PrinceFielderx1

I'm not one of those people. I would take Lucroy over Salome, because of his bat. Lucroy is IMO the top catching prospect in the Brewers system and it will probably stay that way. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Salome traded. We will see though. The Brewers finally have a catcher who is turning into a top prospect. There are reasons to be very excited right now.

Ok. You might have a point. I personally would like the Brewers to go after a top young pitcher like Clay Buchholz and a number 3 type pitcher for 2010. That is kinda what I was referring to when I said a couple number 3-4 types. Buchholz has the potential to be even better which is why I would like the Brewers to get him.

I'm not to focused on only the payroll. I personally think that if the Brewers can stay healthy they can be very competitive with any team in the NL, and get to the World Series and win it. I'm very serious about that. I also think some people don't fully realize how much Escobar can really help change the dynamic of this team. The 2009 Brewers offense was built around power. Can you imagine if the Brewers could add much needed speed to that powerful line-up like Escobar and a healthy Rickie Weeks? I can't wait to see it. I even think that with Kendall leaving the Brewers, they could go with Johnathan Lucroy and it would be an upgrade at catcher, or perhaps a huge upgrade. I really think Kendall was limiting the Brewers offense, and almost anybody would be an upgrade over him. I'm concerned about one thing though. The Brewers only have Prince Fielder for 2 more years. He is the most important player in the Brewers offense. Without him I can't see the Brewers as contenders. It's very hard to. The other thing is there is wasted money that will no longer be tied up after 2010 season. I strongly believe that the Brewers should use that money and invest it into Prince Fielder. About 26 million will be freed up. It would give much needed relief to the Brewers to not have to worry about losing Prince Fielder. I have stated above that all the current team needs to do is stay healthy and they will contend. So why not keep it that way for longer then 2 seasons? The Brewers are a couple solid pitchers away from going all they way. I would be ok if they were a couple 3-4 types. They don't need to be aces or number two's. Sounds like Doug Melvin has the ok to go out and get them. I like where this team is headed and it isn't that far off to contending for a WS.

That's understandable. In my opinion all he has to do is stay healthy this off-season and perform well in spring training, and he will make the team. Probably in the bullpen to start. We will see though..

I am happy that Braddock is doing well and when he pitches someone usually comments but why the condescending attitude about Lucroy? You have made it clear you do not like him a ton as a prospect and that you are a Salome guy, but there was no need in my mind to start your post like that. Onto to Braddock, I am wondering if he is set in stone as a reliever now, or if he will get another shot at starting. When next years bullpen gets brought up he gets talked about as a possibility. People really like Braddock, I just think his injury history tempers peoples' enthusiasm. He is a terrific prospect and everyone knows that. It is waiting to see him stay healthy because his stuff is not in question at all. He would start out in the Brewers bullpen, and if he does well he should be given a shot in the rotation. He needs to stay healthy first.

If Braddock keeps this up, I see no reason why he won't make the Brewers club out of spring training.

I'm not so sure.. Two seasons ago yes. Mark A even said they were a little in the red. You have to consider the new TV deal that was made this year (2009). It probably went up, but no specific details have been released on it yet I don't think. I wouldn't expect a huge increase. Maybe it went up 5-10 million?

What about a 25 year old hitter? :>)

That means Boston's likely to trade him, and get a huge return?

Doug Melvin the last couple years has been very reluctant to trade his top prospects in general. He used the word untouchable a lot. I don't hear that from him anymore. I'm guessing that any player is available except Braun, Prince and Gallardo. I'm thinking that the player he trades for will be a top young controllable arm. A big off-season trade. Involving Hardy and Gamel to start. I would really like for him to go after Clay Buchholz. I think he will also go after a FA. I don't think they will invest a fortune in one. If the Brewers invest a lot of money into a FA pitcher long term, then they are admitting they can't re-sign Fielder. Can't do both. I would go after Justin Duchscherer or Ben Sheets.

Mark A and Doug Melvin have stated I believe that they are going to be more aggressive this off-season to get pitching. The openly admitted they didn't have enough in 2009. They are clearly serious about getting to the playoffs again next season and each season after that. Washburn won't cut it IMO.

Good point. Prince probably prefers to play 1B. Also, I think the Brewers should offer a 6 year deal maybe with a option. 6/135 million. The Brewers have said that there is more risk with pitchers then hitters. That's why I think they will offer Prince more money the CC. I also would like to say that IMO Prince would probably want to hit FA for a second time as a DH in the AL.

I think this bold part could be potentially very important when it comes to resigning Prince Fielder. If anybody is interested here is a youtube link on everybody's take on when Prince Fielder signed that 2 year deal. There are comments from all of the Brewers upper management and even Ryan Braun. Very cool.. Link

I don't believe you make an offer of that magnitude without intending to pay it IMO. I mentioned Boras because he usually advises his top players reach FA to set the market. He rarely agrees to a deal before FA that buys out FA years.

I was wondering what the Brewers chances were of extending Fielder's contract before FA considering Boras is Fielders agent? Is there any chance? The way I see it Suppan, Hall and Riske salary's are all coming off the books after 2010 which adds up to about 26 million. Couldn't that money be better spent going to Prince Fielder in a long term deal?

I like what Ash said about Jeffress, "Regarding Jeffress, we hope to have him active by June 1, and if he stays committed to his plan, there is no physical reason cannot be a Major League player within the next 12-24 months."

Here is the link.

What about a Gerut and Cain platoon? If Cain can do well in the Arizona Fall League I might consider him a possibility.

Why hasn't Robert Wooten pitched yet?