Coming into the 2010 season, the back of the Brewers' bullpen appeared to be one of the most reliable areas of the team's pitching staff. Trevor Hoffman, LaTroy Hawkins, and Todd Coffey were all coming off strong 2009 campaigns, and looked poised to hold down the late innings in Milwaukee. All three right-handers struggled this year though, with Hoffman losing the closer's job and Hawkins missing most of the season due to shoulder trouble.
Hawkins is under contract for 2011 and Hoffman's time in Milwaukee is likely over, but the team will face a decision on Coffey in the coming weeks. The 30-year-old will be arbitration-eligible for the final time and, in spite of his underwhelming performance, probably has a slight raise coming on this year's $2.025MM salary.
Prior to the 2010 season, Coffey had been one of the team's best relievers, posting a 2.67 ERA over 91 innings since the 2008 waiver claim that sent him from Cincinnati to Milwaukee. This year, however, in 62.1 IP, Coffey's ERA ballooned to 4.76. Of course, his numbers weren't all bad; his walk and home run rates were only slightly above his career averages, and he recorded a career-best strikeout rate (8.1 K/9). Whether or not the Brewers decide to tender him a contract this year will depend on if they believe those peripheral stats suggest a bounceback 2011 season is in the cards.
The Brewers' bullpen pitched 518 innings, third-most in the National League, and ranked just 12th in the NL in ERA (4.48). It figures to be an area the team will focus on improving this winter, but before they look to the free agent market, the Brewers will need to make a decision on Coffey. Will the righty be non-tendered this offseason? Click here to weigh in, and click here to view the results.
If he gets non-tendered I wouldn’t be surprised to see Theo take a run at him.
Yeah definetly. I could see many teams buying low on Coffey as a bounce back candidate. Watch out for the Marlins.
By the way, isn’t the potential non-tender pool pretty loaded with bounce back candidates? I really like the non-tender series on MLBTR and more possible non tender candidates. Zach Duke for example I could see having a big year maybe in a different league.
Yeah, the Cape Cod League, maybe.
With Manny Parra, Carlos Villaneuva, and Mike McLendon fighting for spots with Kameron Loe, Zach Braddock, John Axford, Latroy Hawkins, and possibly Chris Narveson, I think Coffey will probably be the odd man out because of his high salary.
Maybe a non-tender/resign candidate?
I agree he looks like a good player to non-tender then resign.
If the Brewers just want to be done with him, maybe they can look for a team with a non tender candidate or an out of options player they like and try to make a trade. It seems to me a pitcher like Coffey probably has some admirers out there; perhaps a team that doesn’t want to take a chance on losing him to another team will give you something for him.
will be offered on fact that his entrance music is the Ultimate Warrior’s
The Brewers have younger/cheaper/better options at this point. I think it’s time for him to move on to other pastures.
But yeah, just about the best reliever entrance in baseball.
You wouldn’t need an upgrade in the bullpen if your starting rotation wasn’t crap
FACT
stuck0,
At least most of last year’s “crap” as you put it will be gone. Actually the starting pitching was pretty good the last month once Parra was removed and sent to the pen.
Coffey’s 30 and has had one good year in the big leagues. He’s got decent enough stuff, but he’s prone to hanging sliders and they go a long way. I don’t see a need to spend much on a guy like Coffey. I’d rather keep the younger and cheaper Villanueva, who doesn’t throw as hard but can get K’s with his changeup and breaking stuff. The key is whether Hawkins can return to form. If he can, the pen is decent. Axford deserves at least some ROY mention for what he did closing last year.
Love his famous sprint to the mound, but he has to go. His numbers are decent but that is only because they kept putting him in the pressure situations with men on base and he always found a way to clear them before he got any outs. Cut him loose. He needs a change of scenery and we got DeFelice coming back next year and the Hawk back we should be in good shape bullpen wise. What do u guys think about signing berkman in the offseason when prince is gone. I think he would be a good clubhouse guy.