Desperate men do desperate things.
For Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin, it made sense to give Eric Gagne a one-year contract paying him $10 million.
Melvin needed a closer, having been unable to keep Francisco Cordero from free agency. He didn’t have a strong internal candidate. So he overlooked both Gagne’s inability to help Boston last October and a history of injuries that had limited the 2003 Cy Young winner to 25 saves over the last three seasons. He also ignored whispers about steroids, which would be given some substance when the Mitchell report was released in December.
When the 2008 season begins, both Gagne and Melvin will feel the heat as a Milwaukee team with few other issues looks to the big question mark to hold order in the ninth inning.
Among other big-leaguers under the gun:
COLBY RASMUS
Cardinals
A five-tool rookie, Rasmus figures to be the centerpiece of dramatic rebuilding in St. Louis. He replaces Jim Edmonds in center field and could be a Rookie of the Year candidate–or a bust.
PHIL HUGHES
Yankees
He forever will be known as the guy the Yankees didn’t give up when they could have traded for Johan Santana. He has a world of talent, but it’s never easy to establish yourself in New York.
JOHAN SANTANA
Mets
If anybody can make it look easy to get established in New York, it should be the most talented arm in baseball. But the record contract and long winter of trade talk leaves no margin for error (or even an adjustment period).
DONTRELLE WILLIS
Tigers
Last seen in the National League, Willis was getting hit hard. He will face tougher hitters and bigger expectations after a trade to Detroit and subsequent contract extension.
AARON ROWAND
Giants
He will play center field, not left, but he’s the guy replacing Barry Bonds on the San Francisco payroll. He’s a valuable player, but he needs to forget showing anyone that he’s worth the five-year, $60 million contract he received.
CARLOS GOMEZ
Twins
Talk about a double whammy. The 22-year-old center fielder went from the Mets to Minnesota in the Santana deal and replaces departing free agent Torii Hunter, who has been the most popular Twin since Kirby Puckett’s retirement.
TOM GLAVINE
Braves
Glavine goes home again in hopes of leading the Bobby Cox-era Braves on one more playoff run. He will pitch behind Tim Hudson and John Smoltz in a solid rotation.
MATT GARZA
Rays
Once a highly regarded prospect, the Twins gave him up to land Delmon Young, who could be a 100-RBI producer. Garza brings big expectations to a bad place to pitch.
TROY TULOWITZKI
Rockies
Only the best fans knew about Tulo before 2007, but a huge rookie season, World Series appearance and $31 million contract have changed that. Luckily for everyone, this guy’s the real deal, as is his team.
JOSE CONTRERAS
White Sox
Ken Williams declines to accept the consensus viewpoint, that the AL Central will be a two-team race between Detroit and Cleveland, but even he knows a return to form from Contreras is mandatory.
Chicago story
LHP TOM GORZELANNY
The Marist High and Triton College product could get an Opening Day start after going 14-10 in his first full season. He was an All-Star candidate in 2007 and should be able to build on that success, assuming the power-challenged Pirates give him sufficient run support.
NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL
CUBS
Last year: 85-77, 1st; lost to Arizona in first round.
Manager: Lou Piniella.
Payroll: $120 million.
Headliners: Carlos Zambrano, Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, Derrek Lee.
Additions: Kosuke Fukudome, Jon Lieber.
Losses: Jacque Jones, Cliff Floyd, Jason Kendall, Mark Prior, Will Ohman, Angel Pagan.
Health watch: Fukudome is expected to be recovered from elbow surgery.
X-factor: Piniella, who can be demanding on catchers, is a big believer in rookie Geovany Soto, who was MVP of the Pacific Coast League in 2007. He doesn’t seem as sold on center fielder Felix Pie.
Tipping point: After a bad start, Cubs went 63-46 to reach playoffs. They could improve on even that level if lineup moves toward the top of the league in scoring.
BREWERS
Last year: 83-79, 2nd.
Manager: Ned Yost.
Payroll: $73 million.
Headliners: Prince Fielder, J.J. Hardy, Ryan Braun.
Additions: Eric Gagne, Jason Kendall, Mike Cameron, David Riske, Salomon Torres, Guillermo Mota.
Losses: Francisco Cordero, Scott Linebrink, Johnny Estrada, Geoff Jenkins, Matt Wise, Ray King, Kevin Mench.
Health watch: No known concerns.
X-factor: Following Rookie of the Year season, Braun moves from third to left field in a domino chain that has Bill Hall moving to third and Cameron replacing Hall in center. Braun’s adjustment in the field could hurt his hitting.
Tipping point: The pitching staff is deep but built around guys with major question marks: the durability of Ben Sheets, effectiveness of Jeff Suppan and reliability of Gagne.
CARDINALS
Last year: 78-84, 3rd.
Manager: Tony La Russa.
Payroll: $97 million.
Headliners: Albert Pujols, Troy Glaus, Yadier Molina, Adam Wainwright.
Additions: Glaus, Cesar Izturis, Matt Clement.
Losses: Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds, David Eckstein, Kip Wells, Troy Percival, Preston Wilson.
Health watch: Ace Chris Carpenter and supposed No. 2 starter Mark Mulder both could be sidelined until the second half of the season as they recover from surgeries.
X-factor: Rick Ankiel provided a huge lift after his arrival last August but will be challenged by pitchers who will be prepared for him.
Tipping point: No team in the majors is losing more established talent than St. Louis. The Cardinals’ biggest loss could be GM Walt Jocketty, whose firing signaled an end to the franchise’s stay among the NL’s elite.
ASTROS
Last year: 73-89, 4th.
Manager: Cecil Cooper.
Payroll: $87 million.
Headliners: Roy Oswalt, Miguel Tejada, Carlos Lee, Lance Berkman.
Additions: Tejada, Jose Valverde, Kaz Matsui, Michael Bourn, Geoff Blum, Darin Erstad.
Losses: Craig Biggio, Brad Lidge, Jason Jennings, Luke Scott, Orlando Palmeiro, Matt Albers, Troy Patton.
Health watch: No major concerns.
X-factor: Tejada was added in an effort to help a thin pitching staff win games 8-7 but could face a long suspension after his prominent inclusion in the Mitchell report.
Tipping point: Owner Drayton McLane declined to commit to rebuilding after the end of the Bagwell-Biggio era. It’s hard to see how there’s enough pitching here to succeed, but leaps forward by guys like Felipe Paulino and Fernando Nieve could help produce a first-division finish
REDS
Last year: 72-90, 5th.
Manager: Dusty Baker.
Payroll: $70 million.
Headliners: Aaron Harang, Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey Jr., Francisco Cordero.
Additions: Cordero, Jeremy Affeldt, Edinson Volquez.
Losses: Josh Hamilton, Eddie Guardado, Eric Milton.
Health watch: A devastating run of injuries contributed to a late fade in 2007, but all hands are expected on deck, including Dunn (knee surgery) and Griffey (torn groin).
X-factor: Jay Bruce was Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year but could be blocked by Dunn and Griffey.
Tipping point: Ownership’s ability to hire an expensive manager in Baker and lure a widely pursued free agent in Cordero signals a renewed chance to compete. But GM Wayne Krivsky may have to deal Dunn or Griffey for pitching.
PIRATES
Last year: 68-94, 6th.
Manager: John Russell.
Payroll: $50 million.
Headliners: Adam LaRoche, Jason Bay, Freddy Sanchez, Tom Gorzelanny.
Additions: Chris Gomez, Elmer Dessens.
Losses: Salomon Torres, Tony Armas Jr., Jose Castillo.
Health watch: Lefty Zach Duke is expected to be OK after missing three months with elbow problems.
X-factor: Catcher Ronny Paulino was an All-Star in 2006 and disappointing in ’07. He has lost weight and been put on notice that he needs to re-establish himself.
Tipping point: Veteran players are frustrated at management’s relative inaction. Jack Wilson was unhappy in 2007 and Bay recently has been critical in interviews. Bay could be traded to open a spot for Steve Pearce.
