No player in recent memory for the Brewers has come under more fire and criticism than Jeff Suppan.
After he signed a four-year, $42 million deal in December 2006, expectations from most fans were for Suppan to become a very good No. 2 starter behind Ben Sheets.
He was the hot name in free agency, winning the NLCS MVP award for the Cardinals.
In reality, the Brewers paid top-of-the-rotation prices for a bottom-of-the-rotation arm. In GM Doug Melvin's defense, he was in a position of having to overpay to bring in talent to a Milwaukee team that had no recent success and showed no signs of improving in the future.
As he enters the final year of his deal, Suppan has gone 29-34 with a 4.93 ERA in 95 games. He has progressively gotten worse for the Brewers, winning fewer games and making fewer starts in each of his three seasons with the team.
His previous three seasons with the Cardinals look entirely different than his time in Milwaukee. In 95 starts in St. Louis, he went 44-26 with a 3.96 ERA. He also won three postseason games while losing his only playoff start with the Brewers.
After a terrible 2009 that saw him finish 7-12 with a 5.29 ERA, many fans want the Brewers to swallow Suppan's contract and simply release him.
In theory this is a great idea, but a small-market team like Milwaukee can't afford to have such a large portion of their payroll going to someone not even on the team. They are already taking a big hit from having released Bill Hall last year and will now be paying him over $7 million this year.
Suppan will fight for one of the final two spots in the rotation along with Manny Parra and Dave Bush. Though the veteran righty has the experience advantage over both Parra and Bush, he is the least talented among the group.
If Ken Macha bases his rotation on talent alone, Suppan won't be in the mix come Opening Day. He would be moved to the bullpen as the long man or spot starter in case of an injury.
The two factors that will keep Suppan as a starter for the Brewers are his contract and his close relationship with team owner Mark Attanasio. Barring an inability to pitch every fifth day, expect him slotted as the team's fifth starter this year.
Should fans expect a bounce back for Suppan? Absolutely not. There were times last season when it appeared he had nothing in his arm to get opposing hitters out. If he posts similar results this year, Macha's hand will be forced, and Suppan will be removed from the rotation.
A 10-win season with a sub-4.50 ERA would be a success for Jeff Suppan this year. Are those results realistic? Only if he regains the same magic he had in St. Louis.
The good news for fans about Suppan this season is this will be his final year in Milwaukee. There is no way the team can pick up his $12.75 million club option next year. A revolt by the fanbase would result if it is. The team will take a $2 million hit by not picking up the option, and the Brewers will finally be rid of one of the worst contracts in franchise history.
To read more by Jesse Motiff, click here .
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com
- Login to post comments