PrinceFielderx1

Not just those players but I could see the Brewers throwing in cash, which other teams might not be able to do. I don't see it as 1 season of Hart for the Mariners or 1 season of Gomez, because I could see them re-signing one or both of them, making it 3-5 years of control instead of just 1 season. The Mariners need proven MLB talent that is cost controlled, which Lucroy gives them that, and Hart is a proven MLB hitter who will hit 30 HR's, which I don't care what anybody says, that kind of a hitter doesn't grow on trees, so that's 2 above average hitters that the Mariners "desperately" need, that they can afford to keep. I don't believe any team (other than the Brewers) can afford to give up that kind of MLB offensive talent plus prospects for Felix Hernandez, and not take a huge hit offensively.

Seattle isn't going to be looking for one-yr. stopgaps like Hart & Gomez if they demand MLB talent. The package you proposed is a classic quantity-for-quality deal, in which the pieces coming from our side are being heavily overvalued. The kind of MLB player they'd likely be interested in would be a Lucroy (for example), since he's under salary control for quite some time. Basically, ask yourself if you'd trade Braun for one year of Hart+one year of Gomez+Peralta+others from the farm. Because that's the caliber of player you're talking about in Hernández. I believe you are correct, TLB. However, the Brewers could include Lucroy in a deal for Hernandez, because they have a solid back-up in Maldonado, Just like they could deal Hart and Gomez, because they have solid backups in Schafer and Gamel. My general point was that the Brewers would in my opinion be one of the very few teams able to give the Mariners what they want in a Hernandez deal, because they have both the Prospects and the MLB talent to offer. The Brewers could very well get a deal done.

TLB, It's not all about prospects, so I believe you are missing a key point to a potential deal, which is what Major League talent will be included in the deal, which narrows down the teams able to make a deal like this, and perhaps narrows it way down. Seattle will demand major league talent along with prospects in a deal for Felix Hernandez.

Forgive me, mnbrew, if I don't buy the I haven't seen the books, so I don't know what I'm talking about excuse. Trust me that excuse is going to be tossed out real soon once the news papers and beat writers get their hands on how much the additional revenue amounts too and they start asking upper Brewers management about what their increase in revenue means for the Brewers payroll. That hasn't happened yet, but it will. The Brewers have really kept it under wraps, but wont be able to anymore. It's pretty obvious that starting in 2014 the Brewers are going to have a good solid increase in revenue coming in from a couple different places (New TV contract & MLB's new 12.4 billion deal) 13 million of that they I believe they will see as soon as this year, or whenever it takes effect. We are talking about minimum of 20+ million of additional revenue, so the Brewers in 2014 can clearly push the payroll beyond 100 million, likely to somewhere around $110-115 million and be fine. That's a reasonable assumption at this time. Right now the Brewers payroll is at 80 million and they have a very competitive team w/ a mix of prospects that aren't in arbitration yet, but that will likely play major roles on the roster w/ some veteran expensive talent.. That is exactly what a small market team is supposed to do. btw.. I never said anything about maxing out payroll by opening day, and the reason for it is because the Brewers "usually" like to keep payroll flexibility in case they need to make a move come mid-season. The only exception was last season, and trust me the Brewers management in their own words knew they made a mistake and based on their own words likely wont make that mistake again or at least for quite a wile. Just look at how far they lowered payroll this season heading into opening day as proof.

There's going to be 4-5 blockbuster movies coming out this year, so there will be plenty of movies to see in the theater, Man of Steel and Star Trek just to name a couple.

This topic will so have to be revisited around June/July.

The Brewers farm system is much better than people give it credit for and will be even better by around June of this season. It's just fine. The Brewers along with the Rangers will in my opinion be in competition for Felix Hernandez. Why? They both have the top offenses in baseball in their respective leagues, and that's what the Mariners want, offense.

Yes. The one guy. So if the Angels call and offer Trout, or the Nationals call and offer Harper or Strasburg, you're not making the deal? I think you have way, way too high of expectations for Mr Hart. Will never happen.

Yes. The one guy.

Really going out on a limb there. The Brewers and every other team. The team most likely to get him should he become available this season is the Brewers. Sorry, forgot to add that part.

Felix Hernandez is probably the one player I'd trade Hart to acquire at mid-season. Heck if Gomez starts out strong and basically picks up where he left off last season, I'd trade them both for him, and include some of our top prospects to make a deal happen. I really like Gomez and think he and Hart play significant roles to the offense, but that's just how much I want King Felix. Bring up Logan Schafer to play CF and give 1B to Gamel, and if he struggles hopefully Hunter Morris is doing well. Plus down the line Josh Prince might be able to bring what Gomez brings to the line-up, speed, and good defense, but with a contact bat. I wouldn't trade Gallardo for him. Pitching for pitching isn't what Seattle wants. They want offense. Likely more than 1 player. I have a strong feeling that at mid-season, the Brewers might just have enough top excess offense to make this happen. For the record, I think the Brewers have had their eye on Felix Hernandez for years. I have no proof of this but we all know how they like to acquire the big pitcher available at mid-season to put them over the edge.

The Brewers are playing him in winter ball, because they want him to gain experience. Lots of it. I don't think they really care about the competition he's playing, but rather care that the more games he plays in the better he will be. The worst thing for Segura is to take the winter off. I think it's really this simple.

Monty57 see entire post #161. The Brewers can afford it and wont be as tight as you might think. Giving Hart 14 million over 3 years wont be the contract that prohibits us from making other moves to improve the ball club, and I'd bet that considering Hart is now a 1B, which is a less athletic position/easier position, that Hart will be very valuable their for his entire next contract. I'm not worried about it at all to be completely honest. I'm all for giving prospects chances and the Brewers clearly are going to next season with the SP prospects, which will balance out the payroll for years to come. I'm also for Lucroy/Gallardo type deals to save money in the arbitration process and buy out some FA years.

The Brewers bullpen and line-up is exactly where it needs to be. I really like it. As for the starting rotation and SP depth I'm ok with it, and believe they will do well based on what I saw last season. The Brewers know them better than anybody and if they don't feel pressured to go out and get a SP (which "will" block one of their cheaper and potentially better alternatives for years) then I feel even better. Should the Brewers need another SP at mid-season they will have plenty of flexibility to go out and get one and that doesn't even mean they have to trade Hart. If all goes well the Brewers are the division champs and then some, because their offense it just that good and the potential of their Starting rotation is so high. Right now the way things currently are I'm thinking 85-95 wins for this Brewers ball club.

The trade for Segura was going to improve the SS position no matter what, because it was a big position of weakness. Oldcity in his original post mentioned trading as much as 5-6 important starters. That's a ton. It will take at least a couple seasons in the majors till the prospects that were traded for can produce like the players they replaced. There it's highly unlikely they will do it right off the bat or perhaps at all. The development process takes time and more time than some people really know. Ask yourself why should we trade Hart right now when everything is set for 2013 and it's looking good? Why take a step back? Why would Mark A take a step back? I believe we all know that Mark A philosophy is to win now with an eye on the future, so contending in 2013 is a must, and so I fail to see why they would take a step back when 2013 is looking good. If it's for salary relief, that can't be a good enough reason due to the fact that the Brewers already got that by lowering their payroll quite a bit, and revenue will be increasing soon. Is it because you think Hart is going to start declining soon? I see no reason to suspect that. He did very well last season. The Brewers aren't going to make a move that really isn't necessary or make a move for the sake of making a move. If Harts asking price isn't extremely expensive and way out of range, then the Brewers will likely pay him the money and keep him. Why change things and risk a down grade? We are running out of reasons to trade Corey Hart.

This is exactly the way I feel. Now is "not" the time to make any significant moves like trading Hart or Ramirez. Right now is the time to keep everything in tact and see what the Brewers young pitching prospects can really do over a full season. I'm ready for Spring Training. Go Brewers!

While I won't begrudge you your opinion, I'll say read the Oldcity's lead post if you're genuinely confused about why he suggested possibly rebuilding. I read it, and given the current state of things it doesn't make any sense, like I stated above. I mean no disrespect to Oldcity at all. Doesn't anybody have what the Brewers did in the second half of last season fresh in their minds? At mid-season things were looking terrible, then the Brewers started getting back in the race a little bit, because they started to win a lot of games. Why is that? It's because Doug Melvin started to call up guys like Fiers, Peralta, Rogers, Henderson, traded for Segura, which stabilized and "improved" the team, then other players started to step up, and it was a chain reaction. Every one of the players I mentioned is a pitcher, except Segura, and we traded a pitcher to get him, yet the team still improved. Then shortly after the season the Brewers got rid of the handicaps, Parra, Loe, K-Rod, and replaced them with dependable relievers Gonzales and Gorzelanny which is a huge positive for the team and should result in more wins, perhaps more than we can imagine at this point. Combine that with a top 2-3 offense in the NL, and why in the world would you want to completely break all of that up and destroy the Brewers chances of contending till at least 2016. If they do what Oldcity suggested their contending opportunity won't be in 2014-2015 like Oldcity suggested, it will likely be later. I highly doubt Mark A would even consider that, ever.

Why in the world should the Brewers even think about rebuilding when we finally have all of this talented young starting pitching that broke through last season, which they all did well, and we have one of the top 2-3 offenses in the NL? Doesn't make any sense.

This is exactly what I would want to see happen, and this is what I believe the Brewers will do.

MNBrew, Should the Brewers make the playoffs they will have the talent to go all the way. Same with any other team that made the playoffs. Whoever plays better in those limited playoff games will advance, and anything can happen.

I'm not willing to take a step back with the offense at all, and why should I? This offense that is currently constructed is a top 2 offense in the NL, if not the best, and is really needed until our pitching prospects develop to where they need to be. The offense "will" take a step back should Hart not be apart of it, and how much of a step back is unknown, and that's a risk I don't believe they need or should take at all. I hate to beat a dead horse here but where exactly did a top 2 offense get us the past 10 years (if the Brewers are even a top 2 is another debate). The Brewers have been a top offense, middle-of-the-pack pitching for basically the past 10 years. We got 2 playoff berths, but both were more because of pitching (C.C./Sheets and Greinke/Marcum/Yo). As constructed, I don't see how this pitching staff can even compare to those two staffs. I also think the offenses of those years were better as well. I would much rather take a step back offensively to move forward pitching-wise (or even for a younger hitter with more years of control). I think a top 6 offense and top 5 staff is better than a top 2 offense and top 10 staff. Those numbers are just thrown out there but you get my point. Pitching and multiple years of cost-control should be the philosophy of this team. We really need to start thinking like the Rays (and even Marlins to an extent) and trade guys when they become expensive and/or only have a year or two remaining, especially if we're only project to be middle-of-the-pack. I think this offseason is the perfect time to trade Hart because I really think you could get a great package for him. I have 1 word for you "bullpen." The Brewers just need an average SP staff, with their current offense, but with a good dependable bullpen, and they will make the playoffs, and the rest is a crap shoot in my opinion.

I'm not willing to take a step back with the offense at all, and why should I? This offense that is currently constructed is a top 2 offense in the NL, if not the best, and is really needed until our pitching prospects develop to where they need to be. The offense "will" take a step back should Hart not be apart of it, and how much of a step back is unknown, and that's a risk I don't believe they need or should take at all.

I wouldn't. We can't tie up that much money in a player who is as replaceable as Hart is. Sure it would be a small step down but we need to allocate out money elsewhere instead of a position of strength withing our franchise. 1.) The Brewers can afford it. 2.) I like having a tall 1B man who can bail infielders out and who can reach far for throws resulting in less borderline calls. This gives Hart an distinct advantage over many 1B man's. 3.) I like having one of the top offenses in the NL (top 2 I believe), which gives us an advantage over teams like the Reds and practically anybody else. I'm sorry, but to expect Hart type numbers from a prospect in his first couple seasons is a big "if." The Brewers finally have pitching breaking through, right now, so keep the offense in tact. 4.) I said quite a few posts back that I wouldn't hesitate to give Hart a 3 year deal and I meant it. After that deal I'd obviously let him walk and Ramirez's deal should be over with as well, if you include his option year.

What the heck is going on with Narveson's recovery? That injury he had was pretty severe (torn rotator cuff). It can be a nagging injury as well. Should he really be counted on in a significant role in 2013? I'm not so sure.

Pretty sure it's Henderson's role to lose. Who I think is better than his time in 2012 showed. I like your thinking even though I have no clue what that second sentence even means....