Free Agents in 2009

[JohnBriggs12]

John Garland=Jeff Suppan

 

No thanks

 

Not really endaround.

 

Garland works with a 90-92 mph two seamer, compared to Suppan's fastball which tops out at 87 or 88. He's like Suppan in that he pitches to contact and does give up a lot of hits and he's posted ERA's similar to Suppan's but that's been in the AL and his career ERA of 4.40 is still better than Suppan's 4.61 split between the NL and AL. He also has shown the ability to pitch deeper in games than Suppan. Like Suppan, he's been very, very durable.

 

Not saying he's a 1 or 2 starter, but he's a solid, reliable number 3 whereas Suppan is more of a 4 at best. If you project the Brewer ace to be Gallardo and Parra to be a number 2, you could do a lot worse than Garland inserted in there somewhere.

[fondybrewfan]

Could I get a final definite amount that will be coming off the books next year assuming we dont resign any of our FA's. I would assume that we pick up Torres's option but don't pick up Cameron. Assuming we keep the same payroll as this year how much room do we have to work with and how much of that room will be occupied by arby pay raises?

[Team Canada]

Did anybody else read the title and assume this was about next year's free agents, or am I just having a dumb moment?

[bucks2281]

Two blurbs in this week's SI (Aug 11) regarding the Brewers & end-of-season free agents, courtesy of BP's Joe Sheehan:

 

Ben Sheets: High risk, high reward -- a bet the Texas Rangers can make; also Mets, Astros

Francisco Rodriguez: Would fill Brewers' gaping hole at closer; also Diamondbacks, Braves

 

I'm drooling at the thought of Francisco Rodriguez, but he'd likely be the only free agent Mark A. could pick up, considering the arby raises that are due, and Franscisco's enormous price tag

[kramnoj]

Could I get a final definite amount that will be coming off the books next year assuming we dont resign any of our FA's. I would assume that we pick up Torres's option but don't pick up Cameron. Assuming we keep the same payroll as this year how much room do we have to work with and how much of that room will be occupied by arby pay raises?

 

Courtesy of Cot's, I will list all salary obligations for next year (a little different than what you are asking, but serves the same purpose):

 

Suppan: $12.5 m

Hall: $6.8 m

Kendall: $4.25 m (could be 4.6 based on starts this year)

Riske: $4.25 m

Torres: $3.75 m (I'm just assuming he will be picked up unless ...knock on wood)

Braun: $.745 m

 

So $32.295 or a little more in guaranteed salaries.

 

 

Options:

Cameron: $10M club option ($0.75M buyout)

Counsell: $3.4M ($0.4M buyout)

 

It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

 

Arb:

Capuano: ?

Hardy: $5-6 m?

Bush: $5m ?

Weeks: $2-3m?

McClung: $2m?

Fielder: $8m?

Hart: $3-4m?

Villenueva: $ .500 m?

Gallardo $ .450 m?

Rivera: $ .400 m

Parra: $ .400m?

 

I estimate a minimum of $27 million in arb eligible players, could be up to $35 or more if I guessed wrong.

 

So I count about $60 million in guaranteed payroll plus my arby guesses. That would give us a rotation of Yo, Parra, Suppan, Bush and McClung, starters at every position but CF, a bullpen that includes Torres, Riske and Villenueva and a backup C.

 

With guys like Dillard, Stetter, Pena we could fill out a bullpen. I didn't include Dillon or Branyan, or Kapler. CF would presumably be filled on the cheap with Gwynn/Kapler or the option on Cameron. Dillon would still be in club control, so he would probably add another $400k for a bench player. Utility infielder would probably be Counsell for $3m or they could go with a guy like Irribarren or Crabbe. As discussed elsewhere, Branyan seems to have lost his position, but he would be probably be available for relatively cheap if they want him.

 

So with players they have on the roster and filled out with players in the minors, the team would probably spend $65-70 million depending on arby awards. Assuming they increase ticket prices, the team could probably afford a $90 million budget, which means they might have $20 million to spend.

 

If they spend $10 million to pick up Cameron and don't pick up Counsell, they would have about $10 million to spend on pitching. That may get a mediocre SP, or it could get a couple of relievers.

 

Or they could go cheap at CF and Utility Infielder and have $20 million to spend on pitching. That could get them a top pitcher, but the top pitchers may get more, or may get that number from another team.

 

It will definitely be an intriguing offseason.

 

 

 

[sheetskout]

I don't think there could be a better fit than Carl Crawford, but I also realize it's a dream. He's a left-handed stick who could leafoff and play center and right. C'mon Mark A.....Open the wallet some more. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[endaround]

And who knows someday Crawford might be more than just a guy everyone say will be a superstar!

 

Crawford isn't going anywhere, he has two club options remaining at $8.25m and $10m

[Samurai Bucky]

I wish I had a 400K buyout at work... wow.

[JohnBriggs12]

One option in CF remains Hall. That would allow a spot for either Gamel at 3B, or Escobar at SS (with Hardy to 3B).

 

Or they could move Hart over to CF, and either insert Gamel in RF or go get a lefthanded corner bat like Ibanez that balances out the lineup.

[GB12]

One option in CF remains Hall. That would allow a spot for either Gamel at 3B, or Escobar at SS (with Hardy to 3B).

 

Or they could move Hart over to CF, and either insert Gamel in RF or go get a lefthanded corner bat like Ibanez that balances out the lineup.

I don't see anyway we do that to Billy(again). We can't keep moving him every year.

[reillymcshane]

As much as I'd love to see Sheets and/or Sabathia in Milwaukee next year, I don't see the team spending upwards of $20 million on a pitcher. It's just too risky for them.

 

I could see a respectable, innings eater kind of guy - someone mentioned Garland - someone like that for three years. Then the club gets 4 picks for sheets and sabathia to restock the system. Your rotation is Yo, Parra, Bush, Suppan and one other guy, with McClung ready to step in for in injury. I wouldn't count on Capuano, but maybe they'd see how he went and he could be a 2nd half addition if he rounded into form. Villanueva is a possibility, but I always thought he was a middle relief guy - I just don't know if he has the stuff to be starter.

 

We have no impact starters in the minors waiting, so unless we deal someone (Fielder, Hardy, etc.), we won't be getting any young pitchers. Trading fielder would deplete the team of lefthanded power hitters - and while they could bring up Gamel and move him there, he'll never have Prince's power. And even with Gamel (or Prince), the club could really use a lefthanded hitting stick.

[piccione88]

"Good, he's not even that good of a rightfielder, let alone cf. Not sure why people are so anxious to shift him to center. I think our next Cf needs to be a leadoff option.

In my opinion Hart is a better option in center than in right field. Corey has pretty good range, nothing spectacular, but he has the athleticism to cover alot of ground, and in center you get a better read on the ball then in right field anyway. The biggest reason Corey should not be in right field is that he has a weak arm, in right field your arm strength is more important than any other position in the outfield. Left field would be an option for Corey, but then you would have to move Braun, and Corey's bat would not be that special playing in left field. Center field seems like the best option for Corey Hart to me.

 

 

 

[JohnBriggs12]

According to Rotoworld, the LA Times is reporting that the Dodgers may opt to buy out (for $2 million) Brad Penny's $9.25 million contract after he experienced more shoulder inflamation.

 

I'm not sure the Dodgers aren't so much concerned with Penny's shoulder as they are marshalling their resources to be big players for Sabathia and or Sheets this offseason.

 

Penny might become a cheap gamble that the Brewers might want to look at.

[dadofandrew]

I agree on Penny.

 

And while Hart's arm is not Clemente like, "weak" is a poor description. It's solid.

[paul253]

I forget who, but on CNNSI.com it was suggested by one of the baseball writers that Sabathia will get about $150 million for 6 years and Sheets will get about $50 million for 3 years. Under this scenario, I dont see why we cant resign Sheets at that rate. $17 for 3 years is a good deal for the NL all star starter, even though, surprisingly enough, he has only been healthy during this his contract year. I just don't think without a number one or number two guy we can compete next year. You'd be counting on Gallardo, who has about half a season undeer his wing, Parra, who will have one year experience, and bunch of extremely inconsistant number 5's in Bush, McClung and Suppan, along with a who-knows type guy in Capuana. And its not like we have any prospects to fall back on. Jeffress is at least a year away. I just don't think we can compete without a guy like Sheets or Sabathia.

[trwi7]

even though, surprisingly enough, he has only been healthy during this his contract year.

2001-2004 Sheets says hello.

[valpocrewsader]

Hart's arm might be strong, but his approach to the ball in situations where he needs to use it is usually pretty bad. The final play of this year's all-star game is a typical example .... catch the ball way above your head (almost behind you), flat footed, then rely on that arm to get the throw in. I don't think I've ever seen him run up on a fly ball to use his momentum in the throw. Even on balls he fields off the ground he seems to somehow negate his momentum and throw flat-fooded. His arm is above average but the strength of his throws end up being below average.

[sbrylski]

If Sheets only gets 3/50 and we don't resign him, I'll be pissed. He'll get close to twice that though, I'd say.

[Buckethead Brigade]

i say we bring back rick helling http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[crewcrazy]

I really don't think Sheets will settle for 3/$50...someone (Texas?) is bound to give him a 4th year that the Brewers would be iffy about, right? We probably don't have to worry about the Yankees jumping in on the bidding since you'd think Cashman would be scared away from pitchers with previous injuries after the Pavano deal. They might make a run at Sabathia, but I'd be pretty surprised if CC isn't a Dodger or Angel next season.

[nate82]

I really don't think Sheets will settle for 3/$50...someone (Texas?) is bound to give him a 4th year that the Brewers would be iffy about, right? We probably don't have to worry about the Yankees jumping in on the bidding since you'd think Cashman would be scared away from pitchers with previous injuries after the Pavano deal. They might make a run at Sabathia, but I'd be pretty surprised if CC isn't a Dodger or Angel next season.

I believe CC will be with the Dodgers next year and Sheets even though you don't think they will do it at least Cashman will be against it but the Yankees will sign Sheets. Hank wants a veteran pitcher and Sheets could become the #1 pitcher with the Yankees. I could see Sheets getting $90 million for 5 years from the Yankees this off season. Remember after Sabathia is gone Sheets is the next best option pitching wise in free agency.

 

[crewcrazy]

Sheets would be the next best free agent pitcher after Sabathia, but I think some teams will be scared away by his injury history and could decide to move onto guys like Ryan Dempster or Oliver Perez.

 

Personally, I've always kind of liked Ollie Perez for whatever reason. I think he'd be an interesting guy to take a chance on in free agency, but I'm not sure the Mets will let him get away, considering how well he's been pitching lately. He's got a tendency to drive you crazy with his inconsistency, though...he's a lot like Manny Parra in that he strikes out a lot of guys but also puts a lot of guys on base. He'll have one game with 10 strikeouts in 7 innings, and then he'll go out and give up 5 runs in 5 innings his next outing. I'd be afraid of overpaying for him, but I wouldn't mind seeing the Brewers kick the tires a bit.

[JohnBriggs12]

Heard over the weekend that AJ Burnett is almost certain to opt out for FA. That won't affect Sabathia, but as the supply of guys on the next level increases, the salaries should decrease.

[Tbadder]

I think the Crew should target Dempster. His time in the bullpen may mean he's got lots of mileage left on his arm. Signing a pitcher away from the Cubs could also force them to into a mistake. I'd be surprised if Sheets is only worth 3/50, more like 4/78, but what do I know.

[kramnoj]

I don't get the desire for Dempster. After this season, he will have had two good seasons as a starter, and they will have been separated by 8 years. Even as a reliever, he's only had one good season, 3 years ago. Someone will undoubtedly overpay for Dempster, but I sincerely hope it's not the Brewers.