MIL signs David Riske (3yr/13M, plus incentives and team option for year 4), Laynce Nix'd

[brewers19]

Per JSOnline

Nashville - I know some folks were beginning to question whether the Brewers' deal with free agent reliever David Riske actually was going to happen but it became official this morning when the sides officially agreed to a three-year deal that guarantees him $13 million. The 31-year-old right-hander has incentives in the deal, many based on whether he becomes the closer, that could take it as high as $20 million over the three years. There also is a club option for a fourth year at approximately $4.75 million, depending on escalators. "David weighed all his options and this was the deal that made the most sense for both him and his family," said Riske's agent, Nez Balelo. "He is very excited to be coming to Milwaukee." Riske is expected to move into the set-up role vacated when Scott Linebrink signed as a free agent with the Chicago White Sox. He is coming off a big year in Kansas City, where he posted a 2.45 ERA in 65 appearances, with 27 walks and 52 strikeouts in 69 2/3 innings. Riske walked away from a $2.9 million player option in Kansas City to become a free agent. The Brewers and Riske agreed in principle to the three-year deal last week but the agreement was held up until he took a physical Tuesday in Milwaukee. That exam was delayed while he attended his brother's wedding in Seattle. Riske is a Class B free agent, so the Brewers won't have to surrender a draft pick to sign him. In 393 career games with Cleveland, Boston, the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City, Riske has a 19-18 record with a 3.40 ERA and 20 saves in 38 chances. I'll post the year-by-year breakdown of his salaries later in the day when I get them.

[Manty1]

I wonder who comes off the 40 man roster?

 

Oh and great signing.

[milwaukeesportsfan]

That's a pretty good signing, considering he was pretty much the best free agent reliever left on the market. Also him being a Class B free agent is pretty sweet, too. Our draft next year is going to be ridiculous.

[fondybrewfan]

I think those numbers are reasonable. Heres hoping he gets no where near the closer role so we dont have to pay him $20 million

[patrickgpe]

hey if he can do the job, i wouldn't mind the incentives. Rather have that than a closer who blows it all the time while Riske sets him up at only makes 13 million.

[jjfanec]

This is a better looking signing than the Linebrink one (4 year 19 mil). One less year and less money for a guy who is coming off a better year. Nice job Doug now get us a LF or 3B

[JJHardy7]

I like this deal. I really like the club option for the fourth year. Good signing.

[Fear The Chorizo]

Very solid signing, and even if the escalators in this contract kick in, he'd be a bargain for a closer

 

I'd still like to see one more quality bullpen arm in the mix, hopefully there's some trades on the horizon to accomplish that.

 

On the other hand, if Milwaukee decides to stand pat with all of their starting pitchers, I wouldn't mind sending 2 of Capuano, Bush, and Vargas into the pen either. If last season proved anything, it's that the Brewers really need middle relievers capable of going multiple innings to bridge the gap between their starters' 6IP on average starts and the back end of their pen.

[lukevan]

Whoever called that the Riske signing would be announced today (colbyjack?) in the Rolen trade thread got it right on. Sorely-needed signing, welcome to the club David!

Now we've got Risk-B(l)ow at the end of games http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/laugh.gif

[Tbadder]

Very solid signing for the money. Length of the deal is outstanding. Well, done Doug, and as pointed out superior to the Linebrink contract if both repeat their same performances.

[Brian the Automator]

I like the club option for the 4th year. I'm pretty "meh" about Riske, but they could have spent the money a lot worse.

[MarquesJohnson2000]

Hardicourt speculates Anderson or Nix could come off the 40-man.

[JJHardy7]

Hardicourt speculates Anderson or Nix could come off the 40-man.

 

Please be Anderson. I don't want to see him hit 2 - 4 in the Nashville line up anymore...but I'm guessing he wouldn't be picked up by anyone so he'd be back with Nashville.

[bball123h2]

The first email I read this morning was from an Indians fan offering me his condolences on signing Riske, further adding that "maybe things will be ok, so long as he doesn't appear in any games that matter."

 

I know $4 million per isn't a ton, but at that price I'd rather have Linebrink for the extra million. Still,, if we were going to lose Linebrink, I suppose this was the 2nd best option.

[Brian the Automator]

I know $4 million per isn't a ton, but at that price I'd rather have Linebrink for the extra million. Still,, if we were going to lose Linebrink, I suppose this was the 2nd best option.

Dunno... Linebrink got us 2 draft picks as well.

 

[rluzinski]

I echo Brian's apathy to Riske but at least the money isn't anything silly. When a backup infielder costs $3 mil/year in free agency, this kind of contract isn't earth shattering.

 

Rather have that than a closer who blows it all the time while Riske sets him up at only makes 13 million.

 

I'd much rather have the would-be closer blow it all the time in the 8th, so our $7 mil/year closer, Riske doesn't come in at all. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Fatter than Joey]

This is a better looking signing than the Linebrink one (4 year 19 mil).

 

You realize that it could be more than Linebrink? -- Riske could make 20M in 3 years.

[MarquesJohnson2000]

I work with a Royals fan (I think he got stranded here during a snowstorm and never went back home) and he's not too happy about losing Riske.

[splitterpfj]

You realize that it could be more than Linebrink? -- Riske could make 20M in 3 years.

 

If that happens, it means we got a closer in the free agent market for 7 million per year, which is still a great number for the situation.

 

This is a very smart move, he's not Mariano Rivera, but he may be the best reliever the team has....and they don't repo the draft picks.

 

Much better than the Linebrink deal.

[sweepscc]

I haven't been keeping up with Melvin this off season but are we really going into the season with T-blow as closer? We better have a back up plan more than Riske if he completely and utterly tanks again. I guess I better go restock on alpha blockers.

[djoctagone]

per brewers.com, laynce nix is designated for assignment.

[endaround]

Why oh why must Greg Aquino still taunt me?

[JJHardy7]

Nix? Why not Anderson? I'm going to imagine Aquino still has trade value. It might not be a lot, but RPs are recycled often.

[MNBrew]

If Nix's odds were still long to make the roster, he now can decide if another team will give him a chance. He knows he can re-sign to play at Nashville.

 

Anderson pretty well knows he's going to be at AAA and maybe still have some development ahead of him, however not-great many of us think it'll be.

 

I'm not suggesting that releasing Nix was the way to go. I'm just trying to guess the Brewers' thinking.

[JJHardy7]

Anderson pretty well knows he's going to be at AAA and maybe still have some development ahead of him, however not-great many of us think it'll be.

 

Anderson is younger, but Nix has a lot more pop in his bat. Nix's age I think may have been a factor. At 27, he's by no means a prospect anymore. I just am not all that high on Anderson. Let's see if the Brewers can turn Nix around for something now.