Brewers sign Looper
Doesn't sound very definite, but, you know...
UPDATE (by jihad): Deal in place pending physical.
9 months ago
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Really.
He had a 4.16 ERA last season in 33 starts. For one, no one on our team had 33 starts. For two, he had an ERA better than our projected #2-4 starters. I’d be thrilled to get him.
"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 Feb 9, 2009 11:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Assuming that 2008 was him getting used to starting, sure. He was junk in 2007 though, and barely above average in 2008.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/psplit.cgi?n1=loopebr01#role-sprel
Maybe I was wrong, tOPS+ of 108 as a starter. I’ll take that too. 4-5M only though.
by Mykenk on Feb 9, 2009 11:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
That 108 is relative to Looper's overall line, not to the league.
by Zeyes on Feb 9, 2009 12:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Right, I was showing his effectiveness relative to his time as a reliever.
by Mykenk on Feb 9, 2009 12:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ah, you meant to imply that he’s gotten less worse due to the role switch than other pitchers?
by Zeyes on Feb 9, 2009 12:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Better than the rotation we have...
Can we give Suppan and his contract back as a thank you?
Frank Kremblas for Crew Manager.
by CATALYST on Feb 9, 2009 11:19 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
You do realize Suppan’s still in the rotation.
by Mykenk on Feb 9, 2009 11:21 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
So how about we don't sign any better players and just give up.
Looper=average starting pitcher. Average=good. If you can get him for 1 year and less than 8, you do it.
Scored three times and detonated an indisputable in four visits to the batting box.
by Jordan M on Feb 9, 2009 11:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Less than 8?! I’d say less than 6.
Although might take 8 for a 1 year. Maybe 1 year, 6M, with a generous option… not 8M for an average starter, especially not when Wolf only got 5.
by Mykenk on Feb 9, 2009 11:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I would say 5.2MM
Is all he should get in this market…
Also, does this mean McClung starts the season in the pen until someone gets injured? I would love this move and make me feel a lot happier going into the season.
The designated hitter rule is like letting someone else take Wilt Chamberlain's free throws.
by Kyguy922 on Feb 9, 2009 11:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If they move McClung to the bullpen, it should be to the back of the bullpen, and he should be used in high leverage situations, and should NOT get any spot starts. Give the guy a job, and don’t yank him around like they did with CV. Let him settle in.
by Mykenk on Feb 9, 2009 11:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Who do you propose gets any spot starts when necessary?
Apparently not Villinueva, so who’s left? The only one I can think of is Difelice, and signing Looper takes away one chance that he starts the season on the big league team.
Eric Gagne DL time: May 23-June 29 Brewers record in that span: 20-9
by NoahJ on Feb 9, 2009 3:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I propose our starting rotation stay healthy and not need a spot starter. I propose that we effectively use our revamped bullpen to not overwork our starting rotation, so that they can go when they need to go.
I propose not needing a spot starter unless someone gets hurt, in which case, who cares if we dip into the minors?
Villenueva can make spot “starts,” just put in a reliever after 3 or 4 innings, which is what you should expect from a “spot starter” anyway. If you expect more than that, then they shouldn’t be a “spot starter,” should they?
by Mykenk on Feb 9, 2009 3:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I see no problem with having McClung "start" for 3-4 innings, than.
The starting rotation won’t stay healthy throughout the entire year, and I would much rather see McClung starting than a AAA arm who wasn’t deemed worthy of making the team from the get-go. The exception, of course, would be if Seth is really struggling or some AAA arm is lighting it up.
We don’t really have much in the minors to “dip into” and certainly nothing better than McClung.
Eric Gagne DL time: May 23-June 29 Brewers record in that span: 20-9
by NoahJ on Feb 9, 2009 3:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
thanks for reminding us
"She might have been the one that got away.....who am I kidding? They all got away!"
by trippingandy on Feb 9, 2009 6:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
As of 11:26, per the j-s blog...
“NEW UPDATE: JUST GOT WORD FROM ONE MORE SOURCE THAT THE LOOPER SIGNING IS GOING TO HAPPEN. POSTING THIS AT 11:26 A.M.”
by Wayfaerer on Feb 9, 2009 11:38 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Next Question #2
True/False:
Dave Bush has a career ERA of 4.45 now and projects at a 4.00-4.30 ERA in most systems. That is not really weak for a #3 starter at all.
Looper slots in as an above average #4 starter and Suppan is likely above average at #5. As long as Parra improves a little this is an above average rotation with Looper.
But as others have said it is also a rotation that will struggle to go enough innings total so having a more sure thing like Looper is probably a better bet than a risky guy like Mulder.
by Mykenk on Feb 9, 2009 11:44 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Really...
Isn’t all we need is a rotation that has an ERA under 10? Then we’ll hit 11 HRs a game to win? That’s what Yost’s strategy would’ve been…
Frank Kremblas for Crew Manager.
by CATALYST on Feb 9, 2009 11:49 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Nah, that's the Texas Rangers strategy
It has to be; look at all the dumbhead trades Jon Daniels has made involving shipping out pitching.
by morineko on Feb 9, 2009 11:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Eh Jon Daniels?
How about the Doug Melvin run team with A-Rod, Canseco, Pudge, Juan Gonzalez, Palmeiro, Kevin Elster (who? Well, look at that HR production in Texas. Thanks The Cream. Or The Clear), etc.
Pretty sure Doug knows all about all HR, no AVG, no pitching.
by Charlie Marlow on Feb 9, 2009 6:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Dude
A-rod was the John Hart era, wasn’t it?
I just sit back and root for the taser
by Hyatt on Feb 9, 2009 7:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm pretty sure Melvin was the guy who inked him to the 10/152 deal
But not positive.
by Charlie Marlow on Feb 9, 2009 9:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think the Looper signing
Will put to rest a lot of my depth concerns… can still suffer an injury or two, and survive.
The question becomes who drops off the 40 man? Sticking with Rogers or hoping he slips by… Wright drops? I don’t know the move, but that is the smaller concern now.
Good news Brewers, waiting the market to drop his price, if it was in the 3 Million range with an extra million in incentives wouldn’t be opposed… assuming it’s jsut a 1 year deal.
Our 4 and 5 starters will be former St Louis Cards… the good news atleast Looper wont have the Suppan contract!
The designated hitter rule is like letting someone else take Wilt Chamberlain's free throws.
by Kyguy922 on Feb 9, 2009 12:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
40 man roster
Scarpetta drops off, right?
by Supertramp on Feb 9, 2009 12:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Rottino, most likely.
Maybe Luis Pena.
He’s not the worst pitcher ever, just the worst good pitcher.
by KLSnow on Feb 9, 2009 12:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Jeff Suppan
:D
"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 Feb 9, 2009 12:19 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I prefer they drop Rottino over Pena.
I don’t think Rottino will ever be a very good bench player anywhere except catcher, and we have plenty of catchers in our system.
Eric Gagne DL time: May 23-June 29 Brewers record in that span: 20-9
by NoahJ on Feb 9, 2009 3:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Chuckle-worthy passage in the latest update...
Also, a reader who knows a friend of Looper heard from the friend that Looper expects to come to an agreement with the Brewers today. The reader said the friend had been in touch with Looper.
I can only wonder TomH would think of that type of sketchy information-gathering if it appeared on a blog…
by Zeyes on Feb 9, 2009 12:35 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
Heh, that post has been now replaced with
Although I’m’ pretty sure Braden Looper has agreed to a deal with the Brewers, we’ve decided to put “might” back in the headline until I get confirmation from a club source or Looper’s agent.
Even on a blog, we decided not to cite the indirect confirmation from Looper’s wife or the friend who knows him as confirmation of a deal.
by Zeyes on Feb 9, 2009 2:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I can only wonder TomH would think of that type of sketchy information-gathering if it appeared on a blog…
Apparently he didn’t learn his lesson after he had Ned Yost fired after the Boston series last year…
by Charlie Marlow on Feb 9, 2009 6:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
looper
from the sounds of this, things are sounding good.
by BenSheets15 on Feb 9, 2009 12:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I think signing Looper
would be super-duper.
"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 Feb 9, 2009 12:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I'd like to get a response from
Cecil Cooper
by tcyoung on Feb 9, 2009 1:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds like you guys are trying to create a new verse to Taco’s “Puttin on the Ritz”
by juggernaut400 on Feb 9, 2009 1:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
someone
has been to Hersheypark
September 15: Not a bad little Monday
by molitorfan on Feb 9, 2009 8:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I have it on pretty good authority that the Looper signing is imminent
jeff: but i shudder to think of the bullpen analogy to sending the runner
by battlekow on Feb 9, 2009 12:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Are you the friend of a friend of Looper mentioned in Tom H.'s entry?
He’s not the worst pitcher ever, just the worst good pitcher.
by KLSnow on Feb 9, 2009 1:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm actually Mrs. Braden Looper
It’s time for the deceit to end.
jeff: but i shudder to think of the bullpen analogy to sending the runner
by battlekow on Feb 9, 2009 1:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I knew you'd been gone a while.
But I didn’t know you’d turned into Shannon Looper!
Found that via this site, btw.
He’s not the worst pitcher ever, just the worst good pitcher.
by KLSnow on Feb 9, 2009 3:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
ok, I have to jump in here
I’ve met battlekow in person, and I can say for certain that THAT’S HIM!
Sure, when I met him, he had facial hair, but I’m 99% sure that, clean-shaven and clad in a satiny red top, that’s what he’d look like.
Also, cheese.
by Jeff Sackmann on Feb 9, 2009 3:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
A replacement for the new hot Brewer wife?
Big shoes to fill with Kapler gone, but I will take it! Good looking family
The designated hitter rule is like letting someone else take Wilt Chamberlain's free throws.
by Kyguy922 on Feb 9, 2009 3:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
So does he get penciled in as McClung’s replacement, or Suppan’s?
please be Suppan’s :(
by warwick5s on Feb 9, 2009 1:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
My guess McClung
We always need relief help, and McClung pitched very well in the home stretch. Plus I’d pee myself if he was a closer.. mmm.. big red.
by SgtClueLs on Feb 9, 2009 1:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I like McClung in the 'pen, personally.
Here’s how the bullpen could look -
CL Hoffman
SUA Villanueva
SUB McClung
MRA Julio
MRB Stetter
LOOGY Swindle
LR Morlan
I don’t want us to feel handcuffed by having Riske in the pen, but if we do so be it. I’m a huge fan of Swindle though, so I’d really like to see him in Milwaukee.
---
Juuuust a bit outside!!
http://www.rightfieldbleachers.com
by Jack Moore on Feb 9, 2009 1:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Morlan’s not making the team out of ST. Not a chance.
by Mykenk on Feb 9, 2009 1:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Unless, of course, this truly is a “rebuilding” year. Can’t afford to try to contend with a AA arm in the ’pen.
by Mykenk on Feb 9, 2009 1:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think the bullpen will have eight.
Just a hunch. If that’s the case, then Riske slides nicely into the alignment you have, maybe in Stetter’s spot, leaving the team with 2 LOOGYs.
Also, I’m beginning to expect Jorge Julio won’t make the opening day roster. Another hunch.
He’s not the worst pitcher ever, just the worst good pitcher.
by KLSnow on Feb 9, 2009 1:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think Suppan and Looper should piggy-back starts.
Tell me you wouldn’t buy tickets to see Soup and Loop.
He’s not the worst pitcher ever, just the worst good pitcher.
by KLSnow on Feb 9, 2009 1:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I see corporate sponsorships
This pitching brought to you by Campbells and Kelloggs!
by Getting Yosted on Feb 9, 2009 2:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
40-man
it won’t be Scarpetta to drop off. What do I know, but I’d guess Rottino. I also wouldn’t be surprised it it was Gwynn.
by cmow on Feb 9, 2009 2:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Maybe Casey McGehee?
I’d probably go with Gwynn, personally, but McGehee seems like a guy they only took a flyer on because he happened to be available, without much of a direct roster need (even moreso since the Lamb re-signing)
by Zeyes on Feb 9, 2009 2:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm still betting Rottino
He’s not the worst pitcher ever, just the worst good pitcher.
by KLSnow on Feb 9, 2009 2:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm still betting Suppan
Because, really, you can’t have your worst starter being paid more than the other 4 starters combined.
"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 Feb 9, 2009 3:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Suppan was actually pretty good in 2007.
Before sucking last year.
I am pretty sure he gets at least 3 months to see if 2008 was an anomaly. I am pretty happy to give him a chance to do that.
by Braun Holio on Feb 9, 2009 5:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Feeling kinda punny
His highlight video would give new meaning to the term BLooper reel.
by Acheron on Feb 9, 2009 3:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Not a bad hitter
Looper batted .254 last year with 4 extra-base hits. Not bad for only his second year as a starting pitcher.
by oconnobe on Feb 9, 2009 3:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Pitcher batting 8th again this year when Looper and Gallardo are batting?
Or do we think Macha is more conventional
The designated hitter rule is like letting someone else take Wilt Chamberlain's free throws.
by Kyguy922 on Feb 9, 2009 4:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Fifth, perhaps.
He’s not the worst pitcher ever, just the worst good pitcher.
by KLSnow on Feb 9, 2009 4:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Only if we trade Cameron and sign Dunn for a lineup of:
Dunn-RF
Braun-LF
Fielder-1B
Hardy-SS
Hart-CF
Hall/Gamel-3B
Kendall-Grit
Pitcher
Weeks-2B
I like to call this the Patrick Ewing lineup. Sure we’d score alot of runs, but we’d give up alot too.
by Getting Yosted on Feb 9, 2009 4:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If I had that lineup
I think I’d bat Weeks fifth and let Hart flail away at three straight in front of the pitcher.
He’s not the worst pitcher ever, just the worst good pitcher.
by KLSnow on Feb 9, 2009 4:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
As long as Macha doesn’t make Suppan pinch hit like Ned used to, I don’t care what he does with the pitchers. (McClung has to be anyone’s choice for disused-pitcher-off-the-bench PH, no? unless you want him to bunt, he’s awful at that)
by morineko on Feb 9, 2009 4:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Sweet relief
He fills the now-vacant “former Olympian” spot in the rotation.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Feb 9, 2009 4:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Good News
This is great! At the very least we need depth, and IMO McClung is better in the pen (just like Villanueva). I hope it goes through. This was a major need.
Let’s not forget that CC only pitched in the 2nd half of the season for us, and Sheets missed a few starts. Basically we’re plugging Gallardo in Sheets’ spot. Then we just need the other 4 guys to step up a bit more, and we’re back to where we were last season.
Also, hopefully we’ll improve our hitting with runners in scoring position.
by dishingoutdimes on Feb 9, 2009 5:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Can someone throw a hot pocket at this move for me?
I just sit back and root for the taser
by Hyatt on Feb 9, 2009 6:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Do you not like it
please explain if so
Scored three times and detonated an indisputable in four visits to the batting box.
by Jordan M on Feb 9, 2009 6:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
For Jihad
It’s not a terrible signing, but ask yourself, do we really need another 3-4-5 starter? This just leads to the question of who’s going to step up to be the #2 guy. I mean, are you comfortable and confident that we are going in with a Gallardo-Parra-Bush-Looper-Suppan rotation? Is this a rotation of a competitor for a playoff spot? My answer is no.
So the looper signing in and of itself is not bad, but it’s not putting us to the level we were entering last season. So, like everything else this off-season, I remain underwhelmed.
I just sit back and root for the taser
by Hyatt on Feb 9, 2009 7:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
You can read my front-page post for more thoughts, but...
we do need another 3-4-5 starter. I’d prefer better, but better is not available. Might as well upgrade and get close to a playoff spot if you can.
I think most people really overestimate the competition. If this is an 86 win team, we’ll be right in the thick of the wildcard race.
Upgrading is preferable to doing nothing at this point.
In re: last year at this time, yes we were in better shape, but realize we got 25 inning out of Yovani. So if you consider:
Sheets, Parra, Bush, Suppan, and Villanueva/McClung
v
Gallardo, Parra, Bush, Looper, and Suppan
I’d say we’re right where we were last year before the Sabathia deal, after YoGa got hurt.
Scored three times and detonated an indisputable in four visits to the batting box.
by Jordan M on Feb 9, 2009 7:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'd contend we're worse off
simply for the fact (and do not get me wrong, I love Gallardo) that Sheets was a known commodity. You knew he was going to give you 20-24 good starts, and be injured and ineffective for 4-8. Sad to say, but Gallardo has not had a full season on the big league level, and thus, we can only assume what we’ll get from him all year long. I assume it’s going to be good, but I still felt a lot more comfortable last year than I do this year.
Now my pessimism is stemming from what we lost in CC, and the lack of compensation we got in return. I like the Looper signing, but we aren’t better than we were at the end of last year, and that’s why I am not happily gnawing on the scraps that I’ve been tossed this year. Where’s the woo-hoo in Hoffman, Julio and Looper?
I just sit back and root for the taser
by Hyatt on Feb 9, 2009 7:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I know that's what Sheets did....
…. but I think it’s a stretch to say we knew going into the year we’d get 20-24 good starts out of him.
I have an unreasonable dislike of Bill Hall.
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Feb 9, 2009 8:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Less Draft Picks
Someone made a good point on another site that I didn’t see here.
The loss of expected draft picks freed up some signing bonus money. That might have allowed Doug to use the money elsewhere ie on Looper.
Do what is right even when everyone knows it is coming. It is still right.
by kraft4a3 on Feb 10, 2009 11:09 AM CST 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 4:31 AM CST)
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