Josh Lindblom signs with Brewers - 3 years / $9.125 mil [Latest: Lindblom DFAd]

[3and2Fastball]

It is a sad day in Brewers history if this is the best starting pitcher they sign or trade for all offseason...

 

If this is one of several (a few?) pitching acquisitions it seems like a great low risk/high reward move...

[StearnsFTW]

Right. Thank god there's no games for 3 1/2 months.

[MrTPlush]

This signing doesn't stop us from doing anything else. Not sure how someone could be upset by it. I guess I could see underwhelmed?

 

Someone can definitely be upset with it. They are pegging a spot in the rotation for him. A rotation that has Woodruff and Lauer, the later of the two has been a 4.50 ERA starter in his career. The other three (and the reserves) are all highly questionable with rough pasts starting.

 

The risk here is he sucks as a starter and we are screwed until July when we can fix it...a huge negative on the 2020 team if it happened. I look at the current rotation and it is getting built very similar to the 2019 that wasn’t that good. One or two of the unknowns may impress and exceed expectations, but overall the odds are not great. We will see how it goes, but a lot of unproven talent didn’t work last year.

 

THAT BEING SAID, personally I’m not upset with this move. I would really like to see another solid option with more of a track record though. Then we would at least have Woodruff/Lauer/(insert FA) that provide something stability. Still not great, but at least not asking for trouble like it currently stands.

[adambr2]

What kind of teams TYPICALLY go deep in the playoffs and win the World series?? Teams with the best pitching staffs, right??

 

If you're not happy with this signing, you're free to state that, but Homer already asked you to stop bringing this argument into every thread. Thanks.

 

I will just stop posting then...It's not the same argument, but I guess if I don't conform to all the others here, I get "singled" out. Most here are totally comfortable with the Brewers off season so far, I guess they are allowed to be. I'm not, because I don't care for small time thinking, I never have, never will(and not just as it relates to the Brewers, but life in general), but because I don't agree with the Brewers small time thinking, I'm the guy that takes all the bullets, I get it.

 

But it is the same argument. Almost every one of your posts makes one or more of the same basic points

 

- Why don't we spend money on a big name TOR? Or trade for one?!

- Minor signings don't move the needle!

- You get what you pay for! These guys get paid big money for a reason!

- We could easily sign one of these guys if we wanted to DS is just being cheap!

 

 

We are all totally clear where you stand by now.

[pacopete4]

Great Tweet

[stoutdude04]

What kind of teams TYPICALLY go deep in the playoffs and win the World series?? Teams with the best pitching staffs, right??

 

If you're not happy with this signing, you're free to state that, but Homer already asked you to stop bringing this argument into every thread. Thanks.

 

I will just stop posting then...It's not the same argument, but I guess if I don't conform to all the others here, I get "singled" out. Most here are totally comfortable with the Brewers off season so far, I guess they are allowed to be. I'm not, because I don't care for small time thinking, I never have, never will(and not just as it relates to the Brewers, but life in general), but because I don't agree with the Brewers small time thinking, I'm the guy that takes all the bullets, I get it.

 

Honestly, you are probably the one that is small minded. The Brewers front office has taken the team to the playoffs twice in 2 years. Once within 1 game of the series...the other they had the eventual champs down to their final outs. I'll take Stearns and company over brewcrew fan on a message board.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

This signing doesn't stop us from doing anything else. Not sure how someone could be upset by it. I guess I could see underwhelmed?

 

Someone can definitely be upset with it. They are pegging a spot in the rotation for him. A rotation that has Woodruff and Lauer, the later of the two has been a 4.50 ERA starter in his career. The other three (and the reserves) are all highly questionable with rough pasts starting.

 

The risk here is he sucks as a starter and we are screwed until July when we can fix it...a huge negative on the 2020 team if it happened. I look at the current rotation and it is getting built very similar to the 2019 that wasn’t that good. One or two of the unknowns may impress and exceed expectations, but overall the odds are not great. We will see how it goes, but a lot of unproven talent didn’t work last year.

 

THAT BEING SAID, personally I’m not upset with this move. I would really like to see another solid option with more of a track record though. Then we would at least have Woodruff/Lauer/(insert FA) that provide something stability. Still not great, but at least not asking for trouble like it currently stands.

 

Thankfully Stearns admitted earlier this evening that the Brewers are not done acquiring starting pitching this offseason. I predict a Miley type.

[jerichoholicninja]

Great Tweet

 

Exactly. I've only been skimming threads around here the last week or so due to be being and the totally irrationality of most posters but I've wanted to post that exact comment in just about every thread. I can guarantee the majority of people that are screaming for the Brewers to throw gobs of money at a free agent are the same people complaining that Ryan Braun is an overpaid bum.

Edited December 12, 2019 by jerichoholicninja

[BrewBalls]

Attanasio just seems like a guy who trusts his GM and if the GM begs he says yes. I'm sure they have soft payroll to work with and if something comes up it's like asking your dad for $20. He'll usually say yes. Well at least my dad.

 

I'd be really surprised if he's ever had a hard demand or a hard no on a specific player.

 

I hope Stearns is not penny pinching, not signing Junior Guerra seems like penny pinching.

Spending $3.5MM on a middle reliever is penny pinching? Considering the D-Backs got him for 2.55MM tells you he isn’t worth what he was going to make in arbitration. This is simply good business not penny pinching.

[Eye Black]

From MLB Trade Rumors: “Speaking of Lindblom, the Blue Jays put a “significant” offer on the table for him before he headed to Milwaukee, per Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. The details of that proposal aren’t known. Lindblom would up agreeing to a three-year deal worth $9.125MM.”

 

I wonder if he received more guaranteed money from other teams, but the Brewers incentive laden deal was ultimately the difference. Would be interesting to find out at some point.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Per MLB Trade Rumors: “Speaking of Lindblom, the Blue Jays put a “significant” offer on the table for him before he headed to Milwaukee, per Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. The details of that proposal aren’t known. Lindblom would up agreeing to a three-year deal worth $9.125MM.”

 

I wonder if he received more guaranteed money from other teams, but the Brewers incentive laden deal was ultimately the difference. Would be interesting to find out at some point.

 

He may have seen the Brewers uncertainty in the starting rotation as a more fruitful opportunity as well. The Brewers stand a shot of competing for a playoff spot as well. The Blue Jays do not.

[Jenkins5]

I don’t get involved in all December doomsday drama. It doesn’t make sense to me. We just invested 3 million a year on a pitcher who intriguing. I’m not jumping for joy but not discouraged by it. It’s one move. Crazy to think that some act like a 3 million dollar investment makes him a lock for rotation spot. Brewers will most likely give him a long look in Spring with hopes he can carry over success from KBO. They are turning over stones looking for gold. Not like Stearns shelled out 9 million a season or more on him. It’s a low risk flier with high reward if he can keep dealing.

 

I still struggle how so many fans have jumped off the cliff on Burnes after being lights out through out minors & dominant out of pen out of gates & into playoffs. Young guy got shelled with HRs out of gate, lost all confidence, and wasn’t able to get it back. Now people went from future frontline guy to not really being a option. Struggles seem to be unforgiving. As if Woodruff didn’t go through same thing after first time making rotation (lasted a month).

 

Point is this rotation is far from set. This move does little to seal deal on one of the spots in rotation. Sure, that could be what they hope but they care more about winning. They will pick the top 5 they have who give them best chance to win. 3 million doesn’t change that. They can still go out and trade for a stud or sign a few other SPs. It’s early still. This signing isn’t going to stop Stearns from doing so. We have younger arms like Burnes, Peralta, and others who could still be impact arms who will be in mix as well.

 

I’m all for lottery tickets! Even older ones who seem to reinvent themselves. I’m curious to see what he can offer us. Hope he does awesome. If he bombs, oh well, we didn’t break bank or risk much on him. Until Stearns says we signed him to be in rotation, he is a complete lock, and he is my guy.... I’m not going to complain about a flier. A few of Stearns fliers have surprised and worked out for us so far....

[folly412]

Worked out well the last time we signed the KBO MVP to a three year deal. I mean, if the market is such that the Giants are throwing out $9M for one year of a guy who was just DFA'd and non-tendered by two different teams, I'm down with committing that much for three years of someone who has at least as much of a chance of panning out.

[MrTPlush]

It has already come out they plan to use him as a starter. The only way he doesn’t start to open the year is injury or total epic implosion in spring training. Both of which would happen after most FAs/Trades have happened and a meaningful alternative won’t really be able. So yah, you can pretty much pencil him into the rotation barring something drastic. If there was any question or open mindedness it wouldn’t have come out instantly that he is expected to start. I am sure it was told to him that way too and exactly why he took a really low contract loaded with incentives.

 

On the same note they came out and labeled Houser as a starter for next year too so there is only one rotation spot in question these days (Woodruff, Lauer, Lindblom, and Houser all in).

 

Like I said I have no problem with the deal, but he is certainly very very likely to be a starter. And please don’t jumble a response to my comment with the doomsday crowd...cause I’m not a doomsdayer. Just pointing out one could dislike the move and does have risk associated with it. And just for additional clarification I DO NOT dislike the move, but I can acknowledge how it can carry some risk to the 2020 team.

Edited December 12, 2019 by MrTPlush

[brewmann04]

Now if they take a flyer on a guy like Walker or do a one year deal with Porcello.

[MrTPlush]

Now if they take a flyer on a guy like Walker or do a one year deal with Porcello.

 

Is there not something better and/or more reliable than those guys? Walker pretty much hasn’t pitched for two years...are we still living off his prospect status from half a decade ago? Porcello will give to 30+ starts, but he wasn’t good last year or even the year before that OR even the year before that. Are we still living off his Cy Young year?

 

I don’t hate Porcello, but I feel we need something we can depend on being more than a #5 starter.

[mtrebs]

Great Tweet

 

In general, yes, however there is a middle ground. I’m all for this signing, but what about more solidified #2/#3 pitchers, which should give a little more certainty in our rotation? Obviously the Brewers aren’t going to spend the $25 million or more for one pitcher, but why not a $10-$15 million per year pitcher? Up to this point the acquisitions that have been made have been in the $1-$3million per year range. Outside of Woodruff we have a lot of uncertainty, similar to our 2019 staff. Now, there’s a lot of time to get these types of players, but the further we go along, the more concerned I’ll be that we’ll go the inexpensive, unproven route for most of the staff again.

[SRB]

Great Tweet

 

In general, yes, however there is a middle ground. I’m all for this signing, but what about more solidified #2/#3 pitchers, which should give a little more certainty in our rotation? Obviously the Brewers aren’t going to spend the $25 million or more for one pitcher, but why not a $10-$15 million per year pitcher? Up to this point the acquisitions that have been made have been in the $1-$3million per year range. Outside of Woodruff we have a lot of uncertainty, similar to our 2019 staff. Now, there’s a lot of time to get these types of players, but the further we go along, the more concerned I’ll be that we’ll go the inexpensive, unproven route for most of the staff again.

 

$10-15 million these days gets you a pitchers worse than Lindblom, like Michael Wacha or Kevin Gausman.

 

I'm guessing this is basically a 3/$18 million deal if Lindblom remains a starter full time.

Edited December 12, 2019 by SRB

[BrewBalls]

I think Lindblom will be given every opportunity to start along with Houser, Burnes, Peralta and Lauer. The main difference is everyone except Lindblom have options remaining and can start the year in SA. Do I think that is the goal? Possibly depending on who else

Stearns signs before ST.

[superfly]

So currently a rotation of Woodruff, Lauer, Houser, Lindblom, Suter with Burnes or Peralta possibilities as well. Add one more and it seems solid

 

Brent Suter is not a starting pitcher on any baseball team that has visions of deep playoff runs, let alone World Series.

[CheezWizHed]

Honestly, you are probably the one that is small minded.

 

Name-calling isn't what we do here. Discuss. Disagree. Block if you must.

[BrewBalls]

If Stearns is looking for a solid veteran to slot behind Woodruff it’s either Ryu or Keuchel (I don’t think he would give MadBum the $100MM he’s wanting). Otherwise we are looking at guys like Wood, Teheran, Walker, Miley, Gonzalez, Hill, Porcello, Cashner, Bailey and Sanchez. Of the second group I’d prefer Wood or Sanchez since they have shown front line level production when healthy. Everyone else would simply be league average at best inning eaters.

[TJseven7]

Some people will complain about any signing unless it is Cole or Strasburg. This dude won the KBO Cy Young the last two seasons and the KBO MVP last season, let's get excited!

 

And it's signings like this that make me embarrassed for factions of our fan base.

 

LOOK AROUND!

Roark got 12 mil AAV.

Lyles got 8 mil AAV.

Gausman got 9-10.

Treinen got 10 coming off an awful year.

 

Would any of those guys make you feel warm and fuzzy? Are any of those sure things?

 

It's like a huge number of people have never had to be strategic about anything in their lives. MKE can't afford to be strong everywhere and pitching is often highly inflated in cost. MKE can not afford top end ace pitchers. Can not. I've pointed to the .9 to 1.1 run diff for well over a year now and that there is an easy way to achieve it if you can simply find 1 starting pitcher solidly sub 4 (3.5 range) and then keep the rest under 4.2. Nothing world beating. If your 5 starters can sit at a 4 ERA the pen can drop you dramatically under 4. That's a great staff. There are 30 teams in this league. 6... SIX... were sub 4 era.

 

What's the cheapest way to do that? Guys like this! Guys like Miley, Gio, Chacin, Anderson, Davies and trading next to nothing for a nobody like Lyles. How many times have they pulled serviceable out of thin air.

 

This team was 1 game from the WS one season ago. ONE. In the last 2 years they were in the playoffs twice and NLCS 1 time. I mean I'd understand if you never saw it work but you just watched it work to the tune of 1 game from the WS. I somehow remember they were leading the team that won the WS this year. Leading in an elimination game, without Yelich. Who was on MKE's staff? Strasburg Cole Verlander Kershaw and Darvish right? RIGHT?

 

3 mil a year. 6 mil if he pitches as a starter. Cheaper than all the other nobodies we've seen sign deals. Low risk, upside, and a guy who can be a 3mil pen piece if it doesn't pan out. Will Roark give back half his money if he flops?

 

Guy started 30 games last year and was at 6.5 IP per start.

 

This is a brilliant signing. It might not work out, but the idea is brilliant. Yet, factions of this fan base complain. There is nothing to complain about with this signing. Welcome the KBO Cy Young to the roster and hope DS did it again.

Edited December 12, 2019 by TJseven7

[SRB]

Some people will complain about any signing unless it is Cole or Strasburg. This dude won the KBO Cy Young the last two seasons and the KBO MVP last season, let's get excited!

 

And it's signings like this that make me embarrassed for factions of our fan base.

 

LOOK AROUND!

Roark got 12 mil AAV.

Lyles got 8 mil AAV.

Gausman got 9-10.

Treinen got 10 coming off an awful year.

 

Would any of those guys make you feel warm and fuzzy? Are any of those sure things?

 

It's like a huge number of people have never had to be strategic about anything in their lives. MKE can't afford to be strong everywhere and pitching is often highly inflated in cost. MKE can not afford top end ace pitchers. Can not. I've pointed to the .9 to 1.1 run diff for well over a year now and that there is an easy way to achieve it if you can simply find 1 starting pitcher solidly sub 4 (3.5 range) and then keep the rest under 4.2. Nothing world beating. If your 5 starters can sit at a 4 ERA the pen can drop you dramatically under 4. That's a great staff. There are 30 teams in this league. 6... SIX... were sub 4 era.

 

What's the cheapest way to do that? Guys like this! Guys like Miley, Gio, Chacin, Anderson, Davies and trading next to nothing for a nobody like Lyles. How many times have they pulled serviceable out of thin air.

 

This team was 1 game from the WS one season ago. ONE. In the last 2 years they were in the playoffs twice and NLCS 1 time. Who was on their staff? Strasburg Cole Verlander Kershaw and Darvish right? RIGHT?

 

3 mil a year. 6 mil if he pitches as a starter. Cheaper than all the other nobodies we've seen sign deals. Low risk, upside, and a guy who can be a 3mil pen piece if it doesn't pan out.

 

Guy started 30 games last year and was at 6.5 IP per start.

 

This is a brilliant signing. It might not work out, but the idea is brilliant. Yet, factions of this fan base complain. There is nothing to complain about with this signing. Welcome the KBO Cy Young to the roster and hope DS did it again.

 

100% agreed TJseven7. And the reaction from the fan base is even weirder because Stearns has struck gold on like ten similar signings. He legitimately must have the best track record in all of MLB at spotting undervalued pitching.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Some people will complain about any signing unless it is Cole or Strasburg. This dude won the KBO Cy Young the last two seasons and the KBO MVP last season, let's get excited!

 

And it's signings like this that make me embarrassed for factions of our fan base.

 

LOOK AROUND!

Roark got 12 mil AAV.

Lyles got 8 mil AAV.

Gausman got 9-10.

Treinen got 10 coming off an awful year.

 

Would any of those guys make you feel warm and fuzzy? Are any of those sure things?

 

It's like a huge number of people have never had to be strategic about anything in their lives. MKE can't afford to be strong everywhere and pitching is often highly inflated in cost. MKE can not afford top end ace pitchers. Can not. I've pointed to the .9 to 1.1 run diff for well over a year now and that there is an easy way to achieve it if you can simply find 1 starting pitcher solidly sub 4 (3.5 range) and then keep the rest under 4.2. Nothing world beating. If your 5 starters can sit at a 4 ERA the pen can drop you dramatically under 4. That's a great staff. There are 30 teams in this league. 6... SIX... were sub 4 era.

 

What's the cheapest way to do that? Guys like this! Guys like Miley, Gio, Chacin, Anderson, Davies and trading next to nothing for a nobody like Lyles. How many times have they pulled serviceable out of thin air.

 

This team was 1 game from the WS one season ago. ONE. In the last 2 years they were in the playoffs twice and NLCS 1 time. I mean I'd understand if you never saw it work but you just watched it work to the tune of 1 game from the WS. I somehow remember they were leading the team that won the WS this year. Leading in an elimination game, without Yelich. Who was on MKE's staff? Strasburg Cole Verlander Kershaw and Darvish right? RIGHT?

 

3 mil a year. 6 mil if he pitches as a starter. Cheaper than all the other nobodies we've seen sign deals. Low risk, upside, and a guy who can be a 3mil pen piece if it doesn't pan out. Will Roark give back half his money if he flops?

 

Guy started 30 games last year and was at 6.5 IP per start.

 

This is a brilliant signing. It might not work out, but the idea is brilliant. Yet, factions of this fan base complain. There is nothing to complain about with this signing. Welcome the KBO Cy Young to the roster and hope DS did it again.

 

I have nothing to add to this post, other than to say it is tremendous. I agree 100%. I don't see how anyone could logically poo-poo this signing. Yeah, he's ticketed for the rotation. But with what he's being paid, he isn't going to have a long leash if he falters.