Knuckle Curve » randy wolf

Brewers Add Wolf and Hawkins

Stephen Kersey — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:55:52 +0000

The Milwaukee Brewers usually aren’t known for their winter shopping sprees. But this offseason, the Brewers have some money to spend. On Wednesday, they decided to use part of their budget on a pair of pitchers: starter Randy Wolf and reliever LaTroy Hawkins.

Wolf is coming off of a career year with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 34 starts, he had an ERA of 3.23 and a record of 11-7. With the Brewers, he’ll give the team a top of the rotation starter who can also help some of the younger arms.

Spending last season with the Houston Astros, the 36-year-old Hawkins pitched very well. In 65 relief appearances, he had a record of 1-4 with 11 saves and an ERA of 2.13. The 6-foot-5 righty will give the Brewers depth in their bullpen.

According to reports, Wolf’s deal is worth around $30 million over three years. Hawkins reportedly signed a deal worth $7.5 million over two seasons.

Randy Wolf - Milwaukee Brewers (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Randy Wolf Signs with Los Angeles Dodgers

Stephen Kersey — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 04:35:55 +0000

Rand Wolf, who we had listed as one of the top ten MLB free agents, has agreed to join the Los Angeles Dodgers. His contract calls for him to be paid between $5 million and $8 million depending on incentives.

Wolf had a solid season in 2008, splitting it between the San Diego Padres and the Houston Astros. Combined, Wolf had a 12-12 record and a 4.30 ERA. His 12 wins were the most he’s had since he put up 16 wins in 2003 with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Wolf, who is a California native, can earn the extra $3 million if he pitches at least 200 innings during the 2009 baseball campaign. With the Dodgers, he’s all but guaranteed to garner a spot in the starting rotation.

Now that the Dodgers have addressed their pitching, expect them to turn their attention back to the Manny Ramirez news and rumors that we hear almost every day.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Baseball Rumors – Odds and Ends

Stephen Kersey — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 05:29:38 +0000

Andy Pettitte
Although Andy Pettitte reportedly turned down a one-year, $10 million deal from the New York Yankees earlier in the offseason, the two sides are still talking. The Yankees are hoping Pettitte will eventually accept a deal around the same amount of money.

Manny Ramirez
A lot of insiders have expected the New York Mets to make a run at Manny Ramirez but that doesn’t appear to be happening. The Mets instead are looking around for pitching. Ramirez looks like he has a couple suitors, with the San Francisco Giants showing the most interest. A new darkhorse? The Texas Rangers.

Ivan Rodriguez
The interesting news about Ivan Rodriguez is that there is virtually no news. The future Hall of Famer hasn’t drawn much attention from anyone and his hopes of landing a starting gig appear to be declining by the day.

Randy Wolf
Right now, it appears as if the Los Angeles Dodgers are the favorites to win the Randy Wolf sweepstakes. The other team to show a lot of interest was the Mets, who might actually prefer Wolf if Oliver Perez asks for too much money.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Top Ten Baseball Free Agents Still Available

Stephen Kersey — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 09:25:51 +0000

1. Manny Ramirez
Could Ramirez be heading to the Giants?

2. Derek Lowe
The Mets are after Lowe.

3. Adam Dunn
Dunn might replace Ramirez in Los Angeles.

4. Milton Bradley
The latest rumors have the Cubs most interested.

5. Oliver Perez
Expect the Mets to retain him.

6. Pat Burrell
The Phillies look to be moving on.

7. Orlando Hudson
Sleeper of the free agent market.

8. Bobby Abreu
Breaking down but still a solid player.

9. Ben Sheets
Risky signing but could reward.

10. Randy Wolf
Could quietly be steal of the offseason.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Padres Preview at Hardball Times

Geoff Young — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:28:43 +0000

My preview of the Padres is up at Hardball Times. One issue I touch on is the uncertainty at the back end of San Diego’s rotation:

Last year the Padres brought in Greg Maddux and David Wells. One of those worked out real well, the other not so much. This year it’s Randy Wolf and Mark Prior. The situation is a little different, though, because Maddux basically never misses a start, while Wolf hasn’t made as many as 20 since 2004. As for Prior, my advice is not to think about him at all and hope for a pleasant surprise later in the season. Realistically we’re looking at guys like Shawn Estes, Justin Germano, and Glendon Rusch for that fifth spot. The fact that these aren’t exciting options wouldn’t be a problem except that the rest of the rotation isn’t as good as some people seem to think it is.

Head on over to Hardball Times to read the rest…

Post from: Knuckle Curve