Linebrink acquired for Inman/Garrison/Thatcher

[milwaukeesportsfan]

If Will Inman is the next Roy Oswalt, then Doug Melvin will lose all the bonus points I gave him for the Richie Sexson trade.

[RyDogg66]

Ok, I only read the first page and a half, but people seem pretty upset by this. Here are my thoughts.

 

When I first heard the deal, my initial reaction was "Inman?? For Linebrink? Wow." But I had a one hour drive ahead of me to digest it.

 

Garrison and Thatcher are filler. One has about topped out as a 25th man-type, the other has a long way to go to do anything in the bigs. Inman is a shorter right handed pitcher who hasnt fared too well in AA. He isnt helping the Brewers in 2007 or 2008 anyway.

 

We get Linebrink for 2.5 months, he's been about the best setup guy in baseball over the last three years. He'll get too much money at the end of the year, we'll get two picks and replenish what we lost.

 

How is this a bad deal?

 

Unless you have no trust in Melvin and Jack Z. when it comes to the draft, you should probably love this deal. Even if Wil Inman is the next Carlos Villanueva, it isnt like we traded him for Wayne Franklin.

 

I just dont think Brewer fans are used to trading AWAY prospects, we are used to hoarding them. Get used to it, the major league team is chocked full of young talent, there is no room for Wil and Linebrink helps this year.

[brettac1]

Nate Silver is right, right on.

[endaround]

I don't like this. That said it can only get worse if Melvin feels he has to prove this trade a win and signs Linebrink to a large contract this offseason.

[Crewin06]

This is one of the worst trades I have ever seen.

 

Its reminiscent of Smoltz for Doyle Alexander or Derrick Lowe and Jason Veritek for Heathcliff Slocumb.

 

Here's a little the information on Inman

 

2005 R 18 years old (2 innings) R+ (45 Innings)

 

1.91 ERA, .87 Whip, 59 Strikeouts

 

2006 A-Ball 19 years old (110 Innings)

 

1.72 ERA, .9 Whip, 134 Strikeouts

 

2007 A+Ball 20 years old (78 Innings)

 

1.72 ERA, 1.00 Whip, 98 Strikeouts

 

2007 AABall 20 years old, I took out his first start of the season because he got called up flew and pitched in the same day and the third start of the season because it was widly rumored he was sick

 

35.2 Innings, 2.85 ERA, 1.00 Whip, 36 Strikeouts

 

You just don't give up guys like that for 2 months of a middle of the road bullpen guy.

 

And you definitely don't give up players like that AND throw in a lefty AAA bullpen arm that has dominated AA and AAA and is now being called up to the majors by a team that is 1.5 games out of the division AND throw in a 20 year old A+ lefty that is above average.

 

This trade is aweful. I supported the Lee Trade (both times), I supported the Sexson trade, hell I even supported the Kolb trade. I cannot support this trade.

 

One difference between Cordero and Linebrink. Cordero was going from an extreme hitters park to an average hitters park. Linebrink is going from an extreme pitchers park to a moderate park.

 

Remember this trade. It is going to be a trivia answer during San Diego Playoff runs for years to come.

[ajgodson]

Trading Inman, Thatcher and G-man doesn't matter a bit. There's no room for them and fans tend to overvalue prospects.

 

The only question is whether Linebrink will produce as a Brewer. If he does, this is a great deal. If not, Nate Silver looks smart.

[RU Rah Rah]

I think Linebrink probably has been pitching better for the Padres than Cordero was pitching for the Rangers before the El Caballo deal.

 

A quick look at his gamelogs seems to show that he's basically had a pretty shaky last month. As of June 22, his ERA was under 2.00. It's actually gone up more than a full run (from 2.55 to 3.80) only in the past week, after an atrocious outing against the Mets (3 ER in 1 IP) and an even worse effort at Coors (4 ER in 2/3 IP).

 

Also, I kind of remember some of us fearing that Linebrink would be part of the deal when Barrett went to SD. I don't think he's suddenly turned into a stiff since then.

[BrewCrewForever]

Inman, that shocked me. They must really think Linebrink can help out a lot and maybe they can keep him.

[Never Outhustled]

I think the people that don't like this deal are being really shortsighted. Making the playoffs is a financial windfall for teams. It could mean the difference of $10 to 15 million in next years budget. Throw in 2 comp picks that will be higher than where Inman was drafted, and its a win-win deal.

[Oldcity]

Quote:

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I don't like this. That said it can only get worse if Melvin feels he has to prove this trade a win and signs Linebrink to a large contract this offseason.

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If he tries to sign Linebrink I'd hate the deal as well. As long as Linebrink=Two draft picks I'm happy enough with the trade.

[DannoMac21]

Inman was complete trash in AA, I'd rather have a sure thing top of the line reliever than Inman. We have pitching for the next coming years - Gallardo, Villanueva, Parra, Suppan, Bush, Sheets (possibly), Zach Jackson. Who knows, if Inman would've been a bust, and Linebrink could've sent us to the World Series with some solid late innings, we could be reflecting on what ifs.

[JJHardy7]

From what I've seen Linebrink has an ERA about 6 on the road and 9 this month...I don't see how this translates well at all. I know he's been really good at home, but where does Turnbow go? It seems like we filled a position we were somewhat ok/strong with and gave up a big Brewers prospect?

[Bernman23]

First reaction: WOW!

 

I can't believe we gave up Will Inman and didn't get a reliever who is the caliber of Eric Gagne in return. And we gave up Garrison, who I like to some extent as well. You never know, but this may end up being like the Jeff Bagwell trade of 15 years ago. Will Inman didn't have the greatest stuff, but it's better than Villanueva's, who we love; and he has the same understanding of how to pitch and maybe even more moxy. It's possible Doug knew he burned out his arm and that was the cause for his recent struggles. However, it's more likely that he just moved through the system too quickly. I never like to pin all my hopes on a high school minor league pitching prospect, but this is risky. Thanks for being the symbol of the Milwaukee Brewers at the first ever televised MLB draft Will. Traded as part of a package for Scott Linebrink a month and half later. That's kind of ironic. Don't you think.

 

Linebrink has a scary away split for this year, but his 3-year split prior is even better away from Petco; so that should be an aberration. I hate to say I told you so that Derrick Turnbow was an unsatisfactory setup option for the Brewers down the stretch to some here............ah, who am I kidding.

[Tedaldtada]

I just realized that our top prospect in the minors right now is Matt LaPorta according to this site. I agree and everything but I can't believe how much movement there has been in the last few months. This is just another indicator that the Brewers are going for it hard this year. They are not sitting back and taking their time with guys like Yo and Braun. Those two are pretty special though, I love the YOUNG Brewers, and they are about to get younger with these picks stemming from Coco and Linebrink.

 

I know someone asked how strong next years draft is and from everything I have heard, it is comparable to the Prince and the Braun drafts. Especially if Porcello and Brackman don't sign.

[brettac1]

Inman was complete trash in AA, I'd rather have a sure thing top of the line reliever than Inman.

 

Great.

 

But how are they going to get a top of the line reliever for Inman when they already traded Inman?

 

I'm all for the draft picks and everything, and I understand the financial impact of a playoff appearance. What I'm not in agreement with is that Linebrink makes a playoff appearance much more likely. To me, he doesn't.

[billyhallfan]

didn't want to see Inman go. But I heard that Linebrink is a type A free agent, so they will get compensation.

[UeckerAddict]

This is one of the worst trades I have ever seen.

 

Bold words considering we traded three guys who have never thrown a major league pitch. I don't know how good Inman will be. I'm surprised everyone on this site does. No surer thing than baseball prospects.

[Bernman23]

Quote:

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Inman was complete trash in AA, I'd rather have a sure thing top of the line reliever than Inman

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A to AA is the biggest jump outside of the transition from minor leaguer to major leaguer for a baseballer. And he was hardly even trash in AA. He got destroyed in his first few outings then settled down substantially. He was 20 years old at AA.....what do you expect. Not everybody can be Felix Hernandez.

[deeswan]

Just checked the Padres site and came away with this...

 

Peavy hates the trade, credits Linebrink and Hoffman with a lot of wins.

 

Towers said they got a deal they couldn't refuse. Sounded like the initial offer was Inman and Thatcher, but it didn't get done until Garrison was thrown in.

 

It also seems clear that Towers would not have done this deal without Linebrink being a FA after the season.

 

Maybe I'm crazy, but are Inman, Thatcher, and Garrison really that much more valuable than 2 months of Linebrink and 2 picks in the top 40 next year?

[RyDogg66]

Yeah, Melvin already said in the pregame show that if Linebrink wasnt a Type A than we wouldnt have done the deal.

 

Seriously people, Inman as Roy Oswalt and John Smoltz?? Come on, he is good, sure, but get out of 2001 and into a team that is full of young players and competing for the best record in the NL.

 

Oswalt and Smoltz. You guys crack me up. He's just as likely to be Jamey Wright or Bruce Chen.

[Bernman23]

Quote:

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I think the people that don't like this deal are being really shortsighted. Making the playoffs is a financial windfall for teams. It could mean the difference of $10 to 15 million in next years budget. Throw in 2 comp picks that will be higher than where Inman was drafted, and its a win-win deal.

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Your point about the deal benefitting the Brewers for free agency is excellent.

 

However, it's projecting beliefs onto others by saying that 2 comp picks are worth more than Inman. Inman is not a 3rd rounder anymore....he's an established Brewer prospect......who many have seen play or compiled extensive information about to develop their own opinions at this point. If he becomes the next Greg Maddux, then certainly he was worth more than the 2 compensatory picks.

 

To those who believe in Inman's ability, it's probably win-lose deal.

[rluzinski]

I just dont think Brewer fans are used to trading AWAY prospects

 

I have nothing against trading away prospects for talent. We are talking about trading prospects away for 25 innings and a couple draft picks. Melvin better be pretty darn sure that Inman will never be a starter in the majors.

[jackalope02ca]

Both sides traded from strengths here.

 

The Padres have a great pen and still do. Linebrink was expendable even in a pennant race. They truly are that deep.

 

The Padres minor league pitching system sucked. Not so any more.

 

We get help in the pen which we really need. We have tremendous pitching depth in the minors and still do. Its not really a concern that a lot of it is at the minor levels now.

 

Sheets, Yo, Bush, Suppan, Vargas, Capuano, Parra, Villaneuva, am I missing anyone? where all ahead of Inman. I was as big an Inman fan as anyone and seldomly ever missed checking the boxscores when he pitched. However what do you expect to get someone like Linebrink for. No offense to Tony Gwynn Jr or Zach Jackson but if I'm an opposing GM I'm not going to give up a lot for them or guys like them. Certainly nothing like Linebrink.

 

Playoff revenue is huge. Maybe some on this site don't realize this as they weren't even born the last time we had playoff revenue. This at the very least shows we now have an owner who is willing to go for it when the chance presents itself. Right or wrong we just likely outbid some large revenue teams for Linebrink. Without Jack Z and Mark A this wouldn't have been possible.

[jsinger121]

Being a Red Sox fan this reminds of when they acquired Larry Anderson for Jeff Bagwell. Anderson was a FA at the end of the season just like Linebrink will be. You better hope this deal does not turn out like that deal did. Very steep price to pay for Linebrink and even more shocking that Doug Melvin made the deal,

[MessiahRp]

I don't see the reason why people should be upset here. It's not like Inman was a sure fire top of the rotation starter and we kept Jeffries and Parra so our best minor league pitchers are still there.

 

Linebrink is an upgrade over ever single part of our pen maybe sans Coco. Our pen needed the help as Wise and Villanueva could not carry this thing alone. Shouse is limited, Spurling is shaky at best, Turnbow is either really on or will self implode and take the game with him, Dessens and Aquino don't seem like viable options and personally I would rather keep Parra in AAA for him to develop.

 

We needed an elite middle of the pen reliever especially if we're serious about making a playoff run and Will Inman wouldn't be much of an option as a starter down the line anyways.

 

I like the move. Now if we could move Mench and find a miracle way to add Dunn I would be psyched. :-)

 

Rp