Brewers sign Ernesto Frieri to MiLB deal

[DR28]

The Brewers have agreed to terms on a minor league contract with veteran righty Ernesto Frieri, reports MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (on Twitter). The former Angels closer will be invited to Major League Spring Training and vie for a spot in the bullpen.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

eh, if you're looking for depth pieces, you can do worse I suppose. Frieri isn't too far removed from being a decent late-inning option. Maybe he has a career revitalization? I'm not going to bank on it, but with a dearth of solid pen options at AAA, he can't hurt.

[Warning Track Power]

Another Joba Chamberlain type move. See what he has in Spring Training and go from there.

[brwrsfan]

Lost cost, low risk, with the potential to get lucky with a high reward if he somehow find his previous form (unlikely). Can't really complain.

[pacopete4]

I love these shot in the dark type of signings. 99% of the time, we forget they even happened but you just never know.

[ZBTMP]

Maybe its just all coincidence, but it seems like the Brewers have transitioned the NRI pitcher strategy from 4A players (Snow, Espino, Barbosa) to MLB flameouts (Hoover, Fieri)

[brewcrewdue80]

Nothing to see here, only a Spring Training Name for split teams. Hasn't been relevant in 4 years.

[NievesNoNO]

Anybody else have the Trade Rumors app installed? I see the TR at the top of my screen and it continues to just be minor league stuff. Oh well, maybe next time. Frieri's just a filler. Can't see him pitching any meaningful innings for the big club outside of a handful of innings due to injury maybe. I guess a veteran with some history of success isn't a bad thing.

[DHonks]

Maybe its just all coincidence, but it seems like the Brewers have transitioned the NRI pitcher strategy from 4A players (Snow, Espino, Barbosa) to MLB flameouts (Hoover, Fieri)

 

What's the difference between a 4A and an MLB flameout? Maybe a few years of age, but mainly opportunity. Pretty much the same pool of people

[ZBTMP]

What's the difference between a 4A and an MLB flameout? Maybe a few years of age, but mainly opportunity. Pretty much the same pool of people

Guys who have had success in the past in MLB (Hoover’s 2012 and 2013/Frieri’s 2010-2012) but have seen their performance decline vs. guys who have never been given an extended look because of either middling stuff or good not great numbers in the minors. I guess they had Joba and Ryan Webb last season so maybe it is nothing.

While I don’t think he will make the team in spring, if he maintains the 30%+ K rate in AAA that he had last season I think he will find the MLB bullpen at some point.

FWIW, Frieri was in Tampa Bay during Arnold’s last season there.

[djoctagone]

frieri released today.

[ClosetBrewerFan]

No surprise there. Drake next? I can only hope

[JohnBriggs12]

No surprise there. Drake next? I can only hope

 

Hoover has had a very good camp and is a much more accomplished reliever than Drake and Gallardo looks good out of the pen. Can't see Drake making the team barring the unforeseen.