Ron Paul, Rick Santorum Suggest Foul Play From Romney Campaign
WATCH: Whitney Houston's Biggest Interview Moments
A year after losing CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets in free agency, the Brewers are finally upgrading their pitching staff. Today, multiple reports out of the winter meetings in Indianapolis confirm that Milwaukee has signed both starter Randy Wolf and set-up man LaTroy Hawkins to multi-year contracts. For Wolf, it's a three-year, $27 million deal with an option for a fourth year and for Hawkins, it's a two-year deal worth $7.5 million. Wolf immediately upgrades a shaky rotation behind Yovani Gallardo that oversaw the Brewers' runs allowed total jump from 689 in 2008 to 818 in 2009. He was the de facto ace of the Dodgers' staff last season with an 11-7 record, a 3.23 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and a 2.76 K/BB ratio, his best total since 2001. Hawkins lends stability to a bullpen that had trouble finding a set-up man in front of Trevor Hoffman; he gave the Astros 67 1/3 innings with a 2.14 ERA in 2009 that was possibly his best season since leaving Minnesota in 2003.
It's obvious from the price tags that this upgrade did not come cheaply. Combined, the Brewers are spreading $34.5 million over three years to a 33-year-old starter and a 37-year-old reliever. They should give the Brewers help where they need it, but that's a lot of money for a small-market team to spend on two players.
Of course, it's been noted both here and in many other places this winter that the Brewers' window for contention is rapidly closing as Prince Fielder's free agency approaches. Without spending this sort of money, GM Doug Melvin risks squandering an opportunity with some very talented players.
The question that remains is whether Wolf and Hawkins are enough. Wolf essentially replaces Braden Looper, which still leaves a rotation with big question marks in Jeff Suppan and Manny Parra. There can't be much money left in the coffers for another starter, but Melvin will probably keep looking for a buy-low candidate with some upside to round out his rotation. Maybe he should give Ben Sheets a call.
Adele Wins Album Of The Year
Greek Protests Continue As Lawmakers Debate Severe Austerity Measures
2012 Grammy Awards: Celebrities Remember Whitney Houston
Mystery Disease Kills Thousands
Country Considers Bills Lifting Gay-Marriage Ban
Updates On Whitney Houston's Autopsy
The Week's 5 Juiciest Apple Rumors
Michael Smerconish: A Response to Sean Hannity
Blogger Faces Possible Death Penalty For Tweets
Costa Concordia Video Shows Crew Reactions To Cruise Crash
GOP Bill Would Strip Workers Of Overtime, Minimum Wage Protections
Mitch McConnell Not Accepting Obama Compromise
Syrian Forces Rocket Homs As Arab League Meets In Cairo
Paul Ryan On Obama's 'Accounting Trick'
Sarah Palin 'Not Convinced' Of Romney's Conservatism
Mitt Romney Once Backed Provision He Now Decries
Some States Using Funds From Foreclosure Deal To Close Budget Gaps
Rick Santorum: GOP Race A 2-Man Contest
WATCH: Nasim Pedrad As Arianna On SNL's Weekend Update
Mitt Romney Wins Maine Caucus
