Brewers reach deal with Suppan - 4 year, 42 mil

[Brian34Cook]

Christmas came a day early for the Milwaukee Brewers.

 

The Brewers reached agreement today with free agent right-hander Jeff Suppan on a four-year deal with a club option worth $42 million. A source familiar with the negotiations confirmed the agreement, which apparently took place Saturday evening.

 

Suppan has to pass a physical for the deal to be official but that is not expected to be a problem.

 

Suppan, who will be 32 on Jan. 2, pitched the last three seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals. He went 44-26 over that span to increase his career record to 106-101, including a 12-2 mark against the Brewers.

 

The Brewers made their big move on Suppan last Tuesday, meeting with him and agent Scott Leventhal at the home of team owner Mark Attanasio in Los Angeles. General manager Doug Melvin and manager Ned Yost participated in that meeting, which lasted five hours and included dinner.

 

http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=1&date=12/24/2006&id=16389

[Rob]

Why?

[Ender]

Seems reasonable to me, he's about the same quality pitcher as Lilly and a little better than Marquis, he's better than Meche though with less upside. The pricetag seems about correct depending on what that bit about the team option means.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Sheets

Bush

Capuano

Ohka

Suppan

 

That actually looks like a pretty good rotation. If Sheets is healthy they have a top 10 pitcher in baseball, and Bush is one of the biggest sleeper players in the game.

[Drew Doughty]

Ohka is a free agent. Their fifth starter is Claudio Vargas, I think.

 

It's a nice rotation, though.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Why?

 

Because he's a solid, durable pitcher. And he's getting the same deal as Lilly, when he's a way better pitcher than Lilly.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

Why?

 

Because he's a solid, durable pitcher. And he's getting the same deal as Lilly, when he's a way better pitcher than Lilly.

 

Please, "way better" ... nice pitcher, but not worthy of "way better"

[cheapseats]

Doug Melvin called Suppan a "proven winner" and cited his win totals from recent years, a lot like what Hendry did with Marquis.

 

It's a lot easier to be a proven winner when pitching for the Cardinals instead of the Brewers.

[TheDude]

Why?

 

Because he's a solid, durable pitcher. And he's getting the same deal as Lilly, when he's a way better pitcher than Lilly.

 

Check the 3-year splits before making such a declarative statement. While Suppan has a better ERA, slightly better WHIP, and better W-L ratio, Lilly has better pitching numbers in more individual match-ups, including more Ks, lower BA/OBP/SLG/OPS against, and while pitching 30% of his games against the Yankees and Red Sox.

 

I could see arguments for either guy, and the divisions they pitched skew the numbers against Lilly, but neither is defintively better than the other, and pitching in the same division, it'll be interesting to see which pitcher performs better this year.

[Ender]

I think Lilly is a slightly better pitcher but has more injury concerns. Miller park is a bit more of a pitchers park than Wrigley though so I expect them to put up pretty similar numbers. Neither team will be above average defensively so thats a wash.

[NorthsideAvenger]

Why?

 

Because he's a solid, durable pitcher. And he's getting the same deal as Lilly, when he's a way better pitcher than Lilly.

 

Please, "way better" ... nice pitcher, but not worthy of "way better"

 

I think you can make the case that Lilly is an OVERALL better pitcher. Considering Suppan's numbers against a pretty weak NL Central/NL .v. Lilly's numbers against a stronger AL EAST/AL, I think had Lilly waited, Lilly could had gotten prolly closer to $45 mill over 4.

[Elrhino]

Why?

 

Because he's a solid, durable pitcher. And he's getting the same deal as Lilly, when he's a way better pitcher than Lilly.

 

Merry Christmas and Happy Hyperbole !!!!

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Doug Melvin called Suppan a "proven winner" and cited his win totals from recent years, a lot like what Hendry did with Marquis.

 

It's a lot easier to be a proven winner when pitching for the Cardinals instead of the Brewers.

 

Actually, I mean Hendry probably believes what he said, but I think Melvin is alot smarter.

 

Put it this way, thats an easy way to please the average fan.

[Rob]

Why?

 

Because he's a solid, durable pitcher. And he's getting the same deal as Lilly, when he's a way better pitcher than Lilly.

 

I see the argument for calling him durable, but he isn't really much of a pitcher.in the current sense of the word. He doesn't really do anything to help or hurt his own chances on the field.

 

He doesn't strike out anybody. His walk rate is a bit better than league average. His HR rate is respectable but not amazing.

 

Perhaps more than anybody else in the league, he's only as good as the defense behind him. But with him being a bit of a groundball pitcher, I would not want to see how he does when Hardy goes down again and his middle infield is Hall and Weeks. (I still don't see Counsell getting extended playing time at SS if/when Hardy goes down...)

 

At any rate, that Brewers defense isn't awe-inspiring.

[CubColtPacer]

Doug Melvin called Suppan a "proven winner" and cited his win totals from recent years, a lot like what Hendry did with Marquis.

 

It's a lot easier to be a proven winner when pitching for the Cardinals instead of the Brewers.

 

Actually, I mean Hendry probably believes what he said, but I think Melvin is alot smarter.

 

Put it this way, thats an easy way to please the average fan.

 

Just a second-you called this quote of Melvin's "dumb" a few weeks ago:

 

Good pitching still stifles good hitting. They've definitely added power to their lineup and the ability to score runs. We just need to shore up our defense and be a better base-running and bunting club, play situational baseball a little better, and capitalize on our scoring opportunities.

 

So why would you think he was telling the truth in that quote, but not telling the truth in his quotes about Suppan? I don't see why he would lie about one and tell the truth on another, which makes me think that he really does believe the sorts of things that he has been saying all offseason.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Why?

 

Because he's a solid, durable pitcher. And he's getting the same deal as Lilly, when he's a way better pitcher than Lilly.

 

Please make some attempt to quantify that statement.

[Ender]

Doug Melvin called Suppan a "proven winner" and cited his win totals from recent years, a lot like what Hendry did with Marquis.

 

It's a lot easier to be a proven winner when pitching for the Cardinals instead of the Brewers.

 

Actually, I mean Hendry probably believes what he said, but I think Melvin is alot smarter.

 

Put it this way, thats an easy way to please the average fan.

 

Just a second-you called this quote of Melvin's "dumb" a few weeks ago:

 

Good pitching still stifles good hitting. They've definitely added power to their lineup and the ability to score runs. We just need to shore up our defense and be a better base-running and bunting club, play situational baseball a little better, and capitalize on our scoring opportunities.

 

So why would you think he was telling the truth in that quote, but not telling the truth in his quotes about Suppan? I don't see why he would lie about one and tell the truth on another, which makes me think that he really does believe the sorts of things that he has been saying all offseason.

 

The brewers were one of the worst teams in baseball defensively, on the base paths and situationally and thats why they had a team ERA so high above their team FIP and why their team hitting underproduced so much compared to its OPS... so I really don't see why you would call Melvin dumb over the statement unless you took it out of context or you really believe that the players have 0 control over these things. The fact that this has held true for the past 2 to 3 years makes me believe they have at least some control over it and are failing at it.

[nilodnayr]

Why?

 

Because he's a solid, durable pitcher. And he's getting the same deal as Lilly, when he's a way better pitcher than Lilly.

 

I see the argument for calling him durable, but he isn't really much of a pitcher.in the current sense of the word. He doesn't really do anything to help or hurt his own chances on the field.

 

He doesn't strike out anybody. His walk rate is a bit better than league average. His HR rate is respectable but not amazing.

 

Perhaps more than anybody else in the league, he's only as good as the defense behind him. But with him being a bit of a groundball pitcher, I would not want to see how he does when Hardy goes down again and his middle infield is Hall and Weeks. (I still don't see Counsell getting extended playing time at SS if/when Hardy goes down...)

 

At any rate, that Brewers defense isn't awe-inspiring.

 

In the 8 full years hes been starting in the majors he averages over 200 innings and a 107 ERA+. I'm not big on "innings eaters" when that is their only quality, but he eats innings with at worst league average pitching. With the

 

He definitely isn't going to be league average in K rate, but that one less guy he strikes out per game probably isn't as big of a deal as you seem to be making it out to be.

 

The only question I have is now where does that leave room for Gallardo, Eveland, and Villanueva in the coming years? Sheets is signed for 2 more years, Vargas and Capuano hit the market in 3 years, Bush hits the market in 4 and Suppan's contract expires in 4, with an option for a 5th year. All three youngsters I mentioned are knocking at the door and Eveland is entering his last year of options. It will be interesting to see what develops with Sheets being the name most likely thrown around. If he puts up a healthy year maybe the Yanks could get him for Tabata, Duncan, Beam, and Melky. That would immediately fill holes at 3rd, CF, and the back end of the pen with Tabata having the highest ceiling still developing. Kinda similar to the Sexson trade.

[BCVM22]

Eveland went to Arizona in the Johnny Estrada/Doug Davis trade.

[nilodnayr]

Eveland went to Arizona in the Johnny Estrada/Doug Davis trade.

 

Thanks, I totally missed that. Villanueva and Gallardo are going to be quite the 1-2 punch in AAA.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Why?

 

Because he's a solid, durable pitcher. And he's getting the same deal as Lilly, when he's a way better pitcher than Lilly.

 

Please make some attempt to quantify that statement.

 

You're almost guaranteed to get over 190 IP, if not 200, while you'll be lucky to get 170 out of Lilly. Over the past four years Suppan has posted a better average WHIP and average ERA. Lilly has a much higher HR/9 ratio, and a much higher FB% than Suppan. Those two things combined in Wrigley could spell disaster for Lilly. Neither are ace pitchers, but with Suppan you know what you are going to get, and if I had my choice between the two for the same contract, it wouldn't even be a debate for me.

[Rob]

Why?

 

Because he's a solid, durable pitcher. And he's getting the same deal as Lilly, when he's a way better pitcher than Lilly.

 

Please make some attempt to quantify that statement.

 

You're almost guaranteed to get over 190 IP, if not 200, while you'll be lucky to get 170 out of Lilly. Over the past four years Suppan has posted a better average WHIP and average ERA. Lilly has a much higher HR/9 ratio, and a much higher FB% than Suppan. Those two things combined in Wrigley could spell disaster for Lilly. Neither are ace pitchers, but with Suppan you know what you are going to get, and if I had my choice between the two for the same contract, it wouldn't even be a debate for me.

 

Once again I feel compelled to point out as other posters have that Suppan would be lucky to post better ERAs or WHIPs than Lilly were he pitching in the AL East. His limited time as a member of the Red Sox attests to this fact, as well as to the fact that Suppan will only be as good as the defense behind him.

 

If were are to force our hands as to who our eight position players will be for the next few years, Suppan and his ERA and WHIP would be more predictable than Lilly, true. As the the fact of the business is that people come and go though, we have a better idea of what we will get from Lilly over the next four years than we would have gotten from Suppan, IP aside.

 

In that vein, the Brewers do make much more sense for a man of his pitching methodology. Their recent influx of young players does lend itself to a relatively stable young team for the coming years... much moreso than the Cubs and their flirtations with replacing every young person in the lineup on shorter term deals (DeRosa, Floyd, Izturis[yes, I know he's still young..the point still stands])

 

This is not meant as a compliment to Lilly though, by any means. Even if everything breaks as well as it could for Lilly, he's going to have a beast of a time justifying his contract. I'm just trying to point out that this sort of deal for this sort of pitcher would be a horrible idea for the Cubs... even moreso than Lilly's.

[cubweiser03]

Ok the Cardinals won the world series last year right? And now they dont resign one of their better pitchers (at least 2nd or 3rd) and its not like they are stacked in the rotation. Was it the 4th year, that got em scared? In this market this deal is very fair for the amount per year. I remember hearing earlier they offered him a 'firm' 3/21 deal. Well that was a joke. Im really surprised they didnt resign this guy. Weaver better really have his stuff straightened out.

[HoopsCubs]

Ohka is a free agent. Their fifth starter is Claudio Vargas, I think.

 

It's a nice rotation, though.

 

Could it be the best rotation in the NL Central?

[Rob]

Ohka is a free agent. Their fifth starter is Claudio Vargas, I think.

 

It's a nice rotation, though.

 

Could it be the best rotation in the NL Central?

 

Almost certainly... unless Mark Prior is ressurected, Zambrano's arm stays on, Hill pitches like he did the last few starts of last season, and Marquis and Lilly regain their 2004 forms.