PrinceFielderx1

If you didn't feel like doing the math. $800m/30=$26.7m $26.7m/2=$13.35m Assuming a $90m payroll as the base that puts us at about $103m and assuming our local TV deal went to $20m then we are at about $115mish. The Dodgers TV contract may not have as big of an impact because of how it was structured and their team debt. It will only count as about $84m instead of the full amount. Add in the fact that many teams got bigger increases and our increase in payroll will not buy as much as it did even a year ago. This post in my opinion should be pinned at the top somewhere, so everybody can see it. It's very realistic and accurate in my view. If Hart would sign a 3 year deal at 13-14 million a year, I'd do it. As for what I highlighted, I believe it would go a long way in locking up good pre-arby players. I highly agree with Monty, that the Lucroy/Gallardo type deals are the way to go for the Brewers more often than not. In regards to payroll, I believe that with Fiers, Peralta and hopefully sometime soon Rogers in the rotation full time with Henderson and perhaps Thornburg in the bullpen, the Brewers can keep the payroll down, and even more manageable.

I understand this and I agree. My only point for bringing this up is the payroll that the Brewers can consistently support is higher than what some people think, and the Brewers are doing a great job keeping that quiet to this point by lowering payroll from 100 million to 80 million this season, and by keeping their new TV contract exact details quiet.

Baldkin, 1.) The attendance was around 3,068,000 million. My main point was 3 million +. 2.) I don't know where you get 90 million max payroll, when the Brewers clearly have had higher payrolls in the past, by as much as 10 million more than that. We have an owner that is willing to stretch payroll that far even though he loses money should he deem it's worth the risk. Also, the Brewers management has said they have room to spend right now beyond 80 million, should they choose. Sounds like you pulled that number out from nowhere. It's likely 90 million base and around 110 million max once the new TV deal goes into effect. 3.) I don't know why fans aren't considering the new 12.4 billion dollar MLB TV deal that was just signed, which is double the old one, which should be quite a bit of additional revenue sharing dollars. 4.) I do believe the Brewers can afford a Hart extension.

Veras was terrible. He didn't throw enough strikes, which led to way to many runners reaching base and scoring position, and when he did throw strikes he was quite hittable. Hitters weren't fooled. He was lacking that really good out pitch like a huge 12/6 curveball or 97 mph fastball that Axford has. His slider wasn't good enough. I'm so glad he's gone. He shouldn't be a closer, and he wont last very long in that role.

Are people forgetting that the Brewers are getting more revenue from their new TV contract in a year or two (can't remember which year it increases or triples)? Last season (on their current TV deal) they were able to push the payroll to 98-100 million. Yes they lost money, but we have an owner that is willing to keep pushing payroll if he thinks it's worth the risk, so assuming the Brewers do we'll in 2013 and contend, I think it's right to expect that again. I'm expecting a 90 million base payroll capability to 110 million max, but will likely lose some money should they stretch it to the max, but it will be manageable should they draw 3.2 million plus fans again. This also doesn't include the new 12.4 Billion TV deal that MLB signed, which is a 100% increase over the second one. The revenue sharing pot should also increase because of the Dodgers new huge TV deal and their current payroll status. The Brewers seem to be holding back with their payroll, because they are able to and still field a competitive team, which is smart, and it gives them the flexibility to spend that money should an opportunity present itself, likely at mid-season or to extend Hart, or both.

If Wily Peralta isn't in the starting rotation to begin next season, Then I'm going to be extremely disappointed.

I don't believe that's fair at all. He played in 151 games and had 520 at bats, shouldn't we go off of what he did over the entire season? I think so. He was a very impressive lead off hitter that made the opposing defense look silly a lot. He really came on strong in the second half of the season as well, so perhaps he can offer us more; especially since 2012 was his first season playing baseball outside of Japan. Makes sense, actually, the more I think about it. The comment was was in response to "a consistent hitter lacks in slump spells." Besides Pre All Star .301 .369 .450 .819 Post All Star .278 .344 .419 .763 and all he is, is a hitter with a solid OBP bat against RHP's? I don't think so. Again, his overall 2012 season stats are impressive, and it makes him a good full-time lead off hitter.

I don't believe that's fair at all. He played in 151 games and had 520 at bats, shouldn't we go off of what he did over the entire season? I think so. He was a very impressive lead off hitter that made the opposing defense look silly a lot. He really came on strong in the second half of the season as well, so perhaps he can offer us more; especially since 2012 was his first season playing baseball outside of Japan. Makes sense, actually, the more I think about it.

Exactly. The Brewers want Gamel to be more versatile (RF,LF,1B,3B etc..) I'd be shocked if Gamel isn't the 1st priority back-up in case of injury or under performance. Hart bailed out every infielder last season defensively. He's actually a very good overall 1B man.

Just my personal opinion, but I fully believe after what I've seen from Wily Peralta that he is going to be a star Ace for the Brewers. I wouldn't trade him for anybody, period. If the Brewers do trade him I will be upset no matter the return. He should be labeled untouchable.

I'll simplify it even further. If the Brewers are not willing to trade Hart to make room for Gamel at 1B, then the Brewers will never trade him unless it's for a cheaper 1B replacement, or the Brewers will just extend Hart, or let him walk to FA at the end of the year, and perhaps give the job to Gamel in 2014. Gamel is next in line and the only one who is ready enough to step in, and it will be like this through all of next season. If it's not Gamel, then it's no one. I said this earlier and I'll say it again, it sounds like Brewers management (according to public quotes) want Gamel to be more versatile meaning their plan for him is a bench player. The other 1B prospects are simply not on Gamel's level. If Gamel gets injured in Spring Training again or comes in out of shape like I believe he has done in the past, then I fully expect the Brewers to just extend Hart and give him the money. Also if the Brewers just don't favor Gamel anymore, which it sounds like they don't, because they chose Aoki over him in RF, then they will extend Hart sooner, which means this off-season. This organization doesn't seem willing to trade Hart and is looking like they want to keep him. I guess we will see what happens.

Is this a sign that we should be acting quickly to re-sign Gallardo long term before we can no longer afford him?

The real question is since Paul believes Gamel clearly won't come that close to Hart's production, and it's obvious that Gamel has yet to even come close to playing a full season in the Majors (coming off serious injury), and the Brewers are trying to win now, and Aoki and Hart are locks for RF/1B over Gamel in 2013, and the Brewers have stated publicly that they want Gamel to be more versatile, which should speak volumes of what the Brewers Management thinks of Gamel at this point, why would they be planning or thinking about trading Corey Hart to make room for Gamel? How does Gamel fit into this debate? All signs say he doesn't. I'd pay the extra 2-4 million per year for 3 years to keep the better player where you pretty much know what you are going to get from him; especially when you are trying to win now. I also wanted to say that I know Paul has stated in a reply that Gamel doesn't need to produce Hart type numbers to make the move worth it, because other Brewers position players had down years last year, and they could make up for it "if" they can have better years. He's also said that we shouldn't count on many of our young starting pitching prospect to make it in the majors even though they have shown success in the Majors already and not all of them have to pan out. Both of these require things to go right and are still in the "if" category, so what's the difference? I don't think there is a difference. I'll take my chances with one of the top 3 offenses in the NL, and count on the Brewers young pitching at least for the next 3 years.

I realize you think I'm wrong, but nowhere in my post did I state any kind of doubts about Gamel's bat. Heck, Hart is hardly the model of a full-season-guaranteed player. What the Brewers are asking Gamel to do, position-wise, doesn't affect my opinion of his bat. They should absolutely be planning to go forward with Hart in the mix for '13 (aka asking Gamel to get more versatile on defense), because there's no guarantee that Hart would be traded. As it stands, Hart would be better at 1B with Gamel in RF as opposed to the alternate scenario (yes, I remember Aoki... just an example). Hunter Morris shouldn't factor into what the Brewers do with Hart or Gamel in any major sense. He's had one season of success at the plate so far & wasn't regarded as even an average defender prior to '12. If Morris forces the Brewers' hand further, that would be great. But I definitely want to see more from him before I start planning around his arrival in Milwaukee. For the record, I know you don't have doubts when it comes to Gamel's bat. I do, though, and that's perfectly ok, so we will just call it truce on that. It makes me wonder though that if the Brewers management really believed in Gamel's bat, then why aren't the Brewers giving him the RF position to start the 2013 season? I don't think Gamel will get another chance to be a starter again for the Brewers, unless there is an injury to one of the starters. Right now Aoki (1.5 million salary) has the RF position and Hart has 1B, and I could see Gamel on the Brewers bench. The Brewers (Roenicke) really likes Aoki and his style of play/plate discipline/leadoff ability. Gamel has once again lost his position as a starter. The kid has had his chances, and bad luck. I agree about Morris.

In short, yes. Gamel will get on base at a better clip, offer very similar (if not better) defense, and would probably be a 20-30 HR guy over the course of a full season. Even if he's a step down in terms of total OPS, his higher OBP and drastically lower cost would be the right move for the Brewers to make if they can get value from trading Corey. The Brewers found their SS for the next 6 seasons (plus two solid P prospects) for half a season of Greinke -- I think it's safe to say a full season of Hart+comp pick would net a pretty good return. I'm not dead-set on trading Hart, but I do think many here are well underselling what a 'bargain/team-friendly' contract would actually run. I don't think $10-12M AAV would necessarily get it done. His 1st full-season in the Majors? Can he even play a full season in the Majors? Or a better question is will the Brewers upper management even give him the chance to be a full time starter again at 1 position? I've heard that they want him to be more versatile and to play multiple positions RF, LF and some 3B, which sounds like they have no plans to make him a regular starter any time soon. Then there is Hunter Morris who if the Brewers give him a chance will take a couple seasons to get his barrings and who knows if he will even pan out. I don't see either happening any time soon, because of the risk involved and the Brewers are trying to win now.

You think Gamel is going to come close to 25-30 home runs, 30+ doubles, 85+ RBI's, 90 Runs? That's a big "if." I'm not even trying to start a Gamel topic here, but my point by bringing this up is to show just how big of a part Corey Hart plays in one of the top 2 or 3 offenses in the National League. By trading Hart and going with Gamel the offense will be downgraded, and possibly significantly for a year or two. Why even think about trading Hart for pitching when we know a couple things, that despite having a 80 million payroll to (start) the season the Brewers will have flexibility to add payroll mid-season if a player(s) become available that we need or that would put us over the top AND when we have all of these quality young starting pitching prospects that have pretty much all gotten their feet wet while having various success, and are making the minimum salary. I'm totally sold on giving Hart 3 more years and banking on the starting pitching prospects that we have waited a long time for to carry this franchise to bigger and better things. Keeping this offense in tact is vital.

This trading Hart talk is ridiculous and doesn't make any sense. Didn't Hart say he's looking for a 3 year deal? If I was Doug Melvin I would give it to him and not hesitate one bit. Keep the Brewers awesome offense in tact and have the quality SP prospects develop and we will go very far as a MLB franchise. The Brewers could always pull off a trade for a SP and have the other team pick up salary for it to be affordable. I wouldn't expect Doug Melvin to be involved in FA at all, unless it's for a reliever, and everything is pointing in this direction. Also I was reading one of Tom H articles the other day about the payroll going down to about 80 million, and within that article I noticed that they could make a move at mid-season and increase the payroll. They just want flexibility from now till then to do so. http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/181757271.html

The best 13 bucks I've spent in a long long time. Thanks for posting this, I really appreciate it.

mlbtraderumors.com http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/11/30/exclusive-mets-wright-agree-to-terms-on-7-year-extension/

I think that's a logical conclusion from that snippet. But remember Hamilton's camp floated the 5/$175M number, which to me says they're looking for $150M at the least. Still waaaaaay too much money for any team that stays sane. So with that said, maybe he winds up a Dodger? He could very well get 150M, and I think it's logical to assume he will, because lately there is always a team that will go crazy every year and it might just be a team that we least expect. I mean did anybody really expect the Reds to resign both Votto and Phillips? I know I didn't. I understand that they were re-signing their own players prior to FA, but still, they paid a hefty price for a team that doesn't draw much attendance. I will be one of the shocked Brewers fans if the Brewers go out and sign Josh Hamilton, because that would be classified under the "risky" moves category and I've seen multiple quotes from the Brewers upper management about how they really have to consider risk when it comes to the player they are thinking about getting. It's nothing to brush over, and Hamilton's health history could very well be enough for the Brewers to just say immediately no way are we going to sign this guy. Plus, when is the last time the Brewers spent more than 42 million on a player in FA? That Suppan contract was such a disaster, even though it was only about 10-12 million a year, that I suspect it scared the Brewers partially away from FA and forced them to be smarter. I found this quote from Doug Melvin right after they released Suppan, He makes it sound like FA is a last option and that we shouldn't jump into it unless we need to. I would agree with him that I'd rather focus on building from within and keeping our current position players, than take a big risk in FA. The Brewers don't really need Hamilton.

Toolivebrew, Doug Melvin I believe in one of Tom H jsonline articles a couple years back said that big contracts to pitchers are more risky than position players. Does that mean he'd offer more to a position player?

I was wondering what's the contract detail's of Mark Rogers? Wasn't he eligible for FA under the minor league rules and the Brewers signed him to a 1 year deal? If that is the case then don't they have to extend his contract? How many options would he have left? As you can see I'm new to this, but I'm wanting to get educated. Thanks.

I was wondering what's the contract detail's of Mark Rogers? Wasn't he eligible for FA under the minor league rules and the Brewers signed him to a 1 year deal? If that is the case then don't they have to extend his contract? How many options would he have left? As you can see I'm new to this, but I'm wanting to get educated. Thanks.

I was wondering what's the contract detail's of Mark Rogers? Wasn't he eligible for FA under the minor league rules and the Brewers signed him to a 1 year deal? If that is the case then don't they have to extend his contract? How many options would he have left? As you can see I'm new to this, but I'm wanting to get educated. Thanks.

Isn't there still a section (box) where you can write parking pass included? I did that a few years ago and I actually believe it really helped to sell my tickets.