Three Non-Tendered Players on Milwaukee Brewers' Radar
The Milwaukee Brewers aren't looking to be big spenders this offseason, but that doesn't mean they'll sit tight when it comes to free agent signings, especially if there's a good price on guys who are hit-or-miss in terms of productivity.
In the next couple of seasons, general manager David Stearns is in a position to take a handful of chances on guys coming off injuries and sub-par seasons if he believes they still have a high ceiling or quality talent.
Many players were recently non-tendered, making them free agents for any club to sign. Aside from poor performances and injury, some have also been cut free due to their cost rising.
While the focus this week will be on the Winter Meetings in Nashville where bunches of trades tend to go down - or at least are rumored happen - the Brewers should take a hard look at three of the non-tendered players who could help them now or in the future.
1) Henderson Alvarez - Starting Pitcher
Alvarez had shoulder surgery at the end of July and it's unlikely he would be available to pitch until a few months into the 2016 season. The right-handed starter will be only 26 next April and had a fantastic 2014 season that landed him on the National League All-Star team.
While shoulder issues often spell doom for a hurler, Alvarez finished 2014 with a 2.65 ERA and 3 complete game shutouts. Milwaukee could sign him to a multiple year contract, bring him along slowly in 2016, and hope his shoulder comes back strong where he could flash his skill once again.
He did make $4 million in 2015, so the price would likely be higher than most teams would be willing to take on, but the Brewers are set up to pay a little extra for a patient play with a quality arm.
2) Will Middlebrooks - Third Baseman
The right-handed hitting third baseman burst onto the scene in 2013 with the Boston Red Sox as he hit 15 home runs with a .509 slugging percentage and an .835 OPS in 286 plate appearances. That year he also batted .288 with a .325 on-base percentage as a 23-year-old rookie.
However, the high strikeout, low walk hitter has never come close to replicating that year, dropping to a .191 average and .522 OPS in the 2014 season. Middlebrooks was dealt to the San Diego Padres last season, but the change of scenery did little - of course, playing in Petco Park didn't help.
Middlebrooks just turned 27, and maybe a move to a hitter's ballpark could aid in his revival. The Brewers' third base situation - current and future - isn't settled by any means, so he'd be a lottery ticket signing that could hit it big or simply be a stopgap for now.
3) Aaron Crow - Relief Pitcher
Another pitcher coming off arm surgery - this one Tommy John for a tear in his elbow - Crow could find a home as a veteran reliever in a young bullpen. Crow was a reliable reliever from 2011-2013, posting an ERA+ of 149, 120 and 123 respectively (100 is average - higher is better).
As with Alvarez, Milwaukee can afford to be cautious with Crow and commit to a couple of years. His numbers were down in 2014, but that could've been a result of his elbow trouble before he finally got it fixed in 2015. Though he was traded to Miami last year, he never pitched for the Marlins.
Moving forward, if Crow can re-establish his value as a high-leverage reliever, the Brewers would have the option of utilizing him in their 'pen or dealing him at the trade deadline - either in 2016 or 2017. He made $1.975 million last season, so the price tag wouldn't be bad coming off surgery.
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Those are the three non-tendered players that caught my eye as ones the Brewers could - and maybe should - take a chance on. As they look to rebuild and will have lots of options the next few seasons, now is the time to take some gambles.
We'll see if any trades go down with Milwaukee this week (likely), and that could also determine what free agent signings the Brewers look into.