Bleacher Report - Milwaukee Brewers

Milwaukee Brewers: What Is the Trade Market for Mat Gamel?

Jesse Motiff — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:52:00 -0500

When the Brewers traded JJ Hardy for Carlos Gomez, they sealed their fate as to how they will acquire starting pitching this winter.

Other than John Lackey, the free agent class for pitchers is rather underwhelming, but Brewers' GM Doug Melvin is determined to find two starters on the market.

The Brewers still have players they could trade for pitching, most notably Mat Gamel. Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi report that while a trade isn't out of the question, it is unlikely to happen unless the Brewers find another team willing to offer comparable pitching talent that is the equivalent of Gamel.

In the report, they note the logjam the Brewers could have in the infield. Rickie Weeks and Casey McGehee will enter the season as the starters at second and third base, respectively. Gamel will serve as the primary back-up at third, while McGehee could also fill in for Weeks at second on occasion.

If the Brewers decide McGehee is capable of being a full-time player, they could still decide to trade Gamel. He is, by far, the player that could bring the most in return to the Brewers.

Should the Brewers decide to go ahead with a trade of Gamel, what could they hope to get in return?

In the eyes of most fans, the Brewers received an unspectacular return for JJ Hardy. They wanted to focus on his 2007 and 2008 seasons as selling points, while ignoring his awful 2009 and hoping to get value from his previous successes as opposed to his current flaws.

While Gamel hasn't set the league on fire in his time in the majors, he is still a top left-handed hitting prospect that is under team control for several more seasons. The Brewers would like to get back a pitcher they could insert directly into their rotation with team control over the player for at least a couple of seasons.

Projecting possible trade partners is difficult. One must take into account that the trade must make sense for both teams, not just the Brewers trading Gamel to a team for the best possible pitcher, regardless of whether the other team needs Gamel or not.

The Red Sox, Tigers, Marlins, Orioles, Twins, and Mariners could all be looked at as teams that could give the Brewers young, controllable pitching and still have a need for Gamel in return.

The Red Sox and Tigers currently have options at third base; however, both Mike Lowell and Brandon Inge are free agents after the 2010 season. Acquiring Gamel now could shore up third base for either team in the long-term.

The Red Sox wouldn't give up Clay Buchholz or Daniel Bard for JJ Hardy, but would they be willing to give up either for Mat Gamel. Michael Bowden is another name that came up in the Hardy talks. If Milwaukee thinks any of the three are legitimate future starters, dangling Gamel would be a smart move.

Edwin Jackson is reportedly being shopped by the Tigers. He is under team control for two more seasons. Gamel could see time at third base and designated hitter for the Tigers before taking over for Inge in 2011.

The Marlins are constantly looking to get younger and shred potential high-salary players. Ricky Nolasco is under team control for three more years and could be a huge addition to the Brewers' rotation. The Marlins could insert Gamel as an immediate starter.

The Orioles will be trying to replace Melvin Mora. Gamel could team with Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, and Brian Roberts as the foundation of the offense. Jeremy Guthrie is under team control for three more seasons. His numbers aren't overly impressive, until you remember he pitches in the same division as the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays.

Milwaukee and Minnesota have already been involved in one trade this winter; could they be partners for another?

The Twins have a ton of young pitching they could trade and they have a hole to fill at third base. While none of the Twins' starters may be future superstars, filling a spot in the bottom of the rotation for the next several years is also a very important need.

The Brewers talked with the Mariners at the trade deadline about acquiring Jarrod Washburn. Mariners' GM wanted both Alcides Escobar and Gamel for the three-month rental of Washburn. Obviously, that is something Doug Melvin never gave serious thought to. The Mariners have several young pitchers that could appeal to the Brewers, and if the Mariners don't re-sign Adrian Beltre, they'll have a need for a third baseman.

Trading Gamel will net the Brewers a good starting pitcher. It will also mean they are trading off the best hitting prospect currently in their organization. Casey McGehee is anything but a sure thing to maintain the type of production he produced in 2009. Given all that, Melvin will be very hesitant to give up Gamel.

The Brewers are likely to overspend for mediocre starting pitching in free agency. That's what the market will dictate. The Brewers would be smart to spend as little on these pitchers as possible and continue to develop pitchers in their own system.

With the uncertain futures of McGehee and Prince Fielder, Mat Gamel is too valuable to trade unless for a top-of-the-rotation arm.

To read more by Jesse Motiff, click here .

Read more Milwaukee Brewers news on BleacherReport.com

Arizona Brewers: Best Season Since 2002

Bryan Northey — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:59:15 -0500

The Arizona Brewers, the Brewers Rookie affiliate Minor League team, had it's best season since 2002, when they went 26-30.

When looking at low Minor League affiliated teams, the record doesn't always indicate the success of a team. Since the Arizona Brewers are the first step in a Minor League players progression through the Brewers organization, it is very common to have players get called up to progress quicker.

This year the Brewers went 25-31, and finished fourth in the AZL East. The Brewers had some stand out players this year who are helping their chances of impressing their club owners.

Position Players

Mike Brownstein —2B

Brownstein was the Brewers' 14th round selection out of the University of New Mexico. Brownstein posted some good numbers his senior year at New Mexico, including a .414 batting average with a .486 on-base percentage, 23 doubles, 11 triples, 49 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 57 games for the Lobos. In each of his three collegiate seasons his numbers improved dramatically.

Brownstein played just six games for the Brewers until getting called up, posting a .435 batting average with one double, one triple, three RBIs, two stolen bases and a .594 on-base percentage. Brownstein has some serious speed, but his power is very low. He went on to climb the Minor League chart quite quick batting .305 at Rookie Advanced Helena in 44 games, .375 at Double-A Huntsville in five games and .186 at Class A Wisconsin in 13 games.

It looks as though Brownstein will start the season in Wisconsin, but as a rookie candidate and with only half a year of play, he managed to get to Double-A and post some sick numbers. I look forward to see what he can do next year.

Sean Halton —1B

Halton was the Brewers' 13th round selection out of Lewis-Clark State College. In 2008 Halton posted a .371 batting average with a .431 on-base percentage, 17 doubles, two triples, seven homers, and 44 RBI in 54 games. Halton managed to climb the first two levels of the Brewers Minor League system batting .330 with a .396 on-base percentage, seven doubles, one triple, three homers, 17 RBI and three stolen bases in 25 games with the Brewers until being called up to Helena. Halton finished the season in Helena where he improved, batting .354 with a .398 on-base percentage, 14 doubles, three homers, 28 RBIs and four stolen bases over 44 games. Look for Halton to start the season with Helena.

Tyler Roberts —C

Roberts was the Brewers 10th round selection out of Jones County High School. Roberts posted a .292 average with a .407 on-base percentage, one double, one triple, one homer, eight RBI, and two stolen bases in 24 games with the Brewers before being called up to Helena. Roberts finished the season batting .125 with one RBI in three games with Helena. Roberts will most likely start the season in Helena.

Brandon Sizemore —1B

Sizemore was the Brewers 30th round selection out of the College of Charleston. Sizemore posted great numbers in his two years with Charleston, batting .318 with a .406 on-base percentage, 20 doubles, one triple, 17 homers, 74 RBI, and 10 stolen bases in 56 games.

Sizemore batted .291 with a .381 on-base percentage, 15 doubles, three triples, seven homers, 33 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in 48 games with the Brewers before getting called up to Wisconsin. Sizemore skipped Helena in his player progression, and is on Wisconsin's starting roster along with Brownstein. Sizemore batted .304 with a .333 on-base percentage, one double, one home run, two RBI, and one stolen base in six games with Wisconsin. The great thing about Sizemore is he has speed and some moderate power as a first baseman.

Carlos George —SS

George, the Brewers 46th round selection in the 2008 draft, had a turnaround year at the plate. Last year George batted just .234 with a .258 on-base percentage with the Brewers, but was able to turn it around to a .285 average with a .332 on-base percentage in 45 games to earn himself his first call up. George also had 10 doubles, three triples, 12 RBI, and 20 stolen bases with the Brewers. In four games with Helena he posted a .333 average with one RBI. He will start the season in Helena.

Pitchers

Maverick Lasker

Lasker, the Brewers fifth round selection in the 2008 draft, did not play all of 2008. Lasker went 5-1 with a 3.26 ERA, 4.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a .246 opponent average in 13 games, one started, with the Brewers until he was called up to Wisconsin. Lasker went 1-1 with a 5.00 ERA and a .257 opponent average in two games, two started, with Wisconsin.

It looks as though the Brewers may be converting Lasker to a starting pitcher rather than a bullpen pitcher. His high numbers in Wisconsin may be related to this or skipping Helena in his progression. Lasker throws in the low to mid 90's and turned down a scholarship to San Diego State to play with the Brewers. His senior season of high school he ended the season with a 0.97 ERA. Lasker was also awarded as an AZL Post-Season All-Star.

Caleb Thielbar

Thielbar, the Brewers 18th round selection out of South Dakota State, showed the Brewers organization why his college numbers do not accurately reflect his talent. Thielbar did not post an ERA below 5.44 in all three of his collegiate seasons. He also did not average below a 10.2 hit per nine inning ratio. However, in his senior season he posted a 10.3 strikeout per nine innings ratio. Thielbar continued to show his strikeout dominance, striking out 46 in 45.1 innings for the Brewers. He also managed to post a 6-1 record with a 1.59 ERA and a .246 opponent average in 14 games, two started, until being called up to Helena. In Helena Thielbar allowed no hits or runs with one walk and two strikeouts in two games, 1.2 innings pitched. Look for Thielbar to move on to Wisconsin this season if he continues with these numbers.

Matt Costello

Costello, the Brewers 35th round selection out of Valdosta State University, also posted an ERA below 2.00 for the Brewers this season. Costello went 1-4 with a 1.49 ERA, 1.11 strikeout-per-inning ratio and a .233 opponent average in fifteen games, three started, for the Brewers before being called up to Helena. In his two games with Helena he posted a 9.00 ERA with a 1.00 strikeout-per-inning ratio and a .333 opponent-average in two games, three innings of work.

Jose Oveido

Oveido, the Brewers 31st round selection out of Miami Dade Community College South, posted a 2-1 record with a 3.13 ERA, one save and a 1.71 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 13 games, two started, with the Brewers before being called up to Helena. In Helena, Oveido posted an 18.00 ERA in two games, one inning.

Andy Sauter

Sauter, a free-agent signing by the Brewers this year, went 1-0 with a 2.93 ERA, three saves, a 1.46 strikeout-per-inning ratio and a .237 opponent average in nine games with the Brewers. The primary reason he most likely did not get called up was due to time and the fact he was a free-agent signing. If he continues numbers like this next year look for him to be in Helena.

Andrew Dunn

Dunn, a free-agent signing by the Brewers this year, went 0-0 with a 1.29 ERA, 3.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a .163 opponent average in eight games for the Brewers. Just like Sauter, look for him to move to Helena next year if he continues to prove himself as a free-agent signing.

Del Howell

Howell, a free-agent signing by the Brewers this year in August, went 0-0 with a 2.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a .273 opponent average in two games with the Brewers before getting called up to Helena. In three games with Helena, Howell posted a 1.04 ERA, 3.5 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a .219 opponent average. Howell will start the season in Helena.

Read more Milwaukee Brewers news on BleacherReport.com

Are The Brewers Just a Couple Of Moves Away?

The Rambler — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:47:13 -0500

Do you think Jeff Suppan wakes up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night thinking "I am why the Brewers cannot win..."? I doubt it. If he does lose sleep at night though, he shouldn't. It's not his fault... it's GM Doug Melvin's. Melvin is the man who gave the then 31 year old Suppan a 4 year $42 million dollar deal, and it will be a crushing blow to the Brewers this season as they will be forced to pay Suppan almost $13 million for sub par pitching. His stats for last season? 161 IP, a 5.29 ERA, a 1.69 WHIP, a .309 BAA, 74 BB to 80 K's. Basically his numbers were horrendous, the simple fact is that Jeff Suppan is no longer a major league caliber starting pitcher and his $12.75 million salary will cost the Brewers a possible playoff spot.

Melvin recently declined to pickup Braden Looper's $6.5 million club option (a wise move)... his reasoning was that it would save the Brewers $5.5 million. Melvin was right, there will be better pitchers to be had in free agency for cheaper dollars. However, the $5.5 million he just saved will be meaningless ... unless he can get out from under Suppan's contract.

The Brewers had a payroll of about $80 million last year, the numbers will probably be less this year—but let's be positive and say they will be the same as last - $80 million. That means that Jeff Suppan will make roughly 16 percent of the Brewers payroll... it is generally not a good idea for a mid-market team to spend that much of its payroll on a player who shouldn't even be playing.

If I am Doug Melvin I make it my top priority to trade Jeff Suppan ASAP. How far would I go? I would even eat up to half of his bloated salary to get him out the door right now. So does Melvin have any options available to make this dream a reality? I think he might find some fools...er, I mean GM's... who could be convinced to take Suppan on.

The Washington Nationals are looking for a veteran 5th starter to help mentor their young guns and word is they like Livan Hernandez for yet another year. The problem with that is they will be competing with the Arizona Diamondbacks for his services, as they D-backs wouldn't mind seeing Livan round out their rotation again.

Melvin should give both the D-backs and Nats a call and offer them Suppan and some cash on a silver platter. How much cash would it take? I have no idea, but as I said Melvin should be ready to pay up to $7 million of Suppan's owed cash... at the very least it could save the Brewers upward of $5 million more. Suppan could be seen as a better option than the oft pummeled Livan who is about to turn 637 (in Latino years which seems to be about 5-7 years more than American years).

Other options: Cardinals, Pirates, Mariners, Mets, Rangers, and the Royals. No doubt Suppan would not be the first (or even desired) option of any of these teams, but when scraping the felt for pitching... beggars can't be choosers. The Cardinals are losing Joel Pineiro who will become too expensive for the Cardinals.

The Pirates have some young guns in the fold and may be looking for a mentor type, similar to the Nats. The Mariners actually have a couple of starters who are actually worse options than Suppan (like Carlos Silva), and might be a good fit to swap a bad contract( can anyone say Suppan for Silva?). The Mets are always looking for pitching and Omar Minaya loves guys like this as evidenced by last years use of the aforementioned Livan Hernandez, Tim Redding, Elmer Dessens, etc., etc., etc.

The Rangers are also in need of a starter to round out the rotation and may have interest in a stable innings eater like Suppan. While the Royals should run full speed from a pitcher of Suppan's price and ability, Dayton Moore has proved himself to be completely capable of actually trading the Brewers some value for Suppan and his bad contract! Seriously, the two sides could actually find some common ground if the Brewers toss in enough cash.

In addition I would non-tender Dave Bush, and move Manny Parra into the bullpen where he belongs (unless a trade partner becomes available somewhere). These moves along with Looper's buyout would save the Brewers a little more than $15 million dollars... it would also open up 4 holes in the rotation (though some would argue those holes were their even with the pitchers they had last year). Along with the recent acquisition of Carlos Gomez and ridding themselves of Mike Cameron and JJ Hardy's sizeable contracts, the Brewers have purchased themselves some nice flexibility for the upcoming year.

IF (and it's a BIG IF), we can be optimists and say that the Brewers can move Suppan (while eating half of his salary), decide to non-tender Bush and move Parra (anywhere else)... what next?

How about this...

The Brewers have a true Ace in Yovanni Gallardo so let's slot some support in for him. My first move would be an attempt at bringing back Ben Sheets on an incentive laden contract... the kind of deal that could make him some very serious money if he pays off. If Sheets balks I would look at Erik Bedard or Rich Harden to fall in behind Gallardo. With the flexibiltiy the Brewers have created one of these guys should be a very real possibility for them.

Now for pitcher No. 3—I would concentrate on the 3rd tier pitchers in the Free Agent market, specifically; Joel Piniero, Randy Wolf, or Jason Marquis. I would offer a three year deal worth somewhere between $21-$25 million.

Let's finish this off with pitchers No. 4 and No. 5. Scroll down another tier to the guys who are the workmen of the league, the pitchers who get no pub but take care of the dirty work at the bottom of the rotation, namely; Doug Davis, Jon Garland, Brad Penny, Todd Wellemeyer.

One more group the Brew Crew might want to take a look at are the reclamations; Brett Myers, Mark Prior, and Freddy Garcia.

If the Brewers can get one of these guys from each group, I think they could set themselves up to compete in the weak NL Central pretty easily. My rotation for the Brewers would look something like this:

1. Yovanni Gallardo 2. Ben Sheets 3. Randy Wolf 4. Todd Wellemeyer 5. Brett Myers

With the rock solid Brewers offense, this rotation could pay off huge for the Brew Crew... so head's up Brewers fans, there may be something to cheer for yet!

Read more Milwaukee Brewers news on BleacherReport.com

Would Edwin Jackson Be a Good Fit For The Milwaukee Brewers?

Jesse Motiff — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:39:25 -0500

Rumors have surfaced in recent days that Milwaukee Brewers' GM Doug Melvin has talked with Tigers' GM Dave Dombrowski over the possibility of acquiring starting pitcher Edwin Jackson. Jackson is being shopped in a cost-cutting move by the Tigers.

Jackson is coming off the best statistical season of his career, and he is under team control for two more years. He made $2.2 million in 2009.

It was a tale of two seasons for the young righty. He was named to his first All-Star team in July with a 7-4 record and a 2.52 ERA.

By the end of the season, his ERA had risen to 3.62 with a record of 13-9. Over his final 12 starts, he gave up three runs or less only three times. He finished the season with almost 30 more innings pitched than at any point in his career.

It appeared that he suffered from a tired arm, but it should be something that won't hamper him in the future. He's now been a regular starter for three seasons, building up his innings pitched each year. There should be no ill effects from the end of 2008, and he should have no issues throwing 200 innings again in 2010.

The Tigers could use help at a few different positions. If Curtis Granderson is traded, they could use help in the outfield. Brandon Inge will be entering the final year of his deal in 2010, and the Tigers could look for an eventual replacement at third base for him.

The Brewers have a couple outfield prospects that aren't ready for the Majors, but could be long-term solutions in center field to replace Granderson. Lorenzo Cain and Logan Schafer have became the organizations top two outfield prospects.

Corey Hart could also be a trade candidate. He has two years left of team control and could be moved to center if needed. Despite missing over 50 games due to injury, Hart still had a good season. His power numbers dropped, but he drew a career-high number of walks and raised his on-base percentage from .300 in 2008 to .335 last year.

Hart's price tag may be more than what the Tigers are looking to spend, so they could inquire about Mat Gamel or Casey McGehee. Each are cheap options at third base, however neither one is nearly the defensive player of Inge, but both are better choices at the plate.

The teams may run into a stumbling block in the Tigers want young pitching in return. All the good pitching prospects for the Brewers are at Double-A or lower in the system. Gamel should be enough on his own for Jackson, given that the young third baseman is under team control for six more seasons and still regarded as a top hitting prospect.

Even with an arbitration raise, Jackson would be a cheaper option financially than most pitchers on the free agent market. If Manny Parra can live up to his potential, a staff fronted by Jackson, Parra, and Yovani Gallardo would greatly improve the rotation from 2009.

Edwin Jackson is definitely an option that Doug Melvin should pursue. Jackson helps the depth of the rotation, while not having a lot of wear and tear on his arm. His numbers should improve in the National League, and he could very easily return to the All-Star form he showed in the first half of 2009.

To read more by Jesse Motiff, click here .

Read more Milwaukee Brewers news on BleacherReport.com