Madtown Bomber

The reason I like Tom Haudricourt is he always returns emails. I just checked my email and he responded by saying that he has heard some talk about moving but he couldn't imagine them leaving the complex in Phoenix. I am just glad he confirmed that I wasn't nuts and there is actual talk about it. Let the true debate begin. I hope he or somebody can get a fair answer from a member of the Brewers staff.

What did Haudicourt say? I missed that part of the show.

I don't know how much of a big deal Attanasio living in SoCal is for this thing. I believe I saw on the local news that he made his one apperance of the spring to address the team and will make one more trip in late March. Again I don't if that is true about the Brewers owning the facility. I do know they hold the operations of it. Like I said, I have no way of confirming interest. I emailed Steve "the Homer" True to ask Tom Haudicourt during his daily sagment on his show but whether he does is hit and miss. My buddy in Florida had way to many specific details to make me question its truthfulness.

Really? I'd say it's more 50/50 between AZ and FL. I'd much rather go to Florida than Arizona. There is so much more to do for a family in Florida then Arizona. Arizona, I agree, for baseball, is a great vacation but if the wife and kids want to go on a vacation you better hope the family all loves baseball as much as we do.

Well said Colby. I was trying myself to think of a reason why the Brewers organization would consider a possible move outside of the tough location of the ballpark and the fact they don't draw as well as other clubs in Arizona. But the points you gave make a lot of sense and now I can see why Milwaukee would now consider a possible move.

Well I think the clubs are about split 50/50 now after the Dodgers and Indians move to Arizona next season. If I remember Steve Phillips talking last season during a spring training game that Houston has been trying to get out of the lease with Kissimmee and it was up after 2009. They have been chomping at the bit to go to Arizona but like my buddy who is a state rep in Florida said Polk County would get the next chance for a franchise since they let Cleveland out of their contract after Winter Haven bought the Chain o' Lakes Stadium for development. Cleveland opted against the deal that the Brewers would supposedly get. Let me reassure you that I am not trying to stir trouble. I am just relaying some interesting info I thought would make interesting convo.

Got this little tidbit from a buddy of mine in state government of Florida this morning. The Houston Astros are considering a move out of their Kissimmee, Florida location to a move to Arizona. In order for the Astros to move to Arizona another tream would have to leave Arizona. The Milwaukee Brewers have been talking to Auburndale, Florida officials about placing the team in a new facility just north of the Polk County Fair Grounds. Auburndale is inbetween Winter Haven and Lakeland, Florida. With the Cleveland Indians leaving Winter Haven for Arizona the Polk County Government has been pushing hard for another club to come in. A proposed plan would build a multi-million dollar state of the art facility and have it ready for the 2010 season. Milwaukee has struggled to draw at its Maryvale facility due to its poor location in Phoenix area. I don't think I am old enough to remember if the Brewers ever held spring training in Florida but sounds like this could become a reality soon.

yeah if Hefner was a 2007 draft pick that couldn't be possible and makes me look like an idiot cause that is what I was told. I just don't think trading Gross is in the best interest of the Brewers if the options are Gwynn and Kapler.

Don't expect to much here. I heard from a pretty decent source the Brewers have been asking for some pretty decent talent back for any of their players. When I first heard of this a few weeks ago I believe it was Gross and Jackson for some minor league pitchers named Drew Miller and Jermey Hefner.

they talked money but no specific numbers. that is definatly the hold up. I would assume 9-10 million over the remainder, so 3+ million per season.

I am going to just skip over all the other teams stuff because the Santana stuff makes me want to throw my radio out the window. Here is the Brewers stuff: The Rolen to Milwaukee stuff was a major topic of conversation. It is Rolen and either Randy Flores or Ryan Franklin to the Brewers for Chris Capuano, Kevin Mench, and TGJ Brewers have inquired to the Dodgers about Broxton but the Dodgers seem to think that he is worth one of the untouchables. Geoff Jenkins is going to have to choose between less money and less years for a chance to win with San Diego and more years and more money with Tampa.

Sorry I disappeared for a few hours...work responsiblities. This is by no means a website insider or radio rumor. I got this straight from somebody who would know about this stuff. I can sometimes get stuff out of him that doesn't directly effect him and his stuff. Yes I am aware it looks really a lot like the rumor from a few days ago on this site. I also agree that the current version of this trade seems unlikely. Am I personally becoming a believer in Sheets leaving and going to the Braves...yes.

I spell checked this and it really looks screwed up. I hate technology. haha

Before I get to the Keith Law interview from ESPNradio I want to tell you about a rumor I heard from one of the few good personal contacts I have in the game. Now I am not claiming to be some sort of insider by any means just a few friends I have gotten to know from my travels in the game, so here is the rumor as I got it myself this morning and I will give to you as I got it. I still feel that the Brewers need to trade Sheets to an American League team. I, for one, don't want to deal with Sheets more then once a year if not at all. In the news from Keith Law. The talks between the Brewers and Francisco Cordero are spinning in the mud. The good news for the Brewers is that they are still communicating but in the past few days there has been no progress made. If the Brewers and Cordero can't agree to terms real soon look for the Brewers to fall out of the pack to retain his services. Before Jon Garland was traded to the Angels today the White Sox were trying to send Garland north to Milwaukee for Bill Hall but any and all attempts were rejected by Brewers GM Doug Melvin who wanted another piece to go along with Garland. D-Ray's most pressing need right now is trying to find a taker for troubled outfielder Elijah Dukes. It is thought that the teams looking into the prospect are the Nationals, Pirates, and Padres with some possible inquiries from the Brewers and White Sox. Many expect the Giants to be major players in the hot stove league. First move would to see what takers they could get for OF Randy Winn. No mention where but the Brewers were mentioned earlier. The Mets are looking for pitching from any and everyone. The only name mentioned from the Brewers was Chris Capuano.

Most of us know that Carl Crawford and Pat Burrell are unrealistic options, some of us just really don't want Winn and his salary here much less give up something of value for him when a Grench platoon could do basically the same thing but be much cheaper and we wouldn't have to give up anything of value. and you aren't going to get an arguement from me. I think that Winn is a upgrade over a platoon. I would assume it would be a more managable package deal. When no specific names were mentioned from Rosenthal side it is hard to piece together what exactly will fit together to make it work.

guys we are going back to being unrealistic. The Giants aren't going to trade what you can argue is their best vet OF for TGJ. Ken Rosenthal is pretty much a guy who won't just spread smoke. Where there is smoke there is fire. We may not all agree that Winn is the proper person to bring in but realistically it is a name you would expect to hear if you believe what Doug Melvin said at his post season presser. Personally I would prefer Carl Crawford or Pat Burrell but everyday I realize that those are pipe dreams and every day I get closer to realizing it is going to be someone like Randy Winn or Moises Alou as guys that will be in our OF and it isn't to appealling.

If we are going with the true definition of stop gap in LF then Winn is the type of name we all have to accept. Church is much more inticing but are the Brewers have LaPorta maybe less then a year away.

Before we bash Winn, look at his numbers. He had a near .800 OPS, his OBP was about .350, and he hit .300. While what I proposed was quite high, I am not in the dream world thinking we could get Winn for Vargas. I would definatly do a Parra for Winn straight up. Or even a Gamel for Winn but I am afraid it is going to take a lot more.

Ken Rosenthal on Fox Sports Radio said the Brewers have been talking to the San Francisco Giants about trades that center around OF Randy Winn. Giants want to get younger and have wholes at the Corner IF positions, pitching, and OF positions. Rosenthal thought the Winn could be had for a young SP and a prospect. Winn, who is old, would fit in that Melvin OBP mold that he is looking for and can play all 3 OF positions and is the ideal stop gap between him and Matt LaPorta. Rosenthal said that the Brewers are not going to overspend for a guy who will only play LF for a 1 to 2 year window and Winn is perfect for this proposition. Rosenthal also said that the Brewers are going to seriously consider playing LaPorta in LF next year if the price is to high to fill a LF spot and let him take his lumps. Young SP? Parra, Gamel, and Lance Nix to the Giants for Winn and a bullpen guy? Edit: Title clarification. - Toby

ok so I shot back a email at him and this is the first chance I got to check my email due to the Packers game but here is what is fact. The TV station is reporting that there is a rumor going down that Carl Crawford would be coming to Milwaukee as part of a 3 team trade with the Brewers and Royals. He then made up the rumor. I agree about the unlikely chance that this trade would happen which is why I said take from it what you wish. However personally, I think if you were to get a player the magnitude of Carl Crawford you probably have to start with either Parra or Villenueva and then another prospect. I don't know if Tampa has the guts to trade Crawford who took a hometown discount to remain there a few years back.

I am just going to give you the email from my buddy Drew who lives in Tampa and is a huge D-Rays fan and you can react to it. Would be huge for the Brewers.

Take Adam Dunn off the list as ESPN is reporting that the Reds are going to accept his one year, 13 million dollar option for 2008.

Here you go. More MLB rumors from Fox Sports, I will start with the Brewers again. Pat Burrell has one year remaining on a deal with the Phillies however holds a no-trade clause. Burrell may be willing to wave his clause if he is traded to a contender and willing to negotiate a long term deal. Phillies have holes in the bullpen, 3B, and OF. They then say the Phillies would take a Crede from Chicago or a Bill Hall from Milwaukee in return. The Rangers are going to the winter meetings with the intentions of trading some guy name Benoit and Lard. Said if they could package them together for starting pitching that they would be moved. Said that the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, and Milwaukee Brewers could show some interest. Sorta Brewers news: With all the unlikelyhood of Brewers accepting the option on Geoff Jenkins it is now looking like Jenkins would like to move else where. It is now looking like Jenkins would like to join old friend Richie Sexson in Seattle as it appears that Ibanez will be traded to Detroit for Nate Robertson. MLB rumors: While the Twins are continuely denying that they are willing to trade Johan Santana rumors continue to circulate. Several rumors, Robinson Cano and premium pitching prospect Dan McCutchen to for Santana or a Clement and Jones from Seattle to Minnesota has been talked about. Expect a fire sale again from Florida this offseason if a new stadium plan isn't approved before the winter meetings. This includes Caberra, Willis, and Olsen. Add the Texas Rangers to the list of teams interested in the top 3 CF prospects. Hunter, Jones, Rowand will all be pursued hard as CF and SP are the two major holes that need to be filled for the Rangers. The plan as of now is to keep Joba Chamberlin and move him into the rotation right away in 2008. With the Steinbrenner boys taking over look for the Yankees to ratchet up the trades to fill holes. The Yankees are the most unpredictable team this offseason because they could be the team that does nothing in the trade market or could be the team that makes plenty of deals. That is all...not as long this time.

I am telling you that a lineup of Weeks 2B Hardy SS Braun 3B Fielder 1B Hart CF Francouer RF Estrada C Hall LF Wow, that is a pretty dangerous team...with a still crummy bullpen

Wouldn't it be poetic justice if Wood and Prior came to the Brewers, stayed healthy, and produced? Not likely. For Prior to be a Brewer it would have to be 3 million or less with a ton of insentives. Jenkins, no kidding huh? I don't object on bringing Jenkins back but it has to be a nice contract for the Brewers. I just don't think the Brewers will end up giving Jenkins that much for that long.