Lefty reliever RJ Swindle signed to major league deal

[bjkrautk]

I've only skimmed the thread, but seeing as how I haven't seen anyone else say it:

 

Sounds like Swindle could be a real steal.

[Ennder]

Probably not fair but after Hendrickson I've been a little skeptical of curveball first pitchers. A 25 year old lefty who has those type of numbers on his fourth organization has to have something wrong. Either himself as a person or his stuff/location just isn't major league quality.

 

There was never a compelling reason to think that Hendrickson would be a good major league pitcher other than people ignoring stats that matter and obsessing over ERA. He never put up good stats in the minors. A sub 7 K/9 and above 3.5 BB/9 minor league pitcher who isn't an extreme groundball type is just nothing to get excited about at all.

[Invader3K]

There was never a compelling reason to think that Hendrickson would be a good major league pitcher other than people ignoring stats that matter and obsessing over ERA. He never put up good stats in the minors. A sub 7 K/9 and above 3.5 BB/9 minor league pitcher who isn't an extreme groundball type is just nothing to get excited about at all.

 

Somewhere, Ben's dad's ears are burning.

[CheezWizHed]

Does this quietly end the reign of Brian Shouse in Milwaukee? I tend to think the Brewers might be happy picking up a draft pick for Shouse if he won't come back on a 1-year deal.

Sounds more like a backup plan if Shouse signs elsewhere. Swindle would have more long-term potential, but Shouse would have more now-potential.

[PeaveyFury]

Swindle would have more long-term potential, but Shouse would have more now-potential.

 

While probably true, the Brewers might view the equation as Swindle+2nd Round Pick+Cost Savings>Shouse.

[hawing]

If the Brewers are Swindled next year, will that be a good thing or a bad thing?

[1992casey]

Sounds like Swindle could be a real steal.

 

The thread's tags (transaction, swindle) would seem to indicate that.

[monty57]

I don't see anything to dislike about this signing. This puts the Brewers in a position to not overpay for Shouse (or sign him to a 2-year deal) simply because they have to. I like Shouse, but if some other team drives up his price tag, we now have a backup option, and we'll get another draft pick.

 

In the article on the Brewers' site, it looks like a split contract that will pay Swindle MLB minimum if he makes the team, but he could be sent to the minors. The reason he chose the Brewers is that they were willing to put him on the 40-man roster. Also, Melvin had a comment that if he makes the team it will be as a lefty specialist. The team made comments this year that they thought Stetter was more than a lefty specialist, so having Swindle on the team would be nice.

 

Thanks for posting the BP article. Sounds like Swindle has a pretty good attitude about everything, and it shows why other teams have given up on him even though his numbers have been good. This seems like a good guy to cheer for.

[fondybrewfan]

I think between this dude and Stetter we should be pretty set in the lefty department. I have very high hopes for Stetter this year.

[Diskono]

So will Bob Uecker describe his fastball as a "gasser" like with Doug Jones?

[liveforoctober]

Here's a link to the video of the slider that got Delgado... this was a nasty pitch. 9 to 3 seems correct.. I wonder how consistent he is with this pitch?

 

http://video.aol.com/vide...irst-strikeout/1732682116

[Tbadder]

Nice sign. Keep throwing pennies at cast offs and see who's man enough to stick it in their former employer's ear.

 

I want all my relivers to have a chip on their shoulder.

[yoshii8]

I like the signing, looking at his numbers, and watching some of the videos, I think he could become a valuable loogy in the major leagues. That slider was pretty sweet.

 

So after this signing, and assuming he makes our 25 man, our bullpen is starting to look fairly complete. Although, I would still like to see Melvin go after a proven closer to complete the bullpen. If we don't sign Sabathia, and we can get K-Rod at a reduced rate, I would be all for it.

 

Villanueva

McClung

Riske

Dillard

Stetter

Swindle

[RyDogg66]

Out with the "we got Yosted" after Ned blows one, in with the "He got Swindled" after RJ strikes 'em out.