Possible Trade Targets - Starting Pitching

[JohnBriggs12]

I could be wrong but I think Melvin's thinking is he'll look to deal for a pitcher in season if he needs to. Granted he'll be surrendering the compensation for a guy in his final year, but I don't think that's his main concern.

[PrinceEatMeat]

I could be wrong but I think Melvin's thinking is he'll look to deal for a pitcher in season if he needs to. Granted he'll be surrendering the compensation for a guy in his final year, but I don't think that's his main concern.

 

Yeah, I agree with this. He's probably hoping to just stay afloat until midseason, and then pick-up a starter for the stretch run.

[JohnBriggs12]

One guy I'd be keeping an eye on for a deal who's controllable for a couple more years is Bud Norris. By the time the Astros are ready to compete, Norris will be a FA. I've always liked his stuff, and thought on a good team, he'd be a winner.

[Kelbysdaddy]

i was just thinking about bud norris. he will have the largest contract on the astros next season with a whopping 3mil. i'd wonder what it would take to get him. i'd say scooter but they already have one tiny 2b. maybe logan schafer and a pitcher?

[Warning Track Power]

Norris is the exact kind of player I would target if I were Melvin if I were to make a move to acquire a SP before Spring Training. Under contract until after the 2015 season, exceptionally talented and hasn't quite put it all together just yet but if he does...Whoa. #2 potential.

 

I as well wonder what it would take to get him, but I'd be happy to trade one of our young SP (Bradley perhaps) and maybe a C. Gindl or K. Davis type for him.

[JohnBriggs12]

I don't see Houston trading him before the season. They'll wait and see what the market is in July and hope a mini bidding war occurs. It's going to take a young pitcher close to the major leagues. Brewers have guys that fit that description, Thornburg, Burgos, Jungmann, Hellweg, Nelson. Also might have to throw in a sweetener like a Bianchi or Green that could play for them now, but isn't a prime every day player.

[brewcrewdue80]

For what is being suggested as a return to Houston for Norris, I cant see any reason they should trade him....If we're looking at a #2 potential then 1, they should keep him long term. 2, if they are going to look to trade him, doesn't letting him flash that #2 stuff this season only add to his value and thus return in a trade? He could go 200/200 this season and with 2years remaining on contract boom James Shields type trade....I know too much but you get where I'm going....Considering the Brewers prospects I don't think they can make the phone call asking about Norris. Houston would hang up. But if Houston likes a certain prospect then maybe something can happen.

[endaround]

He isn't #2 potential. He has pitched 560 innings in the major league at a #4 starter level. He is about to be 28. He has control issues that can be seen throughout his major and minor league career. His fastball sat at below 92 mph last year and has declined every year.

 

That said the Astros need someone to pitch for them and Norris is cheap. So unless they get something worth while no reason to move him this season.

[jmeks23]

I think Brewers fans get swayed because he tends to dominate the Brewers. Other teams not so much.

[Ennder]

Stick him somewhere like Tampa and Norris has a 3.50 ERA. Stick him in a hitters park with a putrid defense behind him and he has the erratic ERA he has shown so far. Unfortunately we are closer to the hitters park and putrid defense side of the discussion so not sure he is the greatest fit.

[nate82]

Axford for Porcello?

[yoshii8]

I don't think Axford is going anywhere. I'd love for the Brewers to try to get Porcello though, would make me much happier than getting someone like Harang.

[monty57]

Axford for Porcello?

 

I know Porcello's only 24, but he's got four seasons under his belt and has never lived up to the hype. His best year was his rookie year, and since then, he's been pretty bad. Add that he'll be a free agent after the 2014 season, and I think I'd look for something different.

 

Now, if they'd trade Castellanos for Axford, that may be a different story. Put him back at 3B in AAA, and we'd have a much better outlook for the future.

[reillymcshane]

Axford for Porcello?

 

I know Porcello's only 24, but he's got four seasons under his belt and has never lived up to the hype. His best year was his rookie year, and since then, he's been pretty bad. Add that he'll be a free agent after the 2014 season, and I think I'd look for something different.

 

Now, if they'd trade Castellanos for Axford, that may be a different story. Put him back at 3B in AAA, and we'd have a much better outlook for the future.

i'd do that in a heartbeat.

[Mass Haas]

Brewers among those scouting Indians' LHP Scott Kazmir

 

Tribe signed him to a minor league deal after his Latin winter season...

[jerichoholicninja]

Axford for Porcello would be an overpay by the Brewers, and I am no fan of Axford. For some reason a lot of posters here don't want to see Estrada in the rotation. Porcello is a worse pitcher than Estrada.

 

Porcello Career

1.417 WHIP (which has gotten worse every year of his career)

2.3 BB/9

5.0 K/9

94 ERA+

 

Estrada 2011-2012 (since becoming a ML regular and getting significant starts)

1.169 WHIP (1.227 career)

2.3 BB/9 (2.5 career)

9.0 K/9 (9.0 career)

106 ERA+ (95 career)

[JohnBriggs12]

I was skeptical of Estrada, but he won me over last year. I'm a big fan of WHIP as a measure of effectiveness and under 1.2 is outstanding. He's still a guy who can be sailing along and get burned by a long ball, seemingly out of nowhere, and that can lead to a few "instant losses" but he's earned a spot without question.

[paul253]

Depending on what it costs I'd take a flyer on him for a one year deal.

[DR28]

If we go after one of the Dodgers leftovers, I hope it's Cappy... I would love have him back in Milwaukee as our #5 Starter.

 

Gallardo

Estrada

Fiers

Peralta

Capuano

 

I would go to battle with that Rotation.

[Ennder]

Porcello is probably better than his stats suggest now that he has dropped his slider which has always been a bad pitch for him. Personally I'd like to see us go after Niemann since he doesn't seem to be in the Rays plan this year. He would be our #3 if we traded for him and I'd expect a sub 3.8 ERA.

[monty57]

Porcello is probably better than his stats suggest now that he has dropped his slider which has always been a bad pick for him. Personally I'd like to see us go after Niemann since he doesn't seem to be in the Rays plan this year. He would be our #3 if we traded for him and I'd expect a sub 3.8 ERA.

 

I'd rather find someone with more "team control," but those guys probably aren't out there right now. If we're looking for a trade right now, Niemann is probably a solid choice, and he fits Melvin's m.o. He's got this year at $3MM (via Cot's, ESPN says $2.75MM) and one more year of arby. He's 30 years old, so he probably isn't a candidate for an extension of more than maybe an extra season, but he would be an upgrade to our rotation.

 

Tampa doesn't seem like a team looking to trade for a one-year stopgap like Gomez or Hart, so I'd guess it would have to be a package centered on prospects. Khris Davis could be included. I like him, but unless Braun is moving to RF, Davis is completely blocked as a Brewer (he said in an interview that he tried 1B and that didn't work out). He has value to a team looking for a LF/DH in the not-too-distant future and Luke Scott (Tampa's DH) is a FA after this season. We'd probably also have to add another solid piece, probably in the Thornberg/Jungmann category... someone who projects to be at least a middle-of-the-rotation starter down the road.

 

Would something like Thornberg and Khris Davis do it, and if so, would that be a good deal for the Brewers?

[Roderick]

Khris Davis could be included. I like him, but unless Braun is moving to RF, Davis is completely blocked as a Brewer (he said in an interview that he tried 1B and that didn't work out).

 

I agree it isn't very likely but I can see a scenario where Braun moves to RF after the season (so he has spring training to make the move) because Davis hits so much in AAA and Aoki stops hitting or moves to CF because Gomez was moved and Schafer wasn't hitting enough. But you are right, it would probably be efficient to move him whenever the value is highest, and not just hold on to him for Braun suspension insurance.

 

Edit: Well it would appear that Gomez won't move.

[JohnBriggs12]

Nieman's numbers look good this spring, but I'm reading stuff that his fastball is sitting at 85-86 so I'd hold off on any deal.

 

A Thornburg/Davis combo might be appealing to Houston (Norris). Davis clearly would have more value to an AL team. That the Brewers are sticking with (for now) Hellweg as a starter, means they could be seeing value in Thornburg on the market and are protecting themselves a bit.

[Rock hard Brouhard]

Looks like Nieman is out the season, the injury bug hits even the people we wanted to be Brewers

[Kelbysdaddy]

Axford for Porcello would be an overpay by the Brewers

Sure doesn't seem much like that now, does it?