Headlines

  • Anthopoulos On Trading Chris Sale: “Will Not Happen”
  • Rays Owner Stuart Sternberg In “Advanced” Talks To Sell Team
  • Rafael Devers To Start Work At First Base With Giants
  • Giants Acquire Rafael Devers
  • Shohei Ohtani To Make Dodgers Pitching Debut On Monday
  • Roki Sasaki No Longer Throwing; No Timetable For Return
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2025
    • Free Agent Contest Leaderboard
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Discussion: Jeff Suppan

By Tim Dierkes | June 8, 2010 at 12:47pm CDT

Jeff Suppan is a free agent now, after being released by the Brewers with over $10MM remaining on his contract.  Suppan's new team would be on the hook for only the pro-rated league minimum.  The righty is projected by ZiPS to post a 5.40 ERA from here on out.  That's not appealing, but maybe a 4.75 ERA can be coaxed out of Suppan over a half-season.

A Cardinals reunion has been bandied about by some analysts, as the team could use a rotation arm given the injuries to Kyle Lohse and Brad Penny.  However, Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch would be stunned if the Cardinals show interest.

How about another former team of Suppan's, the Pirates?  Back at the '03 trade deadline, the Bucs sent Suppan, Brandon Lyon, and Anastacio Martinez to the Red Sox for Mike Gonzalez, Freddy Sanchez, and cash.  The Pirates currently have Jeff Karstens and Dana Eveland at the back end of their rotation, though Brad Lincoln is on the way and Charlie Morton is on the DL.  What's the point in a rebuilding team letting Suppan soak up innings at an ERA over 5.00?

The Brewers would not commit a rotation spot to Suppan, and their starters have a collective 4.82 ERA.  The reality is that he is not going to jump into anyone's starting five.  Suppan could instead sign a minor league deal with a club like the Astros, and hope to get the call if Brett Myers and/or Roy Oswalt are traded a month from now.

Share 0 Retweet 3 Send via email0

Pittsburgh Pirates St. Louis Cardinals Jeff Suppan

Which Teams Will Add Draft Picks For 2011?
Main
Free Agent Stock Watch: Octavio Dotel
View Comments (28)
Post a Comment

28 Comments

  1. BravesRed

    15 years ago

    I say Arizona signs him.

    Reply
  2. Brandon Woodworth

    15 years ago

    Me too. Arizona would sign Nolan Ryan if he said he was available.

    Reply
  3. nickfit

    15 years ago

    I understand the theory behind a new team being only on the hook for the minimum, but is there a rule preventing a (muted) bidding war or sorts where Suppan can get extra money (on top of the money owed under his current contract)?

    I assumed there was a rule saying he could choose the current deal or a different one, so logic would assume the current deal would be the best (or someone would trade for him).

    Does anyone know?

    Reply
    • martinfv2

      15 years ago

      Yeah teams are free to pay him more than the prorated league minimum. I can’t recall it happening after someone was released though.

      Reply
  4. rayking

    15 years ago

    Bernie M. is usually on point, but I disagree and do think the Cards will bring him back. If they can coax a 5.00 ERA out of him and avoid overexposing the young arms of Ottavino, Hawksworth, Boggs and Walters, they have to do it. Use him until they know more about the injury status of Penny and Lohse, and also until more teams are willing to be sellers and offer pitching in trades, and if it doesn’t work, cut him at a minimal loss since he would only cost the pro-rated league minimum.

    Besides, Duncan squeezed blood out of a rock last season with Smoltz, why not try it again (I admit this would be slightly different since Smoltz came over from AL).

    Reply
    • j6takish

      15 years ago

      Getting a productive season out of future hall of famer in his early 40’s isn’t quite the same as trying to get production from a guy who just failed a mop up gig in the NL central

      Reply
      • rayking

        15 years ago

        That’s a valid point of view, and I understand that perspective. But future hall of famer status aside, Smoltz’s BoSox stats of 8.33 ERA and 8 HRS allowed in 40 IP were almost as bleak as Suppan’s 7.84 ERA and WHIP of 2.00.

        Reply
    • Triteon

      15 years ago

      I agree with you (and Jeff Gordon). As rayking hinted at below, Suppan has issues but all it took to turn Smoltz around was a side session with Duncan, Carpenter and Wainwright to point out a flaw or two in Smoltz’s approach.
      Suppan doesn’t have the HOF creds, but he’s liked in St. Louis and could calmly go about pitching without having to play to the expectations of his oversized Brewers contract.
      However it plays out, this discussion further exposes a major weakness in the Cardinals’ minor league system.

      Reply
      • cedarandstone

        15 years ago

        Smoltz had 5-6 more mph on his fastball and walked just a hair over 2 per 9, vs. 4+ for Suppan.

        Even greatly diminished, Smoltz had far superior talent last year than Suppan has had in years.

        Reply
  5. TytheSportsGuy

    15 years ago

    Suppan can’t be any worse than Hawksworth, Walters, or Ottavino…

    Reply
    • vtadave

      15 years ago

      You might be surprised.

      Reply
  6. Ian_Smell

    15 years ago

    No way should the Pirates sign him. They’re better off with just Karstens and Eveland and Lincoln is coming up soon so it doesn’t really make sense to spend more money.

    Reply
    • jill

      15 years ago

      Yeah, the Pirates should just say no. Anyway, Jeff Karstens is made for 5th starter, and he can go to relief if they actually find a better one.

      Reply
  7. ThePaulCrew

    15 years ago

    The brewers and all their fans would cream in their pants if Jeff Suppan signed with an NL Central team. Seriously, if this guy has an ERA under 6 from here on out it will be a surprise. Im sorry but this isnt some young pitcher who just needs a change of scenery. Suppan is just flat out bad. That being said, I wish him luck

    Reply
    • TytheSportsGuy

      15 years ago

      He won the 2006 NLCS for St.Louis. He deserves a 2nd shot.

      Reply
      • vtadave

        15 years ago

        Seriously? I believe So Taguchi hit a pretty big homer in that series if I’m not mistaken. Maybe he could platoon with Rasmus?

        Reply
        • ChuckNorris

          15 years ago

          Even though Suppan is only 35 and Taguchi will be 41 next month, I wouldn’t be surprised if Taguchi is still able to hang in there with 200 PA and solid defense in center.

          Reply
          • 101andcounting

            15 years ago

            Taguchi did play some outfield for the Cubs last year and really didn’t play poorly at all. I can’t say I was ever excited when he came in as a defensive replacement, but he was at least as good as you’d imagine him being.

            Reply
          • Triteon

            15 years ago

            It’s easier to get PAs with the Orix Buffaloes.

            Reply
    • ChuckNorris

      15 years ago

      I think a reunion with Dave Duncan would turn this guy around. Many pitchers (with career .500 or lower records) have succeeded in Duncan’s system, and I think Suppan was a product of that. Look at his stats before and after playing for St. Louis. I think it would benefit both STL and Suppan if he signed with them.

      Reply
    • ChuckNorris

      15 years ago

      I think a reunion with Dave Duncan would turn this guy around. Many pitchers (with career .500 or lower records) have succeeded in Duncan’s system, and I think Suppan was a product of that. Look at his stats before and after playing for St. Louis. I think it would benefit both STL and Suppan if he signed with them.

      Reply
      • cedarandstone

        15 years ago

        If Duncan has access to about 50 gallons of magic steroids, then yes. Otherwise, no.

        Reply
  8. dc21892

    15 years ago

    I didn’t realize the Red Sox gave up so much for Suppan. Sad.

    Reply
  9. dc21892

    15 years ago

    I didn’t know the Red Sox gave up that much for Suppan. SAD.

    Reply
  10. AndrewEI

    15 years ago

    That’s pretty miss leading. The Red Sox didn’t really give up that much. Mike Gonzalez was only Red Sox property for 9 days. They traded Lyon and Martinez to the Bucs for Gonzalez and Scot Sauberbeck. Lyon was injured so the trade was vetoed so they just swapped Lyon back with Gonzalez. I’m pretty sure Martinez was returned too. And his agent doesn’t deserve more of a medal than any other agent from that free agent class. That’s what the market called for. You can thank Kris Benson’s agent for setting that market a few seasons prior.

    Reply
  11. cedarandstone

    15 years ago

    Suppan tops out around 87 mph. All the coaching the world isn’t going to make that successful, even if they can get his walk rate under 4-1/2 per nine.

    He’s a soft tosser with a tired arm.

    Sure, Brewers fans got on him more than is reasonable for a guy with and 0-2 record, but the truth is he shouldn’t be expected to do anything but give up bunches of hits and runs at this point.

    Reply
  12. 101andcounting

    15 years ago

    He may be done, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a couple of teams kick the tires on him

    Reply
  13. pageian

    15 years ago

    Hard to see too many teams being interested in Suppan. The Brewers pitching is pretty brutal and if they don’t have a spot for him I don’t see too many other teams having a spot for him either. Pittsburgh doesn’t make sense for the reasons Tim stated, rebuilding team wasting innings on a retread. St. Louis doesn’t really seem to make sense either unless Duncan knows how to turn him around. If a rebuilding team doesn’t want to waste innings on a retread why would a contending team? If the Cards can’t do better than Suppan given their need of a starter then their outlook isn’t great. My guess is some team like Houston or Baltimore, teams that aren’t rebuilding and/or not contending that don’t have a lot of youth to call on or be blocked by a veteran on the downside.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Anthopoulos On Trading Chris Sale: “Will Not Happen”

    Rays Owner Stuart Sternberg In “Advanced” Talks To Sell Team

    Rafael Devers To Start Work At First Base With Giants

    Giants Acquire Rafael Devers

    Shohei Ohtani To Make Dodgers Pitching Debut On Monday

    Roki Sasaki No Longer Throwing; No Timetable For Return

    Nationals To Promote Brady House

    White Sox, Brewers Swap Aaron Civale, Andrew Vaughn

    Justin Martínez To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Brewers’ Aaron Civale Requests Trade

    Angels To Promote Christian Moore

    Brewers Promote Jacob Misiorowski

    Red Sox Acquire Jorge Alcala

    Jackson Jobe To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Shane McClanahan Pauses Rehab, Seeking Further Opinions On Nerve Issue

    Royals Place Cole Ragans On IL With Rotator Cuff Strain

    Red Sox Promote Roman Anthony

    Craig Kimbrel Elects Free Agency

    Marlins Place Ryan Weathers On 60-Day IL With Lat Strain

    White Sox To Promote Grant Taylor

    Recent

    Giants Notes: Devers, Eldridge, Payroll

    Poll: Can The Blue Jays Keep This Up?

    Phillies Select Buddy Kennedy, Transfer Aaron Nola To 60-Day IL

    Marlins To Select Robinson Piña

    D-backs Place Gabriel Moreno On Injured List, Select Aramis Garcia

    Trade Deadline Outlook: Pittsburgh Pirates

    Michael King Unlikely To Return Prior To All-Star Break

    Yankees Select Jayvien Sandridge

    The Opener: Doubleheaders, Mets, Twins

    Read The Transcript Of Nicklaus Gaut’s Fantasy Baseball Chat

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Nolan Arenado Rumors
    • Dylan Cease Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Marcus Stroman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2024-25 Offseason Outlook Series
    • 2025 Arbitration Projections
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version