What Sele Said
As many of y'all have enthusiastically noted, starter Aaron Sele has been pretty much en fuego since getting the call back into the bigs. 3-0 with an ERA under a deuce? Yeah, I think that would qualify as somewhat toasty warm.
He began on somewhat of a trial basis, filling in out of necessity when the struggling Odalis Perez took a bereavement leave to tend to his sick mother. Perez may have eventually lost his spot in the rotation either way, but Sele's performances made it a done deal.
Here's what Sele had to say Wednesday night after his scoreless seven innings and a 7-1 win. Most of these questions came from the general media throng, with only the ones marked "AK" coming from yours truly.
On Sele's penchant for early season success throughout his career:
"I don't know. I don't change anything at the start of the season or the end of the season. Just try to work into a zone, let the defense work behind you. And when guys are playing good, when you get ground balls, you keep them on their toes, they play great defense for you.”
After being told his 1.69 ERA was "incredible":
"Well, that's not too many starts under your belt. It's a long season and you assess things at the end of the year. I'm just happy that I'm up here contributing in a positive way. We're playing good baseball right now and I'm happy to be a part of it.”
What does he attribute to the team's consistency at the moment?
"We knew we have a good team and we're putting it all together right now. It's just one of those streaks. You're going to have highs and lows in the game. You just continue to work hard. You know you're going to ride the highs and the lows. We'll just have to see where we stand at the end of the year.”
On whether he thought he'd be back again after starting out on a minor league contract:
"Well, I had to do it last year too. All you can ask for is an opportunity. If you get an opportunity, you go out there and do the best you can. Hopefully, it works out.… You just really try to keep it start to start. Keep it basic. Keep it simple. Keep trying doing the things that relate to positive pitching. Keep the ball down, let your defense work behind you. It's a pretty good formula.”
AK: Is there anything tangible you can feel right now, some kind of energy, to explain why everything is clicking so well right now?
“It's hard for me to say, because we've been playing well since I've been up. It's a good, positive clubhouse. Guys are having fun, working hard, doing what they're supposed to be doing. We're playing good baseball right now.… It's a veteran group of guys that are having fun and know how to win. We're just gonna keep trying to do that.”
AK: Is there a difference in the way you guys go about keeping this going while you're on the road, as opposed to at home?
“I think it's the same approach every day. The highs last a little longer, the lows aren't as long (at home). The guys are here getting their work in early. Good, fun, positive attitude. Doing the things they need to do to keep winning. And I think they just take that same approach. Going on a road trip, just gotta do your work on the road.”
AK
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AK (this is gonna sound dumb but I don't care)
What dose it mean when Vinnie says, "they purchased some one's contract" from the minor leagues? arent they under contract already by the Dodgers? I'm not trying to make a joke I'm being serious.
Posted by: Mini-Repko | May 25, 2006 at 08:06 PM
hey AK, in Kevin Goldstein's latest draft notebook at Baseball Prospectus, he said that there are some indications that there has been some very early, preliminary loose talks between the dodgers and boras about hochevar that might lead to more serious talks. I was wondering if you could maybe try and dig up some more info on that. the deadline is 5 days away so we are coming down to the wire on this one.
thanks in advance- nate
Posted by: natepurcell | May 25, 2006 at 08:56 PM
Mini-Repko,
To be perfectly honest, I don't entirely know for sure how it works. I think it more or less means simply taking the minor league contract of said 51's player (in this case, Sele) off the Vegas team's books. But there could be more to it (the exact ramifications on the Dodgers payroll, for starters) that I'm fuzzy on. When the next homestand rolls around, I'll ask a few writers and get you some more info.
Nate,
This Kevin Goldstein cat must know something I don't (which is entirely possible, for sure), because all I've ever heard is that the situation with Hochevar is more or less a Mexican standoff at this point. BK heard Colletti talk before the game yesterday and that's the impression he took away as well. Maybe there are developments in the works as we speak. But as far as I know, they're no closer to getting this guy signed than before.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 25, 2006 at 11:15 PM
Mini-Repko, AK,
If I’m not mistaken, you can only purchase a minor league contract if you sign that player for a minor league contract. Sele, for example, was given a minor league contract with no guaranteed roster spot. The Dodgers ended up calling him up and had to take his contract off the minor league books (which is not necessarily paid for by the Dodgers, in accounting terms) and put the contract on the Dodger payroll. Also, when the contract is “purchased” it can be redone. Once the Dodgers have purchased his contract he has been given a roster-spot and will continue to be on the Dodger payroll, even in the event that he gets sent back down to the minors (which there are other provisions involved with sending a senior ball player to the minors). Once he is on the payroll he is a chip just like anybody else on the roster.
That is why Sosa rejected a minor league contract with the Nationals. There is no guaranteed roster spot, so if they don’t want to give him one then he can be sent down to the minors without giving him a roster spot. That way he remains property of the Nationals unless they terminate the minor league deal. The player runs the risk of getting stuck in the minors with no chance of making back to the majors unless the team decides to purchase his minor league contract and bring him up. Most veterans ask for a date for an unconditional release from their minor league contract if they are not called up by a certain date (Sele waived his and decided to take the minor league assignment).
I LOVE baseball and all it’s inner-workings. That is the reason why it’s my favorite sport. SOOOOO many moving parts.
Posted by: LoLo | May 26, 2006 at 06:06 AM
AK/BK
The Daily News reported that Colletti “could be” interested in trading for Greg Maddux. I’m all for adding pitching, but not at the expense of our farm system. Hypothetically speaking, the Cubs are hurting pretty much at every position so I would think that they would ask for the keys to the farm. I mean, if they were willing to take Izzy, Navarro, and/or Ledee I would think Coletti might pull the trigger. But how much should we be willing to sacrifice for pitching? You only need 3 starters in the playoffs. While we might not have a “true” ace, Lowe and Penny have proven they can get it done in the biggest of stages. They might not be aces during the regular season, but the playoffs are a different story (ask A-Rod).
Posted by: LoLo | May 26, 2006 at 06:20 AM
RE: Hochevar
My two wishes are for Boras to be involved in a single car accident (though not with a tree, for that would be a waste of a tree!) and die a firey and painful death (not really), and that Hochevar ends up being drafted by a team that wont pay him the four million (like Kansas City) or a team that has a launching pad for a home-field (like Texas).
What if the Dodgers drafted him again (can they do that?) just to spite Boras! We have enough talent in the minor-league system to waste a pick on this guy. I know it is silly, but this situation is painfully frustrating and also seems to reflect what is wrong with the game (money-grubbing brainwashing agents like Boras).
Go Blue!!
Posted by: SantaMonica4Ever | May 26, 2006 at 09:42 AM
AK,
What's the dealio with Werth? Is his career pretty much over? He's a one slow healer or non-healer just like Dreifort. And when does his contract expire?
Posted by: Ben C. | May 26, 2006 at 09:46 AM
Ben,
I don't know off the top of my head when Werth's contract expires, but I do know that his wrist isn't exactly healing at the speed of light. Little talked Wednesday about they recasted his wrist, and didn't flat out it desribe it as a setback, but hardly made it sound positive. I haven't heard anything even remotely resembling a time table when it comes to his return.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 26, 2006 at 09:55 AM
Ben-
Werth is in bad shape. This wrist has taken far longer than anyone anticipated to heal, and he keeps suffering setbacks. There may not be a worse injury for a hitter than the wrist. You just can't swing if they're not right. The bigger problem for him beyond health is that the team has passed him by in terms of his slot. If I had to bet, I don't think he'll play in a Dodgers uni again. Just my guess. Not saying he won't end up somewhere, and I hope he does- he showed some potential when healthy and no matter what your career is it sucks to see it cut short early- I just don't think it'll be here.
As for Maddux, I wouldn't give up the farm for him (or a lot of guys on it). Since his amazing start he's been lit up like a Christmas tree. His margin for error now is so small. Is he better than some guys out there? Yeah. But it's important not to make moves based on reputation.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | May 26, 2006 at 04:17 PM