Why Is Jeff Suppan Still Pitching?
by dishingoutdimes on Apr 12, 2009 8:58 PM CDT
53 comments
Because he's making $12,500,000 this year. That's why. For no other reason. There can't possibly be any other reason. He's not an innings eater. He barely gets into the 5th inning any more if he's lucky. It seems like every inning he inherits at least one base runner, and he gets in trouble way more than he doesn't.
If there was a young guy, a prospect, coming up through the ranks and he got his shot at the big leagues and pitched like Jeff Suppan did in his first two games, he would be back in AAA so fast it would make his head spin.
If Mark Attanasio wants to be competitive for the playoffs again, he has to cut Suppan loose soon. If you can mark down every one of Suppan's starts as a loss, this team might struggle to hit 70 wins. The guys just look discouraged when he's in. I have no confidence that he can ever get out of a jam. And apparently now Macha is going to adopt the Yost approach of letting Suppan dig himself into way more trouble than he should.
In that "blowup" inning tonight against the Cubs, Suppan wasn't even close to the strike zone. The ESPN announcer said he's never EVER seen a team walk in four runs in an inning. He threw a ball into the grass in front of the plate! I've never seen that ever, in any level of baseball play.
Clearly Suppan is extremely ineffective. If the Brewers are serious about making the playoffs, they need to find another option.
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the Brewers might as well forfeit when Suppan is scheduled to pitch. If nothing else, it will save fans the agony
by coreyhess on Apr 12, 2009 10:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I've been curious for the last year
what would happen if they sent him to the minors.
by tcyoung on Apr 12, 2009 10:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
He would have to clear waivers.
Though, now that I think about it, I wonder if anybody would claim him.
:) + Suppan = :'(
by NoahJ on Apr 13, 2009 12:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How would that work, contract-wise?
If they don’t have to take on his contract, I’m sure somebody would pick him up. Rangers maybe?
by tcyoung on Apr 13, 2009 12:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's why I don't think anyone would pick him up.
I think if you claim someone off waivers, you assume the rest of their salary as well, though perhaps someone more knowledgable than myself would be able to elaborate further. If teams picked him up at the ML minimum, I would think there would be a few teams interested.
:) + Suppan = :'(
by NoahJ on Apr 13, 2009 1:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If the other team would assume his contract
CAN WE PLEASE PUT SEND HIM DOWN?!
by tcyoung on Apr 13, 2009 1:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No other team would
If they really wanted him, they’d wait for him to clear waivers and opt for free agency (which he can do as a veteran), leaving the Brewers on the hook for his salary.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Apr 13, 2009 5:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Where's the harm, though?
Obvioiusly nobody would take the contract. But at the same time, at least we know we’re not gonna lose him and still have to pay his contract. Maybe something willl happen to him when he goes down to the minors, and everything will click.
by tcyoung on Apr 13, 2009 8:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
because he would never get to the minors
He’d opt for FA, most likely, and then we’d be stuck with the contract when someone else picks him up.
by marty22 on Apr 13, 2009 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If they pay the league minimum,
At least we’re only on the hook for $12 MM!!!! Eitherway, I think it’s worth asking. If we approach it in the correct manner, it’s possible that he would be willing to accept it. I really wouldn’t be surprised to see that happen if his next 3 starts are pitiful.
by tcyoung on Apr 13, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
this is partly why fake injuries get invented
for various reasons (union/pride/money), a vet making $12MM just doesn’t accept assignments to the minors.
But…if Suppan gets a mysterious strain of the left intercostal thyroid labrum, he can sit out a few days, then if necessary, get sent on an up-to-30-day minor league rehab. The end result is about the same—he’s off the roster for a while, he gets to work on stuff in the minors, and we have the option of bringing him back in case a lot of our pitchers are attacked by Reed Johnson in the meantime.
Also, cheese.
by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 13, 2009 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha
Not just 1 pitcher being attacked by Reed… A LOT of pitchers. Are you implying that he wouldn’t be the first option to replace a pitcher in the majors if he got “injured?”
by tcyoung on Apr 13, 2009 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Precisely.
I’m pretty high on Matt Ginter :).
Also, cheese.
by Jeff Sackmann on Apr 13, 2009 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, he’s over rated. Bring back McClung.
Loyal to Wisconsin sports regardless of who they play, usually.
by KWSN on Apr 12, 2009 10:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't know that I'd say overrated.
Overpaid? Yes. You have to have people calling you good to be overrated.
by tcyoung on Apr 12, 2009 10:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's the in the #1 spot of the rotation
that’s enough said to me, obviously Macha thinks he’s good enough for that, so there we go.
Loyal to Wisconsin sports regardless of who they play, usually.
by KWSN on Apr 12, 2009 10:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We've beaten this issue to death
Rotational order doesn’t make a difference.
by tcyoung on Apr 12, 2009 11:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think they will make up an injury soon
Maybe wait another start or two, though.
The artist formerly known as jihad.
by Jordan M on Apr 12, 2009 10:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
FanGraphs just announced that when Suppan pitches the Brewers WE will start at 10%.
by HRF on Apr 12, 2009 10:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
10 percent?
They actually think the Brewers have a 1 in 10 chance of winning? They overrate our chances.
by coreyhess on Apr 12, 2009 10:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
it needs to be just like when Gagne was benched last year. Suppan comes in whenever we are up or down by six runs, and either DeFelice or McClung will have to do.
He hasen't gotten on base in Weeks.
by kuxinhell on Apr 12, 2009 10:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It's not surprising that he pitched poorly
But it’s astounding how badly he was missing his spots. Bouncing the ball 5 feet in front of the plate?
The dude looked lost up there.
"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 Apr 12, 2009 11:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe he could be converted to center field
The artist formerly known as jihad.
by Jordan M on Apr 12, 2009 11:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe he could be converted to peanut vendor.
"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 Apr 12, 2009 11:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Beer Salesman
He has to stop working after the 7th.
by tcyoung on Apr 12, 2009 11:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd feel sorry for the person wanting the peanuts
The peanuts wouldn’t end up within 5 rows of the person.
BCB, the preferred above replacement level sarcasm supplier.
by MadJimiBrewha on Apr 13, 2009 12:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Come on Jordan, you know as well as I do that this is what Suppan would be like in the outfield:
:) + Suppan = :'(
by NoahJ on Apr 13, 2009 1:05 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
whos gonna post the video again?
"At least we still have math on our side" - Ned Yost
by Prentice on Apr 13, 2009 12:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I know Suppan gives a lot of money to the community.
But being a giving person doesn’t have to stretch to the baseball field..
by tcyoung on Apr 13, 2009 1:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
He's a giver on the field
a giver of walks that is
"Actually we're wonderful multitaskers... We can pick apart our team misfortunes at losing the first two series of the season AND make fun of the Cubs." - roguejim on BCB commentators
by KWSN on Apr 13, 2009 1:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can't we just invite him to his own ritual killing?
I’ll bring the candles
I just sit back and root for the taser
I'm on Twitter now. www.twitter.com/Enrico_Palazzo_
by Hyatt on Apr 13, 2009 8:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
cut him?
how does that work, salary-wise? Do we pay his full salary, or only half? If its half, or less I say CUT HIM. We’re short 6 million but we get 6 million back to spend on someone more worthy. Who’s out there to sign?
I mean, it seems just about ANYONE out there will give us a better chance at winning games. I know McClung would love to be in the rotation as well…
by rootsmaneuver on Apr 13, 2009 9:03 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Suppan's salary is guaranteed
The only scenarios he doesn’t get his full salary from the Brewers are if he’s claimed off of waivers by a different team or chooses to become a free agent after clearing waivers. Neither of those situations are going to happen. The Brewers are on the hook for the money.
by ecocd on Apr 13, 2009 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Veterans Consent
If a player has 5 years of major-league service, he may not be assigned to a minor-league team without his consent, regardless of whether he has already been outrighted once, even if he clears waivers. If the player withholds consent, the team must either release him or keep him on the major league roster. In either case, the player must continue to be paid under the terms of his contract. If he is released and signs with a new team, his previous team must pay the difference in salary between the two contracts if the previous contract called for a greater salary.
So basically, we are on the hook. No team would consider claiming him before he files for FA.
by SgtClueLs on Apr 13, 2009 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's a good guy
Maybe he’ll give his consent.
by tcyoung on Apr 13, 2009 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The man’s against stem cells. I’m doubting it.
by HRF on Apr 13, 2009 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can we just cut the middleman, and give the money straight to charity?
At least Mark A. could write it off on his taxes.
by tcyoung on Apr 13, 2009 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Put him in the bullpen and only let him pitch if it's a blowout
I know it’s basically a waste of 12.5 MIL but the Brewers need to prove they are serious about winning.
Crimson and Cream Machine
Baseball season = Go Brew Crew!
by dishingoutdimes on Apr 13, 2009 9:39 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
If he doesn’t improve, this is the best option IMO. But he’ll probably improve.
by richardhkirkando on Apr 13, 2009 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can't get much worse
I just sit back and root for the taser
I'm on Twitter now. www.twitter.com/Enrico_Palazzo_
by Hyatt on Apr 13, 2009 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe he just needs glasses
It worked for Rick Vaughn.
by Marty McSuperFly on Apr 13, 2009 11:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
or perhaps warming up with Jobu
between that and the KY ball, it worked for Eddie Harris.
I just sit back and root for the taser
I'm on Twitter now. www.twitter.com/Enrico_Palazzo_
by Hyatt on Apr 13, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
oooh
Here’s a fun fan event. Everyone shows up to Suppan’s next start with jalapenos, in case he needs to get his nose running.
by Marty McSuperFly on Apr 13, 2009 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
and when he still sucks
we can then throw them at him.
I just sit back and root for the taser
I'm on Twitter now. www.twitter.com/Enrico_Palazzo_
by Hyatt on Apr 13, 2009 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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NL Central Standings
| 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 11.8.2009 at 10:18 PM CST)
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