Big deal between the Backs, Yanks and Kitties:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

I think it was joe that has brought up Kelly Johnson before, but if the talk of moving Hart is true, he would be an excellent guy to bring in, not only to play OF, but in case Weeks misses time as well.

the rich get richer. Granderson to the Yanks, bleh

they give up nothing to. 2 overrated prospects in Ian Kennedy and Austin Jackson, and a decent RP in Phil Coke

I like Granderson, but at least that mean Cam won't be a Yankee. Now I just hope he doesn't become a cub.

I hate that trade for the Diamondbacks. Give up Scherzer and Schlereth for Jackson and Kennedy? Scherzer is the highest upside pitcher of the group, and Jackson will cost them money whereas Scherzer was still a cheap option. I wasn't impressed with Schlereth when I saw him last year but he still could develop into a solid bullpen lefty.

The Tigers lose two good players but I think this is a great deal for them when you look at the money they save and the upside of some of the players they obtained.

3 years 31 million for Wolf? Melvin is off his rocker.

Tigers made out like bandits. I think Granderson is not as good as most make him out to be; he struggles mightily against lefties but is still a good overall CF. Jackson may have legitimately turned the corner in his career, but to get Scherzer and Schlereth for both of them was a nice return, adding Jackson and Coke makes it that much better.

I hope we don't have another Suppan deal on our hands.

suppan is already signed for this year

Hart's name seems to be tossed around a lot the last couple days. You guys feel comfortable with Gamel in the OF?

Three years of Wolf makes me nervous b/c he had been hurt. When healthy, he's good enough to win some games. I was hoping it would be for far less than 30 million (22-24 million if for 3 years) but maybe that third year is a club option?

quote:

Originally posted by AJ-Ka-Hawk:
suppan is already signed for this year

I am talking about the 3 years given to Wolf.

just one of those posts to amuse myself artist, that is all.

apologies to chickenboy for being an attention whore

Randy Wolf for 3 yrs./9 mil. per? Seriously?????????? It's bad enough the Brewers have one Jeff Suppan, it looks like they just signed his twin. And the rumor of Corey Hart for John Maine? Are Brewers seriously supposed to get excited over this crap?? Nice Job Dougie, IDIOT!!!!!!!!!.

I meant to say Brewers fans

I'm warming up to Hart for Maine swap, but I am hesitant for three reasons:

1) I think Hart is worth more, but not a lot. Mets need to toss in a "b" level prospect, preferably a reliever.
2) Hart could blow up, or he could rot. I just hate if one happens with the Mets and other with the Crew
3) I have a Hart shirt.

27 million for 3 years is better than 31 million for 3 years (that was reported earlier).

Is it a lot of money for a starter that may have some questions? Sure, but I have less concerns about Wolf than a guy like Suppan.

close with Vargas

"We're talking and have been for several weeks," Ash said. "We're close. I've got what I would describe as a tentative deal with the agent. The agent doesn't have the A-OK from the player."

I approve of this move, I will be able to take bathroom breaks mid at bat and not miss a pitch.

more on Wolf

The Brewers hope to get a response -- and a positive one -- on Wednesday to the three-year, $27 million offer they have made to free agent lefty Randy Wolf.

Wolf may have his fingers crossed that someone ups the offer.

Wolf should have his fingers crossed that Melvin doesn't come to his sences.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/78841947.html

The Brewers know they are reaching with their offer [to Wolf] but they have to improve a poor starting rotation and believe Wolf is a good fit.

I wonder if they felt the same way when they offered Suppan his contract? They were obviously desperate after losing Davis and Ohka and having one of their three remaining starters being a guy who was likely to miss half of his starts (Ben Sheets). They hit the panic button then and it sure feels like they hit the panic button again.

Some folks will praise this because the Brewers were definitely being aggressive and a move like this is almost guaranteed to put them at their highest ever payroll. But this has too much of a Suppan feel for my taste. I would have rather waited, see what guys fall through the cracks and bargain shop later. I just don't think this team is going to be a real competitor with the Wolf addition, so I wouldn't have been willing to take the near 30 million dollar risk on him. We will see if time proves Melvin/Attanasio correct.

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Wolf did pitch like a #1 in 2009, but he pitched more like a #3 in 2008 and pitched limited innings the four years prior to that. It needs to be noted that in 2009 he pitched his home games in a pitcher friendly park and in 2008 he pitched the majority of his home games in a pitcher friendly park.

Just looking at Wolf's profile, I could see him having a real good year among the three. But I think over the course of this deal he will prove to be a #3 starter. Too risky IMO for a small market team like the Brewers to give 33 year old pitchers (will turn 34 during next season) this type of contract when they don't have a better resume. Melvin is probably counting on Wolf coming close to repeating his 2009 performance in 2010 AND 2011...but I doubt that he will do that.

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The other thing is....that if this is a 3-year, 27 million dollar deal...and it is structured at 9 in 2010, 9 in 2011, 9 in 2012...it's going to leave the Brewers very little money to work with to fill out the rest of the roster. I think the writing is on the wall that McClung is gone and that one of the following two...Corey Hart or Dave Bush...will be traded in a deal that brings no major league payroll back (for minor leaguers only). If Wolf gets 9 million in 2010, and McClung is traded and Hart OR Bush is traded, I'd have the Brewer's 2010 payroll sitting at right around 75 million. And the Brewers need to add 3 more relievers, 2 more infielders and an outfielder...and then either another starter or outfielder depending on which one goes between Hart and Bush. So there are still a lot of pieces to add and not much money to do it with. Guys like Chris Narveson and John Axford now stand an excellent chance to make the 25 man roster right out of spring training and Gamel is looking like a strong possibility to either be starting in the outfield or be a bench player (I'd hate to see him be a bench player as I think he needs the at-bats).

a little perspective-

Pitcher A (we'll call him, Andy Golf)
34 GS, 3.23 ERA, 24 HR, 6.7 SO/9

Pitcher B (Randy Pellet)
32 GS, 4.16 ERA, 20 HR, 6.8 SO/9

Pitcher A is 33 (will turn 34 this year as was astutely noted) and will be paid 9 million a year for the next 3 years

Pitcher B is 37 (I think will turn 38 this year, don't have time to look it up) will be paid 12 million this year.

Who gets the better deal?

Strictly from the player perspective or from the signing club's perspective?

If you are talking about the signing club's perspective then things like the team payroll, league they were pitching in, home park they were pitching in, etc, all play a factor in that.

I will say this, in the Brewer's situation I would rather grossly overpay a guy for one year rather than be stuck on the hook for three or four years (see Suppan vs. Gagne).

speaking of relievers who can't tackle pressure

TH
Among the late-inning relievers the Brewers are looking at, they really like LaTroy Hawkins. Had a great year last year.

#mlb #brewers The Brewers are moving fast on premier setup man LaTroy Hawkins and could sign him todayNightengale

quote:

Originally posted by AJ-Ka-Hawk:
just one of those posts to amuse myself artist, that is all.

apologies to chickenboy for being an attention whore

Someone may like more attention than me...

quote:

Originally posted by Packerfan1974:
Randy Wolf for 3 yrs./9 mil. per? Seriously?????????? It's bad enough the Brewers have one Jeff Suppan, it looks like they just signed his twin. And the rumor of Corey Hart for John Maine? Are Brewers seriously supposed to get excited over this crap?? Nice Job Dougie, IDIOT!!!!!!!!!.

I'm not sure what they are supposed to do. They have a bit of a window now with Prince's contract winding down and they cannot get in the market for the studs like CC and Halladay. That means they have to go after the Wolf-types. I found this interesting from the JSO piece:

Wolf did pitch like a #1 in 2009, but he pitched more like a #3 in 2008 and pitched limited innings the four years prior to that. It needs to be noted that in 2009 he pitched his home games in a pitcher friendly park and in 2008 he pitched the majority of his home games in a pitcher friendly park.

The Crew had one number one (maybe actually a two) and a bunch of 4's and 5's in the rotation last year. I would be happy adding a couple of "three's" and hoping for Parra to harness his talent. This team would have been in the race with two three's last year.

Bottom line is you are just going to have pay this kind of coin for pitching. Especially when you're farm system doesn't have anybody ready. If you don't sign these guys, you are saying to the fans you are essentially rebuilding again.

quote:

The Crew had one number one (maybe actually a two) and a bunch of 4's and 5's in the rotation last year. I would be happy adding a couple of "three's" and hoping for Parra to harness his talent. This team would have been in the race with two three's last year. Bottom line is you are just going to have pay this kind of coin for pitching. Especially when you're farm system doesn't have anybody ready. If you don't sign these guys, you are saying to the fans you are essentially rebuilding again.

I agree. I don't like the idea of a team like Milwaukee having to pay $9MM per year for a guy like Wolf but what else are their options? Their pitching staff is a mess, and you don't really have any Gallardo's (or Parra's) for that matter waiting in the wings in the minors.

It's a necessary evil if they aren't going to deal away Prince or even a Gamel or Escobar.

PS- they could do a lot worse than Wolf- I think he can be a solid contributor.