PrinceFielderx1

Red Sox and Padres close on a Adrian Gonzalez trade, link

Logan your not odd at all. Though, I'd have to say I don't think this Brewers team will be a better team or something special till they can get some young top pitching to the Majors from the draft or by trade. I have thought this for years. A Fielder trade could very well jump start this Brewers team and get them pitching quicker, but I don't think that it all revolves around the return the Brewers get from Fielder. Quite frankly, I don't think trading Fielder is an absolute must. The Brewers in a perfect world could trade prospects for an ace pitcher, and use some of the 30 or so million to get a middle of the rotation starter and keep Fielder and go for it next season. If it's not working out by July then trade Fielder or if it does work out take the first round picks.

Baltimore has an offer out to Konerko, but the word is that the White Sox are the favorite to re-sign him. Baltimore has already lost out on Dunn and V Martinez and if they lose out on Konerko they might come calling for Fielder.

Red Sox talking Adrian Gonzalez deal, link This might actually help the Brewers when it comes to trading Fielder if Gonzalez gets traded and signed long term, because I guess a lot of teams are interested in Gonzalez. Once Gonzalez is off the table DM should be getting some more phone calls this off-season and mid-season 2011. It will also obviously help Fielder get an even bigger payday.

I doubt the Brewers trade Fielder unless they have plans to go out and get another bat. I don't believe Gamel is in there future plans and I think they would trade him the first chance they get. With that said, all the FA bats are going to get big paydays (Crawford and Werth). I see Fielder staying a Brewer till mid-season because the Brewers simply don't have another bat in their system to replace him and they don't have the funds to get another big time bat and there is no demand for him, because there are a lot of other alternatives out there. The fact that Dunn is now off the table means the Brewers are more likely to keep Prince Fielder. It's going to be more and more likely that the Brewers keep Fielder once players like Crawford, Werth and Beltre get signed with other teams. The only scenario that I think could allow the Brewers to trade Fielder is if they got a 1B or a good offensive player along with a pitcher in a trade.

If Doug Melvin is smart he would trade Hart to one of the 15 teams not on his limited no trade clause that doesn't have ST in Florida. Many teams are looking for big OF bats and Hart fits what teams are looking for. He would cost less than Crawford, Werth and Upton. He could be an attractive trade chip.

Apparently Greinke is more willing to waive his no-trade clause and that he is prepared to be traded this off-season according to MLB network (hot stove). I fully expect Doug Melvin to make an offer for him and get involved.

The Brewers should go all in for an ace like Greinke this off-season if he will come here.

Unless they already have a deal in place for Fielder and Dunn. The Brewers could always trade Hart before then and say we are moving Braun to RF and Dunn to LF. I'm not going to rule it out a possible Dunn signing, because it just makes too much sense.

I knew he was looking for at least a 4 year deal. With that said that is still way less then Fielder would get. I say give him the deal.

Well this is confirmation that Boras met with Doug Melvin during the GM meetings and I highly be willing to bet that Fielder was there also since he was spotted eating with Boras at the GM meetings. I think Doug melvin is trying to down play it to be honest. link

I guess Roenicke wanted the Brewers to keep Fielder. There was a quote a wile back I can't remember what article it was from.. So my point is that if Roenicke wanted Fielder then why wouldn't he want Dunn?

I'd be all for signing Dunn. He has been consistently very productive on offense just like Fielder has, but he won't require that long term commitment. His defense is an issue just like Fielders is, but his offensive number make up for that big time. Dunn is the only player that I think could make up for the loss of Fielder instantly and that won't require a long term commitment beyond 4-5 years. If the Brewers do end up trading Fielder then I would hope they sign Dunn to replace him.

Yep I think that Fielders trade value is way down right now. Here's why, 1.) Cheaper and better alternatives out there. 2.) He is probably going to make around 16 million next season. 3.) He is 1 year from FA 4.) His agent is Scott Boras which means that an extension before FA is not likely. Making him a 1 year rental. The Brewers would be very lucky to get even a number 3 SP for him. Many fans will be disappointed if that happens. I'm guessing DM hands are tied right now and he might be better off holding onto Fielder.

The Brewers CAN compete next season if they add a pitcher to compliment Gallardo and add another middle of the rotation starter. That is a lot to get in one off-season, but not impossible. Also, it sounds like Mark A and Doug Melvin think the Brewers can compete next season and so because of that I don't expect them to sit on there butts and not make a splash. The Brewers will spend money and they will make trades and I highly doubt they will settle for just Washburn or Pavano. They are in all likelihood thinking bigger. The Brewers would be wise to inquire on Washburn and Pavano to add pitching depth to this team.

I can understand the unwillingness to tie up 20 million into a single player long term and why. In fact, I understand both sides of the debate. I would be fine with handing Fielder a 6-7year 160 million contract. The Brewers could always trade him to the AL towards to later part of his contract if they absolutely have to. I think the Brewers might actually offer a contract like this. They were prepared to offer a 6th year to Sabathia and no one knows if they could go even higher than that to a 7th year. The Brewers management has said that they see long term big money deals for pitchers as a more risky investments than a huge long term deal for position player. Fielder is a very special player to the Brewers and they regard him very highly. Looks like the market for Fielder won't be ideal with Gonzalez, Pujols, and now perhaps Willingham all hitting FA after this coming 2011 season. I doubt that Boras and Fielder get the deal that they are looking for and they would be wise to highly consider a 150-160 million offer from the Brewers if they choose to offer that.

Exactly, Paul253. The Brewers would have to make a damn good offer. I do think Boras and Fielder have the edge in the negotiations, but there are reasons to think that they should consider a very good offer from the Brewers. It's worth a shot to offer Fielder something like 7/160 and see if he will bite.

I'm not saying they are close to an extension. I'm saying that they should consider going all out to try to re-sign Prince Fielder.

I guess Andy Laroche was also released. What about signing Laroche to play 3B and trading McGehee? It's a gamble, but could it be worth it?

link "#Milwaukee and #Washington out front in Carl Pavano sweepstakes"

I heard that Jeffress was nearly unhittable at times because he was locating his fastball, Curvaball and Changeup in the AFL. By my count, that is 3 different pitches right there that he is learning to throw and having success with.

There is no better time than right now for the Brewers to go all in on Fielder and offer him a a huge long term contract. The Brewers won't get a good enough return for him. It will come down to either draft picks or extend him. I know that many here think a small market team like the Brewers shouldn't invest 20-25% of their payroll into one player. I can understand that. It makes it tough to do other things and at times it also makes it tough to compete. However, the Brewers are in a very good position right now to be able to hand out 10-15 million more to Fielder per year and possibly contend. The Brewers finally have pitching in the upper parts of their system that is knocking at the door that is super cheap and full of potential. The Brewers also have one of the top offenses in baseball. The Brewers also have about 30 million in freed up cash. There is no better time then right now to re-sign Prince Fielder. If the Brewers do the following things they IMO can contend for the next 5+ years, 1.) Trade/ re-sign a top of the line pitcher. Just 1. Like Greinke. 2.) Re-sign Weeks 3.) Re-sign Fielder 4.)Get Rogers/Odorizzi/Peralta to Milwaukee within the next couple years. 5.) Stay away from FA. Not a bad idea regardless. 6.) Pull of a trade here and there for salary relief. Like the Marlins do once a player is due for a huge raise. 7.) Draft well I'd give Fielder a 7/160 million contract with an option for an 8th year. I think the Brewers might feel pressured to do something like this regardless. I mean how can they take draft picks for Fielder? That would scream that the Brewers wasted an opportunity to compete with Fielder as a Brewer. I don't think they can stomach that to be honest. I'd bet that the Brewers would draw 3 million fans every year if they re-signed Fielder and got an ace pitcher. Something to keep in mind is that Fielder could always be traded to an AL team mid-way through his contract. After 5 years or something. Anyways I'm hopeful either way. The Brewers chances are slim because of payroll to contend year after year with or without Fielder. I say what the heck go ahead and re-sign him.

What about a Garza trade? or a Shields trade?

Stevo, I believe you are exactly right with your last sentence. Doug Melvin has done a poor job with the FA signings. Imo he has been over paying for older mediocre pitching and he hasn't been smart or creative in the process. He has also failed on trading for the pitching that the Brewers need. The Sabathia trade was for the current year and nothing more. I'm talking about trading for pitching with a year plus of control. This is one of the big failures of Doug Melvin and upper management. Also, Doug Melvin has been very reluctant to trade any of the Brewers offensive home grown players the last few years for top of the line pitching. He has had some big trades fall through, but regardless he still never worked out a trade. That is his fault. Sounds like he has seen the light though. So to speak. We shall see.

Weeks is open to talking extension, "Rickie Weeks is open to discussing an extension with the Brewers, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. Jon Heyman of SI.com reported yesterday that the Brewers were set to start talking about a potential deal with the second baseman" link