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

[Invader3K]

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

I'd do that for Davis, no problem. It would give us a serviceable arm for the next couple years, and hopefully bridge the gap to bringing one of these "promising, young arms" from the minors to Milwaukee.

[BrewCrewForever]

I still want another starting pitcher. Word is the Brewers are done, but how can Doug not get another starter? He has to, at least I think he does.

[Crew2323]

Word is the Brewers are done? I haven't read or heard anything of the sort. If I recall correctly, Melvin stated they were still on the search. Only he made it sound like it wouldn't be a big name. It would be helpful if you could link any evidence where Melvin has stated that the Brewers are done, because at this point I don't know that there is any.

[thebruce44]

Word is the Brewers are done? I haven't read or heard anything of the sort. If I recall correctly, Melvin stated they were still on the search. Only he made it sound like it wouldn't be a big name. It would be helpful if you could link any evidence where Melvin has stated that the Brewers are done, because at this point I don't know that there is any.

Don't expect another big signing

 

It sounds like any more moves will be for depth or via trade.

[Crew2323]

I don't think the link you provided contradicts what I said. I stated that Melvin has made it sound as if they won't be going after any big names, which the title of that blog seems to indicate. Now the question is: does a Washburn/Davis/Garland constitute the designation of a big signing or a big name? Or is Melvin lowering our expectations so that when he does sign one of those types of pitchers it ramps up the excitement of the fanbase? I think a trade is more likely. But who that would be is anyone's guess.

 

Again, I fail to see any evidence that states the Brewers are definitively done. And I would be surprised and highly disappointed if that were the case. I forsee another Looper-like signing/trade and wouldn't be all that shocked if Looper himself returned next year.

[MNBrew]

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

Right. But he hasn't signed on the dotted line in St. Louis just yet, so I'm still having fun dreaming.

[TooLiveBrew]

I'd much rather just stick with Gerut than sign Winn. Gerut at least has power and isn't getting ancient.

[JohnBriggs12]

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.

You're aiming too high MNBrew. Tops, the Brewers might be willing to spend another $5 million total. I'm not sure it's even that much. I frankly don't understand your dismissing of Gomes and Thames as not fitting. Gomes played in 98 games last year and posted an .879 OPS. Thames hit 25 HR in 2008 in 342 ABs. If Braun went down, at least those two would plug some of the power gap.

 

All the injured pitchers you list are going to command too much. You need to be thinking a $3 million dollar pitcher and a $1-2 million hitter.

[EbbaStClaire]

I'm under the impression that Gomes is a rather poor outfielder. If that's the case why spend any money on a guy who can't catch the ball. Baldelli shouldn't command more than Gomes. He didn't play much last year and hasn't gotten back to his former performance in Tampa Bay.

[Thurston Fluff]

There's a lot to indicate that Davis was lucky last year to keep his ERA down, he had a lot of walks.

 

Davis always has a lot of walks. He's the same pitcher he always was. Last season his WHIP was 1.50 his career WHIP is 1.49. He's one of those guys who defies the laws of comeuppance.

[yoshii8]

A few guys that I think could help and could be cheap are Aubrey Huff and/or Melvin Mora. I also am starting to hope that we are able to sign Jarrod Washburn to a one year deal, I know he's not great, but I believe he would be a very solid addition to the rotation.

[dadofandrew]

Aubrey Huff is one of the more interesting names I've seen, but unless he has no interest in him at all, I can't imagine him going to an NL team with Prince at his best position, and Braun at his 2nd best.

 

That said, if he just wants a one year deal to prove he can still play a bit, he'd be a perfect fit...a switch hitter with power would fill out the bench near perfectly. They are missing a guy who can come off the bench and hit one out of the park.

 

EDIT: Huff just bats LH I guess. So, not perfect, but close. He struggled in DET last year in a small sample, but still has some pop, and could play 3B or RF in a pinch as well.

[The Heartbreak Yid]

If Im the Brewers, Id try to trade Hart and maybe a prospect for a middle of the rotation starter and sign Ryan Church for cheap to play right.

[Ennder]

I think they have been trying to do this and probably come to the realization that Hart has very little value.

[dadofandrew]

Hart has value, but with similar FA's on the market, it's limited. You'd have to find a team that likes Corey for his power/speed potential.

 

Hart is a solid everyday corner OF, so he would be a good addition for many clubs, and his athleticism adds to his ceiling. He's looked down upon by many because of Braun and Fielder, but a team like the Mets last year, who lost several regulars due to injury, would have loved to have Corey hitting 4th every day. SEA would be another, as they had the worst offense in the AL and at the moment, have added Figgins and lost Beltre and Branyan, so I see it as worse. The Royals' offense looks as bad, Hart would be a very nice upgrade.

[bigredrobbo]

Am I the only one who thinks that Corey Hart's 2009 season was an anomaly? I really believe that he'll be the 20/20 guy (maybe even 25/25) some thought he might be before his 2009 swoon and injuries.

[Invader3K]

Speaking of Doug Davis, isn't it kind of weird that his name hasn't really been mentioned at all in terms of any teams pursuing him? I wonder if he's just asking for too much money right now.

[MNBrew]

Am I the only one who thinks that Corey Hart's 2009 season was an anomaly? I really believe that he'll be the 20/20 guy (maybe even 25/25) some thought he might be before his 2009 swoon and injuries.

Nope. I'm right with you, albeit with a slight inkling of concern lurking. I believe he can be that guy again or even better. It seems to come down to making the right adjustments.

[Flood Pants]

Corey Hart's career may be taking a similar path to Bill Hall's. Tons of physical gifts, fighting to earn playing time, and finally getting it by displaying good power and solid defense. But the lack of plate discipline has made the league easy to adjust to both of them. Hart needs to take more pitches or he's never going to be the 20/20 guy that he should be.

[Oldcity]

Of all those guys, Smoltz would have me the most excited. His secondary numbers were still outstanding last season, and he'd almost surely sign a one year deal. I'm not sure how much the Brewers have left, but I'd give Smoltz 7 mil without thinking twice about it. I doubt they have that much available though, and I'm not sure how much less than that he'd take.

[dadofandrew]

The average LH hitter was Ryan Braun versus Smoltz last year, 973 OPSA.

 

I would not expect much from him.

[trwi7]

Am I the only one who thinks that Corey Hart's 2009 season was an anomaly?

Right now it looks like his 2007 was an anomaly since his 2008 and 2009 seasons were very similar.

[Oldcity]

Smoltz had terrible luck last year. It's incredibly tough to have numbers that bad when your k/bb ratio is over 4. That ratio has been over 3.5 each of the past four years, and last year was the only time his ERA wasn't great. There's a good chance his ERA is back around 4 or even lower next year.

[monty57]

Wasn't Smoltz tipping his pitches with Boson last year? Duncan/LaRussa noticed it and he pitched better after that.

[dadofandrew]

I think it is very likely SL convinced Smoltz they found something to give him confidence. Regardless, lefties just pounded him.