Rule 5 -- Brewers select LHP Lofgren in Major League Phase

[djoctagone]

so, by my math, with the pending signings of wolf, hawkins and vargas (none of which are official yet, and therefore roster space is still available) and the claim of lofgren, the roster's at 42. counsell makes it 43 if we sign him.

 

lofgren could be traded for a minor leaguer, but one would think the brewers made this move to keep a lhp on their roster.

[And That]

None of the Wolf, Hawkins, Vargas or Counsell signings will be official until next week, past the non-tender deadline. The selection of Lofgren puts the nail in McClung's coffin IMO, and DiFelice will be gone as well, but I wonder who the third guy will be... will they actually non-tender Bush? Villanueva?

[colbyjack]

Great call battlekow. As I noted previously, I'm a little surprised that the Indians haven't tried Lofgren in the bullpen since he has somewhat struggled in the upper levels the past few seasons, especially given the Indians bullpen woes. A change of scenery might be exactly what this guy needs, and you could still make a case for him being groomed as a starter. Plus, if the team is creative enough, they could use Lofgren in a pinch hitting role a la Brooks Kieschnick.

 

After 'kow brought up Lofgren's name last night, I dug up a few of his old scouting reports from BA's prospect handbooks the past few years. One point that was noted more than once was how his delivery may be better suited in a bullpen role in shorter stints. He has been more successful getting LH batters out, which leads credence to his potential role as a specialist.

 

Lofgren also receives high marks for his character and work ethic. I really like this pickup, as the Rule 5 always is a low-risk, potentially high reward method to find productive big-leaguers. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't hurt one bit, and even if he doesn't make the big-league roster, teams have shown ways to be creative to keep players like this around in the minors.

[Invader3K]

None of the Wolf, Hawkins, Vargas or Counsell signings will be official until next week, past the non-tender deadline. The selection of Lofgren puts the nail in McClung's coffin IMO, and DiFelice will be gone as well, but I wonder who the third guy will be... will they actually non-tender Bush? Villanueva?

Good points. Or perhaps Melvin plans on making a trade by then?

[pitchleague]

If it doesn't work out, it doesn't hurt one bit,

I know what you're saying ($50,000 gamble doesn't hurt the team's bottom line at all), but if he isn't working out, that likely means he is getting lit up on the mound, which correlates to the Brewers potentially losing some ballgames, and that DOES hurt. I don't like that part of the gamble.

 

Still, 99 out of 100 times I would probably take that chance. Now, if you had 3 Rule V players on your roster, I don't think I could handle that. It'd be like trying to copy the Pirates or something.

[sargennm]

Is this someone that Peterson could help get on the right track based on his reputation? Think that's part of the reason they made the pick?

[dlk9s]

will they actually non-tender Bush? Villanueva?

I've got to think that if Bush is healthy and it's a choice between these two, they have to keep Bush. He's a decent #4-ish starter who pitched well for us between his minor league stint in 2008 and his injury in 2009 and he can also come out of the pen if need be. It really seemed to me that Bush had started to figure things out (read: avoid the blow up inning) before he got hurt last year.

[colbyjack]

pitchleague, in saying that if it doesn't work out I was thinking more along the lines of his performance in spring training and whether or not he makes the 25-man roster. I do understand your point, but I'm guessing the Brewers won't carry him on the 25-man roster just because of this initial investment.

 

sargennm, I'm guessing Peterson was involved with this decision. When he was hired it was noted that he would be involved with all pitching-related decisions, from the type of players they target which I'm guessing would effect the players they end up taking in the draft as well.

 

Also, I think it would be a really bad decision to non-tender either Bush or Villanueva. Villanueva started slow but seemed to finish strong. Bush has an every-other good year tendency, which means he's due for a much better season in 2010. Both are too good to simply let walk just to clear payroll and roster spots.

[Mass Haas]

Baseball America has the master list, and confirms that no Brewers were taken or lost in the minor league phase, pretty surprising based on recent years' activity.

[strawbossisevil]

Agreed, if the choice is between keeping Bush or keeping Villanueva, the Brewers have to keep Bush. He's proven in the past to be a capable starter. And after last season's numbers, I highly doubt he'll be all that expensive in arby.

[EdgarDiazRocks]

confirms that no Brewers were taken or lost in the minor league phase, pretty surprising based on recent years' activity.

And that Jack Z made a couple of picks.

[JohnBriggs12]

None of the Wolf, Hawkins, Vargas or Counsell signings will be official until next week, past the non-tender deadline. The selection of Lofgren puts the nail in McClung's coffin IMO, and DiFelice will be gone as well, but I wonder who the third guy will be... will they actually non-tender Bush? Villanueva?

Good points. Or perhaps Melvin plans on making a trade by then?

I would think Dillard's time on the 40 man could be up. Chris Smith is another possibility as is Aguilar. That's 3 right there that I don't think anyone could really complain about and you could toss in Butler too. Villanueva still has options. McClung's coffin was nailed a long time ago.

[CheezWizHed]

Butler? Really? He is out best young pitching depth at AAA. Right now, he has to be first choice call-up for SP from AAA. I would cut Periard off the 40-man before Butler (not that I want too). Too bad Scarpetta had that draft/injury issue as he is holding one spot hostage right now that someone at his level normally wouldn't.

 

Hopefully we can use Dillard/Smith/Aguilar as trade add-ins in the near future. I like Dillard, but Milwaukee brass sure doesn't seem to. Aguilar still seems a ways off, but with promise. Smith did well last year, but nothing special.

 

You could probably add one of Iribarren/Heether to the possible trade add-in possibilities also.

[bork]

What about Rivera? He could be another non-tender candidate.

[brewmann04]

Could they offer Up Villy in a trade maybe to SD for Correira?

[Mass Haas]

Adam McCalvy with several relevant quotes from a number of parties -- good work so quickly.

[Hate those Rodents]

Two things jump out to me...

 

1) What are our plans for Narveson? I thought he'd get a bullpen spot but was really hoping against having a Suppan/Narveson/Halama type competition for the fifth rotation spot.

 

2) How will this effect Braddock? I had thought he might be in the role I think Lofgren might successfully fill for at least two years. Is this a cue to try Braddock as a starter?

[Outlander]

Can Riske and DiFelice go on the 60 day disabled list during the off season thus opening two spots on the 40 man roster?

[MNBrew]

You'd think that Luis Cruz could be dropped just as easily as he was just added. You need an AAA shortstop, but he's not worth a 40-man spot.

[TooLiveBrew]

What about Rivera? He could be another non-tender candidate.

 

This is what I think, too. Rivera's done in Milwaukee. Kottaras + Zaun = bye bye Mike. I wonder if he'll wind up signing a minor league deal to backup Lucroy and/or Salome.

[CheezWizHed]

I fully expected Braddock to start in AAA anyway, so I don't think this has any RP/SP ramifications. There is a higher chance Lofgren gets sent back after ST than actually keeping him.

 

I'm still hoping Narveson competes for the 5th SP with Bush. Odd man out is the long man in pen. Suppan traded for ?

 

DiFelice will be non-tendered. I don't think the 60-day DL is in effect during the offseason. I think you have to wait until ST? But what if we took Riske off the 40 man? Who in their right mind would claim him? And if they did Huzzah!

[battlekow]

For my next trick...Zack Greinke!

[TooLiveBrew]

For my next trick...Zack Greinke!

 

Don't tease us http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[berniebrewer4life]

For my next trick...Zack Greinke!

I will buy you SOOOOO much beer if you can make that happen.

[brewjihad]

Nice call bk. I don't know why they wouldn't have taken someone, it's not like Luis Cruz on the 40-man should prevent a high-upside, no risk pitcher from being added at little cost on the chance that he does stick. Makes the Hawkins deal make a bit less sense, but pretty much any Rule V pick is a good one.