To Extend or Not Extend: Jeremy Jeffress

[clancyphile]

Jeremy Jeffress entering the game has usually meant lights out for the opposing team, especially as a Brewer. In 2018, this was particularly so. He was fourth on the team with 3.4 WAR, had 15 saves, and posted a 1.29 ERA. He racked up 10.4 strikeour per nine innings, and he had the third-lowest WHIP (0.991 - only Josh Hader and Gio Gonzalez had better ones).

 

During his MLB career, he's had three stints in Milwaukee. One in 2010 (he was part of the trade that brought Zach Greinke to Milwaukee in the 2010-2011 offseason), one from the middle of 2014 to the middle of 2016 (he was part of the deal that brought Brinson, Ortiz, and Cordell to Milwaukee - and thus part of the packages for Yelich and Schoop), and one from the middle of 2017 to the present. In Milwaukee, he's been lights out - a 2.17 ERA, 42 out of 43 career saves, and 21 put of 25 career wins. Elsewhere, it's a 4.76 ERA.

 

In 2018, he did struggle a little in the post-season, but what he did in the regular season got Milwaukee a division title. He has a team option in 2020 for $4.3 million - his age 32 season. He is getting $3.175 million in 2019 - his age 31 season - from an exercised team option.

 

So, should the Brewers go multi-year on an extension with Jeremy Jeffress past 2020? In this case, given the fact he has dominated throughout his tenure with the Crew, I vote yes, with a deal like this:

Signing bonus: $4 million

2021: $6 million

2022: $7 million

2023: $7 million

2024: $8 million

2025: Player option $6 million/Team option $8 million/Buyout: $2 million

Full no-trade clause.

 

Total: Ranges from four years, $32 million (with a $2 million buyout) to five years, $40 million.

 

What do you all think? Should the Crew extend Jeffress?

[TURBO]

Nope, too volatile for me...

 

Let's see how he does in 2019 before jumping to any conclusions about his future in Milwaukee.

 

Just seems like a guy who could go downhill very quickly imo.

[HiAndTight]

Not a chance IMO. He's a reliever who doesn't have a history of being dominant. He's had a dominant year last year in Milwaukee, but that was really his first great season. I see zero reason to commit 5 years and 40 million to him. If we were gonna do that, I'd have much rather signed Ottavino to a shorter deal.

 

I guess I'd give this type of deal to Hader....MAYBE given he's a much more unique reliever, but even then probably not until he was healthy and had another strong season.

 

I honestly don't even feel that confident Jeffress is going to be a good high leverage pitcher or the Brewers THIS year much less in 2024...

[phnxcrew]

Not a chance IMO. He's a reliever who doesn't have a history of being dominant. He's had a dominant year last year in Milwaukee, but that was really his first great season. I see zero reason to commit 5 years and 40 million to him. If we were gonna do that, I'd have much rather signed Ottavino to a shorter deal.

 

I guess I'd give this type of deal to Hader....MAYBE given he's a much more unique reliever, but even then probably not until he was healthy and had another strong season.

 

I honestly don't even feel that confident Jeffress is going to be a good high leverage pitcher or the Brewers THIS year much less in 2024...

 

I think we're in a lot of trouble if Jeffress isn't a high leverage pitcher this season. We have to rely on a dominant pen to succeed and he seems like a rare type of guy that would dial in and be better if they offered him a deal in this realm. At some point we're going to have to solidify cornerstones of the bullpen for at least a few years- you can't just get excellence year in and year out with reclamation projects and newbies. Trade them close to free agency, lock one or two up long term.

[rickh150]

No way....It would take a rare RP in this day of MLB to get a long term deal or extension beyond his arby years.

[KCBrewerfan34]

Zero and I mean zero chance you go long term with a guy on 2 strikes, and he's a reliever.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I love Jeffress, but not a chance. I wouldn't extend any reliever.

[Nader Raider Tim]

I'd like to see Jeffess as a long time Brewer, but I don't really see it as a necessary function. I'd offer Jeffress something like a 4 year deal for $12 million, but have a significant amount of appearance incentives. If all incentives are hit the total of the deal might be 4 year $24 million or so.

 

Why it makes sense for the Brewers? It locks in a reliever who has been somewhere between solidly good and elite during his Brewer career. It also keeps a guy around who seems to be a good locker room guy and a good community presence, which seems odd to say given his earlier career struggles.

 

Why it makes sense for Jeffress? It keeps him in a location that seems to be good for him. Again shocking to say given his struggles and Wisconsins struggles with those issues. It also locks him into have a solidly decent career earnings and gives him security against major injury.

[rickh150]

I guess if it is an ultra homer offer, sure. I could be swayed if the money was low enough per year.

[AJOHNSON104]

No. Don't even have to think about it. He's under option for next year, so there is no point in it.

[Tbadder]

Not a chance do I condone a multi year deal. Love the guy but he’s due for regression. I might extend Hader and Knebel but even that is risky. In truth I’d be amenable to trading Jeremy for future assets though that will never happen in our “win now” mode. Hope I’m wrong cause he’s a true blue guy.

[jerichoholicninja]

No way do I sign any player to age 36. Especially not a reliever with a career of inconsistency.

[Jenkins5]

No way do I sign any player to age 36. Especially not a reliever with a career of inconsistency.

 

That was first thing I saw. Locking up an RP until 36? I love Jeffress but man... I don’t see how you can do that no matter how great of a guy & how good he has been for us. Plus why extend now when you have two years left? If after 2020 he is still lights out, consider then. Our window will be towards closing end. Come 2021, we could be looking at a different direction a bit.

[AdvantageSchneider]

I think it would be easier to start a thread who should the brewers extend instead of going over every player on the 40 man roster, especially going so bullpen heavy. Players the brewers should think about extending are Yellich and that's about it right now. And he's under control for enough years that I don't think I'd even worry about him for another two years.

[DHonks]

Zero and I mean zero chance you go long term with a guy on 2 strikes, and he's a reliever.

 

What does this mean? I’m guessing a veiled drug reference, but as far as we know, he’s never tested positive under MLB’s program.

 

I could see a deal like Clancy proposes being great for both sides.

[markedman5]

No extension.......reliever performance way to volatile. Stearns did a great job getting him at a reasonable number for the next few years. No need to do anything now.

[DuWayne Steurer]

I think it would be easier to start a thread who should the brewers extend instead of going over every player on the 40 man roster, especially going so bullpen heavy. Players the brewers should think about extending are Yellich and that's about it right now. And he's under control for enough years that I don't think I'd even worry about him for another two years.

 

Pretty much this. Right now they're at a place where most everyone that is a critical core piece is either under enough years of team control or signed to a decent length contract (Yelich, Cain) that the team doesn't have to make really tough decisions at this point in time.

[Ennder]

Heck no, there is on reason to ever extend a RP especially one with such an erratic overall skillset.

[agent39]

I'd like to see Jeffess as a long time Brewer, but I don't really see it as a necessary function. I'd offer Jeffress something like a 4 year deal for $12 million, but have a significant amount of appearance incentives

 

 

 

 

Why it makes sense for the Brewers?

 

 

 

Why it makes sense for Jeffress?

 

 

1. I know how id react to that offer.....

 

2. Obviousness is obvious

 

3. Ill just stop you there. It doesnt.

 

See you at the park formerly known as miller!!

[clancyphile]

Heck no, there is on reason to ever extend a RP especially one with such an erratic overall skillset.

 

Jeffress has consistently dominated as a Brewer. As in sub-2.25 ERA.

 

I think, in this case, an extension makes sense.

 

Now, I am sure agent39/Josh can't speak publicly on how he'd react to my proposed extension, but I'd say that just from what I've observed stats-wise, Jeffress fits very well with Milwaukee, and it is in the Brewers' interest to keep a dominant performer in the fold.

[agent39]

Look up

[Brew crew 92]

Counsell & Jeffress saying no tests scheduled or needed. Why would they not MRI his shoulder to rule out any structural damage? What’s the downside?

[MrTPlush]

They would laugh all the way to the bank if offered that. Jeremy Jeffress is a 30+ year old reliever who has/had a drug problem, has/had an alcohol problem, has/had health issues, and has been absolutely terrible anywhere else. Why would we extend him for his age 33-36 seasons when we have him under contract the next two years?

 

He likely took a deal with us because A) He is comfortable here, which is a big deal with his past issues and B) Realizes there is a good chance his career goes up in flames the second he leaves.

 

The best thing for both sides is to play out this contract and then just re-up on another 1-2 year deal if he is still good. This shouldn't even be a thought for the Brewers. Glad things are going well now on and off the field. Lets just hope it stays that way, he is still good two years from now, and they can make a deal again.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I love Jeffress, but not a chance. I wouldn't extend any reliever.

 

I'd go to the table with Knebel but that's it. He was a blue chip prospect from the start, unlike many flavor of the month Brewers relievers.

[BuckyBrewer61]

I love Jeffress, but not a chance. I wouldn't extend any reliever.

 

I'd go to the table with Knebel but that's it. He was a blue chip prospect from the start, unlike many flavor of the month Brewers relievers.

 

Hader? I know he's not due for an extension anytime soon...but if there's any Brewers reliever I'd ever consider an extension for, it's him.