Mark previously reported that he was appalled at the assumptions I and others have formed based on these opinion journalists. Well Mark you have committed the cardinal sin of castigating me and others for forming assumptions not based on fact while you did the same by assuming that is where I formed my opinion. WRONG. I have never said that Trevor Bauer was criminally liable for any of his actions, which is why I do not need the DA for any of my convictions. The DA may very well decide against prosecuting Bauer, but that does not make him innocent. I do not need to know the DA’s decision for me to form my opinion that Trevor Bauer is a narcissistic loathsome reprobate who should not be allowed to wear the LA Dodger uniform.
To be precise, I got my information directly from his attorney Shawn Holley who said in her closing argument that the woman wanted to be treated violently, and that’s what Bauer did. “He wraps her hair around her neck, she goes unconscious,” Holley said in her closing argument.
Judge Gould-Saltman’s focus on consent related only to whether she consented to having rough sex with Bauer, which she did. “If she set limits and he exceeded them, this case would’ve been clear,” the judge said. “But she set limits without considering all the consequences and [Bauer] did not exceed limits that the petitioner set … they were consequences of the acts which she did consent to, including being choked.” But the woman did not consent to what happened after she lost consciousness, which is the focus of the criminal and MLB investigations.
Is that factual enough that Bauer did choke the woman unconscious? Or do you need the DA to tell you? Was it criminal? We may never know. Different question. Is this acceptable behavior for you? If that is someone you want representing the Dodgers, I will not join you in that group.
I also find it incredulous that you lecture commenters who believe that Bauer did give the woman the bruises on her body. Yeah, I know, we do not know the facts. It sure seems the judge believed that Bauer provided much of the punishment but said that was what she asked for. And her task was simply to decide whether Bauer presented a risk to the woman for a more permanent restraining order, and not judge as to the criminal nature of the activity. While there is clear evidence that she was beaten, I agree there is no reported evidence condemning Bauer for those bruises. And yet when B&P comes up with an alternative that she may have been beaten by friends or acquaintances for $$$$ to make her lawsuit more credible, you seem to find that narrative okay. I can thankfully say that I do not know anyone who would willingly ever be on the giving or receiving side of such a beating. Does it happen? I am sure it has. But is it more likely that was how the woman received the beating vs. Bauer? I personally find it less credible.
For the record, I never wanted Bauer for the Dodgers. It had nothing to do with his social media gaffes, although that should have been a window to his character. It was too much money for a pitcher who had one very good year (short season) and was signing for $102MM for three years. AF overreacted to what NYM and SDP were doing. IMO, he did something that I always believed he stayed away from…he let his emotions dictate his decisions. No, my opinion was formed on July 28, 2019, when Terry Francona came to pull him from a game, he stood on the mound and threw the ball over the CF fence. That is all I needed to know about who Trevor Bauer was. In his mind it is okay to embarrass your manager and put yourself above your teammates with a childish temper tantrum. Two days later he was traded to Cincinnati. Coincidence?
As far as Mark and B&P believing that Bauer will pitch for the Dodgers in 2022, there are multiple credible national baseball writers of prestigious publications who say otherwise. I have no idea who will prove to be correct, but I only hope that the national baseball writers are. I never want to see Trevor Bauer in a LAD uniform again. I will remain a Dodger fan, but it will be from a distance for as long as Bauer is on the roster. I have ceased wearing any of my LAD gear. And now I read some here want Carlos Correa? Really? Is winning that important? Is it also acceptable to trade for Roberto Osuna since he was never indicted for his actions in his domestic abuse case? Since the only issue for you is what the DA says, then Osuna should be an acceptable reliever.
You need the DA to tell you whether it is okay to want Bauer in the LAD rotation. I do not. But you may be right that he will be in the rotation for LAD, and I will follow the team less as a result. I would rather have Gonsolin, Mitch White, and Andre Jackson make up the back end of the rotation. I would rather rush Pepiot, Miller, Knack, and Beeter than have Bauer.
With this, I am back on my hiatus. But I do want to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and hope for a Happy, Safe, and Healthy New Year.
Thank you, Jeff. A powerful statement. I agree wholeheartedly with your thoughts. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.
You know I did not want Bauer either. If he is charged, then I am fine with that. For the record, I find all of the allegations repulsive, but if no charges are filed, what many believe may not be true. If he is charged, then I will say good riddance. So we wait.
And that is the difference. I DON’T CARE IF HE IS CHARGED OR NOT. What he has admitted to thru his attorney tells me he is not worthy of wearing a Dodger uniform. You seem to only care IF he is charged. Choking a woman unconscious is reprehensible, even if our justice system says it is legal under certain circumstances. I do not want anyone that does that representing the team I love. His attorney admitted that he did choke the woman unconscious. You do not believe her?
Since I do not want to assume, then let us know…if Bauer is not charged, but you know he choked at least one woman unconscious, you are okay with that person representing LAD. That’s all. Let us know. I am saying it makes no difference to me. I do not want him on the Dodgers. I do not think he will be charged. But that does not exonerate his actions in my eyes.
Well one thing is for sure. Trevor Bauer certainly divides people.
Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas.
Cool. Then don’t.
The choking game was a fad about 10-15 years ago. You can read about it here…
http://archive.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/02/15/choking_fad_has_killed_82_youths_cdc_says/
I remember when it was happening and thought how stupid it is for these kids to be chocking each other out to get their jollies. Trevor is 31 now, so 15 years ago put him at the age of 15-16. Right in the age that this game was going around. It could be coincidence, but I would say that anyone’s preconceived stigma about what is appropriate or inappropriate between two consenting adults isn’t going to be the same as what other generations might find acceptable.
I for one would much rather have a former Cy Young winner in his prime in the rotation than Jackson or White or to suggest rushing a rookie before they’re ready. That’s just not well thought out or reasonable to me. An emotional rant at best.
Love him or hate him, the rotation is better with him. If he’s a cancer and everyone hates on the team hates him, then that’s another story. But, I haven’t seen anything other that a single report with anonymous sources that would suggest that’s actually the case. The other thing that doesn’t make any sense is the thought that he can return with some other team, but not our team. Again, this is just boisterous nonsense to thing that the any one team needs to the be symbol of altruism. The Raiders built a team in the seventies with a bunch of guys that were seen as miscreants and they were rewarded with a Super Bowl. Trevor Bauer is no Ty Cobb by any means, and I don’t see people thinking less of the Tigers for having him.
What some people think of Bauer, I think even worse of every Giants players. I hate all of them with all my heart and would rather have Bauer than any of them.
Just my two cents…
Merry Christmas everybody! Love each other and have strength in your hearts to forgive those who have made mistakes.
I’ve been cooking and preparing all week. 13,000 steps just running around the kitchen and a quick walk to Trader Joes to get some last minute ingredients. I hope you all get to spend quality time with your loved ones.
OK, I see what the disconnect here is. Jeff is assuming that Trevor Bauer has admitted to choking the woman unconscious through his attorney. This hearing was simply for the purpose of determining whether a restraining order should be continued. Trevor Bauer has admitted nothing through his attorney. This was not an evidentiary hearing. This was actually a very sharp move by his attorney to argue that she wanted “rough sex” but did not define it. I don’t know if he choked her unconscious or hit her, but trying to make that determination from this hearing is nowhere near evidence that he is guilty. All they tried to accomplish in the hearing was to do whatever was necessary to win the battle of the restraining order. Bauer’s attorney also did not and should not tip their hand as to what the defense should be when handed on a platter an argument you can win without any evidence being presented. We have seen the accuser’s cards. We have not seen Bauers cards. I refuse to jump to conclusions without Due Process. I do not wish for Bauer to be innocent or to be back. I wish for justice to be done.