Your Love

It seems that the Brewers have settled their rotation and infield with the signing of SP Jeff Suppan and the trade with Arizona to pick up SP Claudio Vargas and C Johnny Estrada. However, there are still big question marks when it comes to the outfield and bullpen. I think the outfield is a little clearer, just barely, right now so I’m going to talk about that part of the team at this time.

According to interviews done by GM Doug Melvin this winter, it looks like Corey Hart and Bill Hall will get starting outfield spots next years, which specific spots in the outfield though is up in the air right now. Also, in an interview Melvin did this morning (Dec. 26^th) on WSSP, he once again talked about Hart and Hall being starters in the outfield with Hall most likely being in center at this point.

So that leaves one starting spot for six players which are all still on the Brewers roster at this point: Brady Clark, Geoff Jenkins, Laynce Nix, Kevin Mench, Gabe Gross, and Tony Gwynn Jr.

Taking this player by player, it appears that Clark is destined to be a back-up outfielder in 2007. In off season news related to Clark, Melvin shot down a published report that he offered Clark to the Rockies for Clint Barmes. Bet on Clark coming off the bench for most of 2007.

As for Jenkins, he has one year left on his contract, he is set to make $7 million in 2007 and there is a team option for $9 millions in 2008, I doubt that gets picked up by whatever team he is on at the end of 2007. When the 2006 season ended, all signs pointed to Jenkins not being a Brewer in 2007 but as the off season moves on and each day that goes by, the chance increases that Jenkins will continue his tenure in Milwaukee. Even in 2006, Jenkins still fared pretty well against righties. In his career he has hit .291 against right-handed with a .891 OPS.

Acquired in the Carlos Lee deal last year, Nix has a history of injuries and that history continued after he became a Brewer last season. Nix’s last two seasons have ended in injuries. Therefore, look for Melvin to either dump him or try to get him to the minors some how.

Also part of the trade with the Rangers last season, Mench was a disappointment in his time with the Brewers. He hit just .230 with a .248 OBP and a .317 SLG in 40 games with the Crew last season. Not very impressive stats at all. Mench was definitely on the trading block during this year’s hot stove season. There was a rumored deal to the Orioles with the Crew receiving Rodrigo Lopez in return. But, with the Brewers picking up Suppan and Vargas, that trade is definitely dead. One thing that Mench has proven to do over his career is hit lefties, so he could be used as part of a platoon with Jenkins. In his entire time in the bigs, Mench has hit .303 with a .930 OPS against left-handed pitching.

One player that surprised some fans last year was Gross who was acquired in the Lyle Overbay trade. He often stepped up when called upon as a pinch hitter with three pinch hit homers however, hit only .235 as a pinch hitter overall. Gross was streaky in the first half of the season, but posted some pretty solid numbers both before and after the all-star break. He did enough last year as a back-up to warrant being in that spot again in 2007.

TGJ got first chance in the big leagues in 2006 and did a pretty solid job, not spectacular but solid. With the Brewers at the point where they are right now, looking to win and win now. TGJ will most likely be back at Nashville unless something drastic happens in spring training and he wins a back-up job away from another player. He does have a chance to be a part of the Brewers future with continued improvement. TGJ will never hit a lot of power but has to become a more complete player in other areas of the game to have a chance at being a full time big leaguer.

So, after all that if no players are traded or signed in the outfield for the Brewers look for Hart in right, Hall in center and a Mench/Jenkins platoon in left and look for Clark and Gross to come off the bench. But, that’s an educated guess at this point and lots of things will change between now and opening day.

Christmas Soup

Great news on Christmas Eve



Suppan to the Crew

Sup's on?

What does it take to lure a veteran starting pitcher to Milwaukee these days?

For starters, how about fine dining at Brewers owner Mark Attanasio's L.A. home capped off with a $40 million contract offer? The Brewers hope such treatment will land the right hander to solidify a rotation that includes Ben Sheets, Chris Capuano, Dave Bush, and Claudio Vargas.

But will the Brewers be the most intriguing destination among a group of suitors including the Mets, Pirates, Giants, and Mariners? In November, the Brewers were thought to have been close to an agreement with free agent centerfielder Dave Roberts, only to be disappointed when he took a lower offer to join San Francisco over Milwaukee.

Suppan's agent, Scott Leventhal, has indicated that his client's interest in the Brewers is sincere, and their offer was "substantial." Leventhal told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Suppan "has had tremendous success in [Miller Park], and is extremely comfortable with the city."

In the past, Milwaukee was often dismissed by free agents because of its anemic market and unpleasant weather, not to mention a lack of night life. But in this case, the Brewers' geography might actually help them attract Suppan. A native of Oklahoma, he has spent the majority of his time in the midwest, pitching for Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and Saint Louis.

Will the allure of a major market like New York or San Francisco be enough to draw Suppan away from Milwaukee? Or will the low pressure atmosphere of Milwaukee coupled with the team's youthful resurgence propel him to become a Brewer?

-Eric Bigalke