Sloppy Seconds

A GM's off-season hopes are much like a CC Sabathia jersey t-shirt. One day you love it and what it represents, the next you're wearing it to the gym.

Thus goes the off-season for Doug Melvin and those affiliated with the Brewers. January is the maudlin month when you realize your best laid plans are not going to happen and you start picking up the sloppy seconds. In my informal brain racking, I figure that the Brewers are one of 20 teams who had a disappointing off-season, while five met their plans (incl. Yankees), and five others have no plan at all (incl. Royals).

By all means, the January signings are not terrible, it's just that they aren't who you wanted. Hoffman is a great example, I'm certain he'll be serviceable, but it's hardly a psychological jolt for the better that signings in November or December can get you. This month is all about plugging holes and the Brewers have a gaping hole in the starting rotation. It'll be filled one way or another, but any way will not be exciting.

Regarding Hoffman, I hope he works and the West Allis fans refrain from booing after a few rough outings. I didn't have any expectations regarding the "closer" situation because I think the "closer" who gets all those meaningless "save" stats should be the best pitcher who is not a starter and/or has the highest strikeout rate. Obviously the pickings were slim on the roster as it stands, but someone would step up and take the ball. If anything, the signing pushes those pitchers (Coffey, Villanueva, Stetter, Riske, Julio, McClungmaybe) earlier in the game, and if the Brewers aren't going to get a competent starter, they might as well bolster the bullpen.

Hoffman concerns me, however, moving to his first new team since 1993 (when I was 15) and pitching more in homer-friendly ballparks (bloggy views: 1, 2, 3). Hot summer days in all NL Central ballparks may not bode well for a flyball pitcher with a declining strikeout rate. Oh yeah, his seasonal age this year is 41 … the cold weather in those same parks could make things stiff. If spotted his projections, I'd take them, but you know the sample size is small and/or steroid inflated for pitchers of that age.

A benefit I see with Hoffman signing with the Brewers? That's right, Jake Peavy. I don't know why I'm the only one who thinks it's plausible Peavy could wind up with the Brewers, but the two teams match up and now that two of Peavy's former teammates (Hoffman, Cameron) play for the team … that, you know, could sway his decision. I am under the impression he has a no-trade clause to the Brewers, but that could be waived knowing he has buddies already on the team, a dome to play in, and a quasi-competitive team to play for (the Padres are not).

Assuming Peavy would welcome a trade to Mil-town, Melvin could deal with the logjam in the middle of the infield. The core of the team is here through 2011 … except JJ Hardy. Melvin could either move Hardy to 2B and include Weeks in a package, or go gut and move Hardy and allow the savior Escobar to take his place. It's a tough call, but that's why Melvin gets paid the big bucks. Include San Diego savior in waiting Gwynn, a random pitcher, and ask for a discount from Towers for getting fleeced in the Linebrink trade and we have a deal.

A move of this nature with its added benefits of ruining the Cubs' offseason plans, will turn the January player signing malaise into a bandwagon bonanza.