First base is a glaring question mark for the Milwaukee Brewers right now, causing the bullpen holes to go under the radar, but they are just as important. Jim Henderson, Brandon Kintzler and Tom Gorzelanny are the only relief pitchers guaranteed a spot for next season; otherwise the Brewers have a handful of players who have struggled to produce consistently at the major league level.
Veteran righty, Jesse Crain would be a great fit for the Milwaukee Brewers. An All-Star a year ago, he missed the final three months of the season with a shoulder injury, but when he was healthy he had a 0.74 ERA in 36.2 innings while striking out 46 batters.
Assuming he is healthy and the Brewers could sign him to a contract with a small base salary, that is incentives based would be one of the biggest steals on the free agent market as he was having a career year until he got hurt last season.
The Milwaukee Brewers have vacant spots in their bullpen, and signing Crain would solidify one of those spots. He has had successes over his nine-year career pitching in late inning situations, and he would bring experience to a young Brewers bullpen.
Showing posts with label Tom Gorzelanny. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tom Gorzelanny. Show all posts
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Sunday, February 24, 2013
2013 Milwaukee Brewers: 3 Bold Predictions
1. Yovani Gallardo Will Win 20 Games
Ever since Yovani Gallardo became the Brewers' ace in 2009, he has been the most underrated pitcher in baseball. Since 2009 he has averaged almost 32 starts a season with 15 wins, 203 strike-outs, and an ERA ranging from 3.52-3.84. He has also been able to remain healthy throughout his young six year career besides a freak ACL injury in 2008. Yovani Gallardo is just entering the prime of his career and in order for the Brewers to be successful this season, he has to be a consistent pitcher a top the Brewers rotation. This will finally be Gallardo's break out season, and expect him to win 20 games for the very competitive Milwaukee Brewers.
2. Ryan Braun Will Win the N.L. MVP Award
Ryan Braun has been the best player in baseball over the last two seasons, and this season he will continue to produce at a high level. Over the past two seasons he has destroyed the ball, averaging 37 home runs, 112 RBIs, and an average well over .300. If it was not for all of the off the field drama, that happened before last season, Ryan Braun would have been the MVP for the second consecutive season. Ryan Braun will have another outstanding season for the Brewers, and if he is able to repeat the success he has had over the past two seasons, he will be the National League MVP.
3. Milwaukee Brewers Will Make the Playoffs
Throughout the last decade the Brewers have struggled to develop young pitching besides, Ben Sheets and Yovani Gallardo. This season the Brewers have decided to go with a younger and inexperience pitching rotation behind Gallardo, and this decision by Doug Melvin, has led to a lot of criticism from baseball fans. This is one of the smartest decisions Melvin has made in his tenure as Brewers GM because instead of over paying for veteran hurlers, they are allowing their highly touted pitching prospects to develop.
Instead of over paying for starting pitching, the Brewers have used the money to revamp their awful bullpen from last season, with the acquisitions of Burke Badenhop, Michael Gonzalez, and Tom Gorzelanny. Their bullpen was so bad last season, that they had 29 blown saves in 73 opportunities, with a 4.66 ERA, which was the worst in the majors. If the Brewers bullpen would have converted half of those blown saves, they would have made the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
With a young, but talented starting rotation, a revamped bullpen, and the best offense in the National League expect the Brewers to surprise everyone and win one of the National League Wild Cards.
Ever since Yovani Gallardo became the Brewers' ace in 2009, he has been the most underrated pitcher in baseball. Since 2009 he has averaged almost 32 starts a season with 15 wins, 203 strike-outs, and an ERA ranging from 3.52-3.84. He has also been able to remain healthy throughout his young six year career besides a freak ACL injury in 2008. Yovani Gallardo is just entering the prime of his career and in order for the Brewers to be successful this season, he has to be a consistent pitcher a top the Brewers rotation. This will finally be Gallardo's break out season, and expect him to win 20 games for the very competitive Milwaukee Brewers.
2. Ryan Braun Will Win the N.L. MVP Award
Ryan Braun has been the best player in baseball over the last two seasons, and this season he will continue to produce at a high level. Over the past two seasons he has destroyed the ball, averaging 37 home runs, 112 RBIs, and an average well over .300. If it was not for all of the off the field drama, that happened before last season, Ryan Braun would have been the MVP for the second consecutive season. Ryan Braun will have another outstanding season for the Brewers, and if he is able to repeat the success he has had over the past two seasons, he will be the National League MVP.
3. Milwaukee Brewers Will Make the Playoffs
Throughout the last decade the Brewers have struggled to develop young pitching besides, Ben Sheets and Yovani Gallardo. This season the Brewers have decided to go with a younger and inexperience pitching rotation behind Gallardo, and this decision by Doug Melvin, has led to a lot of criticism from baseball fans. This is one of the smartest decisions Melvin has made in his tenure as Brewers GM because instead of over paying for veteran hurlers, they are allowing their highly touted pitching prospects to develop.
Instead of over paying for starting pitching, the Brewers have used the money to revamp their awful bullpen from last season, with the acquisitions of Burke Badenhop, Michael Gonzalez, and Tom Gorzelanny. Their bullpen was so bad last season, that they had 29 blown saves in 73 opportunities, with a 4.66 ERA, which was the worst in the majors. If the Brewers bullpen would have converted half of those blown saves, they would have made the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
With a young, but talented starting rotation, a revamped bullpen, and the best offense in the National League expect the Brewers to surprise everyone and win one of the National League Wild Cards.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
The Milwaukee Brewers Should Sign Rafael Soriano
Milwaukee's bullpen struggled in 2012 with an awful ERA of 4.66, ranking last in the MLB. The Brewers' bullpen was the main reason why they didn't make it into the playoffs, and if the Brewers were able to have a stable closer the Brewers' bullpen would have been greatly improved.
This offseason the Brewers made it known that it was a priority to improve their bullpen. The Brewers still need a reliable relief pitcher after signing Tom Gorzelanny, and Rafael Soriano is a perfect fit. Last season Soriano stepped in as closer for the Yankees, after Rivera's injury, and he exceeded expectations. In 69 appearances, Soriano recorded 42 saves with a 2.26 ERA.
Soriano would step in to the closer position while, John Axford would become the Brewers set-up man. This move would strengthen the back end of the bullpen, while giving them a reliable closer, who has experience at pitching in the toughest environments, for the years to come.
The Brewers need to sign Soriano, who is 32 years old and has many quality years in front of him, to a three year deal no matter what the cost is because if the Brewers don't have a successful closer, they will not be able to compete at a high level.
This offseason the Brewers made it known that it was a priority to improve their bullpen. The Brewers still need a reliable relief pitcher after signing Tom Gorzelanny, and Rafael Soriano is a perfect fit. Last season Soriano stepped in as closer for the Yankees, after Rivera's injury, and he exceeded expectations. In 69 appearances, Soriano recorded 42 saves with a 2.26 ERA.
Soriano would step in to the closer position while, John Axford would become the Brewers set-up man. This move would strengthen the back end of the bullpen, while giving them a reliable closer, who has experience at pitching in the toughest environments, for the years to come.
The Brewers need to sign Soriano, who is 32 years old and has many quality years in front of him, to a three year deal no matter what the cost is because if the Brewers don't have a successful closer, they will not be able to compete at a high level.
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