2008 Set-Up Man of the Year

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Hong-Chih Kuo has won the Set-Up man of the Year. From the Dodgers press release:

Dodger left-hander Hong-Chih Kuo today was named the 2008 Set-Up Man of the Year, as voted on by fans on MLB.com. The award is part of the website’s This Year in Baseball Awards. The Taiwan native received 30.3 percent of the vote, ahead of Tampa Bay ’s Grant Balfour (19.2 percent), the Cubs’ Carlos Marmol (17.6 percent), and the Angels’ Scot Shields (7.5 percent).

Kuo’s 1.69 ERA (13 ER/69.1 IP) as a reliever in 2008 led the National League and ranked seventh in the Majors (min. 50.0 innings). The 27-year-old bounced back from left rotator cuff and left elbow injuries in 2007 to pitch a career-high 80.0 innings over a career-best 42 games (three starts). Kuo went 5-3 with 12 holds, one save, and a 2.14 ERA overall. He finished tied for second on the Dodgers in holds with Joe Beimel, behind only Jonathan Broxton’s 13.

One of five Taiwan-born players in Major League Baseball history, Kuo struck out 96 batters in his 80.0 innings for an average of 10.80 strikeouts per 9.0 innings. He limited the opposition to a .204 average, including a .202 mark (19-for-94) by left-handed hitters. Beginning July 27, left-handed hitters went just 3-for-23 (.130) against him.

Kuo earned his first big league save on August 14 vs. Philadelphia , closing out a 3-1 win with a two scoreless innings.

Dodgertown Relics

Pic Link: tcpalm.com: Diana Bryant:

With the Dodgers officially moving to Arizona what is to be done with all that Dodger stuff in Florida?

Los Angeles Dodgers logos and emblems are disappearing from the walls and outsides of the property (Dodgertown), as the team begins to move signs and other pieces into their new facility in Glendale, Ariz., and to Dodger Stadium in California.

Indian River County officials agreed to allow the Dodgers to take anything with the team's logo when they signed off on an exit agreement during the summer.

...

County employees and officials have been taking inventory for a while now and would like to keep certain pieces of memorabilia and historical tokens, Baird said, but the two parties are working together to decide the value and best place for individual items, such as photos and the famous street signs named after Dodger legends such as Jackie Robinson.

I would not be surprised to find Indian River County auctioning off some of the treasures. Stay tuned I'll be sure to keep an eye out.

Story Link: TCPalm.com:
Hat Tip: Sports Collectors Daily:

UPDATE: Below is a photo of a Dodgertown street sign I took a couple of years ago during Spring Training.

It's a Done Deal

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The saga is over. At least for now, or until another team decides to pop up out of nowhere.

Oh Vey!

Rafael will be staying with the Dodgers. His new contract is for $30Mil over 3 years plus a 4th year option that vest based on plate appearance in year 3.

Furcal will be paid $6.5 million next season, $8.5 million in 2010 and $12 million in 2011, according to sources with knowledge of the situation who were granted anonymity because the deal was still being finalized. The contract includes a $12-million option for 2012 that vests if Furcal makes 600 plate appearances in 2011.

The 31-year-old shortstop will receive a deferred signing bonus of $3 million when the contract expires.

It doesn't sound like too bad of a deal.