Brewers owner Mark Attanasio and general manager Doug Melvin made their pitch to free-agent pitcher Jeff Suppan and they didn't want to wait long for an answer.
As it turns out, neither did Suppan.
Suppan, who turns 32 on Jan. 2, agreed to terms on a four-year deal that will pay him $42 million. The deal, which is the richest contract in franchise history, was first reported by Tom Haudricourt on the Journal Sentinel's Web site and will not be official until Suppan passes a physical examination next week.
Suppan pitched for St. Louis the past three seasons, compiling a 44-26 record in a period that was highlighted in the post-season. In the National League Championship Series against the Mets, Suppan won two games, including the decisive seventh game, and was named MVP of the series.
Suppan has a 106-101 record in his career, including a sparkling 12-2 against the Brewers.
"With 44 wins in the last three seasons, Jeff is not only a proven winner, he is also one of the most durable pitchers in baseball," Melvin said of Suppan, who has pitched for Boston, Arizona, Kansas City, Pittsburgh and the Cardinals.
"This agreement makes us feel very good about the depth of our rotation. Jeff's experience and durability should have a positive influence on our entire pitching staff."
The Brewers' courtship of Suppan intensified last week, when the right-hander and his agent, Scott Leventhal, attended a dinner at Attanasio's home in Los Angeles. Suppan also was being courted by the Mets, Pirates, Giants, Royals, Rangers and Rockies.
The Brewers will likely use Suppan as the No. 3 starter in their rotation, behind Ben Sheets and Chris Capuano and ahead of Dave Bush and Claudio Vargas.
Suppan's deal surpasses the four-year, $38.5 million contract signed by Ben Sheets in 2005.
As it turns out, neither did Suppan.
Suppan, who turns 32 on Jan. 2, agreed to terms on a four-year deal that will pay him $42 million. The deal, which is the richest contract in franchise history, was first reported by Tom Haudricourt on the Journal Sentinel's Web site and will not be official until Suppan passes a physical examination next week.
Suppan pitched for St. Louis the past three seasons, compiling a 44-26 record in a period that was highlighted in the post-season. In the National League Championship Series against the Mets, Suppan won two games, including the decisive seventh game, and was named MVP of the series.
Suppan has a 106-101 record in his career, including a sparkling 12-2 against the Brewers.
"With 44 wins in the last three seasons, Jeff is not only a proven winner, he is also one of the most durable pitchers in baseball," Melvin said of Suppan, who has pitched for Boston, Arizona, Kansas City, Pittsburgh and the Cardinals.
"This agreement makes us feel very good about the depth of our rotation. Jeff's experience and durability should have a positive influence on our entire pitching staff."
The Brewers' courtship of Suppan intensified last week, when the right-hander and his agent, Scott Leventhal, attended a dinner at Attanasio's home in Los Angeles. Suppan also was being courted by the Mets, Pirates, Giants, Royals, Rangers and Rockies.
The Brewers will likely use Suppan as the No. 3 starter in their rotation, behind Ben Sheets and Chris Capuano and ahead of Dave Bush and Claudio Vargas.
Suppan's deal surpasses the four-year, $38.5 million contract signed by Ben Sheets in 2005.
Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
