Posted by Steve
This is pretty much what I was afraid of. The Brewers have rounded out their pitching staff by signing Doug Davis. The deal is for one year, $4.25 mil with a one million dollar buyout on a six million dollar option for next season.
This simply is not enough of an improvement. Doug Davis is not a good starting pitcher. His FIP last year was 4.84. His k/bb ratio has been below 2 each of the last four seasons. He walks way too many hitters. It boggles my mind that with Manny Parra and Yovani Gallardo already in the rotation, the Brewers would even entertain signing another pitcher who walks the ballpark. They’ll likely lead the league in walks issued next season. Saying “well, he’s better than Jeff Suppan” isn’t enough. A ton of guys are better than Jeff Suppan. The Brewers needed big moves to improve on the worst starting rotation in the National League. Instead, they added Randy Wolf (a slightly above average starter) and Doug Davis (a slightly below average starter). That’s not going to get it done.
Here’s what I don’t get at all. This is a quote from Doug Melvin from the JS Blog on Jan. 15.
“Our new thing is that we’re not just looking for innings. We’re looking for quality innings. We like our offense and our bullpen. We just need quality innings from our starters.”
So what did they do? They go out and sign a guy who does exactly what he said they don’t want–a non-quality innings eater! Maddening.
And this $4.25 mil could have been better spent. Is Ben Sheets really going to get more than 7? Who would you rather have: Ben Sheets, or Doug Davis and LaTroy Hawkins? I’d have also rather signed John Smoltz or Erik Bedard over Davis. And that’s just guys in free agency alone. Who knows who was available on the trade market.
Another thing; why give him the option for the second year? Has Doug Davis done anything to require a second year? Now when they buy out his option, they’ll just be throwing away a million bucks.
The real root of the problem is the Brewers’ inability to develop impact pitching in their own system. It’s finally caught up with them, and it will be the reason their window will close with one measly playoff appearance.
