2014 FA arms

[LouisEly]

If Maholm turns out like the last former Pirates LH starting pitcher they signed I will be really happy, because the Brewers need another LH bullpen arm.

[Eye Black]

My FA pitching prediction is that Nez Balelo talks DM/MA into signing Jason Vargas to a 3 year deal leading to immediate consternation across BF.net.

 

Another Balelo client that can be added to the Free Agent pitchers list is closer Chris Perez, who was released by the Indians after he struggled during the second half of the season and was found guilty of misdemeanor marijuana possession in September. The 28 year old former all-star was also college teammates with Ryan Braun at Miami.

[JohnBriggs12]

If Maholm turns out like the last former Pirates LH starting pitcher they signed I will be really happy, because the Brewers need another LH bullpen arm.

 

Are you forgetting it was Maholm hitting Gomez that spawned the incident in Atlanta? Besides I think Maholm is looking for a rotation spot. The Brewer do need a bullpen lefty, but they should be looking at guys like Javier Lopez.

[JohnBriggs12]

My FA pitching prediction is that Nez Balelo talks DM/MA into signing Jason Vargas to a 3 year deal leading to immediate consternation across BF.net.

 

Another Balelo client that can be added to the Free Agent pitchers list is closer Chris Perez, who was released by the Indians after he struggled during the second half of the season and was found guilty of misdemeanor marijuana possession in September. The 28 year old former all-star was also college teammates with Ryan Braun at Miami.

 

They could do a lot worse than Jason Vargas actually.

[JohnBriggs12]

Jeff Niemann has opted for FA after being outrighted off the Rays roster. Is coming off of Rotator cuff surgery, he missed most of 2012 and all of 2013. Might be worth a minor league deal with opt out. Would also be nice having him starting the year in the Nashville rotation with another 6'9" pitcher, Johnny Helweg.

[3and2Fastball]

Given Doug Melvin's past history of over-paying for older starting pitchers past their prime, I could see him offering a 2-3 year contract to Bronson Arroyo or A.J. Burnett. 3 years $55 million dollars to a 37 year old pitcher.....yep that is my prediction

[jerichoholicninja]

Burnett has said he will play for Pittsburgh or retire. So you don't have to worry about that.

[JohnBriggs12]

I honestly don't think Melvin has any interest in Arroyo either. Brewers have guys that will eat innings and that's Arroyo's main strength and teams in need will overpay to get that.

 

He'll likely add a veteran to compete, but not one who they can't afford to cut if the young guys shine. I'm thinking along the lines of guys returning from injury like Scott Baker or Jeff Niemann, who are buy low guys who's track records when healthy are worth taking a flyer on.

[jjkoestler]

Josh Johnson is really intriguing, but he is drawing interest from a bunch of clubs. What type of deal would it take to bring him to Milwaukee?

[brewmann04]

The brewers will wait till at least Jan and see who out there. But I agree it be a reclamation project type.

[TooLiveBrew]

Josh Johnson off the market

 

Free-agent starter Josh Johnson has reached agreement on a one-year, guaranteed $8 million contract with the San Diego Padres, a baseball source told ESPN.com.

 

The deal includes an additional $1.25 million in performance bonuses if Johnson makes 26 starts, the source said. Johnson was in San Diego for a physical exam Tuesday and the contract is expected to be announced by the club Wednesday.

[danzig6767]

I was going to say that i was surprised Johnson didn't get more money than that, but it said in the article that he turned down more money to play in San Diego. Given the huge amounts of money in baseball right now, that's a nice pretty low risk/potential high reward signing for the Padres.

[Kelbysdaddy]

If Johnson makes 7 or less starts, the padres have a 4.5 m option for 2015. Not a bad throw in for them.

[JohnBriggs12]

With all the various injuries he's had, I still think $8 million is a lot. But it's not surprising considering how dominant he was when healthy. Maybe the big park in SD will allow him to ease off some. He seems headed down the path of Rich Harden.

[Mass Haas]

Just saying that given his southpaw-ness and swing-man flexibility, Mr. Narveson could be in play (tweet).

 

Stat page -- five starts in the Dominican, last four very good. Last pitched on 11/17, figured to get out on a high note, likely.

[jerichoholicninja]

Daniel Hudson was non-tendered by the Dbacks. Obviously just coming off TJ surgery but what kind of contract would he get? More importantly, what do the Brewers need to do to sign him?

[yoshii8]

So was Tommy Hanson by the Angels. I thought he was going to be an absolute stud. He's had a lot of injuries, but I still wouldn't mind taking a shot on him.

[sheetskout]

I would much rather take a shot at Hanson. Speculation is that Hudson won't play the entire 2014 season.

[jerichoholicninja]

Hudson has a career 111 ERA+ and will be 27 in March. I would offer him a low base, high incentive 3 year deal. Tommy John isn't a big deal anymore and he would bring youngish pitching to a club that sorely needs it. He should be getting back to full strength right at a time when the team will hopefully be on the verge on contention or at least should bring back something nice in a trade.

[Kelbysdaddy]

Wasn't Hudson only due like 1.1 mil in arby for this year? Serious low risk high reward. I'm all for signing him up. Hanson is a tough call though.

[LouisEly]

This is Hudson's second TJ. He blew out his elbow rehabbing from his first TJ surgery. He hasn't pitched since June 2012.

 

Hudson was supposedly offered for Fielder. Glad that didn't happen. Coulter/Haniger + playoff run was much better return.

[nate82]

Hanson and Hudson would be great buy low type of signings plus with the team the Brewers will be putting out next year this isn't a bad idea. If they play great that is a bonus and you receive another trade chip if not you just DFA them. It is a win win situation for the Brewers.

[brewcrewdue80]

The thing with Hanson is I believe he was a mid 90s flamethrower and successful and then suddenly he is throwing 88-90 with a lack of control. I would say that in his head since he cant rely on his FB to blow by the Batter he was trying to pinpoint and just wasn't the same since then. And let's not forget he pitched in Atl and in Anaheim. Pitcher friendly stadiums/Divisions. No on Hanson unless it's a Minor League contract.

 

Hudson on the other hand? It would be a storybook comeback. I just don't see the Brewers being in the position to make it happen. He is out for all of 2014. So his comeback would be in 2015. The Brewers would be staring at Peralta,Nelson,Jungmann rotation. With hopefully 1 of Hellweg/Pena in the mix. I mean yeah he would look good to fit but you realize this isn't a SP when he returns. He will have 45IP of Professional ball in the 3 seasons prior to 2015. He will likely take 2 full seasons before even working his arm back up to a SP level. So that's 2015 and 2016 of Bullpen/Spot Start duty before in 2017 maybe becoming a SP again. And that's an awful long time to trust his elbow not to blow out again.

 

I'll pass.

[KCBrewerfan34]

What About signing Garza?

[Warning Track Power]

What About signing Garza?

Honestly, this is the DM secret move that I have been anticipating for this offseason. I could see him offering Garza a 5 year $75 million deal and slotting him in at #3 in the rotation behind Gallardo and Lohse.