http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8473536...nor-league-deal

I liked the idea of the move when his named popped up as a guy being designated for assignment.

Good move. I wonder what they told him with regards to this being an audition for next year...

I've liked Ross for a long time. Among catchers, he probably has more raw power than any current MLB starter... Good move, although I don't see how we could slot him behind Cash.

He's a real interesting case.

Always a low batting average, yet a decent OBP thanks to walks(he draws one roughly 11% of his PAs). He's hit a lot of homers in limited ABs, yet still maintains only a modest SLG. I've never seen him play, so I don't know why this is, but I'd assume it's an issue of speed on the basepaths costing him doubles on the balls that don't go out. He strikes out a ton, but has a .308 BABIP. If he's proficient defensively, this is a great move and good insurance for if Varitek keeps sucking or walks at the end of the year.

He has more HR (60) than doubles (53), but it's not a huge gap. It's well within the range of what you see with a lot of power hitters. Right around Jason Giambi's doubles:HR ratio, and well above Griffey, or Bonds, or Adam Dunn. Not that he's in any of their leagues as a slugger. But the "modest" SLG is probably more a function of the baseline being low to begin with with a .223 career BA. It would look a lot better if the guy was a league average .270 hitter.

Power hasn't been there in limited action this year, though. Intriguing pickup for September, but I can't see him bumping Cash off the (knock on wood) playoff roster....

Sure. Singles enter into the SLG equation as well as doubles, triples and homers. You need only look at Ryan Howard with his "paltry" .478 SLG, in spite of his 33 HRs. He's hitting .231.

He sort of reminds me of Dougie in his "prime."