Doug Melvin on the D-List (Tejada, Gagne, Braun)

[Madtown Bomber]

Very interesting conversation. Dan Needles was going crazy about how quiet the Brewers are after the Mitchell Report but will call a presser to announce a new racing sausage which prompted Doug Melvin to call in on his own.

 

Here is a rundown of the interview as we go.

 

Melvin said while he was disappointed that Eric Gagne was on the list he believed that he was still worth the money because the testing now is tougher. Said that every conversation he had whether it was Theo Epstein or with scouts that knew Gagne said that he was worth the risk and if it doesn't work then it is only for one year.

 

Said that there are no possiblilties of exiting the contract with Gagne since the reported use was 4-5 years ago. Said that he didn't expect Gagne to be suspended but he would accept whatever Selig decided.

 

He made a slip when grilled by Needles that the Brewers were in deep discussions with Baltimore for Miguel Tejada (another Mitchell Report user) but Houston at the end of the day were willing to add more players. Tejada would have waived his demand to play SS for the Brewers and Brewers only. But he would still be interested in Tejada.

 

Basically said that they are done looking for OF'ers unless that something came along that blew their socks off saying that they are looking for 3rd Baseman. Which means they really want to move Braun.

 

Said that the fans get hopped up on the Hot Stove League which is great for baseball but most deals happen when nobody is talking. (haha, classic Melvin)

 

End of interview

 

Interesting hearing how the Brewers go about checking on players they are interested in. Melvin runs his business like any other, checking contacts, and all that jazz.

 

Miguel Tejada? Did we break the bank somewhere?

 

Basically sounds like Braun in the OF is about 90% happening now where I thought it was about 40%.

[chinabob99]

Tejada would have waived his demand to play SS for the Brewers and Brewers only. But he would still be interested in Tejada.

Thats the kind of thing that never used to happen. It is bizarre that we are a respectable team again.

[Tbadder]

I think that Melvin has every right to be peeved. We're all speculators in the end. I'm glad to hear he was going after Tejada, and just as glad to hear we didn't get him as the cost would've been too high.

 

I'm a litle disappointed in his outfielder's comment.

[sveumrules]

Tbadder wrote:

 

I'm a litle disappointed in his outfielder's comment.

that's exactly the kind of comment from melvin that normally means a LFer is all but a done deal.

 

i'll take kenny lofton, please.

[tigerbrew]

Nice to read that DM had made a serious effort to get Tejada. But now that the Astros got Tejada, I very much hope DM is interested to "discuss deeply" with the Orioles for Bedard.

[Mr QL]

Ughhhh, I'm glad we didn't get Tejada. Not worth it. It's nice he seemed he would of wanted to come here though. Now if we're willing to throw money around, lets do it right.

[MillerParkSouth]

i'm not sure what we would have had to give up to get Tejada looking at what Houston did, but i'd have no desire in giving up 5 guys. I'll take Rolen for Cappy please.

[dpapo]

1510 now has the Melvin interview archived on their Web site, here is the link to the interview.

http://goodkarma.wmod.llnwd.net/a459/o2/WAUK/Doug_Melvin.mp3

[MarquesJohnson2000]

Melvin will be on Cliff and Gary's show (1250AM) this afternoon.. I think Sparky said around 2:00 but he may have been referring to the fact that the show starts at 2:00.

[TooLiveBrew]

Said that every conversation he had whether it was Theo Epstein or with scouts that knew Gagne said that he was worth the risk and if it doesn't work then it is only for one year.

 

Sounds like he didn't speak with the BoSux scout cited in the Mitchell Report. He didn't have anything positive to say about Gagné. (woohoo! the accent worked!)

 

Basically said that they are done looking for OF'ers unless that something came along that blew their socks off saying that they are looking for 3rd Baseman. Which means they really want to move Braun.

That's fantastic news. Doug, we love ya!

 

Basically sounds like Braun in the OF is about 90% happening now where I thought it was about 40%.

 

I hope you're right.

[Harold Hutchison]

i'm not sure what we would have had to give up to get Tejada looking at what Houston did, but i'd have no desire in giving up 5 guys. I'll take Rolen for Cappy please.

St. Louis is on the ropes. Rolen for Vargas, and I'd eat the salary.

 

[BritInWI]

I guess that tells us which 3B that Melvin was referring to as the "surprise" target. Oh, well. Back to square one probably.

[joepepsi]

Actually, I thought all along Tejada or Mora would be a good fit for the Brewers. Tejada is in decline, but he hit pretty well last summer after returning to the DL.

[Ennder]

Sounds like he didn't speak with the BoSux scout cited in the Mitchell Report. He didn't have anything positive to say about Gagné. (woohoo! the accent worked!)

 

Im' willing to guess that this Scout came out and said this stuff after Gagne pitched poorly for them. Otherwise there is no way they would have traded for Gagne.

[TooLiveBrew]

No - it was from notes when they were evaluating whether or not to sign him in the 2006 offseason:

 

"In a November 1, 2006 email to a Red Sox scout, GM Theo Epstein asked, 'Have you done any digging on Gagne? I know the Dodgers think he was a steroid guy... What do you hear on his medical?' The scout, Mark Delpiano, responded, 'Some digging on Gagne and steroids IS the issue...'"

The scouting report went worse from there. Which makes it kinda comical that they picked him up at the deadline in 2007!

[crewcrazy]

No - it was from notes when they were evaluating whether or not to sign him in the 2006 offseason:

 

"In a November 1, 2006 email to a Red Sox scout, GM Theo Epstein asked, 'Have you done any digging on Gagne? I know the Dodgers think he was a steroid guy... What do you hear on his medical?' The scout, Mark Delpiano, responded, 'Some digging on Gagne and steroids IS the issue...'"

The scouting report went worse from there. Which makes it kinda comical that they picked him up at the deadline in 2007!

It is kind of ironic that the Red Sox picked him up after that, but considering how Gagne was pitching in Texas prior to his stint in Boston, I think their scouts were willing to reconsider.

 

[TCSM]

anyone have a recap on the WSSP interview, or did nothing happen?

[davego]

just a crazy thought, but if Billy went to 3rd and Braun to Lf, I heard there is a vet LHOF who can play some RF and knows Miller Park...Looks a bit like Brett...

[MoneyballMan]

just a crazy thought, but if Billy went to 3rd and Braun to Lf, I heard there is a vet LHOF who can play some RF and knows Miller Park...Looks a bit like Brett...

And apparently may have to accept a 1-year deal for around $5m..... ya never know.....

[AdvantageSchneider]

Are there any RH RFs that are cheap and available too? Jenkins is no good without one of those.

[zzzmanwitz]

Joe Dillon

[AdvantageSchneider]

Joe Dillon

Yeah, I meant a RF who didn't field the position like they were a donkey trying to eat a waffle.

 

I saw Joe Dillion in RF last year against the braves, no thanks. We need our defense to get better not worse. Why don't we just stick Tony Graffanino out there while we're at it.

[sbrylski]

Joe Dillon

Yeah, I meant a RF who didn't field the position like they were a donkey trying to eat a waffle.

 

I saw Joe Dillion in RF last year against the braves, no thanks. We need our defense to get better not worse. Why don't we just stick Tony Graffanino out there while we're at it.

Obviously some extemely small samples, but defensive metrics suggest otherwise, FWIW:

 

Rate

1B - 100

2B - 83

3B - 156

LF - 118

RF - 100

 

That's runs saved per 100 games, zeroed to 100. (Ex: 118 mean 18 runs saved)

 

[steve267268]

I'm not sure how new this info is but it says on espn.com that Cameron will not be returning to San Diego. I know his stick isn't what it used to be (at least it wasn't in Petco) and he's kind of a K machine if memory serves me correctly, but the guy is a GREAT center fielder. I'd love to stick him in Center and have the Billy and Braun combo in Left/3rd however Doug wants to do that. It's an upgrade in center over Billy, and then we won't have to play TGjr or Dillon exclusively in left all the time.

[TooLiveBrew]

I'd really hope that at this point, Melvin either has or will soon ask Hall about playing 3B. It's always good to keep your options as numerous as possible. Bill's a great guy, and at worst wouldn't be offended if asked, I'd guess.