Sports Nirvana

Pitching for the Brewers in 2010: Mark Mulder

2009-11-03T02:55:35Z

In the first installment of looking at pitching options for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010, we took a look at Erik Bedard. Injury-prone lefties may be popular this offseason, as Mark Mulder will be looking for employment as well. The Brewers may be near the top of his list of possible destinations, and Milwaukee should have equal interest in the former two-time All-Star.

Mulder hasn't pitched in the majors since 2008 and hasn't pitched a full season since 2005. Any team that signs him to a contract is taking a big gamble as far as possible injury risk.

The upside to a potential suitor for Mulder is his relative inexpensive price tag. Any team that offers him a big league contract will have a decided advantage in obtaining his services. If they are willing to make it an incentive-laden deal with the possibility of a few million dollars provided he stays healthy and pitches well, Mulder will almost certainly sign the deal immediately.

The Brewers will be able to dangle an ace in the hole for Mulder as well. The team recently hired Rick Peterson as their pitching coach. Peterson served as the same role for the Oakland Athletics when Mulder experienced his greatest success in baseball. Ken Macha, the current Brewers' manager, also happened to be the manager in Oakland at the same time.

Peterson also worked with Mulder on his mechanics earlier this season when he was trying to prepare to throw for scouts. He was never able to get to that point, but there's no doubt that he and Peterson are very close.

From 2001-2005, Mulder was one of the best pitchers in baseball. In those five seasons, he averaged just under 18 wins a year. His ERA only rose above four in 2004, and he only pitched less than 205 innings in 2003, although that was the same season in which he led the league with nine complete games.

Although no one would expect him to put up those type of numbers, he would definitely help a starting rotation that had zero starters pitch 200 innings, and only one (Yovani Gallardo) finish with a sub-four ERA.

The Brewers have had issues with injury-prone pitchers in the past. Unlike Ben Sheets, however, Mulder won't come with the price tag that Sheets did in the past or even for the upcoming season.

The Brewers should lay all their chips on the table and go after Mulder. A one-year deal with incentives totaling up to three million should be enough for his services. The team could then look into a longer deal at the end of the season if he can maintain his health and pitch effectively.

Acquiring as many potential starters as possible should be priority number one for GM Doug Melvin this winter. A pitcher like Mulder could pay enough dividends to help transform the Brewers rotation into a whole new unit next year.

There is very little if any risk for the Brewers to pursue Mulder. If he doesn't pan out or gets injured at any point in 2010, the Brewers will be out less than a couple million dollars. Should he remain healthy and regain any form from the early part of the decade, the Brewers will have acquired the biggest steal of the offseason.

Pitching for the Brewers in 2010: Erik Bedard

2009-11-02T04:22:06Z

Brewers' GM Doug Melvin has made it perfectly clear that his top priority this offseason is to upgrade a starting rotation that finished last in the National League in ERA. In fact, he is hoping to add two arms for the team in 2010.

One arm is likely to come to Milwaukee from the imminent trade of JJ Hardy. While the other could come from a trade as well, the more likely scenario will see Melvin look at the available free agents.

This year's crop of free agents won't have a superstar like CC Sabathia, but there are several arms on the market capable of significantly improving the Brewers. Over the next couple weeks, I'll take a look at potential targets and how each one may or may not fit with the 2010 Brewers.

When Erik Bedard was traded to the Seattle Mariners for five players in 2008, they thought they were getting a left-hander on the verge of becoming one of the best pitchers in the game. Instead, they got a pitcher that made less than half of his starts over the last two seasons.

Despite making only 30 starts in his two seasons with the Mariners, Bedard still produced "ace" quality numbers.

In 2008, he finished with a 6-4 record with a 3.67 ERA and averaged eight strikeouts for every nine innings.

His 2009 numbers were even better. Although he was just 5-3, he had a 2.82 ERA and averaged just under 10 strikeouts every nine innings with a 1.193 WHIP.

Bedard is very similar to a former Brewers' ace, Ben Sheets. Both are great pitchers when healthy, but the major problem comes when trying to keep them to make their regular starts.

Bedard is projected to be a type B free agent, meaning the Brewers wouldn't give up any draft pick compensation to sign him. In fact, the Brewers wouldn't lose their first round pick if they signed a type A free agent either do to the fact of finishing in the bottom half of baseball record wise.

Regardless of his injury history, Bedard has several positives going for him as he moves into free agency.

A powerful, lefty arm from a starter is always a valuable commodity. He will only be 31 when the season starts in 2010. His career ERA of 3.71 has come entirely as a starter in the American League and would likely drop if he decided to pitch in the National League.

Assuming Bedard comes back completely healthy from surgery on his left shoulder and labrum, he must still show his ability to pitch a full season. He has never pitched 200 innings in a season and made only 30-plus starts once in his career.

Bedard likely cost himself a big contract when he was shut down for the season in August. A desperate team could throw a multiple-year, high dollar amount his way, but that isn't very likely.

A one-year, incentive laden deal should be what Bedard receives. It will give him a chance to show the league he can remain healthy for an entire year, and then he can seek a more lucrative deal next winter.

If Doug Melvin does feel like gambling, Bedard would provide the possibility of a high reward in return. Although he would be a big addition to the Brewers' pitching staff, it's unlikely they'll pursue him. Having a rough history with a pitcher that is injury prone may make Melvin very hesitant to sign Bedard, even to a payroll-friendly contract.

Prince Fielder: The Key to a Championship

2009-10-19T22:11:23Z

The biggest questions for the Milwaukee Brewers organization this winter all center on a pitching rotation that was dead last in National League ERA.

For the fan base, something much bigger is on their minds: Prince Fielder. Fielder has just completed the best season of his career, but all Brewer fans can think of is just how long he'll continue to be the anchor of a potent Milwaukee offense.

If not for Albert Pujols, Fielder may have positioned himself for his first MVP award. He posted career highs in the following categories: games played (162), hits (177), triples (3), RBI (141), walks (110), batting average (.299), on-base percentage (.412), and OPS (1.014). The walks and runs batted in were a franchise record for the Brewers, and he tied with Ryan Howard for the league lead in runs batted in as well.

It is pretty much assumed by most fans and media members that Fielder will bolt from Milwaukee after the 2011 season when he become a free agent. The fact that Scott Boras is his agent only adds to the feelings of impending departure.

Most fans feel one of two ways about Fielder's situation: do whatever is possible to sign him to a long-term deal this winter or trade him for the best possible trade package to re-tool the roster.

The reality of the situation is likely to be a different scenario altogether. It will also be the scenario that gives the Brewers franchise the best chance for a World Series title.

The Brewers will spend this winter overhauling the pitching staff, and that can be done without trading Fielder. The team has already re-signed closer Trevor Hoffman, and now general manager Doug Melvin can spend the rest of the winter focusing on finding starters.

Currently the staff has a couple pieces in place to build around. Yovani Gallardo proved himself to be a top-of-the-rotation pitcher in 2009. Gallardo would have easily won 18 games with better run support. Dave Bush was also having a fine year until a Hanley Ramirez line drive off his pitching arm caused inconsistency the rest of the season.

JJ Hardy, Mat Gamel, and Corey Hart have all been brought up in trade discussions. Trading two of those players should return a good middle-of-the-rotation pitcher at the very least. Milwaukee can then look to the free agent market and sign any number of pitchers to round out the rotation.

It is true that the trade market for Fielder will be at its apex this winter, but acquiring equal value for the 25-year-old isn't likely. The Brewers would want a very good pitcher and someone to take his place in the lineup in return. There are very few teams that even have those types of players to make such a trade, and even fewer willing to give up that talent for the robust first baseman.

Fielder has turned himself into an all-around player. While he will never win a Gold Glove, he is no longer the defensive liability he once was. Only Pujols is a more feared hitter in the National League.

Fielder's value is much more than his value at the plate or in the field. The protection he provides Ryan Braun has turned Braun into one of the best pure hitters in all of baseball. Teams think about Fielder two and three hitters before he even gets to the plate, which makes a pitcher more vulnerable to those at the plate.

Fielder is also the heart and soul of the franchise. While Braun may be the mouthpiece, he doesn't command the respect in the clubhouse that Fielder does. Braun is a leader with his words, but Fielder a leader with his demeanor and actions.With the possible departures of Mike Cameron and Jason Kendall, Fielder will take on an even bigger role for the 2010 team.

Despite popular opinion, Milwaukee isn't very far away from competing for a playoff spot. Removing Fielder from the team will make that destination less of a reality and more of a mirage.

Milwaukee will have a very difficult time winning a world title with Fielder on their roster, but they will have no shot at winning one by trading him away. The team needs to take their chances the next two years before Fielder leaves for good and hope for the best until then.

To read more from Jesse Motiff, click here.

Finding a Home for JJ Hardy

2009-10-17T03:06:17Z

By now it has become common knowledge even among the most novice Milwaukee Brewer fan that JJ Hardy will be dealt this offseason. Alcides Escobar has been groomed to become the starter, and the job will be his from day one in 2010.

Hardy had an awful 2009, that saw him demoted in August to Triple-A. He spent enough time in the minors that his service time this year won't count towards his free agency eligibility, so whichever team trades for him will have his services for two years and not one.

The Brewers won't get the return for Hardy that they would like since he scuffled this year, but he is still young enough with plenty of past success to still get quality pitching returning to Milwaukee. It is quite likely that Hardy will be part of a package being shipped out of Milwaukee to net the best possible starter in return. Both Mat Gamel and Corey Hart have been brought up in possible trade talks.

Hardy won't turn 28 until August of next season, so he's just entering the typical prime of a player's career. He hit 50 combined home runs between the 2007 and 2008 seasons, showing great power for his position. While he doesn't have the range of the great shortstops in the game, his arm is as powerful as anyone's in the game.

While a trade to any major league team is a possibility, some teams make more sense than others. I'll take a look at every team to try and determine a few that may ultimately become Hardy's home in 2010.

Teams with little to no chance of trading for Hardy

All NL Central teams- The Brewers would be very hard pressed to trade Hardy to the Cubs, Cardinals, Reds, Astros, or Pirates. Teams generally do not trade in their own division. While not an impossibility, too many bad things could happen to the Brewers to risk trading Hardy to any of these teams.

New York Yankees- A team with Derek Jeter at shortstop has no need for Hardy. Don't forget they also have Alex Rodriguez to move from third base if Jeter is ever out for an extended period of time.

Philadelphia Phillies- Jimmy Rollins may not be a great leadoff hitter, but he does so many things at the plate and in the field that would make Hardy useless in Philly.

Colorado Rockies- Two words: Troy Tulowitzki.

Tampa Bay Rays- The Rays have Jason Bartlett and Ben Zobrist, so they have no real need for Hardy.

Atlanta Braves- Yunel Escobar won't even reach arbitration status until 2011. Although he has been the subject of his own trade rumors, the Braves would be foolish to get rid of Escobar.

Arizona Diamondbacks- This is a situation very similar to the Braves. Stephen Drew has been the subject of many trade rumors, but he is still under team control for a few more years and isn't likely to go anywhere.

LA Angels- Erick Aybar has improved every year for the Halos and is under team control for a few more years.

Cleveland Indians- The Indians are in full rebuilding mode and wouldn't like part with the starting pitching the Brewers would ask for in return. Asdrubal Cabrera will likely be the team's shortstop for the next few years.

Texas Rangers- Elvis Andrus has the shortstp position locked up in Texas well into the next decade.

Chicago White Sox- You can never put anything past Kenny Williams, but with Alexei Ramirez as shortstop a deal is unlikely.

Teams with established shortstops that still could make a trade

Florida Marlins- Yes, I realize the Marlins have Hanley Ramirez. The team has made it known that Ramirez will one day move to first base as well. If they decide to make the move this winter, Hardy or a package could be had for any starter not named Josh Johnson.

New York Mets- Jose Reyes and his injury concerns are what make the Mets a player. If he can't come back completely healthy, Hardy would be a good back-up plan. The Mets and their fan base can't have a repeat of the 2009 season.

LA Dodgers- The Dodgers have Rafael Furcal, but he could move to second base next year if the team doesn't re-sign Orlando Hudson. A long-shot but not impossible.

Seattle Mariners- Jack Wilson is nothing special at shortstop. If his option isn't picked up, the Mariners could be a frontrunner for Hardy's services.

San Francisco Giants- Edgar Renteria was signed this past offseason, but he quickly fell out of favor. It would be hard for the Giants to just cut him and trade for Hardy but it could happen.

Washington Nationals- It would be surprising to see the Nats make a trade for Hardy but it would make sense. Cristian Guzman is the current shortstop but he could move to second base. A left side of the infield with Hardy and Ryan Zimmerman would stack up quite well against anyone in the league.

Teams that make the most sense to acquire Hardy

Oakland Athletics- The A's have good young pitching and a need for Hardy's glove and bat. A move to the West Coast would be welcomed for the Arizona native.

San Diego Padres- Everth Cabrera seemed to take control of the shortstop position, but acquiring Hardy would be a sign to the fan base that the team is working towards the future a bit quicker than originally thought.

Baltimore Orioles- The Orioles could make a lot of sense for a Hardy trade. Melvin Mora is likely to be gone, so the team will have a hole at third base as well. A Hardy and Mat Gamel package for Jeremy Guthrie would help both teams fill holes.

Toronto Blue Jays- Marco Scutaro should leave in free agency. Aaron Hill and Hardy up the middle would make Roy Halladay very happy...if he's still pitching in Toronto.

Detroit Tigers- The Tigers need to overhaul the left side of their infield. Hardy and Gamel would do wonders for the team. It's hard to think the Tigers would give up Rick Porcello, but maybe they would part with Edwin Jackson.

Minnesota Twins- The Twins will need to replace Orlando Cabrera and Joe Crede. Which one of the Twins pitchers would come back to Milwaukee? Nick Blackburn, Kevin Slowey, or Brian Duensing would all improve the Brewers' rotation.

The winner of the JJ Hardy sweepstakes

Boston Red Sox- The Red Sox are by far the team most often talked about when Hardy's name is mentioned. Despite what some Red Sox fans want you to believe, Jed Lowrie isn't a long-term solution at shortstop. Mike Lowell is under contract for one more year. Gamel could be groomed to be his replacement.

Clay Buchholz would be a good starting point for the Brewers return package. If the Red Sox would be willing to include Manny Delcarmen, Michael Bowden, or Daniel Bard in the deal as well, Doug Melvin would be a fool not to pull the trigger.

A trade of JJ Hardy will be unpopular with some fans, but those that want the best long-term for the team will cheer the day Hardy is no longer a Brewer.

Ben Sheets: The Forgotten Ace

2009-10-16T03:05:19Z

The Milwaukee Brewers are in desperate need of starting pitching help. Ben Sheets is in desperate need of a team for the 2010 season. Are the two a perfect fit for a reunion or a couple that would be best served to stay separated?

Ben Sheets has had high expectations his entire career, and when healthy, he has lived up to those expectations quite well.

Sheets was the first round pick of the Brewers in the 1999 draft. It didn't take long before fans were expects him to be the new "ace" of the Brewers' rotation.

As a member of the 2000 Olympic team, he was put into a pressure cooker when manager Tommy Lasorda made him the starter for the Gold Medal game. Sheets responded with a complete game shutout of the favored Cuban club.

The following year saw the arrival of Sheets in a Brewers' uniform. He showed he was ready for that challenge as well. He won 11 games in 25 starts while being named to the All-Star team. It was the first of four All-Star game appearances.

Sheets won 11 games in each of his first three seasons before having a breakout year in 2004.

Despite winning just 12 games that year, he finished with a 2.70 ERA and struck out a team record 264 batters while walking only 32. He finished eighth in Cy Young balloting and clearly established himself as one of the top starters in the league.

Sheets was rewarded with a new contract at the start of 2005 season. He signed a four-year, $38.5 million deal that was the largest contract ever signed by a Brewers' player at the time.

Those four years would be filled with Sheets bouncing back-and-forth off of the disabled list, but still pitching at a high level when healthy. He never finished a season with an ERA over 3.82 but only averaged 23 starts a season.

Brewer fans were hardest hit at the end of the 2008 when Sheets was unable to pitch in the postseason. Matters were made worse when Sheets needed offseason surgery on a torn flexor tendon in his pitching elbow. The Brewers were stuck picking up the tab on the surgery.

Sheets became a free agent and would net the Brewers draft pick compensation due to his slotting as a type-A free agent. However since he was injured and the timetable on his return was unknown, no team offered Sheets a contract although the Texas Rangers appeared close to a deal with him.

Since he remained unsigned, the Brewers lost any possible compensation in the form of draft picks. Sheets ended up missing the entire 2009 season, despite rumors that he would sign with a contender for the stretch run.

Now Sheets is still without a team and the Brewers are in need of a pitcher to stabilize one of the worst rotations in baseball.

The Brewers seemed open to at least exploring the idea of Sheets returning to Milwaukee, although they have yet to follow up with either him or his agent. Sheets has made no comment since his departure on whether he would ever welcome a return to Milwaukee.

Sheets would be a cheap option for the Brewers if the two could agree on a contract. The best Sheets could hope for after missing an entire season would be a one-year, incentive laden deal with a base salary likely between $2-3 million.

A low-risk, high-reward pitcher is worth taking a gamble on from the Brewers' point of view. Whether Sheets would take that gamble on the Brewers is a totally different story.

Sheets seemed to become disenchanted with the Brewers and seemed on the verge of signing with the Rangers until his injury situation arose. He spent most of the year rehabbing his injury at a clinic owned and operated by the Rangers. The team also has pitching coach Mike Maddux in their fold to lure Sheets. Maddux coached Sheets in Milwaukee from 2003-2008.

As much as the Brewers need quality pitching, they would be best served to steer clear of Sheets. After a season which saw their entire staff struggle, the team can't pin their hopes on the arm of a pitcher that hasn't pitched an entire season since 2004.

Sheets will find someone to give him a contract for the 2010 season, like the Texas Rangers. The New York Mets could also be in contention as the also are desperate for pitching help.

Ben Sheets gave Brewers' fans many great memories while he played for the team, but fans have just as many memories of games that Sheets missed as games that he played in. Without a guarantee, the Brewers and their fans will be content to acquire a starter in a trade or two and maybe sign a starter with a better health history in free agency.