badgerpat

According to this article the Brewers offered two of the top 5 not to include Escobar. Who is the other besides LaPorta? I can't imagine the Brewers would give up LaPorta and Gamel.

LaPorta, Green, and Brantley for CC makes me say no!! The Brewers would be giving up way to much for a couple months. I think LaPorta and Green is too much. Especially if the Brewers don't think Gamel will make it at 3rd. Green is the next option at 3rd. The only way I like this trade is if the Brewers are committed to signing CC and Sheets at the end of the season. Because if they are not the Brewers don't have starters and they don't have much to trade to get starters in the off season. Just think if the Brewers are committed to signing CC and Sheets, they would have Sheets(RHP), CC(LHP), Gallardo(RHP), Parra(LHP), then Suppan,Busch,McClung to fight for 5th. Possibly moving Busch and McClung back to the pen. If they are thinking longterm along those lines then I am very excited about the future. If CC is a rental the Brewers go back to being below average after the season, would not be excited about that.

I am interested to here how people that have seen Gwynn Jr and Brantley play compare the two. Which one would you be more likely to trade or would you trade both?

The Brewers ownership needs to decide what type of organization they are going to be and commit to it. What are the Brewers a small market team that builds with prospects or a big spending club that throws prospects and money (can anyone say Yankees) to get the well established player? I know the owner grew up as a Yankee fan and I don't have a problem with that. If he wants to run it like the Yankees then he needs to put up the money. I don't like the idea of giving up top prospects for a player that is going to be gone after the season. If the ownership wants to make the trade then ownership should commit to signing both CC and Sheets at the end of the season. If they are not ready to commit that kind of money then they should not make that kind of trade. Die hard Brewer fans out there tell me this are you willing to mortgage the longterm success of the team for a chance to just make the playoffs? Trading for CC is going to limit the off season options. And don't even talk to me about draft picks. Draft picks take at least 3 years to develop if not more and that is if they pan out. That is way to many ifs for me to count on draft picks. Remember this is not like football or basketball where picks can contibute quickly. While we are at it tell me honestly if you think the Brewers are going to be able to sign Prince in the near future. If not who is going to replace him if you trade LaPorta or Gamel? After Sheets and CC leave after the season who do the Brewers trade to get pitching? I am not interested in any move that just gets us to the playoffs for one year and then not again for another 10 or 26 years. If the team makes it to the playoffs I want them to have a chance to when the series and be the top team the year after. Where are the rockies this season? It is real easy are the Brewers small market or big money? If the team makes the trade then ownership needs to spend the money. And don't let them fool you, they are making money right now. Games are sold out and fans are buying merchandise like crazy. There is nothing wrong with being a small market team if you are smart about it. How many world series do the Marlins have in the last 5 years? How many do the Yankees have?

With the real possibility of Sheets leaving as a free agent in the off season what will the starting rotation look like in 2009. Gallardo - Young and coming off minor injury Parra - Young, developing but still could be inconsistent Bush - Inconsistent, would be great if he keeps pitching like his last two outings McClung - Unproven, would be great if he keeps pitching the way he has, but history does not back that up. 5th spot is open. Suppan - Can not take another year. Thought Brewers over paid and gave him too many years when they signed him. Would have been nice to have Inman and Garrison around to compete for the 5th spot. What a great trade that was last year for Linebrink. Maybe Melvin could find a way to trade Gamel, LaPorta, and Escobar for a temporary pitcher. At least the Brewers would get picks that we could wait 4 to 5 years to develop. Yes I am still bitter!!

I hated this trade in 2007 and hate it even more in 2008. I know hindsight is 20/20 but Melvin was blind when he made the trade. Right before the trade Linebrink was struggling. Add the fact is wife was expecting, there is no way anyone could have expected him to add a great deal. Then Melvin gives up the top RHP in the system and one of the top (if not the top) LHP in the system. For those out there that say Inman won't be a great pro, I would like to see a comparison of his minor league stats to Gallardo's. Gallardo may project to be a better pro (#1 or #2), but I think Inman will be a solid #3 or #4 if not higher. And the people that say at least the Brewers recieved picks, Fredrickson is older than both Inman and Garrison and at least 2 years behind them. Any high school pitcher is at least 3 years more likely 4 years behind. Bottom line is this was one of the worst trades if not the worst in Brewer history!! Now with the thought that Sheets could be gone next year it would be nice to have Inman and Garrison around to compete for that #5 spot in the rotation. People always question Yost but what exactly has Melvin done that is so incredible? The majority of the talent on the roster was drafted by Jack Z. and a number of them were before Melvin was hired. Melvin can't even take credit for hiring Jack Z. He was hired by Taylor.