Dotel, Gagne, Riske, Percival, no closer trades likely

[dpapo]

In Tom Haudricourt latest article he covers all of things mentioned in the title of this thread. So, instead of adding a piece here and there to each thread from the same article, I thought I'd just put in all in one place.
--"Doug Melvin realizes he has a void to fill at the back of his bullpen. What he doesn't want to do is make a move that he'll regret."I want to be careful and not panic now," the Milwaukee Brewers general manager said Monday."

--Melvin has checked in with the agents for Percival and Dotel, and said he'll probably do likewise with Gagne.

Basically taking a look at every possible free agent closer with some closing experience. Which I also thinks speaks volume for how much confidence Melvin truly has in Turnbow as the closer next season despite what Melvin has said.

--But he said that the injury histories of all three relievers make him nervous, particularly with the deals they are seeking.
"All the relievers are looking for three- or four-year deals," Melvin said. "There's a risk involved in doing that with relievers who have been injured."

So, it may take at least a 3 year deal to sign either Dotel, Percival or Gagne. If that is what it takes, is it just better to go with Turnbow or do you take the risk to sign one of the above 3. He are some of the pro and risks for signing either one.

--Gagne, 31, saved 152 games from 2002-'04 for the Los Angeles Dodgers, but missed most of the next two years with back and elbow injuries. He resurfaced last year in Texas and pitched well in 34 appearances (2.16 ERA, 16 saves in 17 opportunities) but struggled (6.75 ERA in 20 appearances) after being traded to Boston.
--Percival, 38, announced his retirement after missing the 2006 season with a forearm injury, but changed his mind after returning to health and signed with St. Louis last June. He compiled a 1.80 ERA in 34 appearances with the Cardinals, pitching mostly in middle relief.
--Dotel, 34, underwent "Tommy John" reconstructive elbow surgery in 2005 and didn't recover until this year. Shortly after Atlanta acquired him from Kansas City in late July, he suffered a strained right shoulder and made only nine appearances for the Braves.

--Melvin said he had an offer pending to one free-agent reliever, but wouldn't identify him because other interested parties could use the information to boost their bids.

Melvin stated that he was going to make a serious offer to Dotel in the WSSP interview and will probably get in touch with Gagne's agent. Wood just signed with the Cubs, so could that offer may been in reference to Percival or just one of the other rumored pitchers or could it be to Riske.

--Melvin did admit to having interest in free agent David Riske, who had a 2.45 ERA in 65 appearances for Kansas City and also did some closing (four saves in eight chances).

Really looks like Melvin is considering just about any half way decent free agent reliever out there.

--Melvin said he didn't anticipate trading for an established closer, because of what is usually asked for in return.

So, it looks like the closer will either be Dotel, Percival, Gagne or Turnbow. Of course, it doesn't mean that Melvin won't end up trading for a closer, but right now it would appear to be more likely either one of the free agents or Turnbow.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=690162

[PeaveyFury]

Melvin said he didn't anticipate trading for an established closer, because of what is usually asked for in return.

 

"Not anticipating" is Melvin speak for one will be done within a week.

[hauser42]

Lot of things come out of no where at the winter meetings. Just because the media doesn't know about it doesn't mean it wont get done.

[TCSM]

I don't know why, but I'd really like to see Dotel and Riske in a Brewer uniform next year

[twobrewers]

September 23rd.

 

Dotel struck out the side versus the Brewers. His stuff just looked wicked. That was the day I said, if we lose Cordero - I want him in our bullpen.

[TCSM]

Matt Herges will decide where to pitch within a day or two. It's down to two teams - the Rockies and perhaps the Brewers. He'd like to stay with Colorado but would prefer a two-year deal.

 

Edit: The hyperlink thing never works for me... http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/11/rockies-rumor-2.html

[Baldkin]

Herges stats:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hergema01.shtml

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/11/rockies-rumor-2.html

 

And TCSM: You need to fill in the URL and the "text" boxes for the link to show up http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

the URL is where it links to, and the text is what shows up in blue.

[splitterpfj]

No way in the world would I give a three-year-deal to any of those guys. I would welcome Dotel, Gagne or Percival, but all have extensive injuries in their past, three years is simply out of the question.

[monkeyman343434]

if Melvin can somehow pull off adding Herges and Riske to the bullpen for next year without breaking the bank (combined under the $10 mil. he offered cordero) i think that would be amazing, neither is a real legit closer, but that would shore up the set up problems we had last year, a back end of herges/riske/turnbow i think would be very solid

[TooLiveBrew]

monkeyman, I'm with you on that. I don't love Herges, and like Riske a tad more, but if the Crew can add them for one to two years, I'm in. Do it with that $10 mil. number vacated by Cordero, and I'm giddy.

[Big Reed]

Eddie Guardado . say it softly. sign him quickly.

[MNBrew]

Eddie Guardado . say it softly. sign him quickly.

Guardado missed lots of time last year with his injuries and wasn't effective when he did pitch.

If he could regain his top set-up man form, that'd be one thing. However, for my money right now, Troy Percival would be a much safer signing considering he performed well last year and assuming it'd be for a contract Melvin/Attanasio could stomach/justify.

 

Hypothetically, if Percival were to sign here, all of a sudden the bullpen overall would take on a different look -- the current 8th inning guy becomes the 7th inning guy, etc. -- everyone slides one notch in the direction of better depth.

[jwill535]

The problem with Percivel is that he doesnt want to pitch all year. Of the three i guess Gagne would be my choice, just due to him being younger, but then that is like picking the color bat someone is going to use to hit you in the package.

[aracko]

The Braves have a whole slew of guys id like to see closing in a Brewers uniform. The top 2 in my opinion are Mike Gonzalez and Joey Devine. I cant imagine either would cost a fortune and have no doubt that both would do an outstanding job.

[Milltownhooker]

aracko, isn't Gonzo coming off a major surgery or injury. My vote would be to sign Dotel to a 2 year deal with vesting option for a third & move to acquire Fuentes or a Mike Gonzalez type.

[aracko]

Yes he did have major surgery, but his talent is top shelf. Taking a risk on a guy like Gonzalez being healthy is a better risk than giving the closer position to someone who hasnt done it before or hasnt been successful at it or hasnt done it in a few years.

 

I am NOT a Gagne fan. I think his true colors showed when he was in Boston. His stuff is not nasty anymore. He was lucky.

[PilprinBuddha]

Fuentes and Soriano have been brought up in the past in various trade threads, are either established closers or are they set up guys who could close?

[splitterpfj]

Fuentes

 

Soriano

 

You can see, Soriano has been outstanding, but has very little closing experience, Fuentes has closed, and has made the last three NL All-Star teams.

[jwill535]

Fuentes also lost his closing job halfway through the season

[patrickgpe]

of the FA options there, I like Riske the best. He has only been on the dl once since 2001. He has been consistent with a 3.40 career era and had a great season last year (2.45 era with KC). I think Dotel is the second best option. I think Gagne and Percival would be very risky and i would only sign them to a 1 year contract.

[Big Reed]

Guardado has been injured the last two seasons - so his stats should be taken with a grain of pepper. If actually healthy, he could prove to be that lefty specialist the brewers need. . I have to believe with the acquisition of Cordero, that the reds would just cut him loose or give him away. they picked him up two years ago for basically nothing. I would have liked to acquired weathers last year. Now he'll revert back to being a set-up man- a role he has excelled in the past.

 

Why has nobody mentioned the greatest closer of all time? Bob Wickman? I still don't know why we didn't acquire him last year. Somebody said he had a bad attitude and wanted to be a full time closer rather than set up man. he seemed to keep his attitude in check for the dbacks. I would think Wickman would relish the opportunity to be the main closer once more doning the brewers uniform. I can't believe he'd be that costly to acquire. Is he a free agent? maybe we could trade Counsell for him. he pitched very well for the dbacks, and he pitched ok for the braves with the exception of a couple of outings. he's not a power pitcher, but he usually gets out of the inning leaving his runners on base.

 

or why not try to swing a deal with the nationals? they have a guy named Cordero who's pretty good. We wouldn't even have to change the program or uniform. The nationals were trying to give him away all of last year. Their asking price can't be too high. another member of the Nationals that might be worth thinking about is Ryan Wagner. he had some injury problems last year. he was placed on the fast track to the majors by the reds. he was supposed to be the reds' closer for the next millenium. then they ruined him. he's still young enough to bounce back.

[splitterpfj]

Fuentes also lost his closing job halfway through the season

 

In this case, that doesn't bother me, in fact, it's the only reason he may be available. I don't see a major dropoff in performance here, Fuentes just put up the best WHIP of his career. Cordero had gone through this in TX, and he did fine for the Brewers, unless there's some health issue I haven't heard about yet, I think Fuentes is an excellent target.

[Ennder]

Fuentes also lost his closing job halfway through the season

Due to injury though. On June 21st he was sitting on a 1.89 ERA and was an all star closer. Then he gave up runs in 5 of 6 starts and then was put on the DL for lat strain which most likely caused the initial problems.

 

After returning from the DL he posted a 1.52 ERA, giving up runs in only 4 of 24 games. Personally I consider him a better RP than Cordero and would absolutely love it if we traded for him.

[patrickgpe]

I am sure he'd get a major league contract somewhere, but Id take a flier on a minor league contract with him. I think right now we need to get some arms in camp and figure out the best 7 relievers. We lost our top, and a set-up man who did struggle after he came here. Our present closer has had his problems and although i am a big turnbow fan, i am not sure i would sleep well knowing he is the closer.

[recte44]

Fuentes also lost his closing job halfway through the season

Sounds like Cordero with Texas.