http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/031008dnsporange...
When will people learn? The Texas Rangers are the latest to sign the Daly-esque Ponson. And it's like the same story has been written every time about this guy. He's been working out. He's in great shape. Blah blah blah blah blah. Where do general managers get off thinking this turd sandwich can pitch in the majors? He's had one, yes just one, winning season. He's had one, yup just one, season with an ERA under 4.00. In 2003, at the age of 26, Ponson put in his only good season with Baltimore, and he was traded at the deadline to San Francisco because he was entering free agency (an athlete having a career year during a contract year? That never happens). Then he signed a 3-year, $22.5M contract to return to the Orioles (the Orioles making a dumb decision on personnel? That never happens). Here's how he "rewarded" the Orioles:
2004 - 11-15, 5.30 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 115 K, 23 HR allowed in 215.2 innings.
2005 - 7-11, 6.21 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, 68 K, 16 HR allowed in 130.1 innings.
He also got arrested twice in his homeland, Aruba, one of them for a DUI, between these fantastic seasons. Then in August of 2005, Ponson did the Orioles a favor and got another DUI in Baltimore, allowing them to void the remainder of his deal. He spent a week in jail for this infraction in December of 2005, and then was signed by the Cardinals 3 days after his release, for a base salary of $1M with incentives that could earn him another $1.5M. Needless to say, he did not make any incentives:
4-4, 5.24 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 33 K, 7 HR allowed in 68.2 innings.
He was released in July 2006. But then the very asute Brian Cashman signed him with the Yankees a mere week later. I can't remember why, but I'm sure the Yankees needed a pitcher due to an injury or something like that, but signing Ponson? Especially after what he gave the Cardinals, with their vastly inferior National League offenses? He made 3 starts and 2 bullpen appearances for the Yankees before his release, and provided them with this wonderous production:
0-1, 10.47 ERA, 2.02 WHIP, 15 K, 3 HR allowed in 16.1 innings. HA.
Released in August 2006, Ponson was unemployed for the longest stretch of his career. Yet the Twins needed a veteran starter on their staff, so for reasons unknown, they signed Ponson to a minor league deal. Proving that spring training is becoming more and more meaningless, he made the big league squad, and in exchange for compensation, he gave the Twins this:
2-5, 6.93 ERA, 1.89 WHIP, 23 K, 7 HR allowed in 37.2 innings.
So, for those counting at home, since signing that big money deal with Baltimore, here is what Sidney Ponson has done on the ballfield:
24-36, 5.86 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, 254 K, 56 HR allowed in 468.2 innings.
There is no way to justify that someone who has put up these freakin' numbers over the past 4 seasons could have any value on your squad. Yet I'm sure somehow he'll make the team and secure a buyout and release because that's what Sidney Ponson does. I am beside myself that there are teams out there stupid enough to waste their time with a giant suckbag like Sidney Ponson.
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