So today is the start of the Winter Meetings, where baseball's, well, everyone, gets together to plan pretty much everything.
Doug Melvin said it will likely be a quiet one for the Brewer's this year, but stuff could happen. Appparently reliever Latroy Hawkins will attend with his agent again, the same method he used two years ago before signing with Milwaukee. Word has come out of ESPN Deportes in Los Angeles that the Brewers are also interested in free agent righty Octavio Dotel, who put up a 3.50 ERA in 65 games for the Cardinals and Blue Jays last season. Dotel apparently has a one year offer in hand from the Cardinals.
In shortstop related news, it was said that Melvin was scheduled to meet with Jose Reyes agent at the Meetings, however that's all moot considering Reyes signed a 6 year deal with the Marlins. However, ESPN's Buster Olney tweets (@Buster_ESPN) that Milwaukee maybe a prime competitor with Philly for the services of Jimmy Rollins. This is the first real connection I've seen between Milwaukee and Rollins... I kind of don't see it happening.
One thing that's been up lately is increased talk about Milwaukee being a player to bring Prince Fielder back. This is in part due to the slowly developing market for him. However, I don't see this, Boras is pretty notorious for waiting things out, and I think everyone will wait until Pujols is off the board before going after Prince.
Showing posts with label fielder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fielder. Show all posts
Monday, December 5, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
More Reyes Rumors
So, here it is again. Another word out there talking about Reyes being a target of the Brewers. This one comes from SI writer Jon Heyman (@SI_JonHeyman), saying that Brewers have their doubts about resigning Prince, so have given up and shifted aim to Reyes.
Plausible. I wonder where guys get this stuff... Tom Hardricourt over at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal stil has his doubts too. He reiterated that the Brewers [and probably quite a few other teams] have real concern over the health of Reyes' legs.
I hope to finish a write up of my ideas regarding how signing Reyes could rework the Brewers' lineup to awesomeness. Look for that in the next day or so.
Plausible. I wonder where guys get this stuff... Tom Hardricourt over at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal stil has his doubts too. He reiterated that the Brewers [and probably quite a few other teams] have real concern over the health of Reyes' legs.
I hope to finish a write up of my ideas regarding how signing Reyes could rework the Brewers' lineup to awesomeness. Look for that in the next day or so.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Top Free Agents
Hey everyone.
Recently the awesome blog MLBTradeRumors.com did an article outlining their Top 50 free agents of the 2012 off season and offered their opinion on where these players will land.
The Brewers were involved in a total of two. The first obviously being Fielder (ranked 2nd), who is predicted to head over to Seattle. The next being Jose Reyes (ranked 3rd overall), who is predicted to sign with Milwaukee.
^^Link to the Full Article^^
As much as I would love for Milwaukee to sign a player like Reyes (and by like him, I mean an awesome player), I just don't think it's going to happen. Work that Melvin has interest in bring back the perpetual disapointment Betancourt has really made me feel like that will happen, probably for something like 1 year, $2-$3 million.
However I do think we will make a signing (or two or three even) someway farther down the list.
If a shortstop other than Betancourt is to be signed I think it is much more likely it is much more likely to be somebody like Jamey Carroll, or perhaps Rafael Furcal. Personally, I'm most intrigued by Carroll, a guy with a career OBP of over .345.
Beyond that, do to the mass exodus of almost everyone from our bullpen, I see a signing there happening. K-Rod, Hawkins, and Saito are all free agents, and all three played a fairly central role to the team, especially down the stretch. Now, with what is likely to be a decrease in offensive production (though I do think it will be less than some people fear) I really feel like GM Doug Melvin will sign some depth.
I predict a resigning of either Hawkins or Saito, almost for sure. There is some possibility of bringing back both, but I'm not sure you want to risk of two old men anchoring your late innings group. There could be somebody like Frank Francisco, who's put a decent string of years together, most recently with the Blue Jays. Also, Melvin has shown before that he's willing to take a chance on a reliever, and Jonathan Broxton could be that man here. I really doubt somebody offers him a closers roll after two poor, and one injury riddled seasons. However a nice incentive laden deal could probably get him. If Broxton returns to even close to his 2009 form he would be a bargain.
So, my free agent predictions for the Brewers will be Jamey Carroll, Latroy Hawkins, and Jonathan Broxton.
Recently the awesome blog MLBTradeRumors.com did an article outlining their Top 50 free agents of the 2012 off season and offered their opinion on where these players will land.
The Brewers were involved in a total of two. The first obviously being Fielder (ranked 2nd), who is predicted to head over to Seattle. The next being Jose Reyes (ranked 3rd overall), who is predicted to sign with Milwaukee.
^^Link to the Full Article^^
As much as I would love for Milwaukee to sign a player like Reyes (and by like him, I mean an awesome player), I just don't think it's going to happen. Work that Melvin has interest in bring back the perpetual disapointment Betancourt has really made me feel like that will happen, probably for something like 1 year, $2-$3 million.
However I do think we will make a signing (or two or three even) someway farther down the list.
If a shortstop other than Betancourt is to be signed I think it is much more likely it is much more likely to be somebody like Jamey Carroll, or perhaps Rafael Furcal. Personally, I'm most intrigued by Carroll, a guy with a career OBP of over .345.
Beyond that, do to the mass exodus of almost everyone from our bullpen, I see a signing there happening. K-Rod, Hawkins, and Saito are all free agents, and all three played a fairly central role to the team, especially down the stretch. Now, with what is likely to be a decrease in offensive production (though I do think it will be less than some people fear) I really feel like GM Doug Melvin will sign some depth.
I predict a resigning of either Hawkins or Saito, almost for sure. There is some possibility of bringing back both, but I'm not sure you want to risk of two old men anchoring your late innings group. There could be somebody like Frank Francisco, who's put a decent string of years together, most recently with the Blue Jays. Also, Melvin has shown before that he's willing to take a chance on a reliever, and Jonathan Broxton could be that man here. I really doubt somebody offers him a closers roll after two poor, and one injury riddled seasons. However a nice incentive laden deal could probably get him. If Broxton returns to even close to his 2009 form he would be a bargain.
So, my free agent predictions for the Brewers will be Jamey Carroll, Latroy Hawkins, and Jonathan Broxton.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
I'm an awful blogger - Thoughts on Prince
Hey everyone. I pretty much suck. I'm disappointed in myself for my lack of work on this. I still read baseball stuff and think baseball stuff but just haven't put in the time to write baseball stuff. I've missed a bunch of good stuff, and have never gotten around to like any of the features that I wanted to do. I was really excited to write about the Jim Edmonds signing but never did.
Oh well. I'm back, somewhat. I'm still really busy with school, but I'm between jobs now so hopefully that will give some more time. My main topic today is concerning a Prince Fielder extension, which is probably a main topic for almost everybody in the whole world.
Prince is currently under contract for the 2010 season at a fairly reasonable $10.5 million. He is eligible for arbitration (and therefore under team control) for one more season.
The bottom line here is that if Prince Fielder is not signed to an extension he MUST be traded. The time frame could still be argued about, but it must happen. This year still has some hope so I don't think you could find many people shouting for his current trade (even at this years deadline...). Next off season makes the most sense to me, as it would net a larger return than waiting until the trade deadline, and would give us one more calender year or so to get an extension done. To let Fielder fly for just the draft picks would be irresponsible, and Fielder would net a Sexon like haul, and for those of you who don't know that deal fueled much of the team for some time, and its repercussions run to the present (Sexon got Overbay (amongst others), Overbay got Bush, Jackson (who was sent to Cleveland in the Sabathia deal) and Gross (who was sent to Tampa in exchange for the highly touted Butler).
So here comes my proposal for a Fielder contract. 4 years-$80 million dollars. Could structure it something like $16m, $20, $20, $20, then a $25m mutual option with a $4m buyout. I also think something just like 4 years $20m per would be fine, or 18, 20, 20, 22. Mutual options kind of seem like they're the new thing right now...
My theory here is it gives the Brewers an additional 3 years breathing room within which they can work with Wolf, Gallardo, Parra, and some of these up-and-comers like Axford, Butler, and maybe even Jeffress. However it does not get them stuck into something too long term. Why would Fielders agent Scott Boras be OK with this? Well for a couple of reasons. There is an absolute glut of free agent 1st basemen in the upcoming two years (Gonzalez, Martinez, Lee, Berkman, Pujols, Overbay, and Dunn amongst others...). Also, Prince is young enough that after this four year deal would only be 30 (maybe 31...) and should actually be entering his prime years, where another 4+ year deal would seem very possible.
From a money standpoint for the Crew I don't think it would be too big of a deal. Yes, I was one of the few people out there who was opposed to the Sabathia deal, and it was solely for money reasons. However, GM Doug Melvin has echoed my thoughts some what when he talks about the difference between hitters and pitchers. Also very important is the combination of Braun and Prince in the 3-4 holes. In 3 years or so the Brewers could still be largely home grown talent and still be raking. A lineup of something like Cain, Escobar, Braun, Fielder, Lawrie, Green/Gamel, Lucroy would be pretty nice, and three years from now many of those guys would not even be in arbitration yet, and when they are getting ready to get to that point, and hopefully coming into their own as hitters Prince will be ready to say bye-bye after his deal. Also I'm sure everyone remembers that we have over $20m coming off the books next year with Suppan, and Riske departing, and the end of the Bill Hall payments. Beyond Braun there is nobody long term except for Wolf, who has 3 years on his deal, and Hawkins who has 2011.
I had some more points to work with but this is getting pretty long and I think I hit my main ones. I'm going to try and get more stuff done, I feel guilty writing on here when I should be writing papers...
Have fun listening to Uek and the Crew, it may be crummy in Miltown, the weather may be awful in AZ too, but spring training still warms me on the inside. Brew Up!
Oh well. I'm back, somewhat. I'm still really busy with school, but I'm between jobs now so hopefully that will give some more time. My main topic today is concerning a Prince Fielder extension, which is probably a main topic for almost everybody in the whole world.
Prince is currently under contract for the 2010 season at a fairly reasonable $10.5 million. He is eligible for arbitration (and therefore under team control) for one more season.
The bottom line here is that if Prince Fielder is not signed to an extension he MUST be traded. The time frame could still be argued about, but it must happen. This year still has some hope so I don't think you could find many people shouting for his current trade (even at this years deadline...). Next off season makes the most sense to me, as it would net a larger return than waiting until the trade deadline, and would give us one more calender year or so to get an extension done. To let Fielder fly for just the draft picks would be irresponsible, and Fielder would net a Sexon like haul, and for those of you who don't know that deal fueled much of the team for some time, and its repercussions run to the present (Sexon got Overbay (amongst others), Overbay got Bush, Jackson (who was sent to Cleveland in the Sabathia deal) and Gross (who was sent to Tampa in exchange for the highly touted Butler).
So here comes my proposal for a Fielder contract. 4 years-$80 million dollars. Could structure it something like $16m, $20, $20, $20, then a $25m mutual option with a $4m buyout. I also think something just like 4 years $20m per would be fine, or 18, 20, 20, 22. Mutual options kind of seem like they're the new thing right now...
My theory here is it gives the Brewers an additional 3 years breathing room within which they can work with Wolf, Gallardo, Parra, and some of these up-and-comers like Axford, Butler, and maybe even Jeffress. However it does not get them stuck into something too long term. Why would Fielders agent Scott Boras be OK with this? Well for a couple of reasons. There is an absolute glut of free agent 1st basemen in the upcoming two years (Gonzalez, Martinez, Lee, Berkman, Pujols, Overbay, and Dunn amongst others...). Also, Prince is young enough that after this four year deal would only be 30 (maybe 31...) and should actually be entering his prime years, where another 4+ year deal would seem very possible.
From a money standpoint for the Crew I don't think it would be too big of a deal. Yes, I was one of the few people out there who was opposed to the Sabathia deal, and it was solely for money reasons. However, GM Doug Melvin has echoed my thoughts some what when he talks about the difference between hitters and pitchers. Also very important is the combination of Braun and Prince in the 3-4 holes. In 3 years or so the Brewers could still be largely home grown talent and still be raking. A lineup of something like Cain, Escobar, Braun, Fielder, Lawrie, Green/Gamel, Lucroy would be pretty nice, and three years from now many of those guys would not even be in arbitration yet, and when they are getting ready to get to that point, and hopefully coming into their own as hitters Prince will be ready to say bye-bye after his deal. Also I'm sure everyone remembers that we have over $20m coming off the books next year with Suppan, and Riske departing, and the end of the Bill Hall payments. Beyond Braun there is nobody long term except for Wolf, who has 3 years on his deal, and Hawkins who has 2011.
I had some more points to work with but this is getting pretty long and I think I hit my main ones. I'm going to try and get more stuff done, I feel guilty writing on here when I should be writing papers...
Have fun listening to Uek and the Crew, it may be crummy in Miltown, the weather may be awful in AZ too, but spring training still warms me on the inside. Brew Up!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Arbitration approaches, Millwood rumors, Fielder Contract
The deadline for offering free agents approaches. Free agents are given either an A, B, or no ranking depending on there position and production, and teams may recieve compensation for those players leaving, but only if the offer of arbitration is extended. There is more to this, but I do have a longer explanation in a post from the summer. Long story short: Teams want draft picks, but can't just offer in case the player excepts, as he is then under contract. Also, a player almost never takes a pay cut in arbitration.
There is no point in extending offers to free agents who are not ranked since there is no compensation. The Brewers have no type As this year, however do have 4 type Bs. If these players are signed elsewhere the Crew would recieve a draft pick between the first and second rounds.
Mike Cameron- Made $10 million last season and I really doubt he will be making that much in 2010. Brewers have already committed to Carlos Gomez as their outfielder, making it almost a sure thing Cam' is not offered.
David Weathers- The Brewers already declined Weathers' 3.75 million dollar option, paying him a $400k buyout instead. Seeing as David make 3.4 mill this year the decision has already been made, Weathers will not be offered arb.
Jason Kendall- GM Doug Melvin has already said he does not want to allocate $5 million to the catching position, which is what Kendall made this last year. Seems likely the Crew goes the cheap route, Kendall is not offered.
Felipe Lopez- The second basemen had a career season and enters a week crop of middle infielders. After making only 3.5 million in '09 if he were to accept arbitration would likely not see 5. Also, arbitration is a one year contract, and I'm sure Felipe would like to see a couple of years. This being said, it is doubtful that he would accept an offer, and if he does it wouldn't be a bad deal for the Brewers, who could always trade him or Weeks later on. Lopez does get offered arbitration, and declines.
So it is a bit of a shame for the Brewers to have 4 players and only get 1 pick out of it, but it's better than last year when they had 2 type A free agents and only got a supplemental and a 2nd rounder (Ben Sheets never signed with another team).
Now on to new Kevin Millwood rumors. Supposedly the Orioles are interested, and the sourse claims that the Rangers would like to move his 12 million dollar salary to free up money for a bat. This is all and good, however the report coming in a few days ago was the the Rangers had new real incination to move Kevin...
Some other interesting ideas came up in a Brewers Mailbag with Adam McCalvy. It has been said that the Brewers will look to sign Fielder to an extension following the heart of this offseason. Fielder is already under contract for 2010 and under team control for another season after that. What else we know is that Fielder's agent, Scott Boras does not like to sign deals during arbitration years, and it was even surprising when a two year deal was reached last winter. What is scary now is the comparison McCalvy made between Fielder and another Boras agent... Mark Texiera. Tex signed a 8 year 180 million dollar contract last year with the Yankees and will be seen as a comperable for Prince. Mark was 28, with a .282 avg, 140 hr and 450 rbi after 4 seasons while taking 5th in rookie of the year voting, winning a Silver Slugger and making an All-Star team. Prince will be 27 when he hits free agency, and is currently a .283 hitter with 158 hr and 443 rbi while taking seventh in ROY voting, winning a Silver Slugger, making an All-Star team, and taking third in a MVP ballot. Yikes. The point is why would would Prince sign a 3-5 year deal now when he is just two away from would could potentially be a 200 million dollar pay day? I would like to see it happen but it won't. To me Prince will be a Brewer for the next two years MAX (and likely less).
That's it for now, hopefully things will heat up after Tuesday, and the Winter meetings are just right around the corner. Getting cold outside, Brew Up.
There is no point in extending offers to free agents who are not ranked since there is no compensation. The Brewers have no type As this year, however do have 4 type Bs. If these players are signed elsewhere the Crew would recieve a draft pick between the first and second rounds.
Mike Cameron- Made $10 million last season and I really doubt he will be making that much in 2010. Brewers have already committed to Carlos Gomez as their outfielder, making it almost a sure thing Cam' is not offered.
David Weathers- The Brewers already declined Weathers' 3.75 million dollar option, paying him a $400k buyout instead. Seeing as David make 3.4 mill this year the decision has already been made, Weathers will not be offered arb.
Jason Kendall- GM Doug Melvin has already said he does not want to allocate $5 million to the catching position, which is what Kendall made this last year. Seems likely the Crew goes the cheap route, Kendall is not offered.
Felipe Lopez- The second basemen had a career season and enters a week crop of middle infielders. After making only 3.5 million in '09 if he were to accept arbitration would likely not see 5. Also, arbitration is a one year contract, and I'm sure Felipe would like to see a couple of years. This being said, it is doubtful that he would accept an offer, and if he does it wouldn't be a bad deal for the Brewers, who could always trade him or Weeks later on. Lopez does get offered arbitration, and declines.
So it is a bit of a shame for the Brewers to have 4 players and only get 1 pick out of it, but it's better than last year when they had 2 type A free agents and only got a supplemental and a 2nd rounder (Ben Sheets never signed with another team).
Now on to new Kevin Millwood rumors. Supposedly the Orioles are interested, and the sourse claims that the Rangers would like to move his 12 million dollar salary to free up money for a bat. This is all and good, however the report coming in a few days ago was the the Rangers had new real incination to move Kevin...
Some other interesting ideas came up in a Brewers Mailbag with Adam McCalvy. It has been said that the Brewers will look to sign Fielder to an extension following the heart of this offseason. Fielder is already under contract for 2010 and under team control for another season after that. What else we know is that Fielder's agent, Scott Boras does not like to sign deals during arbitration years, and it was even surprising when a two year deal was reached last winter. What is scary now is the comparison McCalvy made between Fielder and another Boras agent... Mark Texiera. Tex signed a 8 year 180 million dollar contract last year with the Yankees and will be seen as a comperable for Prince. Mark was 28, with a .282 avg, 140 hr and 450 rbi after 4 seasons while taking 5th in rookie of the year voting, winning a Silver Slugger and making an All-Star team. Prince will be 27 when he hits free agency, and is currently a .283 hitter with 158 hr and 443 rbi while taking seventh in ROY voting, winning a Silver Slugger, making an All-Star team, and taking third in a MVP ballot. Yikes. The point is why would would Prince sign a 3-5 year deal now when he is just two away from would could potentially be a 200 million dollar pay day? I would like to see it happen but it won't. To me Prince will be a Brewer for the next two years MAX (and likely less).
That's it for now, hopefully things will heat up after Tuesday, and the Winter meetings are just right around the corner. Getting cold outside, Brew Up.
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