Thursday's Frosty Mug
by Kyle Lobner on Mar 25, 2010 9:17 AM CDT
in Milwaukee Brewers News
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PrintSome things to read while taking it one step at a time.
The Brewers enjoyed their only Cactus League off day yesterday, and it gave the front office some time to meet and discuss the options for the final few spots on the pitching staff. Adam McCalvy handicapped the field for the remaining spots, including a couple of interesting notes I hadn't seen before:
- McCalvy says Ken Macha listed his priorities as track record, organizational depth and long-term outlook, in that order.
- Macha had some nice things to say about Chris Narveson's game, but called him an "older guy." He's ten months older than Manny Parra.
- Macha did not go out of his way to defend Jeff Suppan's recent performances. Consider this exchange:
In his last start against the Angels on Friday, Suppan allowed the first five batters to reach base and surrendered five first-inning runs. His game started with a walk and a home run, then single, single, double.
Suppan explained that it was his first opportunity to use his full arsenal of pitches and he was too "amped up" for the game. Macha had a slightly different take, saying he had to send Peterson to the mound to remind Suppan to throw some offspeed stuff.
"It's not something that hasn't been mentioned before," Macha said. "That's how he has to pitch. ... That wasn't a real good outing for 'Soup.'"
Suppan and Parra are both expected to pitch today, with Suppan starting and Parra pitching out of the bullpen.
You have to give credit to Chris Narveson this spring: He entered camp as a long shot to make the team, but has pitched his way to a position where the team might be scared to expose him on waivers. Tom Haudricourt has a look at Narveson's long and winding road to the Brewers, starting with his appearances for the 2006 Cardinals.
Once the pitching staff is decided, it'll be up to Rick Peterson to turn it into a winner. On a conference call with reporters yesterday, new ESPN analyst Orel Hershiser said he thinks Peterson is someone who "is going to attack all areas of a pitcher's life," and could have a big impact this season.
Meanwhile, Tom Haudricourt notes that the Brewers have gotten what they were looking for from each of the four waiver claims they brought to camp this spring: George Kottaras, Joe Inglett, Luis Cruz and Marco Estrada.
Elsewhere in camp minutiae:
- Tom Haudricourt has a profile of Joe Koshansky, including Koshansky's self-critique of his 2009 season.
- Also noted in that post: With Koshansky in camp, the team sent Steffan Wilson back to minor league camp to get more consistent playing time.
In the minors:
- Baseball Intellect has unveiled their top 5 Brewer prospects for 2010, with Brett Lawrie, Eric Arnett, Jonathan Lucroy, Wily Peralta and Cody Scarpetta featured.
- The Brewers traded infielder Edgar Trejo to the Mariners for a PTBNL or cash. Trejo, who primarily plays third base, is 20 years old and split the 2009 season between Helena and Wisconsin, hitting .231/.272/.349 in 272 PAs.
How did they know I need new plates? Don Walker of the Journai Sentinel reports that Brewer license plates will be unveiled soon, with the proceeds helping pay off the Miller Park construction debt.
On predictions/projections/other stuff:
- Tipping Pitches predicts the Brewers will win 85 games.
- Athlon Sports has their 2010 Brewer preview.
- Ned Yost would be proud: Ryan Braun (Brauny) ranked #1 in FantasyPros911.com's list of baseball's top ten "Y" nicknames. (h/t BBTF)
- Doug Melvin might be slightly less proud: By paying Bill Hall $8.5 million to play for the Red Sox this season, the Brewers are committing 10% of their payroll to paying players to play somewhere else, the fifth highest percentage in baseball.
Speaking of projections, Tom Tango needs your help projecting playing time for the 2010 Brewers.
Miller Park Drunk also needs some help, as demonstrated by this fan fiction email exchange between Rickie Weeks and J.J. Hardy.
Around baseball:
Athletics: Acquired pitcher Edwar Ramirez from the Rangers for infielder Gregorio Petit.
Giants: Signed Jeremy Affeldt to a new two year deal paying him $4.5 million in 2010 and 2011, with an option for 2012.
Nationals: Signed Mike MacDougal to a minor league deal.
Twins: Signed Ron Mahay to a minor league deal.
Yankees: Released pitcher Chad Gaudin.
Also noted in the link on the A's-Rangers swap above: The Rangers outrighted Hernan Iribarren to AAA yesterday. Apparently he was able to slip through waivers on the second try.
Today's slices of life from spring training:
- Livan Hernandez plays racquetball.
- Jake Peavy drinks chai.
Every postseason we complain about the schedule, specifically the number of unnecessary off days. Major League Baseball has heard our complaints, and is prepared to offer a solution: They're removing one off day from the LCS this year...and adding one before the World Series. Clearly, the problem is fixed now.
Speaking of problems that have yet to be resolved, Jeff Zimmerman of Beyond the Box Score has a look at pitcher and hitter friendly umpires. I'm bookmarking that post for future reference.
It's hard to tell what happened here but it's a shame, at any rate: Danny Duffy, a 21-year-old lefty Baseball America rated as the Royals' #8 prospect for 2010, has decided to quit baseball.
Happy birthday today to Gorman (perhaps better known as the Rally Lobster), who turns 2.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm craving some pizza.
Drink up.
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Lets hope the Brewers become #1
In paying players to other clubs. We can do it! All it takes is a cut of Suppan and another club to pick him up!
Narveson's age
sounds kind of important that macha know how old the guy is to help his decision making, etc. if only there was some way to tell him
I think Macha's comment...
was due to the fact that Narveson is an “older guy” for a player who is just now reaching his potential.
by sjlee on Mar 25, 2010 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Random thought
Should the Brewers have any interest in Chad Gaudin?
1. Signing him would be an easy way to cut Suppan as we wouldn’t need to keep him for depth
2. 26 years old
3. 4.50 career ERA and 7.0 K/9
4. He is right handed and has mostly started, but also pitched out of the bullpen in the past
5. Great facial hair
I have no idea what he would cost. The Yankees cut him to avoid paying his $2.95M salary so presumably less than that. I’m thinking around $1M might get it done. I really have no idea.
Is this a really dumb idea?
Get a ife broseph
by Supertramp on Mar 25, 2010 9:42 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Dumb?
Never dumb to sign depth, but I wouldn’t think the Brewers would be interested in signing someone the Yankees didn’t even think was worth spending “only” $3M on (which to them is a drop in the bucket). Also, the Yankees were his 6th team over only 7 seasons in MLB… there’s probably some baggage coming along with him.
He only seems like a small upgrade over Suppan… not sure if that’s worth adding another $1M to the team payroll.
I would consider signing him to a minor league contract.
Not a bad idea but..
It may be a moot point since he is a FA. There’s got to be a better opportunity for him elsewhere I would think.
Agreed
He’d have to agree to a minor league deal for him to make sense for the Brewers at this point, and he’d almost certainly have to open the season (and perhaps spend significant time) in AAA, since he’d be SP #7.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by Kyle Lobner on Mar 25, 2010 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions
That would be a great pickup
According to CHONE Gaudin would be the fourth best pitcher on the team next season, he would probably be fairly cheap, he’s still very young, and he seems like a good project for Peterson; aside from already heaving an excellent FIP the last two seasons (4.16 and 4.14), his stats make it look like his main problem is suffering from Manny Parra-syndrome – he had an 8.5 K/9 last season but a 4.6 BB/9 – which if brought down would make him an even better pitcher.
Ryan Braun: He loves it.
That's kind of what I'm thinking
He got shuffled around a lot when he was younger and inconsistent, don’t think that had anything to do with an attitude problem. I also don’t think the fact that the Yankees and their loaded rotation and bullpen let him go means anything.
I did see somewhere on Twitter that the Mets were interested. Assuming that makes the price go up, I don’t think it ultimately works. With all the money already invested in the bullpen and pitching staff I don’t think you can pay what his asking price will be for a #6 or #7 starter.
Get a ife broseph
I fully agree with both of you
but I think Kyle and klwillis’ points above hold. He’s probably good enough to be on someone’s starting major league staff (and it seems as if the Mets have a good amount of interest), so not sure he’d want to come to Milwaukee.
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Mar 25, 2010 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Plates
The license plate thing was something I suggested to my state rep a year + ago. I am glad it finally is happening and I will have one if for no other reason than to pi$$ off the FIBs and Cubs fans down here in Shitcago
by Saberilliterate on Mar 25, 2010 9:46 AM CDT reply actions
Its about time they got around to releasing these these license plates.
It was announced over a year ago. Link. Now I just need to decide what I will personalize it with. Suggestions?
by BrewHaHeather on Mar 25, 2010 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions
How about...
BCBRLZ?
BTW – A few weeks ago I saw someone with personalized Packer plates on my way to work… it was something like JJHRDY.
I wanted to pull up next to her and give her my condolences.
I've seen a license plate near UWM a few times
that says “UNTUCKM.” They might need to change that soon.
by BrewHaHeather on Mar 25, 2010 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Unless the Panthers are planning on doing that
But I’m not sure if it’ll make much difference considering how baggy basketball uniforms are now.
Waiting until April 2010 to release the plates
makes some sense, as it’s the start of the MLB season, and the first start of the season since the current (09-11) budget was adopted. It might have made a bit more sense to release them in January or February, so the plates might actually be ready by April.
As for personalization ideas, I am selfishly reluctant to share mine.
You've got a couple screws missin' up in your toolbox, if you think that you'll stop this man from hittin' moonshots.
I can tell you want not to personalize it with
Or rather, what they won’t let you personalize it with.
Failure is just success rounded down.
Did you know that you can have 1-6 characters on the special plates?
Can you imagine having a single character on a plate? I don’t recall ever seeing any like that.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Yeah, well, sometimes I drink.
by Dikembe Meiztombo on Mar 25, 2010 10:12 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
You're not the boss of me!
"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!"
Hope they dump Suppan
doubt they do.
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Mar 25, 2010 10:16 AM CDT reply actions
A point of parliamentary procedure
Is having a major league track record enough, or are they considering what the recent track record is? Because Hank Aaron has a track record, are we signing him to play LF?
This quote tells me it is down to Soup and Bush:
“So, for instance, we’ve got some guys who are out of options, and they are younger guys,” Macha said. “You wouldn’t want to lose them and then you’re sitting here next year with no pitching. That comes into play.”
When there is a scuffle in Ireland, there’s no need to specifically mention in the news story that alcohol was involved
by Getting Yosted on Mar 25, 2010 10:16 AM CDT reply actions
Really?
That quote seems to indicate that they are concerned about losing Narveson and Bush because next year they’ll need someone to take Suppan’s spot (assuming he’s getting a spot this year).
Probably more concerned about losing Narveson and Parra.
Bush will be a free agent after the season.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by Kyle Lobner on Mar 25, 2010 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Sorry
I meant the last spot is down to a choice between Soup and Bush, with Parra and Narvedog having made the roster.
When there is a scuffle in Ireland, there’s no need to specifically mention in the news story that alcohol was involved
by Getting Yosted on Mar 25, 2010 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions
If Suppan's gone, the Brewers payrolls looks even more like s***
I guess the measure of dead money is both bad contracts, but also a measure of dumping bad contracts. I wonder how likely Melvin thought his chances were to still be the GM when Suppan was in the final year of his contract.
I’m so glad you found that umpire article KL. I’ll probably even print it out and keep a copy so I can reference it for every start. There are some pitches to left-handers that would practically hit them before he would call them a ball. That’s insane and he needs to be slapped silly. Tim McClellan and the like also need to be made to stare at those heat maps until their imprinted on the backs of their eyeballs. Get the robots!
I kind of like Macha’s priorities in pitching analysis. When the decisions are made, I guess we’ll know whether DM’s priorities are similar.
I guess I interpret his priorities differently
When he says ‘track record’ first, to me that says ‘a guy who’s been in the majors a long time’. I feel like Macha has done a good job of proving that he will stick to ‘veteran guys’ to a fault if given the opportunity, so it makes me nervous that Suppan has a leg up. All we can hope for is that Suppan continues to pitch himself into a hole, and the management and front office has no choice but to refuse to put him in the rotation.
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Mar 25, 2010 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions
Hmmm, I chose to look at 'track record'
as a way to justify Bush and Parra in the rotation over Narveson that hasn’t proven long-term he can get major league hitters out. I can’t believe it would refer to Suppan. Macha also says performance is so important he didn’t even bother mentioning it.
Even Suppan ends up in the rotation to start the season, there’s no reason to believe he couldn’t be released by the middle of May if they choose to juggle Villaneuva to AAA or play some DL antics.
Replying to myself
Why couldn’t the Brewers pick Suppan back up if the release him before Opening Day? Is someone else going to give him a major league roster slot, even for league minimum?
I think I posted something along similar lines a week or two ago
I mean…it’s a risk…but not a huge one.
The question is if he’d “let himself go” even more if cut him (ie, stop working out) and would he re-sign for equal to or less than we’re paying now (with us) or would he be petty about it and try to screw us over.
If he re-signed with us for half of his current contract, it doesn’t cost us any more or less than it is now. Might actually make him MORE signable in his free agent season next year.
by PagsBrewCrew on Mar 25, 2010 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions
His contract is guaranteed
so we’re paying him 12.5+2 buyout no matter what. I HIGHLY doubt Suppan, his agent, or the MLBPA would allow the contract to be voided or restructured to include LESS money. If they wanted to, say, make it 6.5M this year and 6M + 2M buyout next year, they might allow that, but I don’t want another year of Suppan.
I understand the sentiment and I think you’re both right—who’s going to pick up Suppan? Probably no one.
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Mar 25, 2010 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions
either I misunderstand the rules, or you misunderstand what I mean
I’m saying we could sign him to a second contract, for less than the first one. We end up paying the larger-of-the-two contracts (think of Milwaukee as a different club for the second signing…that Milwaukee gets Suppan for cheap, while the other Milwaukee is footing the bill).
So, Soup gets the same amount of money for 2010 (maybe another 100K for a “signing bonus”), and presumably gets the same buyout clause for next year. So, that wouldn’t hurt him at all.
However, it would be on record that he accepted a smaller contract than the 12M (or whatever) we are ACTUALLY paying him. No team would rationally sign him for 12M and won’t approach him if they feel he’s not willing to go down from there. But if he DOES accept, say a 3M contract, teams will be more likely to bite on signing him for 2011 for around that rate. In other words, if he indicates right now that he acknowledges he’s not worth his whole contract, he might be signed to a contract for next season with someone, while not hurting his paycheck for this year.
by PagsBrewCrew on Mar 25, 2010 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Not sure on the rules involved with that, but I don't think it would be allowed
but I did misunderstand you to start—thanks for clarifying.
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Mar 25, 2010 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions
I believe the rules are that
the cutting team is on the hook for the entire contract, less whatever the cut player is signed for the current year. Typically, a player in Suppan’s position will only be offered a minimum contract by a signing team, as he’s already getting his full salary for the year anyway. There are no games they can play, and Suppan is getting paid for BOTH contracts if he were to be cut and signed at a later date.
The only salary relief the Brewers can hope for is $400K(or less if he’s signed late and the contract is pro-rated), and if they were the team to re-sign Suppan they wouldn’t even be saving that while upping Suppan’s salary from $12.5 to $12.9 for 2010.
If they were to do that, I got dibs on the tar and feather concessions at Miller Park. I’m not greedy, so one of you guys can claim the torches and pitchforks concessions.
When there is a scuffle in Ireland, there’s no need to specifically mention in the news story that alcohol was involved
by Getting Yosted on Mar 25, 2010 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions
I realize I screwed up the last part, so ignore the increase in salary bit
I was editing bits and pieces and didn’t get to that last bit. Suppan’s earnings are capped at $12.5M, unless someone were to sign him for greater than that. So they could do what you are suggesting, but it is incredibly unlikely.
When there is a scuffle in Ireland, there’s no need to specifically mention in the news story that alcohol was involved
by Getting Yosted on Mar 25, 2010 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Right
and if we cut Suppan, why would he want to come pitch for us for the league min. when he can just sit at home at get the same salary.
Taking shallowness to new depths -- FtJ's blog
by Fatter than Joey on Mar 25, 2010 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions
If teams were willing to give Gagne and Turnbow a shot...
someone would be willing to pickup Suppan for the league minimum. A very probable scenario would be the Padres trading away Garland midseason because they are well out of contention and needing a warm body to fill out the rotation.
If the Brewers released Suppan, they could probably forget about trying to pick him back up later. If you really think about it, he has no incentive to re-sign with the Brewers because he’s going to get paid no matter what.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but
I think my life needs more Brewers fanfic…
Brewers Baseball and other assorted nonsense (mostly the assorted nonsense) at my blog, What's a Tararrel?
Are you on Twitter?
@notkenmacha is a good way to fix that.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by Kyle Lobner on Mar 25, 2010 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions
the dangers of fanfic fandom
Be careful of what you wish for. There’s a lot more under that umbrella than parodic “gen” (non-romantic) of the sort that Kyle links and MPD writes….
Oh I am quite aware
which is why I couldn’t believe I was saying it.
Brewers Baseball and other assorted nonsense (mostly the assorted nonsense) at my blog, What's a Tararrel?
That's totally WSS
"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!"
I'm assuming we've all seen the @UeckerPowell tweet at this point...
Yeah, well, sometimes I drink.
by Dikembe Meiztombo on Mar 25, 2010 11:26 AM CDT reply actions
Yup..
For those not in the know…
@UeckerPowell: Scouts who watched Suppan in AZ this spring say hes completely cooked & no longer able to get major-league hitters out.
Um, why are his tweets worth reading?
He’s quoting John Perrotto (thanks to tristar for asking) – a former(?) Pirates beat writer that’s now with Baseball Prospectus.
Does that make this comment any more worthwhile than what we see with our own eyes?
the tweet, no
The Perrotto comment itself, yes; professional writers are going to get a heck of a lot more weight with teams than amateur bloggers, no matter how much the pros may suck compared to the amateurs. (Names redacted)
so is UeckerPowell Kent S?
or Powell? or a faker?
I know it ain’t bob.
by PagsBrewCrew on Mar 25, 2010 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions
From his twitter page
* Name James Powell
* Bio Just a fan of baseball. I am not related to Jim Powell the former Brewers announcer. We just share the same name.
I meant to BCB
Just because he’s a professional writer doesn’t mean we have to respect his opinion any more than our own eyes. Sorry I wasn’t more clear.
The comment about other scouts, though, does have some credence beyond our home grown here. Then again, it doesn’t take a pro scout to recognize that Suppan is having a hard time getting hitters out this spring.
Over/under on Suppan's innings pitched
Unless I miss on my guess they need 9th inning guy today even if Parra pitches 6 innings. It is not outside the realm of possibility 8th inning guy is needed too.
When there is a scuffle in Ireland, there’s no need to specifically mention in the news story that alcohol was involved
by Getting Yosted on Mar 25, 2010 12:56 PM CDT reply actions
I think the line has to be 3.5
Defined only for whole innings, so he either gets through 3 or fewer or 4 or more.
Suppan’s probably slated to pitch 4 or 5 innings with Parra getting the other 4 or 5. I’m not sure that they have any reason to work their bullpen pitchers unless Hoffman wants another inning. If they want to keep their bullpen throwing, they’ve got their endless B games they try to schedule.
Well, if you have a Jeff Suppan you can throw on the mound
an endless game is certainly a possibility…
Brewers Baseball and other assorted nonsense (mostly the assorted nonsense) at my blog, What's a Tararrel?
inning, even
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Mar 25, 2010 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions
I love that the Brewers are going to have to carry a reliever or two
to cover Suppan and/or Parra’s innings in a Spring Training game.
sigh
How would you like to be the guy in the bullpen not good enough to pitch in a simulated game?
The Rotoworld Box
on the right side says that it’s hard to believe that the Brewers would keep both Edmonds and Gerut, and might try to trade one of them. That’s pretty much made up, right? I think it’s hard to believe they trade either one of them (especially Gerut)
Shruggity
I could see them trading gerut
especially if they’ve promised edmonds a lot of action. No use sitting a good player when you could flip him for some return elsewhere.
by PagsBrewCrew on Mar 25, 2010 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Unless
we think Gerut will outperform Edmonds.
"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!"
yeah but
we can’t get anything of value out of trading edmonds
and i’m skeptical that this is our year to go to the playoffs. may as well get some pieces in return for gerut.
by PagsBrewCrew on Mar 25, 2010 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions
i think his stock is pretty low
wouldn’t mind tossing him aside myself
by PagsBrewCrew on Mar 26, 2010 8:14 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't see either getting traded
Both Gomez and Hart are question marks at this point, so there could potentially be enough work for both players. In addition, Edmonds could potentially play 1B.
if we have to have edmonds play a lot of 1B
we ain’t makin’ the playoffs.
by PagsBrewCrew on Mar 26, 2010 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions
I always assume Rotoworld's notes are written by someone who knows nothing about any team
Just making comments from a general perspective.
Failure is just success rounded down.
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chicago
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
Cincinnati
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
Houston
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
Milwaukee
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
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Pittsburgh
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
St. Louis
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
(updated 2.16.2012 at 7:03 AM CST)
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