Zack Greinke close to hiring an agent.....

[Funketown]

I hadn't realized Wolf's option is only $10MM ($1.5MM buyout), so one has to imagine that if Wolf if nearly as productive this season as last season, the option will be picked up.

 

I really think Greinke is going to have an exceptional year and price himself out of Milwaukee if this deal doesn't get done soon. I'm guessing his current price is at least 5 years/$100MM, and at anything higher it might just be time to go to all-out rebuilding mode after making another big run this season.

[logan82]

I don't think picking up Wolf's option has anything to do with Greinke. I think he gets picked up unless he completely falls apart this year. I think we may offer Marcum a deal if we can't sign Greinke just so we have fewer holes to fill.

 

I hope we sign Greinke even though I know the contract will be probably bad overall for the franchise.

[RobDeer 45]

Do you think they tabled talks because they were so far apart that there was no reason to keep talking? I hope not but I'm just trying to keep my expectations low so that I don't get too excited.

[longball04]

I think they tabled talks for now because there really is no rush. Plus, wouldn't you think they want to see what the Hamels deal will be? And I think Zack drives the talks, not his agent. Zack has stated time and time again that he likes playing here and he has actually even loosened up with the press, something he never did prior to coming to Milwaukee.

[NievesNoNO]

I don't think you can make any assumption one way or another with the "talks tabled" news. Maybe it means they've agreed on a range of what it's going to take, they have some sort of verbal agreement and Melvin's waiting on a approval from Attanasio.

[Warning Track Power]

Hopefully Greinke provides a little bit of clairty what is going on when he speaks after the game today. Although with Greinke, it might just add to the confusion about where the situation stands.

[Madtown343]

Hopefully he closes the door on a 4game sweep first. I am willing to bet he will talk with more clarity after a nice outing. Otherwise all the media will just be annoying him.

[markedman5]

I heard Melvin on the radio today and when asked about Greinke his tone did not give me any optimism. He said that they were going to "leave it until after the season". Gave me the impression that they were far apart and it there was no point in continuing to talk.

 

I was hoping that Zack really wanted to stay enough that top dollar wouldn't be the overriding factor.

 

Makes you appreciate Braun, Corey and Rickie that much more.

[GamelToe]

Well, it's days like today that make me say "good riddance." I fear that too much stock is going to be put in one season (his cy young year). Would anyone really be surprised if Shaun Marcum had a better season than Greinke this year?

[monty57]

I won't really be surprised if Grienke isn't extended, as I've said before that I didn't know how they'd afford it, and the Cain deal might have priced Greinke out of Milwaukee's budget.

 

If he isn't re-signed, I think they'll look at extending Marcum, but will shoot for a 2 or 3 year extension with team options. I can't see them giving him a four-year deal. This would allow them to bring Peralta up next year, then one of Thornberg/Jungman/Bradley to replace Wolf in 2014 and then have enough pitching to replace Marcum (and Narveson?) in 2015 and beyond.

 

Or, if the team tanks over the next couple of months, I could see them trading any or all of Greinke, Marcum, Wolf, K-Rod, Hart, Morgan in an effort to get some near-MLB-ready talent to fit in around the "core" for next year.

[ninja33]

Well, it's days like today that make me say "good riddance." I fear that too much stock is going to be put in one season (his cy young year). Would anyone really be surprised if Shaun Marcum had a better season than Greinke this year?

 

yes, very.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Well, it's days like today that make me say "good riddance." I fear that too much stock is going to be put in one season (his cy young year). Would anyone really be surprised if Shaun Marcum had a better season than Greinke this year?

 

yes, very.

 

Yeah, I'd be pretty shocked too actually. Marcum will probably have a solid year, but I expect Greinke to be overall outstanding. Today was just one start. He may have a random bad game here and there, but he'll be better than Marcum.

[3and2Fastball]

I wonder if Greinke is thinking he deserves Matt Cain money

 

Cain has put up ERA's of 2.89, 3.14, and 2.88 in the last 3 seasons and has a career 3.37 ERA with zero injury concerns

Greinke has put up ERA's of 3.83, 4.17 & 2.16 in the last 3 seasons and has a career 3.80 ERA with some concerns about missing time earlier in his career due to mental issues

 

Cain has a career WHIP of 1.196 while Greinke's is 1.252

 

*Small Sample Alert*

Cain has a Post-Season ERA of 0.00 in 21 innings pitched with a 0.938 WHIP

Greinke has a Post-Season ERA of 6.48 in 16 innings pitched with a 1.620 WHIP

 

Cain has an ERA+ of 124 to Greinke's 115 (the higher the ERA+ the better)

 

On what planet does Greinke compare to Cain?

 

I like Greinke, alot, but he doesn't deserve Matt Cain money

[Oldcity]

There have been multiple posts explaining how Greinke is absolutely in that discussion with Cain. As for waiting to see what Hamels gets, why wouldn't they want to get it done before Hamels? What if Hamels signs for more than Cain did? Then they're even more screwed.

 

And yeah, I'd be shocked if Marcum has a better year as well.

[3and2Fastball]

The last 2 seasons of ERA+ are very telling, Greinke has been right around 101 whereas Cain's ERA+ the last 2 seasons remains at his career average of 124

 

Hamels? Hamels is also significantly a better pitcher statistically than Greinke. Especially in the last 2 seasons: Hamels has put up ERA+ seasons of 138 & 133 which destroys Greinke's 101 & 100

 

Hamels is a career 3.40 ERA guy, career 125 ERA+ guy, career 3.09 post-season ERA in 81 innings

 

Greinke doesn't compare to Hamels

 

I'm getting the impression that a lot of people here over-rate Greinke

[brewtank34]

I wonder if Greinke is thinking he deserves Matt Cain money

 

Cain has put up ERA's of 2.89, 3.14, and 2.88 in the last 3 seasons and has a career 3.37 ERA with zero injury concerns

Greinke has put up ERA's of 3.83, 4.17 & 2.16 in the last 3 seasons and has a career 3.80 ERA with some concerns about missing time earlier in his career due to mental issues

 

Cain has a career WHIP of 1.196 while Greinke's is 1.252

 

*Small Sample Alert*

Cain has a Post-Season ERA of 0.00 in 21 innings pitched with a 0.938 WHIP

Greinke has a Post-Season ERA of 6.48 in 16 innings pitched with a 1.620 WHIP

 

Cain has an ERA+ of 124 to Greinke's 115 (the higher the ERA+ the better)

 

On what planet does Greinke compare to Cain?

 

I like Greinke, alot, but he doesn't deserve Matt Cain money

 

True, but does Matt Cain even deserve Matt Cain money? I say no way!

[Eye Black]

True, but does Matt Cain even deserve Matt Cain money? I say no way!

 

Maybe the Giants factored in a cost of living increase.

[dlk9s]

Well, it's days like today that make me say "good riddance."

 

I opened this thread just to see if there would be a post like this. I wasn't disappointed.

[Dollarbill13]

From MLBTR...

 

“I’ve been told that it’s just between my agent and the team now,” said Zack Greinke in regards to the news that the Brewers and his representatives have suspended negotiations about a contract extension. Greinke told reporters (including Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) that "it might have been a long shot from the beginning" that the two sides would agree on a multiyear deal. Greinke can become a free agent after the 2012 season.

[JohnBriggs12]

Of course Matt Cain doesn't deserve Matt Cain money. The same franchise gave Barry Zito Barry Zito money and he didn't deserve it either. Just because other teams are willing to spend foolishly on starting pitchers doesn't mean the Brewers should. How many examples do they need: Carlos Zambrano, Bob Lackey, Johann Santana, AJ Burnett, and on and on.

 

Huge long term contracts to pitchers can cripple small to medium sized franchises. It has nothing to do with Greinke per se, though its very true what leverage he has is based on one season 3 years ago. First priority should always be to develop pitching internally, then and only then, you go to option and look for short term guys with escalating deals just as they did with Marcum and Greinke.

[bullox]

Well, it's days like today that make me say "good riddance." I fear that too much stock is going to be put in one season (his cy young year). Would anyone really be surprised if Shaun Marcum had a better season than Greinke this year?

 

 

Too much stock is put on one year, because of single games like today. Small sample conundrum.

[MessiahRp]

I think the fear has to be now that by not wanting to extend Marcum early and by not pushing harder to get an extension with Greinke done now they're going to go into Free Agency without a shot at re-signing either of them and with the money the Brewers generally spend in Free Agency, chances are good that next year's rotation is going to be brutal.

[PrinceEatMeat]

I think the fear has to be now that by not wanting to extend Marcum early and by not pushing harder to get an extension with Greinke done now they're going to go into Free Agency without a shot at re-signing either of them and with the money the Brewers generally spend in Free Agency, chances are good that next year's rotation is going to be brutal.

 

I don't think Melvin will just sit around and not talk to Marcum if the situation with Greinke isn't looking good. He'll probably start talking extension with Marcum late in the season if that's the case. I don't see him letting both walk. That can't be allowed to happen if he wants to keep the team in contention. If Greinke leaves, I think the best move is to re-sign Marcum and keep Wolf. Then give the open spot to Peralta or Fiers in 2013. Then after Wolf leaves, there's another spot for either Peralta or Fiers, with Jungmann and Bradley hopefully in AAA as backup. Rogers could be an option as well. If Marcum can be had on a 3-year deal that's even better.

[Raw Biz]

If Greinke leaves, I think the best move is to re-sign Marcum and keep Wolf. Then give the open spot to Peralta or Fiers in 2013. Then after Wolf leaves, there's another spot for either Peralta or Fiers, with Jungmann and Bradley hopefully in AAA as backup. Rogers could be an option as well. If Marcum can be had on a 3-year deal that's even better.

 

This is exactly how I feel. If it's going to cost more than 5/100 (and it's looking like it might) to lock up Greinke, I'd rather sign Marcum to something like 3/40 and pick up Wolf's option. A rotation next year of Yo, Marcum, Wolf, Narv-Dog, and Fiers/Peralta could still be pretty good. Then, like PEM said the other half of Peralta/Fiers or even one of Jungmann/Bradley could step in in 2014. The only question is how much will it cost to sign Marcum.

[RWeeksFan23]

Why does everyone want to pick up Wolf's option next year? I get that he's been good for us the last couple years, but he's getting pretty old, and his peripheral stats don't exactly match up with his ERA. I could see if it was a reasonable option, but 10 mil? Forget that..