Brewers In Serious Talks To Acquire Papelbon

[DR28]

I think the reason this deal hasn't come together YET is that the Brewers are waiting to see if they sign Shields and are keeping that money free until then. If they sign Shields, the Papelbon deal won't happen. If Shields signs elsewhere, the Papelbon deal will happen quick.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if you're right on this.

 

Sign Shields then get KRod or something on a 1 year deal.

[Kelbysdaddy]

For argument's sake, let's say this happens. This gives us a bullpen of Jeffress, Henderson, Thornburg, Cotts, Perez, Broxton, Kintzler, Smith and Papelbon. It's not a great bullpen, but it's pretty deep (nine guys), which is good. You don't have to overuse guys. Even AAA has potential to help at some point - Wooten, Pena, Knebel, Goforth, Blazek - even Hellweg.

 

But this is not a shut down bullpen - like KC had last year. We have guys coming off injuries, guys coming off mediocre years, guys who are aging. Again, you have to protect yourselves with numbers when you have a lot of question marks, which this team is looking to do.

 

The number of players (nine guys) doesn't really concern me. With Thornburg and Henderson coming back from injuries, you never know where they'll be. And injuries are simply part of life. Plus, Thornburg may end up back as a starter. You can never have enough depth, and a team like Milwaukee will need it.

A 9 man bullpen? That leaves only 3 bench spots which would be terrible.

[reillymcshane]

For argument's sake, let's say this happens. This gives us a bullpen of Jeffress, Henderson, Thornburg, Cotts, Perez, Broxton, Kintzler, Smith and Papelbon. It's not a great bullpen, but it's pretty deep (nine guys), which is good. You don't have to overuse guys. Even AAA has potential to help at some point - Wooten, Pena, Knebel, Goforth, Blazek - even Hellweg.

 

But this is not a shut down bullpen - like KC had last year. We have guys coming off injuries, guys coming off mediocre years, guys who are aging. Again, you have to protect yourselves with numbers when you have a lot of question marks, which this team is looking to do.

 

The number of players (nine guys) doesn't really concern me. With Thornburg and Henderson coming back from injuries, you never know where they'll be. And injuries are simply part of life. Plus, Thornburg may end up back as a starter. You can never have enough depth, and a team like Milwaukee will need it.

A 9 man bullpen? That leaves only 3 bench spots which would be terrible.

 

No one says you have a nine man bullpen. You simply have nine players who could fit into the pen. With the uncertain status of guys coming off injury (Henderson and Thornburg), plus the chance someone else gets injured, plus the option to move Thornburg back to starter, there isn't much of a worry that you'll have too many arms.

[TooLiveBrew]

With the uncertain status of guys coming off injury (Henderson and Thornburg), plus the chance someone else gets injured, plus the option to move Thornburg back to starter, there isn't much of a worry that you'll have too many arms.

What is this strange new world where the Brewers have pitching depth (& most of it home-grown)?

[Boomer5]

Lucky Devin. 'Everyone' knows there are 'issues'. But they cannot elaborate.

 

Soup...I didn't hear this from, "everyone", I heard it from someone you would respect - and not just once. I "could" elaborate, I just choose not to - which is for the best.

 

When you get to know some scouts, agents, media, etc, you find out minor league baseball is a strange world. You've got kids in their late teens, college grads, Latin kids who are so far from home and trying to assimilate. A few of them have money, most are flat broke, some give up on the dream, others never would, etc. What, "is", is not close to what is packaged and presented.

 

Devin's just a kid who needs to grow up - not shocking, that's why they're called, "kids." He's got a good arm, and the Brewers paid to get him in the system - I hope he has a huge season, and keeps moving. I was just pointing out why he may have made himself a little more "tradeable." Who knows, maybe that's not even the case, I wouldn't know which guys the front office likes best.

 

I think you are right. I played in HS and the team was a bunch of alpha males who found many creative ways to act like a jerk, and that was with no money, living at home, and with a HS structure during the day. Wasn't the Brewer's trade of Lawrie essentially due to these issues rather than talent for talent?

 

I always thought teams should invest in more coaches in the minors to keep the player to coach ratio manageable.

 

I wouldn't trade anything of value for Pap. The Brewers simply don't need him that badly relative the very low market value of him/his contract.

[Boomer5]

With the uncertain status of guys coming off injury (Henderson and Thornburg), plus the chance someone else gets injured, plus the option to move Thornburg back to starter, there isn't much of a worry that you'll have too many arms.

What is this strange new world where the Brewers have pitching depth (& most of it home-grown)?

 

This is the issue with the Brewers farm system the past few years. Lots of guys who will play in the majors, few that project to be plus plus though. Jungmann is the prototype Brewer Prospect IMHO. Will play, probably start, but back end type. Hopefully that is changing with the last draft and Lara, Coulter, Taylor.

[TooLiveBrew]

With the uncertain status of guys coming off injury (Henderson and Thornburg), plus the chance someone else gets injured, plus the option to move Thornburg back to starter, there isn't much of a worry that you'll have too many arms.

What is this strange new world where the Brewers have pitching depth (& most of it home-grown)?

 

This is the issue with the Brewers farm system the past few years. Lots of guys who will play in the majors, few that project to be plus plus though. Jungmann is the prototype Brewer Prospect IMHO. Will play, probably start, but back end type. Hopefully that is changing with the last draft and Lara, Coulter, Taylor.

Yep, but even that is a massive upgrade from where the club was even just 5-10 years ago. Not to mention that 'just' a back-end SP saves your team from purchasing that on the FA market at something like $8-10M/yr.

[brewmann04]

Pitching is such a key for the Crew and would hate to see them give up young arms @ this point.

[DR28]

Read this morning Amaro said Papelbon "probably will" be a Phillie come ST.

[Boomer5]

This is the issue with the Brewers farm system the past few years. Lots of guys who will play in the majors, few that project to be plus plus though. Jungmann is the prototype Brewer Prospect IMHO. Will play, probably start, but back end type. Hopefully that is changing with the last draft and Lara, Coulter, Taylor.

Yep, but even that is a massive upgrade from where the club was even just 5-10 years ago. Not to mention that 'just' a back-end SP saves your team from purchasing that on the FA market at something like $8-10M/yr.

 

You can use guys like Jungmann for sure and they do have value. Im pretty bullish on him because of his high floor, so Im not cutting him down as a player. Some mentioned him as a possible trade for Pap which is why I brought him up and immediately suggested Jungmann for Pap+ contract is an over pay.

 

But you don't win championships when guys like him are your "next wave". You need to bring on future All Stars, not just future replacement level types.

[Warning Track Power]

Read this morning Amaro said Papelbon "probably will" be a Phillie come ST.

Pure posturing...Amaro is a terrible GM and he's being outplayed in the media by Melvin. Why keep an expensive closer for what is going to be a terrible team?

[TooLiveBrew]

This is the issue with the Brewers farm system the past few years. Lots of guys who will play in the majors, few that project to be plus plus though. Jungmann is the prototype Brewer Prospect IMHO. Will play, probably start, but back end type. Hopefully that is changing with the last draft and Lara, Coulter, Taylor.

Yep, but even that is a massive upgrade from where the club was even just 5-10 years ago. Not to mention that 'just' a back-end SP saves your team from purchasing that on the FA market at something like $8-10M/yr.

 

You can use guys like Jungmann for sure and they do have value. Im pretty bullish on him because of his high floor, so Im not cutting him down as a player. Some mentioned him as a possible trade for Pap which is why I brought him up and immediately suggested Jungmann for Pap+ contract is an over pay.

 

But you don't win championships when guys like him are your "next wave". You need to bring on future All Stars, not just future replacement level types.

Yeah, we don't disagree on anything here. I'm talking about how nice it is to have some depth of pitching, not that we have elite prospects.

[jerichoholicninja]

Read this morning Amaro said Papelbon "probably will" be a Phillie come ST.

Pure posturing...Amaro is a terrible GM and he's being outplayed in the media by Melvin. Why keep an expensive closer for what is going to be a terrible team?

 

Doesn't mean he can't be traded during spring training. I posted before that they are going to have to trade him now. Once he gets to Florida and reporters shove microphones in his face every day he's going to say something that is going to rub management the wrong way and force them to just give him away.

[pete]

Another story was posted on the local Philadelphia newspaper website this morning at 3am. The reporter talked to Amaro yesterday, Thursday, by phone. While his quotes don't really add anything, the reporter had a bullet point list titled Here's what is known.

 

It included

 

the Phillies are willing to take on some of that financial obligation as long they can get an attractive prospect (or two)

 

and

 

Are [the Brewers] willing to take on a portion of the $26 million and part with a premium prospect?

 

Please let this guy pitch for the Phillies.

[brewmann04]

Can we afford to part with a premium prospect.

[TooLiveBrew]

Can we afford to part with a premium prospect.

Absolutely, 100% no. From what can be seen from the outside looking in, Melvin seems to be playing this very well so far.

[pete]

I think Amaro is willing to go into the season with Papelbon (and Hamels, Lee and Howard). Is Melvin willing to walk away? I'd guess yes, but...

[jerichoholicninja]

With all signs pointing to Shields signing with San Diego, I'm guessing Melvin is waiting until they are officially out on Moncada before finalizing anything for Papelbon.

[SRB]

With all signs pointing to Shields signing with San Diego, I'm guessing Melvin is waiting until they are officially out on Moncada before finalizing anything for Papelbon.

 

Since the Brewers appear to be the only real suitor for Papelbon, the delay definitely suggests the Brewers are waiting on something to either pull the trigger or not.

[brewmann04]

Yes i agree Melvin playing it well and hopefully he still looking at some other type of deals and let Amaro stew with his overloaded overpaid team.

[brewmann04]

Few more weeks till camp open for us to bring in Pap but like the the song goes the waiting is the hardest part.

[pete]

I don't think Amaro will trade him and wait to see if he can get his premium prospect at the trade deadline. I like him just fine pitching for the Phillies.

[brewmann04]

Pete I hope DM digs in and this comes back to bite Amaro in the Butt.A

[JohnBriggs12]

I still say the wild card in all of this is Henderson. If he shows up strong and healthy in spring training, the Brewers have him, Broxton and Perez all with significant closer experience to choose from to close and their bullpen looks a lot deeper than in did a month or two ago.

[bill hAll Star]

I liked the low-risk move of bringing in Perez, but just because he pitched the 9th inning before doesn't mean he's going to be a very good option there now if he recovers. I'd be happy if he is just a serviceable reliever.

 

I think the bullpen is poised to have about 5 "pretty good" relievers in it, which is fine. I think if they got Papelbon, they'd have 6 "pretty good" relievers, but they'd also be adding a bunch of extra payroll and maybe shelling out a prospect to do so.