Predict the Rotation as of opening day 2008

[LUKE232323]

Sounds like Parra is going to get a shot in the rotation, which I guess isn't all that surprising given that he's a lefty.

At this point, I think it's between Parra and Cappy for the last spot if Cappy isn't moved, between Parra and Bush for the last spot if Cappy is moved. I expect Cappy to be moved and Parra to take his spot as the lefty in the rotation.

My prediction:

1. Sheets
2. Gallardo
3. Suppan
4. Villanueva
5. Parra

Bush moves to long relief, Vargas and Capuano are moved.

Bullpen: Bush, Turnbow, Mota, McClung, Shouse, Riske, FA signing or trade acquisition

As much as we are hoping for additions in other areas, it is nice to have 8 legit starting pitcher options right now.

[JJHardy7]

Gallardo, Parra, Villanueva, Suppan, and Capuano -- in no particular order.

 

I still feel that we're going to get an offer for Sheets that is too much to pass up on. I also think Vargas will be traded and Bush is in the bullpen in some capacity.

[LUKE232323]

Gallardo, Parra, Villanueva, Suppan, and Capuano -- in no particular order.

 

I still feel that we're going to get an offer for Sheets that is too much to pass up on. I also think Vargas will be traded and Bush is in the bullpen in some capacity.

 

That's an interesting prediction. If Sheets is moved, we are going to be counting on a lot of "ifs" in that rotation you have listed, especially counting a 21/22 year old to be our ace.

 

But I do agree if DM does move Sheets it will be for a big haul.

[pitchleague]

Sheets

Gallardo

Suppan

Parra

Villanueva

 

Bullpen

Bush

Capuano

Mota

Riske

Shouse

McClung

Turnbow

[jwill535]

Gallardo, Parra, Villanueva, Suppan, and Capuano -- in no particular order.

 

I still feel that we're going to get an offer for Sheets that is too much to pass up on. I also think Vargas will be traded and Bush is in the bullpen in some capacity.

That's an interesting prediction. If Sheets is moved, we are going to be counting on a lot of "ifs" in that rotation you have listed, especially counting a 21/22 year old to be our ace.

 

But I do agree if DM does move Sheets it will be for a big haul.

Having Sheets in the rotation leaves you with alot of "ifs" too.

 

[LUKE232323]

Gallardo, Parra, Villanueva, Suppan, and Capuano -- in no particular order.

 

I still feel that we're going to get an offer for Sheets that is too much to pass up on. I also think Vargas will be traded and Bush is in the bullpen in some capacity.

That's an interesting prediction. If Sheets is moved, we are going to be counting on a lot of "ifs" in that rotation you have listed, especially counting a 21/22 year old to be our ace.

 

But I do agree if DM does move Sheets it will be for a big haul.

Having Sheets in the rotation leaves you with alot of "ifs" too.

 

 

No question, but he's also unarguably the best pitcher on the staff. We haven't exactly fared well without him lately.

[JJHardy7]

No question, but he's also unarguably the best pitcher on the staff. We haven't exactly fared well without him lately.

 

It boils down to risk vs. reward AND spending a lot of cash in him for future years. To me there's too much risk and I think the Brewers can plan for life after Sheets -- I think the problem is they've counted on him and been burned a bit the past few seasons.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Sheets

Suppan

Capuano

Gallardo

Bush

 

Gallardo won't be a #2, that I can guarantee, even if he does have the best stuff in the rotation. Yost has shown that he doesn't really like to put young guys in huge pressure situations, and would probably rather have Gallardo later in the rotation. Suppan is a proven guy, and while he isn't a superstar, he's a perfect #2-3 guy in most any MLB rotation. I think Cappy stays, as dealing him would be a huge "sell low" deal, which Doug has never really done. If he can return to form, maybe he's dealt at the deadline. However, if he is effective, it's nice having a proven MLB starter for the stretch run. I think Bush beats out Villanueva and Parra for the #5 spot, again largely based on experience. I think Bush would be a #3-4 in most MLB rotations, and its nice to have someone like him around. He'll keep you in games, which is all you can expect from a #5 guy.

 

Of course, Villy will move into the rotation when Sheets has his inevitable injury at some point in the first half. I'm guessing that he lacerates his right index finger cutting a steak, and is DL'ed for a month. That's when having that depth will come in handy. I think either Parra or Villy become a set-up guy or possible closer. I also think Pena is a darkhorse for the closer role.

[yoyo49]

The Brewers are in a difficult position with Sheets. If he pitches well and stays healthy for the Crew in 2008, he will demand a hefty, 4-5 year deal. That will probably be his final big payday, so you couldn't really blame him for taking advantage of it. However, if he pitches poorly and has an injury-riddled year, fans will wonder why he wasn't dealt prior to the 2008 year, and the front office will have to decide whether to re-sign a pitcher who has been injured in each of the past four seasons. I've been debating back and forth, but I think now is the time to deal Sheets.

[milwaukeesportsfan]

1. Sheets

2. Gallardo

3. Suppan

4. Villanueva

 

I think 1-4 are pretty much locks. I don't see this team trading Sheets after such an unsuccessful year last year. I think they hang onto him and see what happens. If he stays healthy all year, this team is in the playoffs and he gets a big contract from somebody. Whether or not it's with the Brewers remains to be seen. If he is the Ben Sheets of the last two years, the Brewers will most likely miss the playoffs. Even if Sheets is only good for 20-25 starts, chances are he still gets a big contract, most likely from somebody other than Milwaukee. I'd say the Brewer's best odds of resigning Sheets are to extend him mid-way through next season. If he hits the free agent market coming of an '04-type year, no way we can afford to keep him. My gut tells me he won't be a Brewer after next year.

 

5. Bush. I don't really have a problem having all right handed starters. Cappy thinks too much on the mound, and Parra should start in the pen, similar to Villanueva last year.

[Ennder]

Sheets

Suppan

Gallardo

Who knows

Who knows

 

 

Personally I'd make Vvillanueva the 4th starter and either Capuano or Bush #5 depending on how much they really want a lefty in the rotation. Then Parra is used as a RP to keep his arm healthy and stretch him out some kind of like Villanueva last year. But I could see us going Bush and Capuano in rotation to rely on the 'vets' and I could also see Vargas thrown in there if he 'looks good' in spring training. I have no faith in Yost at all so I tend to have problems guessing what he'll do.

[pitchleague]

ralph wiggum,

 

I understand your reasoning behind Gallardo not being a #2, and he may very well not be. But as for being a "pressure spot" in the rotation, that's really only applicable the first week of the season (when you face the Cubs' #2 starter) and then in the playoffs. (oh, and I suppose after the all-star break, maybe). Otherwise, for the most part, due to injuries, days off, skipped starts by the #5 guys, etc. the matchups of starting pitchers do not often meet up as #1 vs. #1, #2 vs #2, etc.

 

That said, I feel that Gallardo will show enough in spring training that Ned will have no choice to put him at #2, unless he wants a soft tosser (Suppan) in between two flamethrowers (Sheets and Gallardo) to mix things up on the opponents.

[Nader Raider Tim]

Yovanni Gallardo

Bartolo Colo

Jeff Suppan

Carlos Villenueva

Chris Capuono

 

Sheets gets traded for a closer or a LFer. Colon is given a one year incentive laden deal to try and rebuild his value. Dave Bush is in the pen, and Manny Parra starts in AAA to keep starting. Bush and Parra are potential replacements for Colon or Capuono. If Parra isn't needed in the rotation by mid June he will be called up to work out of the Pen. During the season anyone of the Capuono, Bush, Villenueva, or Parra combo could be traded.

 

Colon is a guy that I am kind of intrigued by. The fact that the Angels didn't offer his arbitration is kind of crazy in my mind, and makes me think that there isn't going to be much interest, so him signing a one year deal might not be out of the question. I think that he, if properly motivated, could regain his form of old.

[rluzinski]

I think the allure of winning in 2008 is going to be too much for Melvin to trade Sheets away for the future. Sheets will play out his current contract and Melvin will get the draft picks when he leaves:

 

Sheets

Suppan

Yo

Villy

Bush/Cappy

 

To me there's too much risk and I think the Brewers can plan for life after Sheets -- I think the problem is they've counted on him and been burned a bit the past few seasons.

 

Not to get too sidetracked but I've never understood the notion that getting 70% of innings you'd like out of a pitcher is actually less than 70% of the value. Had the Brewers not "counted" on Sheets going into 2007, would they have brought in another pitcher better than him? Almost certainly not. I'm not sure if anyone they would have brought in would have even been better than the guys who replaced him last year (certainly not Yo). If you told me right now that the choices were to have Sheets for 150 IP next year or not at all, I know what option would win more games in 2008.

 

I think it's just another example of fans looking at things through their heart than with objectiveness. It's terribly dissapointing to have to watch your ace continuously miss games because of injury but not having him at all isn't going to win more games.

[Ralph Wiggum]

ralph wiggum,

 

I understand your reasoning behind Gallardo not being a #2, and he may very well not be. But as for being a "pressure spot" in the rotation, that's really only applicable the first week of the season (when you face the Cubs' #2 starter) and then in the playoffs. (oh, and I suppose after the all-star break, maybe). Otherwise, for the most part, due to injuries, days off, skipped starts by the #5 guys, etc. the matchups of starting pitchers do not often meet up as #1 vs. #1, #2 vs #2, etc.

 

That said, I feel that Gallardo will show enough in spring training that Ned will have no choice to put him at #2, unless he wants a soft tosser (Suppan) in between two flamethrowers (Sheets and Gallardo) to mix things up on the opponents.

I agree, and Ned Yost has said as much that positioning in the rotation really makes no difference after the first week. In essense, you kind of contradict yourself by saying the positioning doesn't matter, then saying Gallardo will pitch himself into the #2 role in spring training. There's really no reason for him to be there, and may just create added pressure in his head (the pressure of being the #2 on a playoff contender) There is also likely some justification on the Brewers' part to keep Suppan at the #2 slot, though, given his contract and propensity to come through in big spots. Even if Gallardo wins 15 games in 2008, I'm still going to feel more comforatble with Soup pitching game 2 of any playoff series.

[Fatter than Joey]

Just like last year

 

Sheets

Yo

Suppan

Cappy

Bush

 

I don't see Parra in the rotation

[trwi7]

Just like last year

 

Sheets

Yo

Suppan

Cappy

Bush

 

I don't see Parra in the rotation

 

You don't see Villanueva in the rotation?

 

Sheets

Gallardo

Suppan

Villanueva

Parra

[sweepscc]

Gallardo

Lincecum

Villanueva

Capuano/Parra

Suppan

[pitchleague]

oops, didn't mean to contradict myself, sort of. How about, I think he'll win the #2 spot out of spring training but after that, all bets are off, considering skipped starts and what not.

[Tbadder]

Sheeter

Suppan

Gallardo

Bush

Villanueva

 

Vargas

Parra

Shouse

Wise

Turnbow

Riske

Pena

 

Cappy is traded; Mota ia cut and the Crew eat his salary!

[jimmyjeromehardy7]

Sheets

Suppan

Yo

Villy

Parra

 

Bush - closer

 

Cappy - LR/injury replacement

 

Vargas - traded for RP

 

If we take Sheets out of the picture the staff is way too young for a contending team IMO. Plus, what will I do with my Sheets jersey if he gets traded.

[JohnBriggs12]

Gallardo

Suppan

Bush

Villanueva

Parra

 

Sheets will either be traded or will be nursing another injury. I predict he will stub his toe on the foul line.

[monty57]

I still feel that we're going to get an offer for Sheets that is too much to pass up on. I also think Vargas will be traded and Bush is in the bullpen in some capacity.

 

I would hope the the "offer that is too much to pass up" would include a pitcher abel to crack the starting lineup next season. Sheets is good enough that a contending team may be willing to fill our LF/3B void and offer a good young starter.

 

I think the reasons that neither Cappy, Bush or Vargas were moved this week are that (1) Cappy was a prime piece in the Rolen deal, which fell through (2) Teams are waiting for the Santana deal to get done, which will set a market for Haren to be traded, which will lead to players like ours being traded. Beane is probably licking his lips hoping that the Twins back out and keep Santana, which could open a bidding war between NY and Boston for Haren. I agree with the poster above who stated that Bush is a #3-4 guy on most teams. Cappy probably is as well, and Vargas is a #4-5 guy. They still have plenty of trade value, and teams are always looking for starting pitching, so I still believe those three will be used to garner our 3B/LF and relief help.

 

As far as Sheets, I agree with Russ that there's too much chance to win in 2008 for Melvin to trade Sheets unless something like a Sheets for Phil Hughes comes across the table. I feel that Sheets will start the year as a Brewer. If the team is doing well, he'll stay with the team and we'll lose him to free agency. If something happens and the team is not doing well by the trade deadline, he'll be traded then. Probably to the Yankees, who will be fighting with the Indians / Tigers for the Wild Card spot and will therefore be willing to pay dearly for someone like Sheets who could put them over the top.

[JohnBriggs12]

"there's too much chance to win in 2008 for Melvin to trade Sheets"

 

The opposite is true. There's too much chance to win (actually a lot less than 07 when Lou Piniella didn't have a read on his team yet and the Brewers actually had a closer) to hinge it on a guy who misses an average of 11 starts every year. They counted on Sheets in 06 and 07 and where did that get them?

[Ennder]

You guys are just hilarious with the Sheets bashing. You do realize that a single major injury(yes he was doubtful to start 2006 when he went out in 2005 though people fail to grasp that for some reason) and a finger jam doesn't mean he's going to get hurt this season. He is no more of an injury concern than Capuano is. This reminds me so much of the Jenkins is injury prone that we heard over and over and over again after he got hurt two years in a row. Then of course he never had another major injury in his career.