The Bud Norris Thread, Oh, and who remembers Jose Veras?

[splitterpfj]

The next big chase appears to be for Bud Norris. He's not a world-beater, but he can pitch, and he's cheap. Houston may be in a great position here, because, believe it or not, Jose Veras is having a solid year down there, and he's drawing interest as well.

 

Aren't relief pitchers strange? K-Rod and Veras both took their turns as, "part of the problem" for the 2012 Brewers, and now, they're darlings again.

[Kelbysdaddy]

Norris is available since he won't be "cheap" after this year. He starts arbitration after this season.

[HiAndTight]

Norris is available since he won't be "cheap" after this year. He starts arbitration after this season.

 

 

I think Norris is available because he's having a good year and the 'Stros are a long way away from contention. I sincerely doubt Houston is shopping him because of his salary. And next year will be his second year of arbitration. He's making 3 million this year and even at 5-6 million next year, and under team control for another year, that's still a very desirable deal for another team, even as a #4 starter on a good team.

 

I'm not sure that I wouldn't rather take Norris over Gallardo over the next two years, contracts aside, so when everyone talks about how Gallardo's got a team friendly deal when he's mentioned in trade rumors and isn't a rental, Norris looks even better.

 

 

As for relievers, look at John Axford this season. Fans seem to have a long memory when it comes to failures and a short one when it comes to success. Axford has a 1.60 ERA after the 1st 4 games of the season, yet his ERA is still 3.40.

 

And like everyone knows, relievers, save for the elite relievers are up and down every year.

[brewcrewdue80]

I thought Veras was one of the actual Not to be blamed relievers of 2012. Sure he had his share of upsetting outings but overall his numbers were actually better than his career norms. So what was wrong with him last year?

 

As to Norris. He's not having a good year. It's a fortunate year. His positive numbers are down and warning sign numbers are up. Yo and Bud have essentially the same numbers only that Yo has given up more Runs while all across the board the numbers are identical. So it's luck. Norris likely should be closer to a 5ERA than his 3.93 to date. Probably has a high strand rate well above ML avg.

 

Norris is a true #4/5 pitcher with no signs of 3 ability or 2 ceiling like Yo had. So the asking price along with true price has to be less than what Melvin was asking for Yo. I really don't get the idea of adding Norris to a playoff team. He's a #5 Pitcher on one or at least should be.

 

If the Brewers were in contention and Melvin was looking at Norris to help down the stretch, I'd be a very, very upset fan to waste any minor league depth. Norris' career is Yo's 2013.

[PrinceEatMeat]

The Braves are now interested in Bud Norris according to Jon Morosi. Gotta think all these teams in on Norris would have interest in Lohse. Unless the price is ridiculous.

[brewcrewdue80]

The rumormill is suggesting Pitts. and Tyler Glasnow for Norris. Can you believe that if it happens?

 

BTW, Houston's rebuild is nearing complete, and their willingness to trade Norris today shows how it should have been done by Melvin with our soon to be FAs vs. instead extending them.

 

Consider this by Houston now if they can add Glasnow. by 2015 their rotation should look like: Appel, Cosart, McCullers, Foltynewicz, and then Glasnow at a combined 3mil? salary? Well, probably a little more but less than 6mil for sure.

They'll have Castro C, Singleton at 1b, Altuve at 2b, Correa at SS, Dominguez at 3b, George Springer in the OF core going for them for at least 3seasons together. Who knows what their potential #1-3 pick in 2014 nets and maybe provides by 2015 on top! They'll be so cheap in payroll finding pieces to fill their OF via FA and RPs should be easy. Watch out for them in just 2years!

[TURBO]

Assuming all those players pan out...

 

Nothing is guaranteed.