So with free agency filing day upon us we get our first look at the International Free Agents hitting the market.
And largely it is an uninspiring group, with several who don't look like they fare that well in AA ball.
But then there are these two:
What team wouldn't want either of these gents. If the scouts are to be believed (and, of course, there is much more murkiness when predicting how a player from another country's league might respond to the WPK), Sadahige Kawaski could be the best pitcher in the WPK, or at least a worthy rival to Aaron McNally for that title, from the moment he enters the league.
And second baseman Xiao-mei Mah out of Taiwan could soon compete for a batting title and could instantly be one of the best overall hitters in the game. (On both of these players, the OSA and the Brewers scouting staff largely agree, although our staff is even higher on Mah's abilities than the OSA is.)
With all of our player under contract for 1975 already, and with the strong possibility the expansion clubs will grab up some of our players with big league contracts, further freeing up money in the budget, we could easily sign both of these free agents and still have some money to burn. (We currently have $1,373,832 available for free agent signings.) Now, to be clear, we won't be doing that. The Brewers are pretty content with the status at second base at this time. But as mentioned above, adding a quality arm to the rotation is always a desirable thing.
If we are going to move we better do it quickly. In a rather weak free agent market, these two are likely to be the most sought after players. Beyond reigning SJL MVP Ricky Salinas, future HOF reliever Jamel McNeil, and the wildly popular 7-time All-Star third baseman Trevor Leach, there isn't much front line talent in this free agency class.
What will the Brewers do? Wow, that's a good question. We have a full rotation and then some with Cheol-han Lee, Erik Sloan, Steve Green, Hector Hard, Harry Lyerly, Matt Helm, and Justin Peacock. (Roughly in that order, though if Helm stays healthy and pitches like he did in 1974, he moves up that list.) If we added righty Kawasaki, who do we eliminate? (Assuming you can keep Helm and/or Peacock in the bullpen at least part of the time.) Having just made a last minute decision to protect Harry Lyerly from the expansion draft, he seems like the most likely to unload. And as you know, Lyerly is a sentimental favorite of Brewers management.
This one is sort of a heart versus head decision. And it's too early to know which will win.