Free agent pitching for Brewers to consider

The Brewers declined the option on Braden Looper and will pay him a million dollar buyout.  Looper led the team with 14 wins last season and a MLB leading 34 starts however a 5.22 ERA and a MLB leading 39 ding dongs allowed isn’t going to get it done.  Last year was as good as Looper can pitch and I wouldn’t pay him more either.  The salary you gave to Looper I would offer to some of the guys you’ll read about later in this post.  I’m not a big believer in overpaying for mediocore starting pitching.     

The Brewers reportedly have met with representatives for Angels ace John Lackey, and a pair of lefties: Randy Wolf of the Dodgers and Doug Davis from the Diamondbacks at the general managers meetings.  Lackey is the top pitcher on the market and will be able to command top dollar.  Lackey and Wolf are Type A free agents and their previous teams will receive a first round pick as compensation.  The 1st rd picks are protected up to 15 and the Brewers have the 14th pick, therefore would have to give up a second rounder.  I like both pitchers, but it all depends if the Brewers have the money they want and a good enough team for them to come to Milwaukee.  Davis turned his career around with the Crew and overcame thyroid cancer this past season.  Davis is a very slow worker and someone I wouldn’t consider bringing back.  Davis had a 208 strikeout campaign with the Brewers, but isn’t someone I would spend top dollar to re-acquire.  He’s a career 90-97 pitcher with a 4.31 ERA.  As a Type B free agent the Brewers would have to give the Diamondbacks a compensatory pick if arbitration was offered.  Jarrod Washburn wouldn’t cost a compensatory pick and has a proven track record of grading out as a fifth starter.  I am fully aware that’s he’s originally from Wisconsin, but that’s not a reason to sign someone.  I wouldn’t break the bank for a guy with a career 107-109 record.  Davis and Washburn are pitchers I would sign for my price to a short term deal.      

Jason Marquis is a Type B free agent that may get offered arbitration by the Rockies.  The Cubs gave him away from practically nothing and he had a career year winning 15 games.  He’s been durable for his career with 30 plus starts in 5 of the last 6 seasons.  Marquis would slot in as a decent number 4 or 5 starter.  The 31 year-old hurler has bounced around the Senior Circuit and could help the Crew.  I would rather give him a two or three year deal over a guy that has more talent and injury concerns.  He was working on a 3 year 21 million dollar deal signed with the Cubs, but his asking price may be higher.  He’s a groundball pitcher coming off an all-star year looking to cash in again.  I would much rather sign him than Davis or Washburn.      

Now moving onto the always appealing injured pitchers market for this hot stove season.  Earlier this month Melvin contacted the agent for Mark Mulder, who missed all of 2009 and last appeared in regular action in 2006.  With the connection to pitching coach Rick Peterson I could see the Brewers as a feasible option for Mulder.  His shoulder has been messed up for a couple of years and his velocity has diminished.  Mulder was a phenomenal pitcher in his prime, however it remains to be seen if those days have come and gone.  The southpaw may have to prove himself in winter-ball to get a deal or an invite to spring training.  Mark Prior will throw for teams at some point this offseason.  Prior hasn’t appeared in a game since 2006 with the Chicago Cubs.  Could Peterson’s Biomechanics fix the alleged perfect mechanics of Prior?

Rich Harden is a Type B free agent that may find the market difficult this winter.  Harden has struggled with injuries his entire career and I wouldn’t consider him for anything than a 1 yr deal.  At the ceiling of his production you’re hoping for 25 starts and 6 innings per start.  He’s pitched over 140 innings in his career 3 times and I would consider him the ultimate risk-reward.  Erik Bedard is also a Type –B free agent and is the same boat as Harden.  Whether or not their respective clubs offer arbitration is yet to be determined.  Randy Johnson suffered an injury to his rotator cuff last year with the Giants and his future plans are up in the air.      

Kelvim Escobar of the Angels and Justin Duchscherer of the A’s are pitchers I would look to sign cheap.  Escobar is a power pitcher with a bad shoulder while Duchsherer had shoulder problems and clinical depression to deal with last season.  Duchscherer is a Type B free agent whether or not the A’s offer arbitration remains to be seen.  Every year pitchers rise from the scrap heap to help teams out.  I certainly didn’t think Pedro Martinez, Kevin Correia or Brett Tomko had any gas left in the tank before last season?    The Brewers not only are trying to fill in their major league starting rotation, as the Triple-A Nashville cupboard is empty as we saw last season. I have no problem with the Brewers taking a flier on an injured pitcher.  It’s a low risk gamble to sign injured pitchers to a minor league deal.

Tags: Braden Looper, Brewers, Doug Davis, Jarrod Washburn, Jason Marquis, John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar, Mark Mulder, Mark Prior, Randy Wolf, Rich Harden