Milwaukee Brewers cautiously observing developments in the free agent market – MLB News
The Milwaukee Brewers are in an untiring, albeit quiet, search of pitchers as the general manager Doug Melvin makes final preparations for the Winter Meetings, to kick off from upcoming Monday. After a season that witnessed a downward spiral as far as the bullpen was concerned, the Brewers are mindful of the importance relief pitchers and closers retain.
After all, the club ranked last in the Majors in relief, having had 4.66 ERA. The blown saves were franchise-record of 29. To avoid such a circumstance in the future, the general scheme of things need to be changed with dependable pitchers readily available for the Brewers in the coming season.
That is only possible to have the club’s hand on the right pitchers. Free agent market offers a variety of them, but probably not one of your expectations all the time. Therefore, the Brewers are exhibiting caution.
On Wednesday, November 28, the Cincinnati Reds signed a three-year deal, worth $21 million with Jonathan Broxton. That has prompted many teams to move quickly to get the pitchers they are looking for.
Doug Melvin, however, has an essentially different take on this matter.
"Every year, the first signings are always a little bit more than what you'd think -- that's why the players sign them," Melvin said. "Free agency drives up the [cost] every year. I feel like you have to look at each player individually. Every player has an idea of where they want to go and at what cost."
Doug Melvin also did not deny the fact that the club is making contacts with some relievers.
"We're making contacts right now," Melvin said. "There are a lot of relievers still out there. They sit there and wait until the big guys sign."
There are some known names in the free agent market. Among them are the likes of Matt Capps and Joakim Soria, Rafael Soriano and Jose Valverde.
The likes of Chad Durbin, Jason Grilli, LaTroy Hawkins, Matt Lindstrom, Koji Uehara and Jamey Wright. Also Brandon Lyon, Sean Burnett, Randy Choate, J.P. Howell and right-handers Mike Adams, Francisco Cordero, Kyle McClellan make the market big; giving the clubs a rich array of pitchers to choose from.
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