Brewers talking with Jeff Suppan

[DuWayne Steurer]

My point is however that there is little chance of Suppan signing to play in Milwaukee, so members here didnt need to argue with one another.

 

 

And this is getting said about every free agent. So people are disagreeing. I didn't see it as arguing, and if it was, it's not like it's getting ugly.

 

What exactly are we supposed to argue about on a baseball message board in December?

 

I guess I'll be back in spring, when everyone has signed and we won't have to be told who will and won't be coming to Milwaukee.

[sbrylski]

If that's the main argument, I don't see why park-adjusted ERA is any worse an indicator of future success than FIP-based ERA.

 

I don't understand. ERA and ERA+ are soley based on how many runners crossed the plate. FIP based ERA is based on everything but that to find out how many runners should have crossed the plate on average. They are completely different stats.

 

That might be the case, but in 6 of his 8 years, his ERA has been better than league average.

 

This has some legs. I'll acknowledge that whatever he is doing is working, because he has kept his ERA consistently below his FIP and well below his xFIP.

 

However, like me and Ennder have been saying, this could be partially because of the Cardinal's stellar defense.

[dadofandrew]

Since when do Eckstein and Belliard equal stellar defense? At those two vital spots, they are average at best.

 

And only 3 years of 8 have been in SL.

[sbrylski]

...members here didnt need to argue with one another.

 

Isn't that why I'm here? To debate?

 

As long as we are keeping our head and being civilized.

[sbrylski]

Since when do Eckstein and Belliard equal stellar defense? At those two vital spots, they are average at best.

 

The Cardinals were statistically #1 in defense last year. (Haven't looked that up myself, it was posted earlier in this thread by RedbirdRay, IIRC.)

And only 3 years of 8 have been in SL.

 

I've only been looking at the last three years.

[bango3]

One thing getting lost here is Suppan's post season contributions. If you check out his post-season numbers, they have been very impressive (save one 2004 WS start).

Cumulative Postseason Pitching Stats: Next Stats >>

 

SEASON TEAM W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV SVO IP H R ER HR HBP BB SO

2004 St. Louis Cardinals 2 2 3.80 4 4 0 0 0 0 23.2 18 11 10 4 2 8 15

2005 St. Louis Cardinals 0 0 1.80 1 1 0 0 0 0 5.0 3 1 1 1 0 3 5

2006 St. Louis Cardinals 1 1 2.49 4 4 0 0 0 0 25.1 19 7 7 1 1 11 13

 

Career Totals 3 3 3.00 9 9 0 0 0 0 54.0 40 19 18 6 3 22 33

 

If the Brew Crew truly has post-season aspirations, this is a guy that can be a rock there and down the stretch (he was the only Cardinal pitcher to not tank down the stretch in 2006). I say, sign him!

[Klements Bratwurst]

It looks like the JS has gotten the scoop now too. Melvin believes the Crew has a shot based on what Suppan's agent seemed to indicate.

 

Haudricourt story

[sbrylski]

And Jeff Weaver had a postseason ERA of 2.43 last year after posting a 5.76 ERA for the regular season.

 

The small samples the postseason provide don't hold much weight to me, though I'd defintely rather see that he had prior success.

[sbrylski]

"He's still a productive pitcher, and he's a durable guy," Melvin said. "He has won 44 games the past three seasons."

 

Now Melvin is putting stock in pitching wins? He pitched for a top offensive team in the bigs the past three seasons.

 

P.S. I sound really anti-Suppan, but I do think he would help the team. He should put up a 4.50 ERA and be good for close to 200 innings. I just don't like the amount of money we'd have to pay for a guy like that. Maybe I'm still trying to wrap my head around the brain teaser free agency has become.

[bango3]

All I know is that with a rotation that included Sheets, Capuano, Suppan, Bush and Vargas... I would feel comfortable entering any game thinking we had a decent shot at winning. Particularly 1-4. And you still have a Villanueva waiting to step in if someone goes down. I agree the asking price seems high... but what else can we get? (Personally, I would love John Garland in a trade for his contract the next two years, but I don't see that happening)

[trwi7]

I've been thinking about this, racking my brain going back and forth (yes I have a brain so no need for a smart remark...well okay maybe a few but at least make them funny) I think he would provide good depth and replace Davis as our guy who's pretty much guaranteed to pitch 190 innings.

 

If we don't have to give him a no trade clause I'm all for it, I'll have to think (again) if I'd give him a deal that had a no trade clause.

[bsglorydays]

At the very least, its encouraging that Melvin thinks he can put together a competitive offer.

[sbrylski]

I think he would provide good depth and replace Davis as our guy who's pretty much guaranteed to pitch 190 innings.

 

So why didn't we just resign Davis for 3/21, a crapload cheaper than 4/45 or whatever Suppan would take.

 

Then traded Eveland + something for Estrada straight up. Money saved could be spent on a reliever instead of Alquino.

 

(I'm on this weird crusade tonight.)

[giffted1]

I don't really see the point of going after Suppan. Carlos Villanueva can probably do as well or better than Suppan at a fraction of the price. I know everyone's itching for the Brewers to make some noise, but I'd rather save the money so they sign someone in the future who's actually good or take on some salary in a trade.

[brewers255]

Melvin confirmed hes going after Suppan

 

www.jsonline.com/story/in...?id=542297

[theavrock]

I think the point of going after SUppan is to have depth. After seeing Villi for 50+ innings we cant really say that he is going to do the same thing. The thing about Suppan is he has been very consistent for quite some time. He is a veteran who will pitch a lot of innings and knows how to win. Yes CV pitched very good last year, but it was a very small sample. We don't really know what we have for sure. Suppan gives us some much needed stability in the rotation. If by some chance we could sign him a rotation looking like this is pretty darn good.

 

Sheets

Cappy

Bush

Suppan

Vlli or Vargas (with either one coming out of the pen as long man)

 

I think the main thing that it does is add some certainty to the staff.

[tigerbrew]

I'm sold on Suppan, and he seems sincere in wanting to join the Brewers. Please get this guy, Melvin and Attanasio.

[giffted1]

I do think Suppan would add some good depth but I don't think that added depth is worth 10+ million a year. It may be a short sample size, but Villanueva came up and showed he has the stuff to pitch in the majors. Signing someone to block a guy with upside and who's had early success in the majors doesn't make a lot of sense.

[Team Canada]

So why didn't we just resign Davis for 3/21, a crapload cheaper than 4/45 or whatever Suppan would take.

 

I wonder that too. Doug must really thing Davis is starting to regress.

[splitterpfj]

I would welcome Suppan to the team for sure, I've advocated bringing in one more veteran starter, but the price will freak me out I'm sure when I hear it.

 

Get him if you think you should Doug, so I can start talking out of both sides of my mouth about what a good move it is, and what a bad contract it is.

[DHonks]

I was just thinking that perhaps we should shut down this thread and open one on the Major League board, since the Brewers' interest is no longer speculation

[trwi7]

Quote:

---

So why didn't we just resign Davis for 3/21, a crapload cheaper than 4/45 or whatever Suppan would take.

 

Then traded Eveland + something for Estrada straight up. Money saved could be spent on a reliever instead of Alquino.

 

(I'm on this weird crusade tonight.)

---

 

Don't ask me ask Melvin. Am I Melvin? No I'm not, or am I?

[dadofandrew]

Splitter (and others), sure the price will be high. That said, I would have expected Jeff to get 3-4y/$7-8M per BEFORE this offseason.

 

What's $2-3M more between friends? It isn't our money.

[splitterpfj]

I agree Al, I'd welcome the move, I'd just wince like crazy.

 

If Mr Attanasio ok's the checks...then go for it. The only way it'll tick me off is if we wind up dumping a better player than Suppan because of salary concerns when these young guys start to work through arbitration.

 

Guys have to stay healthy, and there's a lot of offseason left, but one more veteran arm could make the Brewers the best team in the division next season. I just have a tough time thinking Suppan is the guy, he's solid, but he definitely isn't a guy I ever envisioned signing a 40 million dollar contract.

 

Oh well, baseball is a crazy world, where else could you make 10% of what your vacation and sick time replacement was getting?

[PeaveyFury]

So why didn't we just resign Davis for 3/21, a crapload cheaper than 4/45 or whatever Suppan would take.

 

Well, that 3/21 number was being discussed prior to any of the free agent signings this year. I'd be shocked if Davis would have re-signed for that at this point in time, as he'd get at least what Lilly got in free agency.

 

Also, unlike Suppan, Davis actually did have a serious blip last year performance-wise.