Payroll and some options for SP

[bklynbrewcrew]

Melvin has got to get something done. This rotation as currently put together will destroy any chance this team has of making the playoffs. We have two potential replacement level starters in Suppan and McClung penciled into the rotation and we are counting on two young guys who have never thrown anywhere near 200 innings in a season to anchor the staff. I can be called out every day for being too negative but Doug Melvin has been completely negligent in his handling of the pitching staff this offseason.

 

With this rotation and complete lack of depth we are going to have a completely overworked bullpen as well. Does anyone seriously believe that McClung will ever have good enough control to pitch more than 5 innings on a consistent basis. I understand why we wouldnt overpay for a Lowe or Burnett but Melvin really has done a poor job augmenting our rotation. Even a guy like Odalis Perez could have been had on a one year deal for a million or so but of course he signs a minor league deal with the nationals. If Chase Wright is the only starting pitcher we add this offseason I would have to call the offseason a complete failure.

 

Clearly I was impatient at the beginning of the offseason but we are weaks away from spring training and we still have not added a viable starting pitcher.

[jjfanec]

I just do not see what Melvin can get or really could have gotten done this off-season. He tried Smoltz and Johnson but for various reasons they went elsewhere. He tried for CC. The other guys Burnett (lots of injury risk and lots of money), Lowe (too much for not a great pitcher), Garland (really not that great) all had issues especially at their price tag. To get anything we would have to trade a bat and we do not have replacement guys ready yet. Next year we will

 

As for Odalis Perez. He had a nice year last year, but if you are worried about innings with McClung it should be pointed out Perez averaging just over 5 innings per start while getting hit pretty well. As a starter McClung average the same amount of innings per start, had more K/9, less hits/9, but walked a little under 4.5/9 whereas Perez walked a little over 3/9. McClung is younger and has much more upside and even though I would rather have him in the bullpen, I would rather start him over Perez (although I would have taken Perez at a minor league deal).

[nate82]

Wolf would be an alright option. Not the greatest option but still a solid #3 or #4 pitcher. Suppan is not a replacement level pitcher either. Look I'm not a big Suppan fan but he is a legitimate #4 or #5 pitcher his stats prove that. Compare them to other teams #4 and #5 pitchers and you will see that. Suppan is just over paid for what he is.

[jjfanec]

I agree Wolf would be a good option. The fact that he is a Type B free agent is nice

[Milltownhooker]

Supposedly the Dodgers & Wolf are finally close to a deal. The only guy left is Looper unless his demands come down around to 4 million. The trade route will be the way to go. I like alot of the names mentioned Anthony Reyes, Jeff Neimann (sp.), & Boof Boosner all look like decent targets.

[PeaveyFury]

Melvin has got to get something done.

 

Like doing whatever was necessary to sign Sheets, as some wanted just two short days ago?

 

I think at this point Melvin has earned the benefit of the doubt to acknowledge that he (and other teams) know things that we clearly do not. If guys on the market at this point aren't signed, there's a reason why.

[RU Rah Rah]

For me, what's hard to read is DM's actual (vs. stated) satisfaction with the rotation as it stands. It's unclear to me whether:

 

a.) he realizes that it's a potentially disastrous problem, genuinely wants to fix it by adding a bona fide arm, and is publicly mouthing bland GM-speak as he tries to work out a deal for someone serviceable; or

 

b.) he's basically content with the rotation and won't make a deal unless it falls into his lap.

 

I hope that it's "a," and there is still time to sign a FA or make a trade. But the talent pool is shrinking as time passes. It's not like the options are getting better as we get closer to spring training. Guys will get signed by other teams (many of which are every bit as hungry for pitching as the Brewers, if not more so).