Madtown Bomber

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8318218 Looks like we are getting 2 other minor leaguers from Cleveland along with Sabathia.

My brother in law in Cleveland is saying that radio in Cleveland is reporting that the two other players with Matt LaPorta are 3B Taylor Green and C Jonathan Lucroy.

While I am happy that Sabathia is a Brewer but I am on pins and needles wondering who the 2 lower tier prospects are. Please no more super Huntsville 5 guys. If it is LaPorta and two really lower level guys then great move.

Ok, that is where I heard them talk about it. I don't know why they aren't talking about it anymore in their sportscenter updates. Unless they are as clueless as everyone outside of Melvin and Shapiro are.

Peavey are you listening to a local station (Mark Chmura Show) or you listening to the national version of ESPN of Gameday on a satellite or internet feed?

Well maybe Matt LaPorta isn't or wasn't offered anyways. A buddy just emailed me saying Steve Phillips on SportsCenter just kinda stated that Matt LaPorta not being offered is what is holding the deal up? What in the world is going on?

For the record ESPN radio in their little Sports Center parts just stated that Indians rejected the deal on the table from the Brewers but said nothing about whether or not if talks have stopped.

Rosenthal just said that Broxton could be the tipping point? or was that Kennedy? And I can't believe Rosenthal just said that JACK WILSON of all people is holding up a decision on Sabathia.

My take on WSSP vs. WAUK is simple. With WAUK you get Drew Olson, Jason Wilde, Tom Haudicourt, and all the ESPN insiders and with WSSP you get Paul Wagner, Sparky, and Gary and Cliff...enough said. I agree though that WSSP is more caller friendly as WAUK is more information and guests. I'll take WAUK though because the signal is stronger and Drew Olson is the best talking head host on sports talk in Milwaukee. On this trade front I wonder if no news is good news right now. I talked to my brother in law in Cleveland and the feeling is that the Indians would rather wait until the end of the month but they also realize that the more starts other teams can get for Sabathia the more they could get. The fans in Cleveland believe that more teams will become interested later in the process when teams have a clearer picture of what is the realistic playoff hopes thus driving the price back up. The Cleveland take is interesting because I think they are in shock that they are in a sell mode when they were talked about as a possible American League Championship. Many also don't have a clue who Matt LaPorta is let alone how good he is. This is why they think they can get more because they are just names. As I type this ESPN radio is reporting that it is down to the Dodgers and the Brewers, with the Brewers offering Matt LaPorta, Taylor Green, and Cain while the Dodgers are offering Andy LaRoche, Chin Lung Who, Delynn Young, and Andrew Lambo. Which do you take if your the Indians. I must say I do not know much about the Dodgers system to be very opinionated on this.

I can't see Cleveland doing the Cubs deal unless one of the other two prospects is Vitters. So, is Shapiro paying Stark or something? The Dodgers have offered a nice package, it would be nice to know who. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif Knowing the Cubs arrogance the centerpiece is probably Felix Pie. You know about the Dodgers thing I was thinking the same thing but he named no names. haha I agree is it LaRoche or Either or Kershaw...what? But nothing.

I just want to say before I get into the meat of the latest rumor that if the Dodgers are going to give up Clayton Kershaw in a deal if you are the Milwaukee Brewers you just have to tip your cap to them and say good work. Jayson Stark was just on with Andy Gresh on ESPN radio and he said the Brewers attempt to broker a deal quickly seems to have backfired just a little bit. Saying that the Chicago Cubs have offered 3 prospects that include some guy named Gallager and the Dodgers who have offered a nice package. Expect to see the Angels, Yankees, and Phillies to make a possible push for Sabathia before the end of the weekend. But the Brewers are still the heavy favorite. It is thought that if the Brewers and Indians don't make a deal before Sabathia's next start that the package the Brewers are offering will decrease SIGNIFICANTLY and the Brewers would then turn their attention to the next best pitchers on the market. It was only recently that Matt LaPorta was offered by the Brewers and was done so with some hesitation and the feeling is that the window may close pretty quick for any deal including LaPorta. The Brewers have also told MLB teams that Escobar is flat out untouchable. Mat Gamel is flying up prospect boards because of his ability with a Left Handed Bat to hit both lefties and righties at a significant clip. This is the reason LaPorta is offered over Gamel, with LaPorta being a Righty. Stark also said that the Brewers while signing Sheets and Sabathia would be difficult they would definatly be major players in the offseason trade discussions to acquire a compliment to Yovani Gallardo and Manny Parra.

Here is your official fresh news update from our friend Buster Olney during an in-inning conversation during the Yankees-Red Sox game on ESPN radio. Olney said the Indians are pushing hard for either Escobar or JJ Hardy in a deal. (why when they have Peralta?) but the Brewers are likely not to bite unless the Indians were willing to give up a fading prospect Andy Marte. The current offer is CC Sabathia for OF Matt LaPorta, IF Taylor Green, and RHP John Axford which the Indians are balking at. On a real exciting side note: Olney said regardless of what happens with CC Sabathia the Brewers are likely to get Greg Maddux, possibly before the allstar break. Had no names but I am sure it isn't for much more then maybe Gywnn and a lower level pitcher.

http://blogs.jsonline.com/brewers/archive/2008/07/04/stars-aligned-for-sabathia-deal.aspx#comments Haudicourt just heard from a big time source (probably Melvin or Ash) that there is no way on earth Escobar and LaPorta are offered together.

Do we have to wait for Kobayashi until he finishes the Hot Dog eating thing today?

Haudicourt on 540 just said he would expect a deal to be done before Sabathia's next turn in the rotation. His latest source is saying LaPorta, Green, and possibly lower level prospect for Sabathia but they told the Indians that this is only going to be offered for a limited time and then it is off the table. It is getting interesting.

Just heard Rosenthal on the radio and he said that another player likely a bullpen guy would come along with Sabathia if Escobar and LaPorta were involved.

Turnbow struggles again. 2 WP's, 2 Walks, and a hit in a inning. You know I guess I have been more focused on the double A prospects to really notice that Mel Stocker is really putting up some alright numbers. Him and Gwynn must be terrors on the base paths.

Jake Long finally went in the 23rd to Chicago. Sounds like he'll be going to FSU.

agreed pitchfan, The majority of the guys they are selecting to have good power arms. Will be interesting where they put everyone coming out of the rookie camp next weekend.

I guess we should rename this the first year pitchers draft for the Milwaukee Brewers. Good lord!

Adam Frost just went to the Detroit Tigers in the 21st round. The St. Norbert SS will likely sign in the next 48 hours, or so I am told by the guy sitting next to me. Look for the Tigers, Dodgers, and the Reds to be the major players for the Wisconsin players this draft.

We also win the all name award in this draft. Blakeney, Stosh, Cutter, Maverick, with some of the last names too. Sheesh. Have fun Mass Haas in the minor league forum with these names.

Picks so far as of 1:40 PM CST: Round 21: Lucas Luetge, LHP, Rice University Round 22: Benjamin Jeffers, RHP, Chipola Junior College Round 23: Marcus Knecht, OF, St. Michaels College School Round 24: Brandon Richie, RHP, Grand Rapids Community College Round 25: John Delaney, SS, Quinnipiac University

15 picks in 18 rounds so far are pitchers. WOW! As far as Stosh's signability, that seems to be the question. Brewers have a good relationship with the teams in Canada due to the visiablity level up there. It sure seems doable though. Having Lawrie won't hurt.

I don't know about who the Brewers left behind at Extended Spring Training but I sure hope they are position players cause we hardly drafted any so far. 20 rounds to do that but wow we are going pitching nuts so far.