Its that time again, folks. Thus far here's what we know:

• The Brewers are presumably going to need go with Mat Gamel a starting at 1B.
• The Brewers are presumably going to need a upgraded starting SS with Alex Gonzalez.
• Francisco Rodriguez, Takashi Saito, LaTroy Hawkins are all free agents, opening up three two holes in the bullpen, one of which was filled by Jose Veras, the other presumably will be filled by Zach Braddock.
• Francisco Rodriguez accepted the Brewers arbitration offer. I think Doug will try to keep him on the team for the entire year.

As a point of reference, my arb estimates will be in bold, MLBTR's will be italicized. The payroll total with MLBTR's estimates will also be italicized at the bottom. EDIT 1/8/12: I'll put the running total as accurate figures come out to the far left at the bottom of the article. Immediately to the right will be my original estimate, and to the far right the MLBTR estimate total.

So, without further ado, here's how things currently sit:

C - Jonathan Lucroy - $480k
C - George Kottaras - $700k ($750k / $800k)
1B - Mat Gamel - $480k
2B - Rickie Weeks - $11.0M
SS - Alex Gonzalez - $4.25M
3B - Aramis Ramirez - $6M
IF - Taylor Green - $480k
IF -
LF - Ryan Braun - $7M
CF - Nyjer Morgan - $2.35M ($2M / $1.9M)
RF - Corey Hart - $9.33M
OF - Carlos Gomez - $1.9625M ($2M / $1.8M)
OF - Norichika Aoki -

SP - Zack Greinke - $13.5M
SP - Yovani Gallardo - $5.75M
SP - Shaun Marcum - $6M (arb 3) $6.8M (Filing: $6.75/$8)
SP - Randy Wolf - $9.5M
SP - Chris Narveson - $480k

LR - Manny Parra - $1.2M ($1.5M / $1.2M)

RP - John Axford - $480k

RP - Kameron Loe - $2.175M ($1.75M/$2.8M)

RP - Marco Estrada - $480k
RP - Jose Veras - $2.5M (arb1)
RP - Zach Braddock - $480k
RP - Francisco Rodriguez - $8M ($11M was estimate)

2012 commitments to others:

Francisco Rodriguez option: $500k (negotiated deal to remove vesting clause, Mets paying initial $3.5M)

Yuniesky Betancourt buyout: $2M

Total 2012 Payroll commitments:

$94.5775 $97.19 $98.49

As always, click RIGHT HERE to get to the Google Docs spreadsheet I keep running. More assumptions and discussion after the jump!

Continue reading this post »

Now that Marcum and Weeks' contracts are set, here is the final (kind of, see below) standing on the payroll for your 2011 Milwaukee Brewers:

C - Jonathan Lucroy - $425k
C - Wil Nieves - $775k
1B - Prince Fielder - $15.5M (arb 3)
2B - Rickie Weeks - $7.5M (arb 3) ($3.5M salary, $4M in bonus paid in 2011)
SS - Yuniesky Betancourt - $4.375M
3B - Casey McGehee - $450k
IF -  Craig Counsell - $1.4M
IF - Luis Cruz - $414k
LF - Ryan Braun - $4.288M
CF - Carlos Gomez - $1.5M (arb 2)
RF - Corey Hart - $6.833M 
OF - Mark Kotsay - $800k 
OF - Chris Dickerson - $414k

SP - Zack Greinke - $13.5M
SP - Yovani Gallardo - $3.5M
SP - Shaun Marcum - $3.95M (arb 2)
SP - Randy Wolf - $9.5M
SP - Chris Narveson - $414k

LR - Manny Parra - $1.2M (arb 1)($2.5)

RP - LaTroy Hawkins - $4.25M
RP - John Axford - $450k
RP - Kameron Loe - $1.25M (arb 1) ($1.75 EST; 1/21))
RP - Sean Green - $875k
RP - Zach Braddock - $414k
RP - Takashi Saito- $1.75M 

2011 commitments to others:

Trevor Hoffman (option buyout): $750k

David Riske (option buyout): $250k

Jeff Suppan (option buyout): $2M

Gregg Zaun (option buyout): $250k

Doug Davis (option buyout): $1M

Cash from Royals: -$2M

Cash from Mariners: -$1M

Total 2011 Payroll commitments: $86.997

Notes:

• Subject to change slightly, due to the catcher situation.  If George Kottaras makes the team rather than Nieves, the payroll would change by about $300k.
• I've taken values from Cot's here.  Its worth nothing that Cot's here does not agree with their spreadsheet.
• Pure opinion and speculation: The payroll is basically right a $87M.  I would guess that leaves about $3M or so to play around with for call-ups throughout the year.  I'd further postulate that it leaves around $5M for an in-season acquisition.

EDIT(1/19/2010): Included more parentheticals with Brewers offer/players request for arbitration.  The spreadsheet also reflects this.

Here is my most updated payroll.  I added Luis Cruz, and the Boggs question isn't relevant anymore after reading Gord Ash's comments.  My arbitration estimates are cited parenthetically:

C - Jonathan Lucroy - $425k
C - Wil Nieves - $775k
1B - Prince Fielder - $15.5M (arb 3)($14M)
2B - Rickie Weeks - $4.5M (arb 3) ($4.85M/$7.2M)
SS - Yuniesky Betancourt - $4M
3B - Casey McGehee - $450k
IF -  Craig Counsell - $1.4M
IF - Luis Cruz - $414k
LF - Ryan Braun - $4.288M
CF - Carlos Gomez - $1.5M (arb 2) ($1.75M)
RF - Corey Hart - $6.833M 
OF - Brandon Boggs - $414k 
OF - Chris Dickerson - $414k

SP - Zack Greinke - $13.5M
SP - Yovani Gallardo - $3.5M
SP - Shaun Marcum - $4.5M (arb 2) ($3.0/$5.0)
SP - Randy Wolf - $9.5M
SP - Chris Narveson - $414k

LR - Manny Parra - $1.2M (arb 1)($2.5)

RP - LaTroy Hawkins - $4.50M
RP - John Axford - $450k
RP - Kameron Loe - $1.25M (arb 1) ($1.75 EST; 1/21))
RP - Sean Green - $875k
RP - Zach Braddock - $414k
RP - Takashi Saito- $1.75M 

2011 commitments to others:

Trevor Hoffman (option buyout): $750k

David Riske (option buyout): $250k

Jeff Suppan (option buyout): $2M

Gregg Zaun (option buyout): $250k

Doug Davis (option buyout): $1M

Cash from Royals: -$2M

Cash from Mariners: -$1M

Total 2011 Payroll commitments: $84.141M

Preamble:

Well, its about that time.  This year, I've borrowed the format from tcyoung's 2010 Google Doc, and imported the data from Cot's right into it.  I'll keep this post updated as arb figures come in, and as players are signed in the off-season.

EDIT (12/29/2010): Added Saito, removed Capuano.  Estimated Saito's pay at $1.9 until its released publicly. 

EDIT (12/18/2010): I'll put the actual arb figure in parentheses as soon as they're released.  Also updated minimum guys to $414k per MLB announcement.

The Good Stuff:

C - Jonathan Lucroy - $425k
C - Wil Nieves - $775k
1B - Prince Fielder - $14M (arb 3)
2B - Rickie Weeks - $4.5M (arb 3) 
SS - Yuniesky Betancourt - $4M
3B - Casey McGehee - $450k
IF -  Craig Counsell - $1.4M
IF - Mat Gamel - $414k
LF - Ryan Braun - $4.288M
CF - Carlos Gomez - $1.75M (arb 2) ($1.5M)
RF - Corey Hart - $6.833M 
OF - Brandon Boggs - $ 
OF - Chris Dickerson - $414k

SP - Zack Greinke - $13.5M
SP - Yovani Gallardo - $3.5M
SP - Shaun Marcum - $4.5M (arb 2)
SP - Randy Wolf - $9.5M
SP - Chris Narveson - $414k

LR - Manny Parra - $2.5M (arb 1)

RP - LaTroy Hawkins - $4.50M
RP - John Axford - $450k
RP - Kameron Loe - $1.75M (arb 1)
RP - Mark Rogers - $414k
RP - Zach Braddock - $414k
RP - Takashi Saito- $1.9M (12/29--guessing on salary, McCalvy says less than $2M base)
RP - 

2011 commitments to others:

Trevor Hoffman (option buyout): $750k

David Riske (option buyout): $250k

Jeff Suppan (option buyout): $2M

Gregg Zaun (option buyout): $250k

Doug Davis (option buyout): $1M

Cash from Royals: -$2M

Cash from Mariners: -$1M

Total 2011 Payroll commitments: $83.716M

Assumptions:

• The Brewers appear to need two Starting Pitchers, if Chris Narveson is guaranteed a job, and with Chris Capuano likely filling in a LR/SP6 role.
• I have both Mat Gamel and Casey McGehee on the roster.  That is clearly subject to change.
• I have Joe Inglett being re-signed as a utility IF/OF guy.  He's cheap, and he out-performed The Deity this year.
• I have Lorenzo Cain slated in at starting CF with Carlos Gomez and C-Dick on the bench as reserves.
• There are (with Capuano) three lefties in this bullpen.  I'm not sure if there are better options than what is listed, however.  I believe Todd Coffey will probably be non-tendered.
• Someone else may find the Klottaras this season after he is released.  Until then, he's on this roster.
• I think Prince Fielder will net around $14MM in his final arb year.  Of course, who knows if that will even matter to the Brewers.
•  I forgot Kameron Loe.  As such, I removed Jeffress from the 'pen.

Preamble:

Well, its about that time.  This year, I've borrowed the format from tcyoung's 2010 Google Doc, and imported the data from Cot's right into it.  I'll keep this post updated as arb figures come in, and as players are signed in the off-season.

EDIT (12/18/2010): I'll put the actual arb figure in parentheses as soon as they're released.  Also updated minimum guys to $405k per MLB announcement.

The Good Stuff:

C - Jonathan Lucroy - $405k
C - George Kottaras - $405k
1B - Prince Fielder - $14M (arb 3)
2B - Rickie Weeks - $4.5M (arb 3) 
SS - Yuniesky Betancourt - $4M
3B - Casey McGehee - $450k
IF -  Craig Counsell - $1.4M
IF - Mat Gamel - $405k
LF - Ryan J. Braun - $4.288M
CF - Carlos Gomez - $1.75M (arb 2) ($1.5M)
RF - Corey C. Hart - $6.833M 
OF -  
OF - Chris Dickerson - $425k

SP - Zack Greinke - $13.5M
SP - Yovani Gallardo - $3.5M
SP - Shaun Marcum - $4.5M
SP - Randy Wolf - $9.5M
SP - Chris Narveson - $450k

LR - Chris Capuano - $500k

RP - LaTroy Hawkins - $4.25M
RP - John Axford - $400k
RP - Kameron Loe - $1.75M (arb 1)
RP - Mark Rogers - $405k
RP - Zach Braddock - $405k
RP - Manny Parra - $2.5M (arb 1)
RP - 

2011 commitments to others:

Trevor Hoffman (option buyout): $750k

David Riske (option buyout): $250k

Jeff Suppan (option buyout): $2M

Gregg Zaun (option buyout): $250k

Doug Davis (option buyout): $1M

 

Total 2011 Payroll commitments: $66.476M

EDIT(12/7): Added Marcum, deleted Inglett

Assumptions:

• The Brewers appear to need two Starting Pitchers, if Chris Narveson is guaranteed a job, and with Chris Capuano likely filling in a LR/SP6 role.
• I have both Mat Gamel and Casey McGehee on the roster.  That is clearly subject to change.
• I have Joe Inglett being re-signed as a utility IF/OF guy.  He's cheap, and he out-performed The Deity this year.
• I have Lorenzo Cain slated in at starting CF with Carlos Gomez and C-Dick on the bench as reserves.
• There are (with Capuano) three lefties in this bullpen.  I'm not sure if there are better options than what is listed, however.  I believe Todd Coffey will probably be non-tendered.
• Someone else may find the Klottaras this season after he is released.  Until then, he's on this roster.
• I think Prince Fielder will net around $14MM in his final arb year.  Of course, who knows if that will even matter to the Brewers.
• EDIT: I forgot Kameron Loe.  As such, I removed Jeffress from the 'pen.

There's this guy over at CBSsports.com, stub00.  He's never been wrong about a signing since I've posted over there, and he says he's got a friend inside the front office.  For example, 3 days before Braun signed his contract, he posted that Ryan would be locked up to a 5 or 6 year deal soon.  He posted that Wolf would be signed for 3/29, a week before he was signed.  And now, he has this:

I have in front of me the Brewers official offer to Fielder.

It is a 7 year deal w/ a club option for the 7th year, but that option vests if Fielder finishes in top 10 of MVP voting.

Total guaranteed is $109 mil

if they pick up 7th year or if it vests then the total guaranteed is $128 mil.

Has full no trade clause and a hotel suite on the road.

There are a bunch of incentive built in for all-star, gold glove, mvp, etc.
which range from 50k to 150k


Prince might want to accept this because of the season continues the way it has, he won't get this kind of money on the free agent market, but I could be wrong.

I wonder how Braun will feel if Prince accepts offer.

Hopefully, it doesn't get done and they trade him.  Of course there's the possibility that this ISN'T the actual offer, but my past skepticism has ALWAYS been beaten down with this guy--he's always right (The Wolf numbers were a bit off, but not far enough that I'd use it as proof he's wrong on anything).