Non-tender deadline

by Jeff Sackmann on Dec 12, 2007 9:47 PM CST in Transactions

We know by now that Matt Wise and Kevin Mench were non-tendered, which makes them free-agents.

Lots of interesting non-tenders from other teams:

Adam Everett: odd man out of the Tejada deal, best defensive shortstop in baseball, one of the worst offensive regulars, too.
Morgan Ensberg: good OBP, he plays third, gotta figure Melvin will make a call on this one. I think I'd rather have Ensberg as a rental than trade for Hank Blalock, lose a prospect and/or SP, and pay a bigger salary.
Mark Prior: don't worry, some Cubs fans still think he'll be a big contributor this year.
Dallas McPherson: once big-time Angels prospect, now post-injury reclamation project. Two years ago, he would've been a great gamble for the Crew.
Nook Logan: he's like Tony Gwynn Jr., only with more service time!
Kiko Calero: he's basically Matt Wise, minus the pop psychologizing. I don't think Melvin will go after him, but we could do much worse with the last spot in the bullpen.
Aaron Miles: I wouldn't be surprised if the Cards went after Adam Everett and made Cesar Izturis, who they signed earlier this offseason, their middle-infield backup.
Akinori Otsuka: I'm glad that we didn't deal for him right before he got injured, but it sounds like he could be ready to contribute quite soon. He's an even better bet than Calero. We won't get him, but we'll probably pay about the same amount of money to someone (Torres or Mota) who will not pitch as well in 2008.
Miguel Olivo: no reason for the Marlins to keep him, but it seems odd to me that guys like Kendall and LoDuca are getting $4-5MM while Olivo will be a backup somewhere. Unless there's some huge advantage in veteran game-calling skills, there's no reason for it. Also, does this mean Matt Treanor and Mike Rabelo split time? Or that the Marlins will simply make a lateral move and bring in someone like Estrada? Wacky.

Josh Towers: he'll land in a rotation somewhere. For better or worse, there's no room in ours. If anything, him being available will make Claudio Vargas a little less valuable.
Johnny Estrada: say, why are paying $3.2MM for Guillermo Mota?

More to come, I'm sure. On the home front, Melvin made deals with Mike Rivera, Greg Aquino, and Seth McClung.

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Ensberg

How is he defensively? It wouldn't make sense to go after him if he's not a good defender. If he's capable though I wouldn't mind taking a flyer on him.

Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.

by TheJay on Dec 12, 2007 10:36 PM CST reply actions

Decent OBP, and I think he's a pretty good defender at 3B. I remember seeing him make some nice plays over the last few years, and he has a good career FP. If we can pursue him for not much he would be a good option next year (Although I still would prefer to keep Braun at 3B).

You heard it here first: Prince Fielder will hit more homeruns than Eric Gagne's ERA x 100.

by stevie ray Braun on Dec 12, 2007 11:27 PM CST up reply actions

Nobody else does

A me-me kind of guy and a big complainer, too. There's a reason he's floated from team to team in recent years.

Bob Gibson threw 9 pitches: "two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a change-up, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman."

by tvnick5 on Dec 13, 2007 6:43 AM CST up reply actions

Huh?

I've never heard that about Ensberg before, and when has he been "floating from team to team in recent years"? He's only played for two teams in his entire career...

You heard it here first: Prince Fielder will hit more homeruns than Eric Gagne's ERA x 100.

by stevie ray Braun on Dec 13, 2007 4:37 PM CST up reply actions

Mea culpa

So sorry. My bad.
It's SHEA HILLENBRAND who was in my head.
My apologies again, and to Mr. Ensberg.

Bob Gibson threw 9 pitches: "two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a change-up, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman."

by tvnick5 on Dec 13, 2007 5:14 PM CST up reply actions

i understand

my disdain for shea hillenbrand is so severe that it spills over onto other people sometimes.

Weird, but not weird.

by Jeff Sackmann on Dec 13, 2007 6:14 PM CST up reply actions

Nook?

Nix Nixon Nook?

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Dec 12, 2007 11:04 PM CST reply actions

Tad Iguchi

This flew under the radar, but he won't be manning the hot corner in Milwaukee next season.

Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.

by TheJay on Dec 12, 2007 11:34 PM CST reply actions

SignOn San Diego

TheJay's link leads to some pretty interesting information:

Jake Peavy signed a three-year contract extension that includes a club option for a fourth year for $22 million. If the Padres want, they can buy him out instead --- for $4 million. A $4 million buyout!
Now that Fukudome has been signed, they're more likely to resume their pursuit of Jinxie.
Remember Akinori Otsuka with the Rangers? He may end up being non-tendered. That was a good trade that didn't happen.

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Dec 13, 2007 5:52 AM CST up reply actions

Observation

With Miguel Olivo's exorbitant salary now off the Marlins' books, their highest-paid player looks to be Kevin Gregg, who made a whopping $575,000 last year. Their payroll = Jeff Suppan.

C. Magruder scored, R. Weeks to second on balk

by alkaseitzer on Dec 12, 2007 11:58 PM CST reply actions

this just in...

"Marlins looking to swap Gregg for prospects"

Weird, but not weird.

by Jeff Sackmann on Dec 13, 2007 12:16 AM CST up reply actions

We should offer Suppan in a trade

Just to watch them freak out over the thought of paying his salary.

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Dec 13, 2007 5:53 AM CST up reply actions

Ensberg.

I like Ensberg more than the other candidates, maybe even more than Blalock. Whatever you look at in terms of fielding (F%, ZR, RF, Rate2) he just about league average, which we all know is about 2 wins better than Braun.

He'll never post another 2005, (i.e. .950 OPS), but if we determine that he's healthy, I don't think average D and something like a .260/.360/.460 line is too unreasonable, and that's solid. He might be had on a one year deal -- how many teams are looking for a 3B?

Actually wait: the Giants need a 3B -- Sabean will throw like 5/45 at him or something. The Rowand signing makes them one step from being the favorites in the NL West.

"Cover your flesh." - Bill Haverchuck

by baumann on Dec 13, 2007 1:54 AM CST reply actions

Willie Harris

is the nephew of Ernest Riles. That means we have to sign him, right? I mean, Tony Gwynn didn't even play for the Brewers and people are obsessed with his kid around here, so Ernie's nephew is a LOCK, baby!

"Cover your flesh." - Bill Haverchuck

by baumann on Dec 13, 2007 1:59 AM CST reply actions

One last thing.

I actually think the Mark Prior thing might bite the Cubs. Call me a dumb@$$.

"Cover your flesh." - Bill Haverchuck

by baumann on Dec 13, 2007 2:06 AM CST reply actions

The entire city of San Diego disagrees

Well, maybe not the WHOLE city.

It appears that the Padres were interested in Prior, but took one look at his medical records and went screaming in the opposite direction.

I remember when he was healthy, I think during the Ford administration, Prior supporters went on and on over his perfect mechanics and how he'd never get hurt.

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Dec 13, 2007 6:01 AM CST up reply actions

His mechanics

were as close to perfect as I've ever seen. Ask BP's Will Carrol or minorleagueball's John Sickels. He was fun to watch. How can people like Randy Johnson pitch for 25 years with herky-jerky motions, while people like Prior have their careers ruined with injuries? I wish him the best of luck, hopefully for some other team of course...

PS Speaking of minorleagueball.com, guess which one of our former guys John considers the #5 prospect in the Padres' system?

by balldeagle on Dec 13, 2007 8:17 AM CST up reply actions

the answer is Dusty Baker

by keephopealive on Dec 13, 2007 3:56 PM CST up reply actions

dumb@$$

Ryan Braun is the Ed Hochuli of Third Basemen. Prince is now Chubber Lang

by hyattff2003 on Dec 13, 2007 9:13 AM CST up reply actions

Fine.

I'm wrong about Prior, but you must agree that Riles is Brewer Royalty!

"Cover your flesh." - Bill Haverchuck

by baumann on Dec 13, 2007 10:02 AM CST up reply actions

Maybe

Prior might come back to bite the Cubs but it'll take him two years to rehab the displaced teeth.

Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.

by TheJay on Dec 13, 2007 9:26 AM CST up reply actions

The other thing about Ensberg

is that he can backup Fielder at first. I don't want to rest the big guy too often but for the 5-7 games he is resting it would be nice to have a right handed bat to plug in there. If Fielder goes down for any length of time we are pretty sunk but a little less sunk this way.

Visit my baseball blog ...or else!

by dixieflatline on Dec 13, 2007 9:32 AM CST reply actions

I like Ensberg too

Lordz Of Vengeance....Sometimes I drink...Okay...I drink most of the time.

by Dikembe Meiztombo on Dec 13, 2007 11:37 AM CST reply actions

Everett

according to ESPN Everett is now a Twin

by sheeter on Dec 13, 2007 5:42 PM CST reply actions

Weird

You'd think his parents would have told him when he was a baby.

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Dec 13, 2007 6:16 PM CST up reply actions

rj

I saw you coming when I phrased the post that way...but what the hell

by sheeter on Dec 13, 2007 6:19 PM CST up reply actions

Oh yeah?

I saw you in the paddock before the second race, outside the men's room, when I placed my bet. I saw you before you even got up this morning.

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Dec 13, 2007 7:32 PM CST up reply actions

RJ?

Didn't I see you giving some weird hand-signals at the Minneapolis airport a few weeks back? J/K! Just an inference to Senator What's-his-face, but I found your ommment quite humorous. Kudos!

by kgaul on Dec 13, 2007 11:58 PM CST up reply actions

You are the greatest Sol

in the HOF, but I still wouldn't put the black hole of a bat that is Adam Everett in my lineup

Ryan Braun is the Ed Hochuli of Third Basemen. Prince is now Chubber Lang

by hyattff2003 on Dec 14, 2007 7:34 AM CST up reply actions

ZING!

Jamie is a Softball Champion!

by Jamie in LA on Dec 16, 2007 9:34 PM CST up reply actions

sure,

but do you have wall-to-wall and a goldfish?

Actually that's sort of funny- that is the same thing I was thinking of with the 'I saw you coming' thing.

by sheeter on Dec 13, 2007 9:21 PM CST reply actions

Why an excess of even mediocre pitching is nice

Kip Wells signed with the Rockies for one year, $3 million. Look at his career numbers and imagine what Capuano, Vargas, or Bush would get on the open market (okay, maybe not Vargas...).

Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.

by TheJay on Dec 13, 2007 11:28 PM CST reply actions

yeah

vargas...mr. i-can't-pitch-more-than-6-innings would not get that much on the market.

Come check out BrewersNation, a new Brewers blog that keeps you up to date on ALL Brewers news and rumors. http://sportsnationjb.blogspot.com/

by jimmyb1799 on Dec 14, 2007 11:09 AM CST up reply actions

mota

I understand that $3.2M is a lot for Mota, but if he has a bounce-back year (which he traditionally does for a new team), it will be well worth it. He's still a power-arm for middle relief. Not many teams can say that have as many power arms as we do now. I never thought I'd say it, but it's looking good for our bullpen!

Come check out BrewersNation, a new Brewers blog that keeps you up to date on ALL Brewers news and rumors. http://sportsnationjb.blogspot.com/

by jimmyb1799 on Dec 14, 2007 11:10 AM CST reply actions

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