remaining free agents as of 12/31 - potential Brewers appeal?

[MNBrew]

Looking over the list on ESPN.com last night, given the Brewers' present holes and potential upcoming "bargain" prices, these are the players whose profile or stats looked to me like they could be a potentially worthwhile addition (depending on the circumstances), however realistic OR unrealistic:

 

Infield (depth may be needed):

 

Nomar Garciaparra (more likely on the corners)

Eric Hinske (corners + corner OF)

Orlando Hudson (only if Weeks gets hurt between now & ST)

Aubrey Huff (corners + corner OF)

Felipe Lopez

Mark Loretta (sunset of his career, but still wish we'd never let him go)

Melvin Mora

Miguel Tejada

 

Outfielders (potentially as a starter or as part-time players depending on how strongly you believe in Gomez):

 

Garrett Anderson (LH bat)

Rick Ankiel (more name than actual value i think, but some solid skills)

Endy Chavez (solid production, experienced part-timer, could be CF or 4th OF)

Johnny Damon (not likely, but still a solid player, would start)

Jermaine Dye (if Hart were moved to CF or in trade)

Vlad Guerrero (not likely -- more realistically a DH from here on out)

Matt Holliday (highly unlikely, but if Mark A. were to make a hard play for a serious splash, move Braun, etc., it would at least be a very positive addition w/ other dominoes to fall as a result -- would also weaken St.L.!)

Scott Podsednik (LH, CF or corners, still hits well & has good speed)

Randy Winn (see Dye comment)

 

Pitchers, non-injured:

 

Doug Davis

Jon Garland

Braden Looper

Pedro Martinez

Brett Myers (?)

Joel Piniero (big $$ expected after contract-year wonder-production)

Jarrod Washburn

 

Pitchers, injury recoveries:

 

Erik Bedard (if this guy were healthy, he'd be worth the risk)

Randy Johnson (not likely, but even at his age he's still better than Suppan if healthy)

Ben Sheets (not at the dollar figures he's talkin' 'bout)

John Smoltz (see Randy Johnson comment)

Chien-Ming Wang (see Bedard comment)

 

Pitchers, other:

 

Brenden Donnelly (pitched decently when healthy last year; don't really need him; if he's unemployed going into ST, worth signing for AAA & injury insurance)

 

From that list, I'd target (listed alphabetically):

 

IF: Garciaparra, Hinske, or Lopez (if he just sits there unemployed)

OF: either Holliday OR Chavez, Podsednik, or Winn

P: Bedard plus Davis, Looper, Martinez, or Washburn

 

Thoughts?

[JohnBriggs12]

I've had a feeling for a while that Braden Looper will be back. I haven't seen his name linked anywhere and I think he could be had for a very low base with some incentives. Davis could slide too.

 

Your list of injured pitchers doesn't include Noah Lowry. The Reds and Pirates have been sniffing there and I wouldn't be surprised if the Brewers showed interest.

 

Your IF and OF lists are incomplete too.

 

If Garciaparra or Loretta want to play for $1 million or Mora for about $2 million, then one of those could make sense because the Brewers need a RH bench bat. You don't list Robb Quinlan, Marcus Thames, Jonny Gomes, Reed Johnson, Rocco Baldelli or Adam Kennedy and a few others. Of those, only Kennedy hits LH so any one of those might have some interest.

[paul253]

I'd love to see the Brewers take a flier on Bedard or Sheets if they'll be ready for opening day. If not, I wouldn't mind David or Garland if the price is right. Infield wise they shouldn't spend on dime. The starters are set in McGehee, Escobar, Weeks, and Fielder. Depth wise Counsell is back and they SHOULD give the other spot to either Heether (my preference) or Irrabarren (also could be used as an outfielder). Outfield we have Braun, Gomez Gerut and Hart. I'd like to see Gamel playing LF in Nashville. They'll probably need to sign someone, although as a 5th outfielder I doubt it will a high profile signing. They're taking a huge chance on Gomez and if he doesn't pan out they'll be in trouble. Really other than a 5th outfielder type and maybe another starter, I don't see them signing or trading for anyone else.

[MNBrew]

Baldelli was an accidental omission from my typing. He's on my handwritten list and would be high on my list for non-starting OFs. Other than Lowry (not good enough compared to the others to interest me) and Kennedy (we already have Counsell, a lefty, to back up middle IF spots -- which is why I favored either RH corner IF types or at least fully versatile guys), I looked at all the others you named and didn't like them overall enough to include them on my list (I'm aiming high, after all).

 

I've long felt your 4th OF essentially needs to be your 4th "starting" OF, capable of being a solid, strong-contributing starter for 100 games or more, in the event of injuries, slumps, etc. As such, Baldelli rated very high on my list. But Lowry - blah.

[BREWCREW5]

I could see the crew signing Davis or Washburn late for cheap.

[nate82]

Myers was injured last year.

 

Also Alfredo Amezaga would be a nice utility player or a 5th OF. Amezaga can play every single position IF or OF minus catcher and pitcher. Not a great bat but he does still have plus defense if he could be signed for the league minimum he wouldn't be a bad pick up.

 

I believe the Brewers will sign one more pitcher other than Mulder. I hope it isn't Davis or Washburn unless that means Parra starts the year in AAA and I'm not sure if I would like that or not or if that would be possible. I wouldn't mind getting Myers, Bedard, or Sheets those are the top three that I would like to see the Brewers go after.

[And That]

If one of the pitchers slips later into the offseason and is willing to eat some pride and sign a 1 year/$2-3 mil deal, I think the Brewers will be interested.

 

The Brewers will acquire another pitcher for the rotation, but I'm betting it's via trade, closer to spring.

[EbbaStClaire]

Baldelli would seem to be a great addition. Ceratainly better than Oeltjen as a 4th or 5th outfielder.

[craigharmann]

Amezega can provide a bit of speed and versatility. I'd like to see him and maybe one more pitcher signed....or put together a list of guys for NRIs and see what shakes out in spring training.

[MNBrew]

Amezaga doesn't do much for me, nor does Oeltjen. Until he proves otherwise, Gerut's more recent history profiles more like a 5th OF. Gomez's year last year was really that of a 4th OF. Any OF we sign needs to be of starting caliber, or 100-game-starting 4th OF at worst. That's why I'd really hoped for Suppan-for-Pierre swap. There are guys out there better than Pierre to be had. We need to land one of them somehow. Anyway, that's why I like Baldelli off that list.

 

It has a snowball's chance at best, but I'd love to see Mark A. steal Holliday away from the Cardinals. It would make OF defense a daily adventure if Hart were starting in CF over Gomez, but the offensive oomph added would more than offset that. **Snap** Now I woke up.

[KCBrewerfan34]

They absolutely have to get Suppan out of the rotation, wouldn't Davis be an upgrade over Suppan?

[Shootkick1000]

I'm mildly surprised that no one's signed Ryan Church yet. Is his health that compromised? I'd like him just fine in Cat's spot, albeit he's a left-hander.

[RockCoCougars]

Plenty of low upside, over 30 year old starting pitchers who can't break 90 on the gun left out there. These guys are just Melvin's type, and you have to believe that he is salivating over some of them......that is, if he isn't able to bring back the Looper.

[sgtcluels]

They absolutely have to get Suppan out of the rotation, wouldn't Davis be an upgrade over Suppan?

 

Well yeah, but Davis wants a 2+ year contract and is on the decline. There's a lot to indicate that Davis was lucky last year to keep his ERA down, he had a lot of walks. So unless he wants to sign cheap, I'd avoid him. I'd support a high risk high reward signing of Sheets or Bedard. Nothing long term (maybe 1 year plus club option) witha lot of incentives.

[liveforoctober]

Maybe I'm behind the times. Has anyone signed Reed Johnson yet? I think he'd be a nice fit.

 

What does our bench look like? Right now by my count it is Counsell, Gerut, backup catcher, possibly Heether, 5th outfielder (Oeltjen?) The only two locks in there are both lefties. I'd like to have a stable right handed bat off the bench. Johnson plays above average defense in the corners and has a career line of .282/.344/.411.

 

The only problem here then is that we really have no power options to pinch hit late in games. But Johnson is a vet who I'd rather have than Oeltjen and I'd feel comfortable with him getting consecutive starts in case of injuries.

 

*edit* I just looked and he made $3 Million last season. If we can wait out the winter a little bit and he isn't picked up ... he could probably be brought in at that same price or maybe a touch under.

[monty57]

They absolutely have to get Suppan out of the rotation, wouldn't Davis be an upgrade over Suppan?

I'd like to see another pitcher signed or traded for, but my guess is that if/when that happens, Parra will start in AAA, with Suppan in the rotation. If he doesn't cut it, and we have some healthy bodies to replace him, I think he'll be let go mid-season, but I think he'll be given an opportunity to sink or swim. He's getting paid one way or the other, and he is probably better than most #5's out there. Might as well see if he can be productive and cut him if you can't. At the very least, it would give some of the AA guys, and guys like Capuano time to see if they're ready to pitch in the majors and provide injury depth.

It has a snowball's chance at best, but I'd love to see Mark A. steal Holliday away from the Cardinals. It would make OF defense a daily adventure if Hart were starting in CF over Gomez, but the offensive oomph added would more than offset that. **Snap** Now I woke up.

I share your feelings on Holliday, but if somehow we were able to sign him, Hart would almost certainly be traded.

[Ennder]

Suppan just isn't as bad as people try to make him out to be, he would be the #5 pitchers on the majority of teams in baseball. From his 3rd start of the season on he basically put up exactly the same stats as in 2007 and 2008, there was no big regression out of him last season. He gets way too much money but there is no reason to think he is finished or somehow significantly worse than he has been the other seasons for the Brewers.

 

If we were to sign another pitcher I think Parra to AAA makes way more sense. Let him get his stuff together and then he can come up if Suppan or Bush stinks or someone gets hurt. I say that as someone who expects Parra to bounce back and post an ERA under 5. We got absolutely destroyed by not having depth last year and I don't want to see it happen again this year.

[miggs721]

Assuming we sign Mulder, I think we bring back Looper, and pencil him in at #5, allowing Mulder a few starts in the minors to see where he is, and throw Supp in the pen

[Mass Haas]

If we were to sign another pitcher I think Parra to AAA makes way more sense.

Manny no longer has minor league options remaining.

[Ennder]

Well that makes it harder then!

 

I guess Suppan to the bullpen makes the most sense then but I don't see them actually doing it unless he is terrible in spring training or something.

[clancyphile]

Doug Davis is my favorite. I'd give him three years. I don't think it (the walk rate) is that different.

 

2006: 102 in 203.1 IP

2007: 95 in 192.2 IP

2008: 64 in 146 IP

2009: 103 in 203.1 IP

 

It's been consistent. The WHIP has declined as well from 2007-2009.

 

Davis also has, aside from that cancer bout, been healthy. In those four years, he averaged 32 starts, and a 4.41 ERA. He's only a year older than Wolf, and has indicated interest in Milwaukee.

 

It's a chance worth taking. Three years, $15 million ($1.5 million bonus, $4.5 million in 2010, 2011, and 2012) could get Davis here.

 

EDIT: Randy Wynn as well. As a 4th OF, I like him better than Gerut.

[miggs721]

No way I give Davis that deal, I say 2 years 8 million at tops...

[MNBrew]

I share your feelings on Holliday, but if somehow we were able to sign him, Hart would almost certainly be traded.

No guarantee of that. Someone would have to a) want Hart, and b) give up something to get him UNLESS the Brewers had to give him & his salary away in order to save a few bucks toward Holliday.

 

To me, the issue is gaining as much talent & depth as you can. That's why I'd love to see Holliday here with Hart, Gomez, & Gerut the remaining 3 OFs.

 

I'd much rather see Braun & Holliday in the corners (whichever alignment works better) and let Hart & Gomez duke it out for CF starter vs. 4th OF. That'd be a huge risk in some respects, but it's one I'd be willing to take.

 

If no Holliday, then I'd love a Baldelli signing:

 

starting OFs: Braun, Gomez/Baldelli, Hart

reserves: Gomez/Baldelli, Gerut

[KCBrewerfan34]

Guys we can't afford Holliday http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/frown.gif

[twobrewers]

I'd love to get in on Brett Myers and Erik Bedard.

 

I'd also love to watch Ankiel as our 4th OF.

 

Of course, I don't expect any of those things to happen.