Brewers miss out on Kelvim Escobar

The Mets have reached an agreement with Kelvim Escobar.  He recently worked out for scouts from the Brewers, Cubs, Giants, Pirates, Tigers, Mariners, Athletics, and Rays.  Details on the signing have yet to come out. It’s thought that the deal may be a minor league contract, though it’d surely include an invitation to spring training.  If you’ve read previous posts on this site, you’re fully aware of how highly I think of Kelvim Escobar. 

The 33-year-old posted a 3.40 ERA over 30 starts in 2007 and has a 4.15 ERA in 202 career major league starts, but he has made just one MLB appearance in the last two years.  This is the ultimate low risk-high reward type pitcher.  I’m still honked off that the Brewers rotation essentially is just replacing Braden Looper, the team’s leader in victories last season, for Randy Wolf.  I fully support the signing of Wolf and truly appreciate what he brings to the table.  However, you still have Jeff Suppan, Dave Bush, and Manny Parra in your projected rotation.  I would have liked to see the rotation completely blown up.  Parra is a wild young southpaw that would be on his last chance as the 5th starter.  As your rotation stands you have a 1, a 3, and a bunch of 5’s.  The question you must ask yourself is this, “Are the Brewers closer to the World Series with the moves this offseason?”  I don’t care about being competitive, you play for championships.  Embracing mediocrity isn’t in my DNA.    

I can understand the Brewers passed on Rich Harden due to injury concerns.  Trading Suppan would be nearly impossible, except for another horrendous contract.  Dave Bush was arbitration eligible and you could have decided to non-tender.  Add to Bush’s vacated salary and go out after a Jon Garland or Jason Marquis when he was still on the market.  Garland was plan “B” if Wolf fell apart; why not go after Garland now?  Even if you couldn’t get it done, there are plenty of pitchers out available to replace what Bush can do.  He’s a decent pitcher that at best can keep you in most of his starts.  Bush’s VORP isn’t comparable to Roy Halladay or Zack Greinke.  Missing out on Kelvim Escobar really ticks me off because he’s a guy that has more talent than any of the low risk pitchers they’ve signed this offseason.  Gord Ash and Rick Peterson are familiar with Escobar going back to their days in Toronto.   The Crew made two low risk signings with Chris Capuano and John Halama to minor league deals.  Out of Capuano, Halama, or Escobar, who has more upside?

Tags: Brewerws, Kelvim Escobar, Mets