brewerguy71

I think there are quite a few good destinations for Fielder, as previously stated in other threads I think the Red Sox are a perfect fit and a return of Ellsbury, Buchholz, Bard and another prospect works well for both sides. The Giants are another good spot, as colby mentioned, but I would bet Hardy is a better guy for them short term. If Fielder were to go to the Giants though they really only have one option and it would be a straight up Cain for Fielder trade, they would maybe have to throw in a low level prospect to even it out. I would be fine with this deal. The other option involving the Giants would be a boatload of prospects, including Madison Bumgarner, but I just dont see them giving him up. Royals might have been a good destination before they picked up Jacobs. The Orioles are a good spot too, but there is word they are going to push hard on Teixeira this winter, maybe they shop for Fielder as a consolation. If that were to happen it would have to be a prospect laden deal. I would say if he went to the O's it would have to include Melvin Mora as a throw in, Radhames Liz as the center piece and then additionally Jake Arrieta and/or Chris Tillman and another lower level guy.

This would assume that Gwynn Jr is equal to Lester (or Buchholz as someone else suggested). Fielder for Youkilis is actually quite unfair for the Red Sox, and Gwynn for Lester or Buchholz is pretty insane. I didnt catch what the original date was of this post, but Fielder for Ellsbury, Buchholz and Bard is an excellent trade imo. I think I have been posting this same exact trade thought on various boards the past couple of months. Either someone has been reading my mind/or posts, or I think the same way as those Boston radio guys do.

As most people know, Matt Holliday will most likely be traded soon because the Rockies arent going to be able to afford him. I have a problem though in looking up some of the numbers that I would use to determine his value... Using Baseball Prospectus and VORP..Holliday is listed at 60.4 on the "Team Audit" page, and this is the same result when you look at the rankings for the whole league. Ryan Braun had a VORP of 43.6. Now granted, the Brewers wont get rid of Braun, and the Brewers would have no use for Holliday, but in looking at these numbers, would it be fair to assume that it would take Braun, Gallardo and a prospect for the Brewers to get Matt Holliday?

While I never thought that Fielder would get traded to the Royals, I do think that the Royals are far from "sucking" as some might say. I would compare them to the 2005 Brewers, except they have pitching and pitching potential, and they play in a tougher division than the Brewers. They could be a player away from surprising people immensely, maybe Jacobs is the guy. Many people inside of baseball feel that the Royals have a very good young team that just needs to develop a little more. They could very well likely be the next Brewers or Rays team out there. On the subject of this trade though, wow! Kansas City should have had to throw in a decent AA prospect or a guy like Billy Butler to balance this trade out. Loria is such a scumbag. If I were a fan of the Marlins or a resident of Dade county, I wouldnt want a cent of my money going to build him a new stadium.

Absolutely not! The only way I want World Series games played here is if the Brewers are in it. Chalk another awful idea up to Bud if this ever happens.

I think the Brewers can afford Fielder for one more year, so why trade him if they can afford him? But he is by no means untouchable. He is a liability at 1B, his weight is going to become more and more of an issue as the years pass, and his trade value is going to be at an all time high for the Brewers for one more year. For the long term health of the team I do not think it is a bad idea to move him though. They could get a similar haul to what the Marlins got for dealing Cabrera to the Tigers, and there is nothing wrong with a top 10 prospect and two other guys who can help out soon. Or, they could try and swing a deal for a comparative player, who is as close to FA as Prince is and improve a different area of the team. My top candidates for a deal like the latter could be to the Tigers straight up for Curtis Granderson or to the Indians for Grady Sizemore. A prospect/young player type of deal that might be very nice could be to the Dodgers for Loney and Broxton straight up. There are a whole myriad of possibilities....Fielder to Atlanta for Kotchman and Jordan Schafer, or Arizona for Conor Jackson (the ladies would love that) and Max Scherzer, to the Red Sox for Jacoby Ellsbury, Clay Bucholz and Daniel Bard as well as another prospect, Yankees for Ian Kennedy, Melky Cabrera and Justin Jackson.....thats just to name a few...any of those deals would hurt the Brewers short term but 2 years from now would be better than they were this year, and for many more years into the future.

I know many of the people on this board have read Money Ball. So it surprising to me to see the enthusiasm for Macha, given that if Money Ball is true, the person who is manager of the Oakland A's doenst really manage at all, its all Billy Beane pulling strings behind the scenes. Not to mention all of this talk about having problems with players in the locker room. It becomes more and more apparent to me every day that Attanasio is the one making baseball decisions for this team, not Doug Melvin. The current list of top candidates for manager are all guys who have had success, or at least it would seem to a non-baseball minded person, like Attanasio. Because those teams have won games, have made the playoffs. Upon further inspection though, as mentioned above with Macha, neither Brenly or Randolph were very accomplished either, they simply had great assemblies of talent behind them. (And no, Braun, Fielder, Hart and Hardy does not match up to Reyes, Beltran, Wright and Delgado and also Gallardo, Parra with Johnson, Schilling). I have said all along that they should go young in the manager choice and go with guys like Kirk Gibson, Terry Pendleton, or Ron Roenicke or the "non-retread" route. The guys on the final list are safe choices. Choices that will make the casual fan happy because they will see that that guy has managed in the past made a playoff appearance, but that happiness will be short lived when they find out why these people werent managers when the Brewers called on them. One other thing, about this whole "small ball" idea...small ball isnt just sacrifice bunts, or stealing bases...it is also making productive outs. The Phillies and Rays have both shown this World Series that there is tremendous value in making productive outs, in moving players up a base in making outs. Strikeouts and pop ups, the direct result of continually swining for the fences of course are not productive outs. Not taking walks, or encouraging players to take walks with a manager that doesnt like small ball, will only solve half the problem the Brewers have offensively.

I say that Sawx trade there as a DH fill for the Red Sox, not for Fielder to play 1B. Ortiz' injuries and his age are a sure ticket for him out of Boston, unless he takes a huge pay cut and a shorter contract. My mistake on Ortiz. For some reason I thought that this was the last year of his contract. He must have signed an extension. I dont necessarily see the need for a big time rebuild, but the loss of Sheets and Sabathia is going to have a huge impact on the team. So much so, that imo, the team will struggle to get to .500. If Melvin could resign himself to this idea, why not start a mini rebuild? Fielder will be priced of Milwaukee soon. Why not deal him when he is still cheap for the recieving team, and still valuable enough to get a huge prospect return? And on the KC propsed deal of Hardy/Salome/Jeffress (And That's) add on.... for DeJesus and Soria....the defense is improved dramatically, you get a bona fide leadoff hitter and a closer. You are right though that they wouldnt just "throw in" Soria but they might throw in Ramon Ramirez, who could then close for us. Hardy and Salome for DeJesus and Ramirez would be a very attractive trade to me. Also, I wouldnt see it as a major loss to lose Jeffress or Salome at this point. Yes Jeffress has the makings of a good closer but the lack of a plus secondary pitch doesnt really impress me. And Ive already touched on my thoughts on Salome.

Do the Brewers get a compensatory pick if they dont pick up Cameron's option, and then the Yankees go and pick him up? Or anyone does for that matter? As for DeJesus, I bet KC would give him up if we sent Hardy and perhaps Salome, and they threw in Soria. And before you jump all over me on this one, Salome is never going to be a starting catcher in MLB. Hes too small and needs tremendous work defensively. And he's so dang slow that you cant put him anywhere else. Lucroy is the catcher of the future for this team. I think that the Brewers are going to be in semi-rebuilding mode next year, so why not get a start early. Trade the increasingly expensive Fielder to the Red Sox who arent going to be resigning David Ortiz, for Jacoby Ellsbury, Clay Buchholz, Daniel Bard and another AA prospect. You get your CF, you get your leadoff hitter, you get younger and you get cheaper, and you pick up a big time pitching prospect, and a closer for 2 years from now.

I dont think a banner is necessary, now if they had won the NL or the WS then a banner is deserving, even the division deserves one. But if you put one up, even though the long playoff drought ended, its just a consolation prize.

The possibility exists that Jack Z would take Flanagan or Blengino to be his scouting director with the Mariners. It will be really interesting for me to see if they shift the draft emphasis/approach to one that looks more closely at pitchers and defense/speed.

I would take Upton on raw athletic ability and the potential for tremendous power/speed numbers. I remember seeing a game last year when he was first called up....batter hits a sure double into the Right Center gap, and out of nowhere comes Upton flying, without effort, to make a routine play on the ball. You cant teach speed and Upton has plenty of it. I do like Bruce though, he can play any outfield position, left handed bat, power average...nice packages. I think in the end, he winds up projecting as a better player overall than Braun does.

Would Ryan Braun go Number 1? Would the Brewers still pick him in the 5th spot? Would you as a GM take him considering what has developed? There are quite a few teams that are probably very happy with their first round picks. The people drafted in round one that year and have made significant contributions or soon will be are Justin Upton, Alex Gordon, Ryan Zimmerman, Jeff Clement, Ryan Braun, Matt Garza, Troy Tulowitzki, Mike Pelfrey, Cameron Maybin, Andrew McCutcheon, Jay Bruce, Colby Rasmus, Chris Volstad, Jacoby Ellsbury, Clay Bucholz, Jed Lowrie. Pick your poison. I would have to go with Matt Garza, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jay Bruce, Jeff Clement, Ryan Braun, Troy Tulowitzki, Colby Rasmus, Ryan Zimmerman, Mike Pelfrey and Cameron Maybin to round out the top 10. Many different ways to go here...

No surprise about Hardy really. He is an average defender. And for a "defense first" position, that adds up. Nice offense for the position, but defense is key in a shortstop. He does 2 things well defensively, throw and field balls that are hit right at him. I think that when Escobar finally does arrive, a lot of Brewer fans will realize how much the team was set back by Hardy's defense.

Yes, I was using hyperbole. I realize that Melvin has made many trades with many different teams. But, if you look at the lists people have traded, the number is significantly lowered when you factor in the "big trades" and the "meaningful" trades. Even the worst GM's make some trades. I would counter with Lee going in and out were big trades...the big D Backs trade was a good trade, Blue Jays and Indians were good trades with Overbay and then Sabathia, but beyond that none really stick out as all that spectacular. I would much rather have a guy who weals and deals than what Melvin does. There are many trades that could happen this year and over the last few years that could have been made and were never considered (Jenkins in 06, Hall in 07, Sheets last year and now Hardy). All 4 of these guys could have been dealt and the team would be in a very good spot right now as opposed to wondering what next year will be like.

I am beginning to think, that Melvin has no clue whatsoever. He's part of the good ole boy network. He only makes trades with about three teams in the league. And the fact that Attanasio extended him for 3 more years is making me start to wonder about him now too. The laundry list of potential new managers are all washed up has beens or never was'es. This belief that since they are experienced and have been in post season play is nice, but there is a reason that every single one of them is out of the game. They couldnt execute the game plan effectively. Melvin is gun shy about hiring a guy who has never managed before because of what happened with Ned Yost. Yost did an excellent job with this team and was disgracefully showed the door by our new hot head owner. Melvin is excluding the best candidates (Kirk Gibson, Terry Pendleton, Ron Roenicke) because of his own job security and being second guessed by his owner.

Peavy has a shot list of teams he wants to play for, and the Brewers arent one of them. If they were to pursue Peavy, it would probably cost them Gamel, Jeffress and one of the lower level OF prospects in the system as well as a guy like Dillard or DeFelice. I agree though about trading from a surplus, but Hardy is the one that should go. Escobar is the better shortstop, and Hardy is older and more expensive, and in my opinion, topped out. There is no better time than now to trade Hardy and get the best return, and improve the team outward into the future.

I think that Hardy has outperformed offensively the past two years from a scouting perspective. He was never projected to have the type of power that he has had. Hardy was projected more as a defense first, gap to gap hitter type of player, with a great arm. His ankle injury definitely hindered his range and defensive abilities. His arm is still strong of course. As he came through the Brewers farm system he started to develop power, but I do not think that he projects any further than where he is right now. No surprise really there since that is the Brewers singular focus in finding and developing talent. I am not saying at all that he is a bad player. But I do claim that he has outperformed his expectations, and maybe even his long term ability. And with that, given the demand for shortstops by many teams this offseason, this is the opportune time to trade him and supply the team with much needed pitching. From an overall sense of building a team, and also from a financial standpoint that the Brewers are a small market team, this is the best time to deal him for younger pitching. In an earlier post, I think that the prospect route is the best way to go.....one top notch pitching prospect on the cusp of major league readiness and a closer, former 8th inning guy...is a great deal for Hardy.

You move him for the same reason you move anyone. To improve the overall quality of your team. Hardy's value is at an all time high right now, imo, higher than it ever will be. I have serious doubts that Hardy can replicate what he has done the past 2 seasons. His replacement is an upgrade where it is most important for the position he plays. If the right deal was made they could bring in someone who is cheaper, younger and more talented, as well as more upside. It would be a win all around for the team.

I tend to disagree with the thoughts that Hardy is untouchable, or even one of the best offensive shortstops in the league. Granted, he has hit 20+ HR 2 years in a row with decent ansulary numbers offensively. I wouldnt even consider him an anchor to the Brewer offense. He definitely has value, but to say that you would need to be blown away, or to receive a Dan Haren type of deal to unload him, is folly. But I think that that love of the longball has clouded some of the opinion of him. Last year (2008 and 2007 as well), I would place him at about the 6th best offensive shortstop in the league, and that is only because Furcal was hurt most of the year, as was Tulowitzki. Above him, more productive would be Ramirez, Rollins, Drew, Reyes, even Christian Guzman was more productive. That position doesnt really make him a gem for the team. The main thing to think about here, though, is that we are talking about a shortstop....defense is a priority. Escobar's bat may need a little bit more seasoning in AAA this coming year, but he is heads and shoulders above Hardy defensively, at a defensive minded position. The reality of the situation is that there is a better replacement, almost ready to take over. And if the Brewers are looking at the long term well being of the franchise, I think they should strike while the iron is hot regarding Hardy because I dont think he can maintain the offensive pace he has set the past two years, and they are never going to get more for him that they will right now. They could, realistically, either get an established #2 starter such as Jeremy Guthrie, Shaun Marcum or a Mark Buehrle one for one; or go after a teams top 10 pitching prospect and a guy who could step into the closers role like Scott Downs or Brad Ziegler.

What does everyone think that JJ Hardy could bring in a trade? Or what is he worth? I've seen things out there that say he could be had for a #2 or #3 starting pitcher straight up. Javier Vazquez, or a guy like Jonathan Sanchez might work. There is also the thought that he could bring a top prospect and maybe a mid level AA prospect as well to a team that is desperate for a Shortstop, or in need of a 2nd or 3rd baseman. I personally feel Second is the best place for him in the future. He would be an above average guy their offensively, has good range for 2b and has a great arm for 2b. I dont think he would work as a 3b. The range is not needed as much a nice arm is needed, but you would rather have a protopypical #5 type hitter there at 3rd who could potentially drive in 100 per year. That just isnt Hardy. His range isnt going to allow him to stay at SS, at least on a contending team that wants the whole package in their shortstop. If and when Escobar is ready its time for Hardy to go (sorry ladies, there just wont be a place for him here anymore, except in your hearts). What do people think he could bring in return?

Ron Roenicke of the Angels. Lightning struck once with Joe Maddon, so why not try again with Roenicke? The Angels play a great style of baseball. The only problem the Brewers may have with him is that hiring him, and having that Angels style of play, would require certain overhauls of the organization to take place in the areas of defense, pitching and patient hitting. Might take a while. I also would like to see Kirk Gibson, or Terry Pendleton as well. Get Yount and Sveum out of there, as well as any other person who was associated with the team during the 1980's. The only guy worth hiring from that time would be Harry Dalton, and his unfortunately dead.

I unfortunately think that Hardy will soon be without a position. Not that drastic of course, but he has horrible range for a shortstop, his arm is too good as many say to be a 2B and he doesnt have the offensive production to stay at 3B. Maybe he becomes a corner OF in the future. Escobar is a SS plain and simple. He is going to be an outstanding defensive SS, and defense is the first priority in choosing Shortstops. I have heard out there somewhere that Hardy only wants to play SS, that may not be in his best interest, because he is not going to be one for long. It would probably suit him best to be a 2B with a very good arm. Personally, I think if Escobar is ready to go, trading Hardy is the best thing for the Brewers. Escobar has upward potential, Weeks has upward potential, Hardy doesnt have much upward potential imo, and there is just no place to keep him once Escobar is ready.

I disagree about Lincecum. His preparation is already a thing of awe among doctors and coaches. There are numerous articles written about his work out routine. He puts so little stress on his arm that I would be shocked if he ever did develop arm problems. Back problems maybe, but definitely not arm. This kid is a once in a lifetime type of player.