chansen

As far as Cameron goes, he is our best option at CF without a doubt. He strikes out a lot but his defense is good and he still has speed. Won't be long until Lorenzo Cain is the CF. Maybe in 2010?

I was frustrated as well with the LH bat search but then realized they are banking on a few players to fill the void. They signed Chris Duffy and Trot Nixon to Minor League deals who are both LH and have played in the Majors. I expect Gamel to see some time and get some at bats being left handed They re-signed Counsell to a deal. His does not have power but has discipline and can play many positions I see Hoffman being a lot better than Torres. Torres struggled down the stretch. His era last year was 3.49 but his fip was 4.22. He only had 51 strikeouts last season Hoffman had a 3.77 era and fip of 3.99. his strikout per 9 innings was good at 9.13 I do have a hard time seeing the Crew be as good as last year with the losses of Sabathia and Sheets, but we are about the same pitching as we were at the start of last year in regard to the rotation. Sheets has always been a injury pitcher and whoever signs him this season will be disappointed because I don't think he will come back from his injury. The bullpen has improved a lot in my opinion. We will get another arm before the season and I am excited about this year. Oh yeah, and we don't have Ned Yost anymore. Our staff is good with Macha and Randolph as well as Sveum as the hitting coach. Discipline will be huge!

I was frustrated as well with the LH bat search but then realized they are banking on a few players to fill the void. They signed Chris Duffy and Trot Nixon to Minor League deals who are both LH and have played in the Majors. I expect Gamel to see some time and get some at bats being left handed They re-signed Counsell to a deal. His does not have power but has discipline and can play many positions I see Hoffman being a lot better than Torres. Torres struggled down the stretch. His era last year was 3.49 but his fip was 4.22. He only had 51 strikeouts last season Hoffman had a 3.77 era and fip of 3.99. his strikout per 9 innings was good at 9.13 I do have a hard time seeing the Crew be as good as last year with the losses of Sabathia and Sheets, but we are about the same pitching as we were at the start of last year in regard to the rotation. Sheets has always been a injury pitcher and whoever signs him this season will be disappointed because I don't think he will come back from his injury. The bullpen has improved a lot in my opinion. We will get another arm before the season and I am excited about this year. Oh yeah, and we don't have Ned Yost anymore. Our staff is good with Macha and Randolph as well as Sveum as the hitting coach. Discipline will be huge!

I was frustrated as well with the LH bat search but then realized they are banking on a few players to fill the void. They signed Chris Duffy and Trot Nixon to Minor League deals who are both LH and have played in the Majors. I expect Gamel to see some time and get some at bats being left handed They re-signed Counsell to a deal. His does not have power but has discipline and can play many positions I see Hoffman being a lot better than Torres. Torres struggled down the stretch. His era last year was 3.49 but his fip was 4.22. He only had 51 strikeouts last season Hoffman had a 3.77 era and fip of 3.99. his strikout per 9 innings was good at 9.13 I do have a hard time seeing the Crew be as good as last year with the losses of Sabathia and Sheets, but we are about the same pitching as we were at the start of last year in regard to the rotation. Sheets has always been a injury pitcher and whoever signs him this season will be disappointed because I don't think he will come back from his injury. The bullpen has improved a lot in my opinion. We will get another arm before the season and I am excited about this year. Oh yeah, and we don't have Ned Yost anymore. Our staff is good with Macha and Randolph as well as Sveum as the hitting coach. Discipline will be huge!

Clayton Richard- Only one year in the Majors but is young (25) - 2-5 with a 6.04era for the Sox last season but his fip was 4.10 - his k/9 is a little low at 5.5 - pitched 47.2 inn last season and had a ground ball % of 49.7 compared to fly ball 26.9% - not an overpowering pitcher with his fastball at 89.9mph Aaron Laffey - Decent stats in the MLB last 2 seasons - rather low strikeout ratio in MLB around 4.25k per 9 innings - 54.9% to 26.3% ground ball to fly ball - Not a monster of an arm at all- fastball of 87mph - 3 pitches that tops out at 87 and low of 78 Dontrelle Willis - was terrible last season after high expectations - bothered by injury - 35bb to 18 strikeouts - 18 hits in 24 innings but gave up 25 er - velocity is not the same after the injury of course and has declined since 2006 - 88mph fastball and low pitch of 80mph Horacio Ramirez - has mlb experience - used out of the bullpen last season - 3.13 k/9 last season - encouraging only giving up 1hr in 37.1 inn - career gb% of 49.7% to 28.1 fly balls - actually raised velocity from 88.8 to 90.1 in 2008 - does use 5 pitches and low of 78mph Adam Eaton - projected 5.10 era - k/9 have been on the decline (6.99 in 2005 to 4.79 last year) - relatively the same gb/fb ratio - 89.5mph fastball to 74.7mph curve - not worth the 8million he earned in 2008 Kyle Kendrick - 2 seasons in the MLB - fip was higher both years - 2007 era= 3.87 fip= 4.94 - 2008 era= 5.49 fip= 5.55 - k/9 is under 4 - only an 89mph fastball and uses 3 pitches with a low velocity of 81 (only a 8mph difference) Homer Bailey - 0-6 last season - fip was 6.41 - k/bb is not good - 43%-31% gb to fb - 92mph fastball - 4 pitches with a low of 77mph curve Yusmeiro Petit - last 2 seasons with arizona - fip was higher than era last 2 years - 6.5 k/9 - career 32 to 50% ground ball to fly ball (not good for MP) - only an 86mph fastball Of the list it seems Clayton Richard, Aaron Laffey, and Haracio Ramirez

Looking at the list of players out of options for 2009 done by MLBTR. A few to look at: Anthony Reyes - we all know he posted a dismal 2-14 record in 2007 - he did decent last season - 2007 fip= 5.25 vs actual 6.04 era - 2008 fip= 4.15 vs actual 2.76 era - projections are for him to do good this year (26gs, 4.20era, 4.50fip) - has 3 pitches- fastball, curveball, and changeup - 91mph fastball and a 79mph changeup - Boof Bonser - was used out of the bullpen most of last season - has good stats as a starter - projected 4.50 era and fip - actual era in 2008= 5.93 while fip was only 4.19 - even distribution of fly balls and ground balls - has 4 pitches: fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup - 92mph fastball with an 80mph curve - velocity has not changed since 2006 - value was at 5.5M while he was paid 400K

Jeff Niemann would be a great option in my opinion. 25 years old and has a huge upside. 9-5 with a 3.59 in 24 starts with the AAA team of the Rays. He also threw 3 complete games with one shutout. He did get some MLB experience last season with the Rays. His K/BB ratio is ok. A little bit of information on Niemann: Assets Is a mammoth physical specimen at 6-9, 280 pounds and can intimidate batters when on the hill. Also boasts tremendous stuff. Flaws When he's around the strike zone too much, he tends to get hit hard. Must also avoid injuries in order to maximize his starting potential. Career potential A solid mid-rotation starter. ----------------------------------------- His movement ratings are pretty good at 76-77. Has 4 pitches (fastball 92.3mph, slider 79.2, curveball 74.4, and changeup 81.7) 18 mph difference in pitches Projected to have an era around 4.5

Hopefully we get someone before every team realizes they can get a pitcher for cheap $$$. I do agree with you, it will work out. I was mad when we didn't sign anyone, but now there are a lot of FA unsigned. I didn't think it would be this bad come February. In the coming week I think we see the market open up a little.

What is FIP?

True. I may be the only one opposed to signing Sheets. I don't want him back especially after his injury. Many teams are cautious because of it and I don't want to sign him only to see him go down after 7-10 starts.

Here is a potential option. I know it could be a lot even if they end up signing Ben Sheets. They really don't have a good rotation. Anyways, I was looking into this possibility. Their bullpen may need some more help because Joaquin Benoit may be done for the season due to an injury. Could we possibly offer them a bullpen arm and prospect(s) for Kevin Millwood? He is due $11M in 2009 and his contract ends after the 2010 season. Send David Riske their way ($4.25M) and prospects for Millwood. Although it would add 6+M to the payroll, our rotation would look pretty good. As for filling the void in the bullpen, we have options. We have Aguilar, Stetter, DeFelice, Dillard, Julio, Coffey, Villenueva, etc... Thoughts?

Here are some more options that may be outside looking in on making the rotation for their respective teams. Yankees- Ian Kennedy, Phil Hughes Blue Jays- David Purcey, Scott Richmond White Sox- Clayton Richard, Lance Broadway Indians- Aaron Laffey, Anthony Reyes Tigers- Dontrelle Willis Royals- Horacio Ramirez Twins- Boof Bonser Phillies- Adam Eaton, Kyle Kendrick Reds- Homer Bailey Diamondbacks- Yusmeiro Petit Giants- Noah Lowry These are just some guys to keep an eye out for in ST.

The only thing I don't understand is why the Brewers are not interested in adding an arm anytime soon. What happens if Gallardo or Parra or someone else gets hurt? We don't really have any Minor Leaguer's ready for action and certainly no depth. I know we will probably wait until Spring Training to look at options. I wouldn't mind getting Mulder or some other veteran arm to see if they have it. Also on another note, Rich Hill may be headed to Baltimore. The deal would be for a player to be named later based on the success that Hill has.

My point is that Salome is not going to be in a Brewer uniform...period. We have Rivera (who unfortunately may be out soon), Lucroy, and Lawrie. Salome, although more experienced in the Minors, is last on the list.

I actually may think the cost could be rather low right now considering the Yankees just spent a ton of money this offseason. They probably would want Minor League talent in return. I don't think they would want Major league players because they are pretty much set. Remember, they are trying to move Nady, Swisher, and Matsui. Anyways, I actually like what Kennedy offers compared to Hughes. Kennedy pitched well in his first stint with the Yankees. 1-0 1.89 era in 3 starts. 2008 was a struggle in the Majors but he does have decent stuff. He does not give up a lot of home runs which is also a plus. His winter league stats were good this season (2-2 1.56 era, 1cg, 31k/12bb) Phil Hughes is about the same stats wise with a better strikeout rate. I would not mind throwing them Angel Salome and someone else for Kennedy.

Here are some potential non roster invitees from other clubs that the Brewers may pick up during ST. Just listing all possible SP for teams. Brad Hennessey... 1.1inn 2 h 2er 3bb Luke Hudson... 0 Matt Clement... 0 Mike Maroth... 0 Shawn Estes... 0 John Koronka... 1inn 2h Nelson Figueroa... 2inn 1bb 1k Casey Fossum... 0 Gustavo Chacin... 0 Wilfredo Ledezma... 1inn 1k Jorge Sosa... 0 Josh Towers... 0 Kevin Correia... 0 Mark Prior... 0 Matt Belisle... 0 Glendon Rusch... 0 Kei Igawa... 1inn 1h 1k Jason Johnson... 0 Sergio Mitre... 0 Figured I would start a list of potential fillers for the Crew if they have a decent ST and the teams decide not to add them to their roster. UPDATED 2-26-09

Here are some potential non roster invitees from other clubs that the Brewers may pick up during ST. Just listing all possible SP for teams. Brad Hennessey... 1.1inn 2 h 2er 3bb Luke Hudson... 0 Matt Clement... 0 Mike Maroth... 0 Shawn Estes... 0 John Koronka... 1inn 2h Nelson Figueroa... 2inn 1bb 1k Casey Fossum... 0 Gustavo Chacin... 0 Wilfredo Ledezma... 1inn 1k Jorge Sosa... 0 Josh Towers... 0 Kevin Correia... 0 Mark Prior... 0 Matt Belisle... 0 Glendon Rusch... 0 Kei Igawa... 1inn 1h 1k Jason Johnson... 0 Sergio Mitre... 0 Figured I would start a list of potential fillers for the Crew if they have a decent ST and the teams decide not to add them to their roster. UPDATED 2-26-09

Just on MLBTR according to Rosenthal The Brewers are not interested in projects such as Kris Benson, Jason Jennings, Mark Redman, and Victor Zambrano. They're just lukewarm on Mark Mulder.

Apparently the Brewers are not even interested in Kris Benson, Jason Jennings, Mark Redman, and Victor Zambrano. They are still in on Mark Mulder.

I would like Rich Hill as well, but as bklynbrewcrew stated, I don't think they will trade to the Brewers.

I would like him as a long reliever. I heard that Melvin and company would like him to possibly set up Hoffman. Either way, I think he is more useful in the bullpen. I am not to entrigued about the idea of McClung as a starter but he does have some experience.

I think he would be much more useful as a starter.

they are 100% committed to theriot, miles, and fontenot. i dont think they will get peavy now. mlbtr and devine now say they may be interested in looper or wolf. Great deal for the Mariners in my opinion. Olson has some upside and Cedeno is ok.

Yeah, but then I sit back and think, have the Brewers improved? Dave Bush- I am really excited about him this season. Projections on him are quite good. around 121k/44bb and an era of around 4.20 Gallardo- Should be a decent #1. Projections are for around 3.50 era Suppan- Can't be much worse than last year. Projections are for around 90k/60bb with an era of around 4.90 McClung- Projections don't have him starting too many games. 70k/42bb with era of 4.10 Parra- Excited about this season as well. Projected to do very well. 120k/59bb with era of 4.10 and starting 25 games.

I really don't think they have improved. Losing DeRosa and picking up Miles? I think DeRosa was huge for them last year Losing Kerry Wood Bullpen may have gotten a little worse. Gregg is a good pickup but I can't emphasize the importance of Wood as the closer. Will reed Johnson be the 2008 Johnson or the 2007 form? (.236 in 2007 due to injury)