Brewers, Looper Close To Deal?

[love_that_reefer]

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the Brewers are close to signing Braden Looper.
Milwaukee was said to be up against its payroll limit, but apparently has found some room to add Looper to the rotation. He's gone 24-26 with a 4.52 ERA in two seasons since transitioning from reliever to starter with the Cardinals and would join Yovani Gallardo, Manny Parra, Jeff Suppan and Dave Bush in the Brewers' rotation.

Finally the Brewers do something! Brewers needed starting pitching desperately and found a good back end starter. Looper is also familiar with the NL Central making the deal even better.

[love_that_reefer]

Looper is getting a one year deal with an option for 2010.

[CrazyEights]

The Brewers were probably able to sign him for a great price, because of the economy. Since they really need pitching, this isn't a bad signing. Although, I wouldn't go as far as reef did and say he is a good back of the rotation pitcher. He is a decent back of the roation pitcher. Last year he surprised everyone and had a good year, but I wouldn't count on him repeating. He will probably pitch like he did in 2007.

[CrazyEights]

$4.75Mil for Looper for 1 year is something the Brewers had to do.

[love_that_reefer]

The reason I said he is a good back end guy is because in a year that he should have regressed, he got better.

[CrazyEights]

The reason I said he is a good back end guy is because in a year that he should have regressed, he got better.

When a pitcher like Looper leaves a Dave Duncan team, they usually do regress. For example, Suppan hasn't had a season with the Brewers yet like he did with the Cardinals.

[love_that_reefer]

Anthony Reyes did last year.