Brewers Rumors

First Rounder Arnett Agrees To Deal With Brewers

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 12, 2009 at 12:28pm CDT

12:28pm: MLB.com's Adam McCalvy confirms the deal and adds that it includes a $1.2MM bonus, which is in line with the commissioner's recommendations. Arnett will report to Rookie league after the weekend to begin his pro career.

11:30am: Eric Arnett, the Brewers' first round pick, has agreed to a deal with Milwaukee. His Twitter says he's now officially a Brewer. MLB.com has video of the college pitcher in action.

Tom Haudricourt suggested Arnett would sign today.

Odds And Ends: Arnett, El Duque, Crow

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 12, 2009 at 9:49am CDT

Links for Friday morning…

Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the Brewers are close to signing first rounder Eric Arnett.
Ready for next year's draft? MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo is, with ten players to watch in 2010, including Cameron Bedrosian, the son of Steve Bedrosian, who won the 1987 NL Cy Young Award.
Jamey Newberg walks his readers through the five step plan the Rangers used to set the team up to contend for years.
Tyler Kepner of the New York Times looks at the big picture and determines that a lot has changed since 2004. More specifically, the Red Sox have a "stranglehold" on the Yankees.
Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times says Milton Bradley is a "$30MM elephant in the room" because of his hitting struggles.
Dave Sheinin of the Washington Post believes Felix Hernandez can and will become even better.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post hopes Orlando Hernandez succeeds in Texas. What a great story that would be.
Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star reports that Aaron Crow's in line for a $3-4MM bonus before the August 17th signing deadline. The deadline doesn't apply to college seniors, but Crow didn't go back to college for his senior year, so he has to sign by the 17th, like most players.

Draft Odds and Ends: Phillies, Red Sox, Brewers

By Brian Shephard | June 11, 2009 at 9:12pm CDT

Some draft-themed links…

Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports that the Phillies signed their top draft pick, centerfielder Kelly Dugan.
Being drafted by the Red Sox was only the start of an amazing day for Chris Costantino, according to John Gillooly of the Providence Journal.
Adam McCalvy of MLB.com writes about the unusual good luck charm the Brewers used during the draft.
John Branch of the New York Times profiles Alibay Barkley, the last player chosen in this year's draft.
The number of draftees coming out of MLB's Urban Youth Academy rose again this year, according to Lisa Winston of MLB.com.

Draft Roundup: White, Tejada, Fuentes

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 11, 2009 at 9:05am CDT

Here are some updates on the draft as we enter its final day…

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that the Indians will develop their first round pick, Alex White, as a reliever.
Astros GM Ed Wade told Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle that the team's selection of shortstop Jiovanni Mier doesn't mean Miguel Tejada's about to be moved. Mier had said a scout told him the Astros would get rid of Tejada.
MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo points out that more high school arms were selected than usual. Seven of the first 19 picks were prep pitchers.
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports "indications" that the D'Backs will be able to sign their second and third highest picks, A.J. Pollock and Matt Davidson, soon.
Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says the Brewers could sign first round pick Eric Arnett soon with a bonus of about $1.2MM.
As Mike Fitzpatrick of the AP reports, Carlos Beltran has high hopes for his cousin, Reymond Fuentes, who was drafted by the Red Sox in the first round.

Odds And Ends: Mariners, Rangers, Smoltz

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 8, 2009 at 9:39am CDT

Here are a few links to kick the week off…

Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times says the Mariners would risk losing fan interest if they deal players like Erik Bedard before the Mariners fall far out of the playoff race.
Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports that Rangers GM Jon Daniels is looking to the trade market for a bullpen upgrade.
WEEI.com's Rob Bradford reports that John Smoltz is open to pitching out of the bullpen and may be asked to skip occasional starts. This could be one way of managing the starting pitching surplus in Boston.
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle wonders whether Kevin Frandsen, now in Triple A, would be open to starting fresh with a different club.
Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star believes the Royals are better off than they were a few years ago, but says they'll have trouble realizing their goal of contending in 2010.
Michael Hunt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Tom Glavine isn't good enough to help the Brewers and Jake Peavy isn't cheap enough.

Odds & Ends: Hart, Bedard, Hanson, Draft

By Nat Boyle | June 7, 2009 at 1:01pm CDT

Some bullet points from around the internet:

Via Twitter, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (@haudricourt) wrote, "Talked to a baseball official who said the Brewers have indicated RF Corey Hart is not available, so forget any trade rumors involving him."
In response to his name swirling around the rumor mills, Erik Bedard is speaking in clichés, saying in a piece by MLB.com's Jim Street, "I don't really pay much attention to it" and "I love Seattle. You can't complain with this city, the fans, the stadium, the new coaches we've got, the players … it's a lot of fun. I love it here, so if it [contract extension] does happen, I'd be happy."
Tommy Hanson has been called up to make his Major League debut today against Milwaukee, says the Miami Herald. Casey Kotchman was placed on the 15-day DL with a strained right calf to make space for Hanson.
The Washington Post reports Nats GM Mike Rizzo says the team is "not drafting on signability whatsoever." Instead, the Nats will take, according to the Post, "the highest-remaining player on their board. That simple."
According to Keith Law, high schooler and lefty "Matt Purke is looking for 'Rick Porcello's deal' in the upcoming draft, according to industry sources." Law notes Porcello received $7.285MM in guranteed money, including a $3.58MM signing bonus, a record for a high school pitcher previously held by Josh Beckett.
Law also ranks the best tools in the '09 draft.

Odds And Ends: Nats, Astros, Putz, Brewers

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 5, 2009 at 12:46pm CDT

Olney On Glavine, Dunn, Penny

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 4, 2009 at 12:35pm CDT

ESPN.com's Buster Olney wonders where Tom Glavine will land and comes up with a couple options. The Rangers, who are looking to shed Vicente Padilla, "will probably talk about Glavine." Olney says the pitcher could also "fit cheaply" with the Marlins and former Braves coach, Fredi Gonzalez. Here are the rest of Olney's rumors:

Adam Dunn fits Boston's needs, but the Nationals would want a "big-time pitching prospect" in exchange for the slugger. The two teams match up well, but Olney warns this doesn't mean we'll see a deal.
The Phillies heard that the Red Sox would want infielder Jason Donald in exchange for Brad Penny.
The Reds are looking for a third baseman.
Olney hears buzz that the Mariners may pass on Dustin Ackley, who's considered the best college hitter in the draft. If that's the case, the Padres would consider him and Donovan Tate with their 3rd pick.
The Brewers are "actively looking" to improve their team.

Heyman On Contenders’ Needs

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | June 3, 2009 at 1:21pm CDT

Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Dodgers would have to overpay for Jake Peavy, the Red Sox are going after bats and the Giants are "dangling" Jonathan Sanchez. Here are the details:

It's unlikely the White Sox could pry Cliff Lee away from the Indians.
The Brewers aren't sure whether they'll go after a hitter or a pitcher.
Heyman cites a source who says the Dodgers believe they'd have to pay "insanely" more than anyone else if they want to acquire Peavy. That's not much of a problem for the Dodgers, who are looking strong as-is.
The Red Sox are "aggressively seeking help," according to their competitors.
The best player they have a realistic shot at is Victor Martinez. If the Red Sox are going to deal for V-Mart, they'll likely have to part with young pitching.
Along with Nick Johnson and Aubrey Huff, Heyman says Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham are "possibilities" for the Red Sox.
Not surprisingly, the Mets would not deal Fernando Martinez for Matt Holliday.
The Giants are "dangling" Jonathan Sanchez.
The Cubs remain the favorites for Peavy, though they haven't called the Padres about him recently.
The Yankees, Angels and Rangers are looking for relief help.
One AL exec believes Erik Bedard would not adjust well to the attention if he's dealt to the Phillies.
And could George W. Bush team up with Nolan Ryan to re-purchase the Rangers?

Worth The Riske?

By | June 2, 2009 at 6:31pm CDT

Brewers right-hander David Riske is in the second season of a three-year, $13MM deal inked in December 2007. At the time, and especially in these current economic times, it was a pretty hefty price for a non-closing right-handed reliever. Then again, it'd be tough to argue he didn't deserve it. Riske dominated the competition during the '07 season, with a 2.46 ERA, 52/27 K/BB ratio and 16 holds in 69 2/3 innings. He was rewarded handsomely, but things changed once he signed the dotted line.

Riske's ERA jumped to 5.32 in '08, and he worked just 42 1/3 innings while battling a hyperextended right elbow. 2009 brings even more bad news. The 32-year-old was told this morning that he'll need to undergo Tommy John surgery, the second major elbow procedure of his career. He's likely to miss a good chunk of the 2010 season, barring a heroic recovery. There's a $4.75MM option for 2011 sitting on his current deal. Is there any chance Milwaukee considers picking it up?

Seeking an insider's opinion, I polled MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. He was gracious enough to respond.

"Even if he does come back next year and pitches well," McCalvy wrote in an e-mail to MLBTR headquarters, "$4.75 million is still a high cost for a seventh-inning guy, especially with the way contracts have gone since the end of last season. So I think you could make a very educated guess that the option will be declined. I suppose he could pitch 60 scoreless appearances next season and change Doug Melvin's mind, but I think everyone could agree those odds are slim."

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