Harold Hutchison

Could be bad news if it means Cody is injured...

In the case of Braun vs. Gross, I take Braun. Different situation entirely, though.

Between Cain and Gillespie? Given the way the Brewers are presently constructed, and with their relative weaknesses, I would rather have Gillespie.

Oh, boy... I hope this doesn't mean Maddux and Castro are on their way out.

Actually, I was comparing Cain to Clark. I regard Gillespie as the better prospect because his strengths are in areas where the Brewers have shown relative weakness over the last two seasons.

Far be it for me to disagree, but I think Gillespie is arguably the better prospect, particularly given the relative weaknesses the Brewers have displayed. Gillespie draws walks and generates OBP - and he does both well. He also adds good doubles power, too. He's also got a fair bit of speed. Not Darren Ford, but when a guy is successful over 90% of the time - and 80% over three years (higher than Lorenzo Cain's) - he's not a slouch, either. Cain strikes me as the backup type - another Brady Clark with more speed. Gillespie, though, is someone I'd think about giving a crack at the leadoff spot in 2010. Maybe even 2009, if you want to put Hart in center and Braun in right. Don't sell Cole short. EDIT: As an aside, Gillespie's MLE would be .271/.345/.442 - an OPS of .787, below average for LF, but his OPS would have been higher than that of Rickie Weeks. I say give him a crack at the leadoff slot.

Do have any linkage to support any of that? Gillespie has "VERY good speed? A guy who's stole just about the same number of bases every year in 18,16,17? Darren Ford he is not, and I'd venture a guess that there's no way he's faster than Cain who is one of the only 5 tool prospects in the system... Cain stole his fewest bases this season and easily eclipsed what Gillespie did. Gillespie's arm also will not play in RF, but Braun's will... so if it came down to it Cole could play LF with Braun in RF... that's assuming that Lucroy and Lawrie stay at catcher, Gamel stays in the IF and so on. Unfortunately for Cole he's always going to be the 4th or 5th best OF unless Melvin dumps 2 or 3 guys. He's more of a middle of the order hitter... 5th or 6th, than a lead off hitter in my opinion, if he were to start. Though he draws enough walks I'd consider him for a 2 hitter pending other options on the club at the time. Cain was drafted out of highschool very as a very raw 5 tool prospect, Gillespie as a polished college hitter, comparing their career paths thus far seems like a disservice to the truth. Brady Clark? Clancy you have some very different opinions... but that's out there even for you. Cain way too talented to be compared to Clark... my goodness. While Lo may flame out and never reach the majors, his ceiling is not Clarkesque. I'm not sure that Cain will ever be a great OBP guy, probably mid 300s someplace but he's someone I'm still very excited about. Gillespie's SB %: Career: 80%, 2008: 94%, 2007: 67%, 2006: 82%Cain's SB %: Career: 77%, 2008: 80.6%, 2007: 73%, 2006: 76%, 2005: 80% Gillespie's been more successful over his career save for 2007, and even then, 73%'s kinda low. Gillespie also drew more walks, and has a far better walk rate and fewer strikeouts in . More doubles and homers than Cain, fewer triples, but more XBH overall. Cain's only advantage is being able to play all three positions, whereas Gillespie's limited to left field. At this point, I have to rate Gillespie higher than Cain. He's only one spot down in the Power 50 (10 vs. 9, which could easily be flipped). Cain's not bad, but Gillespie's better, and more importantly, he's stronger where the Brewers have been realtively weak in 2008, specifically in the areas of OBP and walk rate.

I would make that deal in an instant. Trading Escobar means the Brewers commit over the next five years to Hardy and Weeks at short and second, with Callix Crabbe taking over Counsell's role as backup. Deal Gamel, and third base becomes Taylor Green's in 2010. Welch? Quite frankly, Brae Wright had a better year in 2008, and in Brevard County, Chris Cody delivered better pwnage of FSL hitters than a couple of guys named Carlos (Villanueva) and Tim (Dillard) did in 2005. So, dealing the third-best left-handed starter in the system is worth doing, IMO.

Actually, I give him a ten-year deal ($5 million in 2009, $7 million in 2010, $10 million/year from 2011-2018) to play shortstop. I am NOT going to risk repeating the mistake the Brewers made after 2002 when they let Jose Hernandez walk after two very good years at SS (2001-2002) and replaced him with Royce Clayton (2003) and Craig Counsell (2004). If JJ is signed long-term, shortstop won't be broke. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Gamel: Probably plays 3B full-time at Nashville - but has a chance to win the job in Spring of `09. If he wins the job, signing Fielder to a long-term deal becomes mandatory. If not, he is the Opening Day starter at first in 2010, and Fielder is (regrettably) trade bait. Escobar: Splits time between SS and 2B. If Weeks puts it all together, he takes Counsell's job. No way does he start over Hardy. Could replace Counsell Opening Day `09. Salome: Full-time catcher at Nashville. Starter on Opening Day, 2010 Gillespie: Find out if he can play RF in either Huntsville or Nashville. If he can... great. If not, he will be stuck behind Braun. OK, I know I catch flak for saying move Braun back to third, but if Gillespie is really what he seems to be [a doubles hitter with VERY good speed - can you say, LEADOFF?], and he can only play left, then do the Brewers move Braun to right and Hart to center? Or does Hart get dealt? Ideas, anyone? Figure Gillespie either starts in left for the Crew in 2010, or is traded. Cain: OK, he can play center, but his bat and speed are not as good as Gillespie's. On Opening Day 2010, he's probably taking a Brady Clark role for the Brewers. Green: OK, now things get complicated. This guy is a left-handed Cirillo and natural #3 hitter. He will start somewhere on Opening Day 2010 - be it second, third, first (why not?), right, or left. Lucroy: Probably trying to get past Salome for playing time - probably will have to settle for being a defensive replacement in late innings. He can hit, too, though... oh, my, catcher will be VERY interesting in 2010. But that will be a GOOD problem to have... Jeffress: Probably the #4 or #5 starter in 2010. No need to make him the ace right away. Besides, one hopes the Brewers have Gallardo, Parra, and at least one of Sheets/Sabathia/Villanueva/Dillard/Bush/McClung ahead of him. One other player I will add: Chris Cody: I think this guy, acquired in 2007 for Jose Capellan, could be the mother of all pitching nuggets. Look at his 2008 season in Brevard County. OK, it's a pitcher's league, but this guy outdid Tim Dillard and Carlos Villanueva's major pwnage of FSL hitters from 2005 - and Dillard and Villanueva could be key contributors next year in the rotation or the pen nxt year (depending on how free agency shakes out). Dunno about anyone else, but he may be the biggest steal since the Brewers acquired Villanueva for Wayne Franklin and Leo Estrella in 2003. Figure he's the #5 starter in 2010 or 2011 at the latest.

I like that lineup. Trade Hart or Escobar + a middling prospect or two for David DeJesus. Bat DeJesus leadoff, then Weeks-Fielder-Braun-Hardy. The Brewers might lead the league in 1st inning runs.How about Hall-for-DeJesus? DeJesus, though, mostly played LF/RF this year. Getting him means Cameron stays in center, and Braun's gonna get bumped to third. OK, he can't be worse than Hall was at third this year... Probably a VERY steep deal, but the Brewers have Salome, Rottino, and Lawrie at catcher in the system. lf: DeJesus 2b: Weeks ss: Hardy 1b: Fielder 3b: Braun cf: Cameron rf: Hart c: Kendall

Except with Hardy, the Brewers have more than just a proven commodity - it is someone emerging as arguably the best offensive SS in the league (more power, less speed than Rollins). At this point, I would not trade him unless I was blown away - to the tune of a Dan Haren deal at a bare minimum. Maybe, I'd do a straight swap of Peavy for Hardy, but that is a big MAYBE.

1. Braun and Fielder rebound to 2007. 2. Sheets and Sabathia return. 3. More walks taken, Weeks bunting for hits more. 4. Beating the Cubs like a pack of rented mules...

Agreed. The first rule with something like this is "do no harm." If Doug can't find a better manager than Sveum - he needs to keep Dale around.

Those five wins were the difference between the Brewers in the playoffs, with a chance to win it all, and watching the playoffs on TV.

1. Third base. Anyone else miss having Braun's bat at third? I sure did. 2. Bench. The Brewers got lucky - no starter outside Cameron missed significant time, but they are still a little thin. Plan A: Package Escobar and Suppan to get Blalock for a year at third. Not the best option, but the Crew could do worse than Blalock for a year, until Gamel is ready. Bench: Locate a decent backup SS/2B. I would put forward Angel Berroa as a candidate for that. He had some godo years, but has been relegated to a backup role the last two seasons. He'd come cheap, and in better times, was not quite JJ, but wasn't a liability. Bring Rottino in as a third catcher/backup 1B/3B/LF. Keep Hall as a utility guy. Rivera's the #2 catcher. Add Kapler and Gwynn for OF depth.

Starting Position Players: Kendall: A - More for his defense, durability, and handling of pitchers than his offense. Fielder: B - Dropped off from 2007. Time to drop the veg diet, Prince. Weeks: C- - Bat still disappoints, but knows how to draw walks. Defense below average. Hardy: A - Sign him to an extension, and keep him at short. Hall: F - He can drive the ball pretty hard when he makes contact. Making contact has been a problem the last two years. Braun: A- - Did OK in left, had a slump. Still, when he's on, it's easier to think of pitchers as baby seals. Cameron: A - superb defense and 25-homer power from CF. Exercise the option. Hart: C - Great first half, iffy second half. Bench: Rivera: A - Not needed, but has flashed a good bat. Branyan: B - Left-handed power, good OBP, but a lot of Ks. Counsell: B- - Probably could be a good pinch-runner, and has decent on-base skills. Milwaukee's new hitting coach? Kapler: A - Did everything asked of him. Perhaps the answer to the need for a leadoff hitter? Gwynn: C+ - Injury untracked him, but he's got some assets (speed, defense). Dillon: I- Didn't get much of a chance, but might be an option at third. Couldn't be worse than Hall. Starting pitchers: Sabathia: A+ - The team MVP. Top priority to re-sign. Sheets: B+ - Injury bug bit again, but that may make him signable. Gallardo: A- - Came back fast from knee injury - what could have been will torment Brewers fans for this offseason. Parra: B - Did OK, but hit the wall. Will not have that "wall" issue next year. Bush: B+ - Perhaps the biggest beneficiary of Jason Kendall's arrival. Imagine him as the #5. Suppan: C+ - Injury and poor infield D meant a rough year, but he'll give you 30 starts and 200 IP when healthy. If Sabathia and Sheets return, he'd be competing for the 5th spot. Relievers: Gagne: D - OK, those struggles in Boston weren't a fluke. That $10 million ought to help keep Sabathia in the fold. Torres: A- - The Brewers could do worse than bringing him back as closer. Riske: C- - Injury caused problems, but he should be back to form. Mota: C - Had a few blow-ups. But hey, he did more for the Crew than Estrada did for the Mets. That trade is a win. Shouse: B - Did the LOOGY thing well. Villanueva: A- - Settled into long-relief. McClung: A - Starter, long-relief, did everything asked of him. Dillard: B- - A little inconsistent, but only one bad outing (4 ER) in 13 games - plus another where he had to get 4 outs (5 unearned runs). Could be helpful in the pen or the rotation. Stetter: B+ - Did pretty well, especially at punching hitters out. The Brewers' best lefty reliever since Plesac. Closer material? DiFelice: B+ - Limited glimpse shows potential in the pen. 20K in 19IP. Team: A- - Made the playoffs, but didn't complete the job. Find a LF or a 3B, keep Sheets and Sabathia, and get `er done in 2009!

Keep Sveum, Mike Maddux (pitching), and Billy Castro (bullpen). Dump the rest, and get new hitting, infield, bench, and 3B/1B coaches.

Re-signing Sheets and Sabathia ought to be priority one. Sheets may be cheaper, but Sabathia would be the Reggie White-type thing the Brewers would really need. Sabathia-Sheets-Gallardo-Parra-Suppan/Bush would be the best option. Trading Suppan in a salary dump might not be a bad idea.

Was catcher a problem offensively? Yes. That said, I think Kendall certainly seemed to work very well with the pitchers (Sheets improved from 3.82 to 3.09, and Dave Bush dropped nearly a full run from his 2007 ERA - 5.12 to 4.18). If Braun is going to NOT be moved from third on account of his defense, then I think Kendall's skill with the pitchers probably warrants keeping him around - and possibly even an extension. If the Crew is going to lose Sheets and Sabathia, we may need Kendall's skill in working with Bush and others.

OK, again, Ibanez in LF+Braun at 3B. What sort of combo do you think the Brewers could reasonably acquire that beats that option?

Clancy, would you look to keep Kapler, too? I'd favor Nelson over Rottino and seriously look at the Twins for Matt Tolbert or Brendan Harris as 1st-string middle IF reserve who's also 3B-capable (or Punto, but he's a free agent to be). Personally I favor the change-of-scenery option for Billy Hall. Also, as ugly as 3B was this year, I firmly believe Braun has to stay in LF. We're set in LF both offensively and defensively with Braun there. Fix 3B with a third baseman or at most another IF who has played well on D and produced solidly on O there. Kapler's injury has me worried. If the Brewers can get a decent return for Hall, I'd pull the trigger on a deal, but Hall might be acceptable as a reserve 2B/SS/3B/CF. As for third... it really depends. I would keep Braun as an option - if only as a 2009 stopgap - particularly if there is a good LF willing to come for a year. I earlier suggested that the Crew ought to sign Raul Ibanez, whose OPS+ has been over 115 for the last five years. He's probably better offensively than any third basemen we could get. Is it perfect? No. But I'm not sure a better option is out there right now.

1. Re-signing CC has to be priority #1.2. Disagree. Hall is still a decent sub, and RH bat against lefties. Over-priced, but better than nothing. 3. Agreed. 4. Keep Cameron - it's for one year, and the Brewers may have other options in the minors. 5. 3B - BIG issue. The best solution for the OFFENSE would be to sign Ibanez, put him in left, and move Braun to third. But that raises issues about defense. The good news is that Taylor Green may be ready in 2010 - so, it's really a matter of a one-year stopgap. 6. Bench: Rottino, Rivera, Gwynn, Dillon, and Hall could all contribute.

Well, no matter what happens tomorrow, the Brewers can say they at least outlasted the Cubs.

Neither the Sheets or Suppan signings were bad ideas.