Weeks avoids arbitration, 1 year, $2.75MM

[Funketown]

Posted by Tom Haudricourt.

 

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/82067747.html

 

This is a $300,000 raise from last year. Also notes that Gomez agreed to a one year deal, though the terms are still unknown.

[joepepsi]

Well, I'm sure Weeks getting a raise will tick off some, but such is the nature of the current arbitration process.

 

C'mon, Rickey, give us a full healthy season!

[JohnBriggs12]

That's a win for the Brewers. Weeks is a bargain at that price if he's healthy. I expected a significantly larger raise. Weak market for 2B may be playing in.

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

Chone projects Weeks as +13.9 runs offensively but -7.0 runs defensively. That would be his worst defensive year since 2006 so I wonder why they expect such a regression. He was actually above average in the field in the short time he played last year. My opinion is if he can stay healthy, he will be very effective in 2010 and could get a big pay day after the season.

[TooLiveBrew]

I agree completely with your last sentence, TWR.

 

 

He was actually above average in the field in the short time he played last year.

 

Going by UZR/150, he wasn't just above average, he was spectacular -- a rating of 21.9. For reference's sake, Chase Utley's UZR/150 at 2B for the past five seasons were 11.3, 21.4, 21.0, 10.2, 17.1

[Milltownhooker]

Hart is gonna be the stumbling block from a budget standpoint. Bush's salary can be traded or cut.

[bjkrautk]

Hopefully he invests the money wisely; might I recommend a diversified portfolio of horseshoes, rabbits feet, and conditioning coaches?

[crewcrazy]

Looks like Weeks' injury might have been a blessing in disguise as far as saving the team money. If he played a full year at the level he was at before the injury, he'd be making a lot more. Like everyone else said, this is a bargain.

 

It's good to see so many of these signings early in the process...hopefully they can get everyone else under contract so they know how much they can spend to possibly lure another free agent starter in.

[yount19.u]

Does anyone know about the type of wrist surgeries that Weeks has had? I'm curious now that both wrists are repaired, if he has the same risk of breaking his wrists again or if they are stronger after the surgeries.

[Invader3K]

"If he stays healthy". We've been repeating that refrain for a while. I sure hope he can. It would be nice if that brief fliration he showed last season ends up being his real capability over a full season.

[sbrylski]

I'm sorry to report that I think Weeks' repeated injuries have just about drained his upside. I think he can still be an average everyday player, but I am no longer expecting big things from him. He just relies on his wrists too much. I think he ends up playing out his remaining two years of service with the Brewers as a .260 / .340 / .420 guy, and we hopefully have a smooth transition to Lawrie.

[logan82]

A .260/.340/.420/.760 line from a 2B is pretty decent if he can play at least average defense. If Weeks can consistently do that and we have a hole elsewhere that Lawrie could fill in it might be worthwhile to keep Weeks if he isn't expensive.

[rluzinski]

Bush's salary can be traded or cut.

I don't understand that logic at all. A team that is desperate for starting pitching is going to cut Bush? You'd have to think he's not worth what he'll likely get in arbitration. If that were the case, he would have negative trade value.

 

CHONE has Bush projected for a 4.78 ERA in 170 innings. If he get's more than $5 mil in arbitration, he might start having negative value. I'm assuming he'll get under that? At $4.5 mil, he's fine and the Brewers will probably need him.

[Invader3K]

Yeah, I haven't understood all the "cut Bush" talk lately either.

[Milltownhooker]

Cutting/trading Bush is just an option in case something better can be added to the 40-Man. Or if his arm is still toast.

[clancyphile]

A .260/.340/.420/.760 line from a 2B is pretty decent if he can play at least average defense. If Weeks can consistently do that and we have a hole elsewhere that Lawrie could fill in it might be worthwhile to keep Weeks if he isn't expensive.

I have to admit, that is why I wish the Brewers were also having Lawrie play some third base and corner outfield in the minors. If Weeks stays healthy, and still has some upside, I'd say extend Weeks and move Lawrie to right field - then let Hart go.

 

If Weeks posts a .780 OPS at second (not out of the question), and Lawrie can man right field or thrid base, giving the Brewers better overall offensive production.

[BrewCrewForever]

I really hope Rickie stays healthy this season, if he does I think he can pick up where he left off and he will be playing for cheap.

[Nottso]

If Weeks picks up where he left off, I'll be insanely happy.

[mletto157]

clancy, are you assuming that Gamel gets traded/moved? Why would you move Lawrie to 3B when we have Gamel, McGehee, Green, etc?

[logan82]

Gamel at 1B probably.

[RobDeer 45]

Crossing my fingers for Rickie. I'm not expecting much and not expecting him to make it through the season. Hope he does though, it would be a huge bonus for us.

 

Do you think if we gave him more days off it help?

 

What wrist did he hurt this year?

 

I see Gamel at 1st as well!

[trwi7]

I'm just glad we have some depth in the infield so we don't need to make a trade if Weeks goes down. McGehee can shift over to second and Gamel can play third or Heether could play second or third.

[Klements Bratwurst]

Has anyone seen or heard anything about Rickie's status for spring training? Is he a complete green light for all hitting drills, etc? He was close at the end of the season, so I assume the answer is yes, but I haven't seen anything since last fall. I remember after his other wrist injury which happened in mid season that he had a bit of trouble dealing with scar tissue in the wrist early in the next Spring and heck, midway through the next season. It basically screwed him up.

 

Last year finally he was going to blow up the league and then it happened again to the other wrist. The only plus side is he knows what it is going to feel like and might be better to play with the scar tissue discomfort until it settles down.

 

However, I concur with some of the sentiments, I just don't expect great things from him anymore. I just don't want him hitting a .220/.299/.375 line in 2010 while recovering from soreness in the wrist until July. I would be happy with league average this year, if possible.

[Invader3K]

I'm just glad we have some depth in the infield so we don't need to make a trade if Weeks goes down. McGehee can shift over to second and Gamel can play third or Heether could play second or third.

Don't forget that Counsell is still around too.

[clancyphile]

clancy, are you assuming that Gamel gets traded/moved? Why would you move Lawrie to 3B when we have Gamel, McGehee, Green, etc?

He could get traded, moved to RF. also depends on if the Brewers keep Fielder. If they don't Gamel's at first. Or Lawrie's at first.

 

Or the Brewers trade Hart, and Lawrie plays RF.