Paul Byrd

[Raw Biz]

I know he's 38 and not a flashy name but what about Paul Byrd. This article says he would still need a few weeks in the minors to get his strength up but he could be interesting. He may be another Suppan type but maybe he could be had for relatively cheap. He could provide an option in the rotation if somebody struggles and maybe he would be willing to come out of the pen. I'm sure he would be more effective than Julio at this point (although he will most likely be gone once Hoffman comes back).

[recte44]

I suggested this yesterday on WSSP when they were trying to make a case for Pedro or Glavine (who already said he's not pitching this year) and I was laughed off. Byrd had better numbers (by far) than either of them last year.

[Invader3K]

Yeah...I hate how guys like Sparky and Gary keep throwing the names of Pedro and Glavine out as possible options. I don't think they really bother to follow the current statuses of guys outside the Brewers. They seem to assume that if we signed Pedro, he would instantly revert to his classic form as well.

[Pudster13]

Yeah, Sparky is very unknowledgable. He thinks Gamel is as talented as Ryan Braun (delussional).

 

On draft day, Sparky also said that if Stephen Stausburg fell to the Brewers pick at 26 (which was a ridiculous statement to begin with), he said that he thinks the Brewers should also pass on him because he doesn't like spending $50 million dollars on an unproven player and he thought since there are veterans making less money than that it would upset the clubhouse.

 

I called in and said that largest contract that a draftee has ever gotten was $10 million (Mark Prior) and that the Boras $50 million signing number is completely bogus. I told him that I guarentee that Stausberg signs for less then $25 millon.

 

Sparky completely gaffed at that remark and asked if I'd be willing to call back after Stausberg signs. I said I most certainly would.

 

Gary Ellison (who knows more about football than baseball) even agreed that it would be stupid to pass on Strausburg.

 

I really do like Tim Allen, however.

[804Sox]

I agree that Byrd is a better option than Pedro or Glavine right now and would probably be an un-spectacularly solid innings-eater at the back of the rotation (valuable in the absence of Bush/Parra).

 

I really haven't given it much attention since the end of last year, but Byrd was caught up in the PED whirlwind (HGH I believe?), which could be a major reason that teams have been scared off to a certain extent. With the draft passed and his type-B status no longer relevant I'm surprised no team has gambled on him yet.

[kramnoj]

I really haven't given it much attention since the end of last year, but Byrd was caught up in the PED whirlwind (HGH I believe?), which could be a major reason that teams have been scared off to a certain extent.

 

It depends on if we believe what he said. I believe he said that he wanted to not pitch the first couple of months, and then go through his own training to get ready and sign with someone for a playoff push.

 

With the draft passed and his type-B status no longer relevant I'm surprised no team has gambled on him yet.

 

Signing teams don't lose anything when they get a type B FA, so that wouldn't have been a factor.

[804Sox]

Signing teams don't lose anything when they get a type B FA, so that wouldn't have been a factor.

I'm aware of this, but the team losing the type B player still gets a compensation pick, which pushes all later picks back a slot, so it does matter in terms of comparative advantage

[BrewCrewRising]

Signing teams don't lose anything when they get a type B FA, so that wouldn't have been a factor.

I'm aware of this, but the team losing the type B player still gets a compensation pick, which pushes all later picks back a slot, so it does matter in terms of comparative advantage

While it's true that teams do get their pick pushed back a slot, it's not enough of a disincentive to not sign a type B. 29 of 30 teams get pushed back a slot so you're talking about missing out on one player. It only makes sense to pass on that type B if you think the pickin's for the sandwich round and rounds 2+ are going to be that competitive AND you think that all other teams will also pass on that player. If a team is worried about dropping a slot and the team losing the FA gaining a pick, the player in question is probably not worth a look in the first place.

[804Sox]

But if your need for a starter becomes apparent 2 weeks before the draft, then you definitely wait, gambling that no one else signs him