5th / 6th Starter Candidates -- If Brewers Go Outside the Organization

[Jim Goulart]

As was first mentioned in Friday's in-game thread, could Tim Wakefield be available?

 

I could not think of a better fit.

 

First, there is a built-in familiarity with George Kottaras (pick your article).

 

Miller Park? Wakefield has a strong history (bottom of linked page) in domes like Tropicana and the Metrodome.

 

Money? Reasonable -- $2M base: $75,000 each for 11-15 GS; $0.15M each for 16-20 GS; $0.2M each for 21-30 GS

 

All five Brewer starters eventually healthy? Slots in comfortably in long relief.

 

Availabilty? Boston Herald and Boston Globe with their takes -- discussions on WEEI radio , additional audio.

 

Make it happen, Doug....

[Jim Goulart]

We'll see, but Wakefield probably not going to be available.

[Jim Goulart]

Rotoworld speculates on the Braves' Rodrigo Lopez

[RockCoCougars]

I wonder if Bartolo Colon might be out there, he has an out clause if he doesn't make the MLB roster. He's throwing really well though, and my guess is the Yankees will keep him at least to start the season.

[dadofandrew]

They'll be some guys a lot like Marco Estrada that are out of options...some AAA success, not real hard throwers.

 

Of course, the Crew has Estrada already.

[Funketown]

Oliver Perez just became available. Not that I'd be too keen on signing the guy.

[Invader3K]

Oliver Perez just became available. Not that I'd be too keen on signing the guy.

Yeah, when the Mets cut someone, you know they're bad.

[RockCoCougars]

Pass on Perez. He's been making out at about 87 MPH this spring. He's done, and was never very good to begin with.

[joepepsi]

What about Bonderman? Where is he these days?

[PrinceEatMeat]

This was mentioned in another thread, but apparently Bonderman doesn't wanna play this year. He wants to sit out the season.

[JohnBriggs12]

A perfect guy would be Tim Redding. Unfortunately it's looking like the Dodgers need him and he won't be available.

 

Dave Bush has an opt out clause if he doesn't make the Rangers opening day roster and that doesn't appear likely. He'd certainly fit if they want to go down that road again.

[GoudaBrew]

Kevin Slowey will be working out of the bullpen for the Twins this year and they will listen to offers for him. He's under team control through the 2013 season. From a fantasy baseball prospective I always pegged him as a sleeper for his solid K rate and super low walk rate. He suffers severely from gopheritis though and that wouldn't play that well in MP (of course a move to the NL could help). Just guessing, but I would think they would ask for Gamel.

[crewcrazy]

Brew Crew Ball brings up the possibility of getting Jo-Jo Reyes as the still-to-be-received PTBNL from Toronto. The main reasoning is that Reyes is unlikely to make the team and is out of options, but is stretched out to start.

 

It's a thought, although one I wouldn't be thrilled about. I suppose it could work for a couple starts, though.

[dadofandrew]

Reyes is on the 40 man, and PTBNL cannot be on the 40 man, so that would not work, without another move first at least.

 

Bush makes as much sense as anyone. I've always liked him in a long relief role, but he made too much and was too effective as a SP to be considered.

[JohnBriggs12]

Kevin Slowey will be working out of the bullpen for the Twins this year and they will listen to offers for him. He's under team control through the 2013 season. From a fantasy baseball prospective I always pegged him as a sleeper for his solid K rate and super low walk rate. He suffers severely from gopheritis though and that wouldn't play that well in MP (of course a move to the NL could help). Just guessing, but I would think they would ask for Gamel.

Slowey isn't a guy you'd pick up to start a couple games and stick back in the pen and you are correct that the Twins are definitely looking for value in return. The Brewers are looking for a guy they can get off waivers who might be a better option than the guys they have and could be used in the bullpen later. I like Slowey, but only if a Brewer starter were to go down for an extended period.

[RockCoCougars]

The Twins have been greatly overvaluing Slowey for the past few years. If he's that good, why has he been constantly mentioned in trade rumors- not to mention that he was just beaten out by Scott Baker for the number 5 starter job? I don't think I'd give them Parra for him, no way would I even consider Gamel.

[dadofandrew]

He's a solid SP, probably projects to a sub 4 ERA in the NL. As Briggs pointed out, he's not what the Brewers are looking for, but he's a solid MLB SP, and still at his peak.

[CheezWizHed]

Slowey isn't a guy you'd pick up to start a couple games and stick back in the pen...

 

I realize that is what DM said he was expecting out of someone he picked up (rather than the old vet type). But if he were to snag someone better than Narveson, then Narv can move to the pen. He has no guarantees.

[DHonks]

If Bush opts out tomorrow, I'd expect him to be a Brewer minor leaguer on Monday with the wink-wink agreement that he'd be called up to make the starts in April. He could then be a heck of a long man in the pen, who also benefits the team with his ability to pinch hit for pitchers or pinch run. To me, he's an upgrade over Mitre AND might be more necessary to the team than Kintzler right now.

[PrinceEatMeat]

If Bush opts out tomorrow, I'd expect him to be a Brewer minor leaguer on Monday with the wink-wink agreement that he'd be called up to make the starts in April. He could then be a heck of a long man in the pen, who also benefits the team with his ability to pinch hit for pitchers or pinch run. To me, he's an upgrade over Mitre AND might be more necessary to the team than Kintzler right now.

If this was the plan we wouldn't have traded for Mitre in the first place.

[DHonks]

except we don't know if Bush will opt out and be available.