Dates When We Hit Free Agency
by roguejim on May 5, 2008 2:29 PM CDT
17 comments
If you're like me, you know that our stars are going to be free agents at some point in the next few years, but not exactly when. How long will our core remain intact? Rotoworld knows!
- Prince Fielder: eligible for arbitration 2009-2011, free agent in 2012
- Corey Hart: eligible for arbitration 2009-2011, free agent in 2012
- Rickie Weeks: eligible for arbitration 2009-2001, free agent in 2012
- Bill E. Hall: signed through 2010, club option for $9.25 million in 2011, free agent in 2012
- JJ Hardy: eligible for arbitration 2008-2010, free agent in 2011
So if these 5 are our offensive core (sorry, Jason Kendall), it looks like 2012 is the year everyone could walk, save JJ Hardy, who could be warming up with someone else in 2011.
I'm guessing, then, that after next season, there will be a lot of talk about contract extensions, buying out arbitration and a year or two of free agency. That's also when you start thinking in earnest about which you try to re-sign and which you let go or trade (assuming we don't have the payroll to sign all of them), and how you're going to replace that production.
This is probably the most important reason NOT to trade Gamel for some short-term starting pitching help in the midst of the Gallardo Disaster. Let's say he and that LaPorta character finish 2008 in AA and 2009 in AAA. (They might be ready before then, of course.) That would mean they both would join the team in, say, 2010. That would be a good window to see how well they can hit major-league pitching (and play, or not play, major-league defense). If Gamel can hit and not field --- which is what he's doing now --- then maybe his position of the future is, say, 1st base, as I don't have any reason to think that Prince will stay in Milwaukee one minute longer than he has to, given his dissatisfaction with his current salary and having Boras as an agent.
It also is a decent bet that we'll need to start grooming a middle infielder (Alcides Escobar?) for a vacancy in the next couple of seasons. At least it's good know when this will happen so we can plan.
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I guess I would include Braun in the core as well
Unless you consider him in something complete different.
by brewfan2 on May 5, 2008 3:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I would
But I only listed players who had salary info listed on Rotoworld. (Which is why Gallardo isn’t listed either.) I’d guess they’re under our control until, maybe, 2014?
"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 May 5, 2008 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If I'm not mistaken
both Braun and Gallardo should be under team control through the 2013 season (barring an FA buyout, of course). They had half a season last year with no prior callups, so they should both have six full seasons remaining before being FA-eligible.
by Zeyes on May 5, 2008 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yes
probably true :)
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by jimmyb1799 on May 5, 2008 3:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Cot's Contracts
If you want to know eveyone’s contract along with their service time, check out mlbcontracts.blogspot.com
It’s a great site.
by Trapped in St. Paul on May 5, 2008 5:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I went there first
I didn’t see anything about when FA hits, though.
"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 May 5, 2008 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Weeks as free agent
I.ve tried my best to be a fan of Weeks, but I’ve given up hope on his reaching that elusive “potental”. We need to trade him and get something for this unfortunate first-round pick while some other teams still think he can make it. I’m betting we never have to worry about him leaving as a FA
by richfry on May 5, 2008 6:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Not likely to get much
I like Rickie, and I’m the first to admit that my favorite players aren’t always at the top of their game (although some are). When he was drafted, I think most people realized he was going to take a while to adjust to the pro game after playing in an abysmally weak college conference, and yet he was brought up very quickly. He has taken a long time to start to find some comfort, but I’m not ready to give up on him yet.
One of the reasons I won’t give up on him now—he’s going to be pretty cheap. Since his performance has been sub-par, it’s not like arbitration is going to hammer the Brewers, and a couple more cheap years might be all he needs to realize that potential. As bad as he was last year, he still had a .374 OBP and as slow as the whole team has been this year, Rickie’s tied for 3rd in the NL with 28 runs scored. That’s almost a run scored per game. No one likes to see a strikeout (and that seems to be the biggest frustration), but isn’t the whole point of a leadoff man to score runs?
The main problem with Rickie has always been expectations. If you just sit back and look at what he is producing, he’s not too bad, and if he does take that next step, it will have been worth the wait.
by Marty McSuperFly on May 5, 2008 7:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This year
his BABIP is .212, so don’t get too down on him yet. It’s easy to get frustrated, but I’d still bet on him having one of the top OPS numbers among second basemen in the majors.
Whenever prince is at first, he should charge the mound and yell "MEAT!"
by Jordan M on May 5, 2008 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The core...
doesn’t look likely to stay together through 2010, let alone 2012. Despite Marty’s defense, Weeks has been a disappointment for all but about 6 weeks of his time in the majors, though in the world of baseball economics, that might make him more likely to stay in Milwaukee. If Weeks hovers around .200 all season I don’t think there’s much chance he’ll maintain his OBP and the pace of his runs scored will probably drop as well, leaving little to defend his performance. Hardy’s going to get pressure from Escobar in the next 12 months or so. Escobar probably never match Hardy’s power potential, but he’s a match or better everywhere else, and I suspect that if Gamel and LaPorta stick in the system the front office will be willing to trade offensive production at SS for gold-glove caliber defense. Hart should be affordable, but he may be left without a position (barring a move to CF) if LaPorta stays in the system. Hall’s under contract at semi-reasonable prices, but he’s already been replaced twice at other positions. Fielder is the only one that looks like a lock to stay until just a few months short of his FA date.
My wildly inexpert opinion: by 2010, Hardy will be gone one way or another. I suspect at least one other of the group of Hall, Weeks and Hart will be gone as well. Just my opinion.
"He just needs to eat some bananas." - Lou Piniella
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on May 5, 2008 10:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hardy does seem the easiest to replace
Followed by Hall and Weeks so I’m with you there. I would think all three can be moved before they are eligible for FA. Hart seems to have so much upside potential that he could(emphasize could) become a Dave Winfield-type player. That combination of speed, power, defense and average doesn’t come along every year and if Corey can show he is realizing that potential the team should buy out as many FA years as they can. Winfield had more power as reflected in his OPS+, but Corey has a better build that should allow him to keep his speed longer.
No pressure kid, but get on with that HoF career arc already.
by Getting Yosted on May 6, 2008 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
surprised
i’m surprised that “resigns with the team” isn’t winning easily.
can anyone elaborate on why they’d rather see fielder flipped for prospects, instead of signing a long term deal?
Bring Back The Old Logo!
by jacob on May 6, 2008 9:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't think the Brewers pay him
It’s not a matter of wanting him or not…I just don’t think they end up paying enough to keep him. I guarantee there’s no hometown discount, and he seems savvy enough to know he doesn’t need to sell his free agency years cheap.
by Marty McSuperFly on May 6, 2008 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you can't be certain
We all are so used to the Seligs and the old brewers. We cannot know for certain what kind of money Attanasio is willing to put up until the time comes.
My opinion…. I agree with you, but not because of the money, but more because he probably wants to play in a bigger media.
by brewfan2 on May 6, 2008 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
ok, maybe people misunderstood the question...
What is the best option for the Brewers when it comes to Prince Fielder?
You are saying it is likely the brewers won’t pony enough cash therefore they should trade him. So you’re answering a question like “What is the most realistic option for the Brewers when it comes to Prince Fielder?”
I think the team is better with him, and i think signing him to a long-term contract to buy out 2, maybe 3 FA years is a very good idea.
Bring Back The Old Logo!
by jacob on May 6, 2008 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's fine
I absolutely don’t think that’s going to happen, so I’ll spend as much time thinking about it as I spend on possible Counsell-for-Webb trades. I also don’t think Fielder’s career is going to be spent in the National League.
by Marty McSuperFly on May 6, 2008 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's destined
To be in the American League.
Harveys Wallbangers, Bambie's Bombers, Yosts....youngsters?
by harveyswallbangers on May 6, 2008 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Louis
|
91 | 71 | .561 | 0 | Lost 6 |
|
Chicago
|
83 | 78 | .515 | 7.5 | Lost 1 |
|
Milwaukee
|
80 | 82 | .493 | 11 | Won 3 |
|
Cincinnati
|
78 | 84 | .481 | 13 | Won 2 |
|
Houston
|
74 | 88 | .456 | 17 | Lost 3 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
62 | 99 | .385 | 28.5 | Lost 2 |
(updated 11.21.2009 at 10:31 PM CST)
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