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Brewers’ future in question
By Brett Winkler
Like renting a limousine on prom night, the Brewers have had a great time riding Sabathia to their destination, but they know there’s no way they could ever afford to keep him.
Based on the fact that the Brewers celebrate their second place finish in 1982 more than the Cardinals celebrate their World Series victory from the same year, it’s hard to blame the Crew for trying to finish second place in the Wild Card this season.
Besides, while it would be a major disappointment if Sveum’s Wallbangers fell short in 2008, there’s always next year.
Or is there?
For better or worse, this Brewer ball club might look a lot different come tax season of 2009, as might the papers filed by owner Mark Attanasio relating to the team’s payroll. Many key contributors to the Brewers pre-September success will be hitting the free agent market this upcoming off-season, potentially walking away from a Brewer team once poised to end a 26-year playoff drought.
The two players most likely to opt for a barley-less cap in 2009 are also two of the Brewers’ best, Ben Sheets and CC Sabathia.
The oft-injured Sheets, much like the club during his eight-year tenure, has struggled to finish seasons. Despite the injury risk, he’ll get his reward for a stellar career to date—but at a price that will likely be too high for his career to continue in Milwaukee.
Sabathia was acquired back in July with the knowledge that he was a half-season rental before eventually striking gold at the Winter Meetings. Like renting a limousine on prom night, the Brewers have had a great time riding Sabathia to their destination, but they know there’s no way they could ever afford to keep him. What’s worse, the Brewers might not even make it to the prom.
Although the Crew will likely lose a couple of aces, they’ll be able to part ways with some jokers as well. Eric Gagne, French for “mistake,” and the $10 million deal attached to his name like a diacritic will be off the books next year. Likewise, Derrick Turnbow’s deal at just over $2 million per is gone, but most certainly not forgotten.
That $12 million combined with the roughly $16 million of expiring cash from Sheets and Sabathia gives Attanasio plenty of coin to go out and acquire some new difference-makers. Otherwise, pure profit!
The aces will grab most of the off-season headlines, but the decision-making for the Brewers goes far beyond the starting rotation. The club has options on Mike Cameron ($10 million), Jason Kendall ($4.6), Solomon Torres ($3.75) and Craig Counsell ($3.4). It’s conceivable that all four of these players return, although Cameron’s price might be too steep, even if he gets to play in an extra 25 games.
Other upcoming free agents include Ray Durham, Guillermo Mota, Brian Shouse, Russell Branyan and Gabe Kapler (anyone need a manager?).
With so many expiring deals, there could be a lot of new faces at Miller Park next year, and not just when the Cubs and Astros are borrowing the stadium. The Brewers have another crop of youngsters on their way up, including Alcides Escobar and Mat Gamel and some of the other September call-ups you know and love.
Still, if the Brewers don’t sneak into the playoffs this year, that 26-year drought might soon become 27, 28, 29, 30, and before you know it, 50 years of mediocrity.
Of course, it is possible that Attanasio will really open up the checkbook and try to lure Sheets or Sabathia—or both—back to town. It’s even possible that he’ll pony up for Gagne again. Okay, maybe not.
Nevertheless, Attanasio has shown that he’s not afraid to open up the wallet if it means winning games. The Brewers’ payroll to start the 2008 campaign was nearly $81 million, and that was before picking up the prorated contracts of Sabathia and Durham. That’s about $53.5 million more than the $27.5 million payroll of the team Attanasio purchased back in 2004.
Attanasio has the money to acquire talent. The question is, does the team have enough talent to warrant spending that money and remaining in contention in the NL?
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