Warning Track Power

Well that's because at the time Hardy was struggling so badly, the Brewers had an in-house replacement they were excited about and eager to get playing time for (in Escobar). He didn't have the same for Yuni and probably was unsure about what he had behind McGehee (and that may still be the case). Yes I agree with you about Escobar's presence. However, that doesn't mean you trade a former All-Star at his absolute lowest value. That's just bad business.

Or (to put in a more current perspective): Ryan Braun vs. Prince Fielder.

I think my general unhappiness about the Hardy v. McGehee/Yuni situation is Melvin's willingess to give McGehee and Yuni all of 2011 and possibly the beginning of 2012 when Hardy wasn't afforded the same opportunity. Additionally, Hardy brought a glove that McGehee and Yuni both don't have. While Hardy didn't have a good 2009 with the bat, he could still field. It's just frustrating to me as a fan to hear Melvin defend McGehee and Yuni, who were bad on offense and defense in 2011, and basically throw away Hardy, who was an all star SS having a down year with the bat, for nothing (even though I like Gomez). Nevermind the fact that we now have a black hole at SS with no prospects on the horizon.

First Jered Weaver and now CJ Wilson...Good comparisons for what it will take to re-sign Greinke? I'd give him 5 years between $75-$85 million.

Just to provide a link to your comment. Today's L.A. Times about the Angels possibly non-tendering Morales.

I know you said anywhere under 3years/$45million but man...if the Brewers give him anywhere close to this I will go nuts. I think he's worth at most 3 years/$33 million and that is pushing it for me.

I tend to agree actually. 2011 Javier Vazquez to 2012 Mark Buehrle is close to being a push. 2011 "Leo Nunez" to 2012 Heath Bell is close to a push as well. Depending on what happens with the Hanley Ramirez situation and Jose Reyes constant injury problems, that may end up a push. Having said that if they signed Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder, Reyes stays healthy and Hanley agrees to a 3B move, then they would have substantially upgraded their team. However, in my opinion, Reyes is the only true upgrade they have signed this offseason.

Is this a case of revisionist perspective? Have you forgotten how completely terribly Hardy was playing in '09 prior to that demotion? It was 2 months overdue and everyone around here knew it. He'd been very blah in '08 AND missed half of '10 with the Twins as well, with his '10 bat very much resembling his '08 & '09 bat. There was no good way to project, after 3 BAD years, that Hardy would rediscover his All-Star form like he did this in '11 with Baltimore. Heck, people are clamoring for McGehee to be run out of town after 1 lousy year. Hardy was far less productive -- and for much longer -- and, even when he was in his top form, his RISP often was surprisingly poor. Actually I believe you are the one with revisionist history. Hardy was an All-Star in 2007, had an equally solid 2008 and struggled in 2009. Your definition of a "very blah SS in 2008"is one that hit .283/.343/.821 and was above average defensively? Hardy was bad for 3/4 of a season on offense, but still played an above average SS and was run out of town. McGehee was awful for one full season both with the bat and the glove. AWFUL. And McGehee has always been awful with the glove. It's baffling to me that Melvin is more than willing to keep running McGehee out there in 2012 (and possibly Yuni) when Hardy was at least equally productive with the bat and far superior with the glove. As a fan, this is upsetting. Now I am not saying McGehee won't turn it around, but you are accusing RockCo of revisionist history when you are doing the exact same thing.

100% agree with this. Ramirez can be signed to play 3B and McGehee can be kept to back up both positions. If Gamel should falter, we could put McGehee at 1B OR move Ramirez to 1B and put McGehee at 3B OR move Ramirez to 1B and have Green at 3B. With a signed Ramirez, the Brewers should have depth behind the corner IF in my opinion.

In my perfect world we somehow re-sign Prince and deal Gamel in a package for Brendan Ryan and maybe Chone Figgins to be the super utility. In my realistic world, if Ramirez is signed, I believe there should be enough for Furcal. It makes the left side a little old but realistically this is probably the best way to compete in 2012 and 2013 given the fact that we have no prospect SS on the horizon. I do like the idea of signing Rollins and trading for Chase Headley from SD to play 3B. We become kind of a different team in that scenario, but I believe that a Rollins/Headley would be a stronger combination than Ramirez/Furcal. I just don't believe it likely for us to pry Rollins away from Philly, nor do I believe we will trade the necessary pieces for Headley.

How is that different than 2011 when we only had Fielder and Morgan as the only 2 regular left-handed hitters against RHP? I don't think its quite impossible. I was joking. That would the most Lefties in a lineup (that are capable hitters) in forever for the Brewers. My mistake!http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/laugh.gif

That lineup has 3 left-handed hitters in it vs RHP. Impossible. How is that different than 2011 when we only had Fielder and Morgan as the only 2 regular left-handed hitters against RHP? I don't think its quite impossible.

Like I've been saying, the best and most realistic offseason scenario involves the Brewers signing Ramirez and Furcal. Going into 2012 with a lineup of the following looks pretty strong to me: 1. Furcal 2. Hart 3. Braun 4. Ramirez 5. Weeks 6. Gamel 7. Lucroy 8. Morgan/Gomez

I am not bashing Melvin in the least. He has put together a team that has gone to the playoffs in 2 of the last 4 seasons and has re-signed our core of Braun, Weeks, Gallardo and Hart, with hopefully Greinke on the horizon. The only players from the core that truly got away are JJ and Prince. In my estimation, Melvin has done at least a B+ job in Milwaukee as the GM. My only fear is that if Melvin truly believes that we will be competitive in 2012 by relying on Yuni and Casey resurgences at SS and 3B. With Gamel at 1B, the margin for error with mistakes at 3B and SS has been greatly reduced by not having Prince's sure bat in the order. I am not willing to take that bet. I'd rather see the Brewers take a risk on Ramirez and Furcal. If they are overpriced or if the Brewers are outbid then we have nothing to complain about but to genuinely believe that 2012 Yuni/Casey/Gamel will come close to replicating 2011 Yuni/Casey/Prince is a bet Melvin is sure to lose.

I am really starting to feel this way as well. If Doug Melvin thinks McGehee and Yuni and Gamel are going to come close to making this a competitive team next season, i feel we may be entering the dark ages again after 2012, especially if Greinke and Marcum leave. I think our realistic best case scenario right now is to sign Ramirez and Furcal.

$3mm a season seems like a lot. I wish he would have been back with us in 2012 but that's a lot to pay someone who will likely be a super utility IF.

If by some miracle Prince is re-signed, I wouldn't mind seeing Gamel dealt for say Brendan Ryan and Chone Figgins (assuming the Mariners ate almost all of his salary). I don't think Gamel has much trade value (I may be way overestimating it or underestimating it), but I'd love a defensive SS like Ryan and would be willing to take a chance on a free Figgins to battle it out at 3B with McGehee and Green, especially if Hairston signs elsewhere.

Classic. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--MNRoak8Q5Y/Ts0j238OV0I/AAAAAAAAFiM/KP1QIMiVzBs/s1600/espn.jpg

If I was the Rangers GM and fan, I would be much more focused on re-signing Josh Hamilton and my starting pitching staff. I think with Andrus, Hamilton, Cruz, Beltre and so on that I would be more worried about locking up some studs for the rotation rather than another stud bat.

Interesting tidbit from SportsCenter last night (unverified by me, only reporting what was said). After taxes and his agents cut, the $106mm that Reyes got will actually "only" be $53mm. I'm beginning to understand now why the largest contract is always sought over loyalty.

Just a quick hit on this. In the 1% chance Fielder were to re-sign, a couple of quick questions. 1. Who can we afford for SS? -I'm guessing Yuni is brought back but would hope the payroll allows Furcal. 2. What becomes of Mat Gamel? -Trade Gamel for a SS. Who would Gamel bring back since we would legitimately have no need for him?

So what you're saying is that we may be going from Yuni to Yuki?

Absolutely. Gamel is going to have to play at some point. If he wasn't in our plans at some point then the time to deal him was 2-3 years ago. Given his age in 2012 (27), if the Brewers aren't going to be moving forward with Gamel at 1B they'll have to give him up for pennies on the dollar given his lofty prospect status just 2 years ago. Give Gamel the shot and sink or swim with him. Plus going with cheaper options like Gamel at 1B and Green at 3B (with Hairston as insurance) may allow for the bigger signing like Reyes at SS. I for one will be very comfortable in 2012 with a lineup that includes Reyes, Gamel and Green/Hairston.

Your 2012 Opening Day starting Dodgers IF on December 1, 2011: 1B Loney 2B Ellis SS Gordon 3B Uribe Yuck. I'd much rather have the 106 loss 2002 Brewers starting IF of: 1B Sexson 2B Eric Young SS Jose K. 3B Tyler Houston Actually, when looking at the numbers, they weren't the reason we lost 106. But good God that Dodger IF is awful.

Let's see here, Ryan Braun, who has been a rookie of the year and the NL MVP just re-signed in 2011 for 5 years $105MM and Prince Fielder, who has won a HR Derby and a All-Star Game MVP, wants 8 years and $176MM. Sounds like a guy that is truly all about the money. Don't get me wrong, I love Prince but come on man. When does it become less about money and more about your place in baseball history? I guess I will never be able to understand how additional millions, when you are already made 375x ($15MM) what the average American makes ($40k) in a year in 2011, are worth more than your legacy in MLB. Whether its the Brewers or not, I think that's what makes Braun and his ilk all the more appealing to fans when they take below market dollars to stay in the city they came up to the Bigs in.