MLBTR's Offseason Outlook

[Invader3K]

MLB Trade Rumors has a good article assessing the Brewers' off-season needs here.

 

Even before considering a possible long-term deal for Fielder, Melvin has his work cut out for him this winter. He's already re-signed Hoffman and added Rick Peterson as the new pitching coach. Now he must take a limited budget to find two starting pitchers, a catcher, and a center fielder. He has to decide on Looper's option, entertain offers for Hardy, and deal with at least five significant arbitration cases. Should be an action-packed hot stove season for Brewers fans.

[brewerfan82]

Today at U.S.S. Mariner Dave Cameron proposed a Hardy-Brandon Morrow swap, which seems reasonable. The Twins, Red Sox, and Blue Jays could be other potential fits for the shortstop.

 

I would take that deal in a second. Frees up payroll space and adds a low-cost-high-reward pitcher to the staff. Doesn't Morrow seem like the exact type of pitcher that would flourish under Peterson's tutelage?

[trwi7]

If Cameron proves to be too expensive for us, I wouldn't mind going after Coco Crisp. That was a pretty good suggestion that I haven't heard mentioned.

[dadofandrew]

Crisp has an option that has to be turned down first, and while good on D, is quite a drop from Cameron's '09 stats, and because of the lack of decent CF's on the market, and an emphasis on defense up the middle, will probably make 75% of what Cameron will.

 

I'd go cheaper, Gerut, Ankiel, or the like.

[joepepsi]

Maybe Peterson can turn Ankiel back into a front line pitcher!

[endaround]

Ankiel won't be cheaper than Crisp. And Crisp is about to turn 30 and he hasn't had a good season since 2005.

[The Ignitor]

Ankiel may not be cheaper, but he adds a power lefty to our lineup... if the market is at all like last year, where he's still on the market late, I would not mind taking a 6-8-million dollar per year 1-2 year flyer on guy like Ankiel. On the hand, I also like that Crisp is switch hitter with some speed...

[nate82]

I'd go cheaper, Gerut, Ankiel, or the like.

Ankiel is not a cheap option he has Boras as his agent. I believe Boras is not going to settle for anything less than $10m a season for Ankiel.

[trwi7]

I believe Boras is not going to settle for anything less than $10m a season for Ankiel.

Boras is delusional if he thinks a team is going to offer Ankiel that much.

[dadofandrew]

Ankiel is coming off a poor year, even without many CF's on the market, he's probably a 1y/$3M guy. He's never been more than a platoon guy, so he should just go to whoever will give him AB's.

 

As for Crisp, I was unaware he only played 49 games...I was thinking he got hurt in August. He may well lose a lot of worth, depending on what his injury was.

 

UPDATE: Torn labrum, should be fine next year. He is a good sleeper option, as the Royals seem doubtful to pick up his option. Not much pop, but a very solid OBP, and not too far from average CF production offensively. Because of his lack of SLG, will probably cost less than half what Mike will, probably $4-5M, and likely to just take a one year deal as well, proving his health before cashing in.

[twobrewers]

I believe Boras is not going to settle for anything less than $10m a season for Ankiel.

So Ankiel is going to sit out the entire season? If he looks for a $10M deal, he will be lucky to get leftovers in March with around $2M.

 

That said, it would be fun to watch Ankiel gun down runners from CF. But he would be a definite downgrade from Cameron.

[Baldkin]

dadofandrew wrote:

UPDATE: Torn labrum, should be fine next year. He is a good sleeper option, as the Royals seem doubtful to pick up his option. Not much pop, but a very solid OBP, and not too far from average CF production offensively. Because of his lack of SLG, will probably cost less than half what Mike will, probably $4-5M, and likely to just take a one year deal as well, proving his health before cashing in.

I don't know how bad or what a torn labrum does to a guy, but before he was shut down, Crisp was throwing the ball... well... about as well as I do left handed. Even sometimes almost under handing it back into the infield. I just don't think he's worth a $5million dollar risk when we already have Gerut for 1/10th that price.

[endaround]

Gerut isn't 1/10, closer to 1/2 but yeah. Crisp hasn't really hit since he left Celveland and his defense is questionable.

[Never Outhustled]

Doesn't Morrow seem like the exact type of pitcher that would flourish under Peterson's tutelage?

He does to me, I'd let Peterson review his video and let him decide.

 

 

I would take that deal in a second. Frees up payroll space and adds a low-cost-high-reward pitcher to the staff.

Ya, with Morrow on board the Brewers could resign Cameron and still have about $5 million to spend on a pitcher. If Hart were dealt, there would be about $9 million. Thats assuming theres no increase in budget, but its very possible there will be. McGehee could also land either a very interesting unproven pitcher, or a quality guy with a big contract.

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

Trade Hardy for Morrow

Sign Tim Hudson (3 year deal)

Resign Cameron

Find a catcher that doesn't suck

[Hate those Rodents]

That is a pretty simple off-season plan TBWS and is actually about all we need to do. My only problem is that Morrow is probably at worst 50 50 to cut it in the rotation. I tend to think he will, but we need more than just he and Hudson added to our rotation. At least something like Mulder as well.

[logan82]

It is going to be really tough to find a catcher better than Kendall. Maybe a strong defensive catcher. Most of the options other than Kendall at catcher are really no more than a minimal upgrade at best. If Kendall would come back at a reasonable price, we probably can't do much worse.(Oops, I mean better.)

[Hate those Rodents]

I'd risk Salome and Rivera. I have a feeling it would pay off. Also, Gerut will not be making half of Cam's salary next season. It will be much less than half Cam's salary.

[Flood Pants]

Most of the options other than Kendall at catcher are really no more than a minimal upgrade at best.

If the drop in price between the two is significant, it becomes a much larger upgrade.

[paul253]

I'd risk Salome and Rivera. I have a feeling it would pay off.

I agree with this. Offensively they can't possibly be worse than Kendall was the past few years. Defensively, everyone says Kendall call a great game, but that didn't seem to do much good last season as the Brewers compiled one of the worst pitching staffs in the majors. I'd really hate to let Salome rot away one the bench, but something has to give with him and Lucroy anyway.

[splitterpfj]

Baldkin, a torn labrum is a HUGE deal. I spoke to a retired player just last night, who told me his still isn't always right, and he tore his four years ago.

[cruiserx43]

Maybe this is a stupid question but can Crisp lead off?

[endaround]

If you want a player leading off he should be at least as good as Weeks. Crisp would the 6th worst hitter in the lineup ahead of just the catcher and Escobar.

[dadofandrew]

Crisp does have a decent OBP, and runs well, so yes, he could lead off. However, he's better suited to be a #6/7 hitter, unless he's on a weak offensive team, like the Royals.

[nate82]

Maybe this is a stupid question but can Crisp lead off?

No not with his .336 OBP and he has a career .331 OBP. Crisp would be like putting Hart in the lead off spot.