Thundercat32

I'm super disappointed we weren't able to work a deal with the White Sox for Daniel Hudson. His ceiling might be a 4th or 5th starter, but is that a bad thing for this team?

The way Weeks is playing right now its making it really difficult to think about not extending him or even dealing him. I still think you have to weigh that against his injury history and future cost. Under that microscope I don't think even 50 HRs from Weeks would make him worth holding onto.

MSC, hey man a fellow Texan who's a Brewers fan how cool is that? I have plans on going down to Houston in September to catch a Brewers game. Any chance you might be able to go? What part of DFW do you live in? I'm assuming somewhere close to Fort Worth. Maybe the Hurst, Euless, Bedford area?

I just heard this on the radio this morning..... In bankruptcy court Nolan Ryan said the team hasn't been able to replace the video board in Centerfield which is 16+ yrs old. They had to shut down a minor league team they have in the Dominican, and some other major thing they can't afford. Wow, I didn't know that. Having to disband one of your minor league teams thats serious. Also, apparently Nolan Ryan wasn't aware the team had more leverage to go out and spend money in the offseason. The judge said they could of had access to money by asking major league baseball or the creditors. Apparently this came as news to Nolan Ryan the team president. Thats just amazing to me. This whole situation is becoming a huge mess.

nate, so you're saying essentially Carlos Gomez?

MSC, Is that a quote from a fan who lives in the dfw area or do you live down here? I kinda figured you being a mod you'd be from WI, so that post is throwing me off a little bit.

After tonight's game this thread should probably be locked

trwi7, I'm wondering the exact same thing. I'm thinking that means Melvin is keen on holding onto Hart and making a serious playoff push in '11. I think that'd be the wrong move honestly. My stance is you upgrade your overall talent base as often as possible. Taking a shot at it in a single year is just too short sighted.

interesting article just posted up on fangraphs regarding the WSox interests in Adam Dunn. apparently the Nats aren't interested in parting with Dunn for anything approaching a reasonable price. So thats good news for Brewers fans. also, a very interesting article on Ryan Braun's decreased power #'s.

A couple of important things to keep in mind. * Pitchers break down at a higher rate than hitters * Prospects like Lawrie are still unproven over proven commodities like Hart/Fielder/Weeks etc * The evaluation is done based off what you can expect in return for a departing player i.e. Hart/Fielder/Weeks * Closer is the most up & down position in baseball. Aside from Mariano Rivera there just isn't a guy you can say "lights out for the next 6 years" about (looking back at recent history ofc).

FP, ofc you have a point about football is traditionally played in the snow in late Nov/Dec. But if you're going to turn down going to baseball games in Texas in the summer b/c its too hot, then you're basically not going to do anything. Its freaking hot down here in June, July, and August. You just learn to deal with it. Trust me they will have no problem filling the stadium as the season progresses b/c they're winning now. Thats how this town treats baseball, they support a winner and could care less the rest of the time. Also, I think the 17th ranking isn't a true reflection, b/c they haven't had the Yankees or Red Sox at home yet and those are always big draws. Instead they've had alot of bottom dwellers like the Pirates, Indians, Orioles, etc. But for instance, earlier in the season when they hosted the Cubs on a Saturday night they drew 46,180.

This isn't really an issue, no one loves the heat or anything down here, but I think it'd be like me saying they gotta in close Lambeau field so ppl will go to the games when its snowing. You live thru the cold year in and year out. Same with us and the heat a 100 degree day isn't a real big deal.

sweet a response! yeah I think you can make that argument. Depending on your feelings of Alcides you could easily put him 3rd and drop Prince lower. I don't see how he goes lower than 4th tho, unless your position is we'll hold onto Hart and Hart will be more valuable than the compensation received for Prince. I just don't see how thats possible. I highly doubt Melvin lets Prince walk after 2011 and takes a compensation pick. It really sounds like they're going to get Major League pitching or Major League ready pitching this offseason. For Prince I'd hope that means a pitcher who's worth more to this club than a great defensive shortstop with a mediocre bat. If you're not arguing Hart, I don't see Weeks and I can't put Lawrie ahead of him. So I could see him being lower on the list, but much lower I guess I don't see your argument for that.

2LiveBrew, Love your handle btw always cracks me up. I wouldn't expect much back. I could see San Diego doing it just simply b/c they need the push for the playoffs. That deal doesn't do much for them at all past this year. Next year I believe Tate will be up with them and their outfield of the future is Tate, Blanks, Decker, Gywnn. Hart could be an improvement over Blanks or Gywnn or maybe not improvement over any of the 4. They do have some arms in their system, but I think we'd be looking at the 3rd or 4th best pitching prospect at best. I'm not sure Hart and Bush aren't more valuable staying put. But hey if they wanna deal Simon Castro count me in.

Based on an article Fangraphs did ranking the Red Sox top 10 players, using salary, service time, expected future performance and potential for compensation draft picks as factors, another baseball forum I visit asked everyone to rate their own teams. Here's the list I made for the Brew Crew. "1) Braun 2) Gallardo 3) Fielder 4) Escobar 5) Hart 6) Weeks 7) Lawrie 8) Lucroy 9) McGehee 10) Parra I would include Odorizzi, Braddock, Cain, or Rivas, but none of those guys are really blue chip enough to give strong consideration to for this list. Although one could make a strong case Odorizzi should be ahead of Parra." I put Prince 3rd, b/c he's not likely to resign and you can't expect any players/picks you receive in return to outperform Braun or Gallardo. I put him ahead of Escobar b/c clearly he's better than Escobar now and you'd hope any players you get in return for Fielder are as valuable or more valuable than Escobar. I put Hart ahead of Weeks, b/c of health and b/c I think Hart is more likely to remain a Brewer long term. If he is traded I think it will happen this year and I'm not as sure about Weeks being traded this year. I think the prospects Hart brings back if traded, should reach the big leagues faster. The number 10 pick is debatable. I just went with whoever had the most upside. Edit: I should clarify, I mean if you trade Fielder the lead player in the package you receive in return should be as or more valuable than Alcides. Not that every player in that package should be as or more valuable than Alcides

8brewcrew, Well I got pretty excited when I realized I can watch some Brewers/Astros games. You have Fox Sports Wisconsin, I have Fox Sports Southwest. It mostly broadcasts Rangers games, but if there is ever an overlap. Say the Rangers play a day game and the Astros play a night game then you almost always get the Astros game too. That weekend the Rangers are on the West coast with one game at 10:05 first pitch. I think I'll get to see the Brewers/Astros game at 7pm that night, and looks like 2 or 3 others over the course of the season. Although, Sept 13-15th I already have it in the back of my mind to take a little road trip down to Houston and take in that series. I don't like to go to baseball games unless I get really good seats, so we'll see. I'm having a bit of a downswing with poker lately, but between now and then is plenty of time for me to turn that around. If I can go, I'm going to get a vintage Ryan Braun Brewers jersey (why did they ever change?) sit as close to the Brewers dugout as I can and bring some signs. I'll see if I can't get on the air with a hello brewerfan.net sign and that. I know when I (use to) watch the Rangers broadcasts they always show fans in Rangers gear on the road. I think thats pretty much true of all sports road TV broadcasts. Oh and of course I'll be able to see any Sunday Night games the Brewers play in on ESPN, or Fox Saturday baseball, or any featured games on mlbnetwork. Most likely mlbnetwork, unfortunately I doubt the Brew Crew make it on ESPN or Fox for any national games the rest of the year. Unless maybe its vs Strasburg. Edit: Oooooh, I forgot about WGN broadcasts. Looks like theres a few of those on the schedule too http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

The beat writer for the Atlanta Constitution Journal was on the On Deck show yesterday on 1250, he said earlier this year there was a team party and 24 of the 25 players all showed up. Everybody but Escobar. Someone in the room noticed this and asked a team official, "looks like you're missing one." And their response was "no, everyone is here. Yunel wasn't invited." When it gets to that point its just addition by subtraction.

Just got a chance to call into the Usinger's Post game show and talk to Tim & Sparky. Gave a shout to brewerfan.net and they had some good things to say about this site too. Good times.

Ok here are the only teams that make sense to me to work out a trade for Prince Fielder. Dodgers - Big Market team not afraid to spend money, loads of young arms most notably Chris Withrow, and James Loney who is just kind of a guy. This actually makes some sense for the Brewers too. Everyone other scenario just has us saying good bye to Prince and then the Abbott & Costello routine starts Who's on First? Fielder to LA for Loney + top pitching prospect I could get behind that. Diamondbacks - They broke the bank for Justin Upton not sure they'd want to dip into the reserve for Fielder. They're also top heavy in pitching prospects, it goes Jarrod Parker and then not too much else. You gotta jump in a heart beat to acquire Parker, but I doubt the Dbacks want to part with him, especially if they're rumored to lose Haren. Not to mention they have multiple 1B prospects coming up through their farm system. Giants - Semi-Big Market team in need of hitting and a 1st baseman. But if Doug Melvin isn't on board with Madison Bumgarner or Jonathan Sanchez what other pitching prospects can the Giants offer? Zach Wheeler is about it, but Bumgarner is rated ahead of him by most scouting services. Rockies - Possibly they'd like to swap Prince for Helton and be willing to throw in one of their top level pitching prospects, but I tend to think they're holding on to Tyler Matzek, so does Christain Friedrich strike your fancy? White Sox - They definitely have the need for a 1B, but they're woefully low on pitching prospects the caliber you'd be willing to move Prince Fielder for. Orioles - Not sure they'd spend the money on Fielder. They're also unlikely to deal Matusz, so that leaves you with lower level pitching prospects. tbh I'm not so sure those guys are any better than what the Brewers currently have in their farm system. Not to mention they have a 1B prospect, Brandon Synder coming up through the ranks. Rangers - Bankrupt, and even if they weren't they have a boatload of guys coming free in the next 1-2 years. Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, Colby Lewis, C.J. Wilson, Nelson Cruz, etc. Prince Fielder would be an afterthought. Blue Jays - Overbay is free after this year and they do have top level pitching prospects Kyle Drabek and Zach Stewart. So thats a possibility, but I'm not sure they need more power in that lineup seeing as how they lead the major leagues in HRs, but are 21st in team ERA. and as previously mentioned the Cubs. I just don't see who else he could be dealt too. There are some names in there I like just as much or more than Andrew Cashner, but not many possible trios like Cashner/J. Jackson/B. Jackson.

well I won't deny there's an inherent risk trading to a hated divisional rival. I guess I need to look at other teams that make sense for Fielder. On a seperate note, I kinda hate hearing Doug Melvin is down on a deal for Madison Bumgarner that involves Corey Hart. I might be changing my tune on Melvin, depending on how things playout. monty thanks for the insight on the Cubs. It makes sense, one way or another though they're going to have to address 1st base.

So Brewers/Cubs is pretty much on par with Yankees/Red Sox? I guess I figured there was a natural rivalry there, but I had no idea it was on that level.

I completely agree and I understand exactly where you're coming from. I think its yet to be determined if this would be the best package the Brewers could haul in for Prince or if the Cubs would agree to it. I do think its being overlooked, you're not just improving the Cubs with Fielder you're taking away 2 of their top arms, which weakens them and the deal I'm proposing includes their 1st round draft pick from '09 a power hitting Centerfielder with speed. Its a deal that helps them now, but hurts them badly later on. I think you really gotta love Cashner too, that guy looks like he could really be something special.

I'm from Dallas so maybe I don't understand the rivalry very well yet. I think its a bad idea in principle to turn down a better deal just to play keep away from the Cubs. The ultimate goal should be improving your team first and you worry about other teams second. Andrew Cashner, Jay Jackson, Brett Jackson is a haul. You're basically taking 3 of the Cubs top 4 prospects and their top 2 pitching prospects. If you wanna say hey those prospects are bums, then I can appreciate your opinion. Don't trade our guy to the Cubs is an emotional response tho and I have trouble getting on board with those. Bottom line is its very likely we lose Prince and the list of teams that can afford Prince, need Prince, and have top level pitching prospects to deal in return is a very short list. Although I'll keep looking for more possible matches, b/c its fun to play matchmaker!

This has been bouncing around in my head all day and I just wanna see what some other Brewers fans think of this. If you look at the Cubs needs they have a big hole at 1st base. Derek Lee's contract expires at the end of this year and besides that he's getting a little long in the tooth anyways. Furthermore, the Cubs don't have any 1B prospects in their farm system who are major league ready. They have to do something in the offseason to address their 1st base concerns. They also have to do something to address a woeful offense. For 2010 you spell Cubs D-I-S-A-P-P-O-I-N-T-M-E-N-T. They rank 26th in runs scored, 24th in Runs Batted In, 24th in Strikeout %, 23rd in team OBP%, 22nd in team batting avg, 21st in team SLG%, with a respectable 13th in Home Runs. They need a big bat like Prince's and they need it for years to come. This isn't a team that had a down year, because of injuries. This is a team that had a bad year, because they just aren't very good. They have Ryan Theriot at 2nd base which is just a stop gap measure, his .631 OPS is 3rd worst amongst all major league 2B. Ok, so thats how Prince and Rickie fit, not too mention the Cubs aren't shy about spending money to resign players. Here's how it works for the Brew Crew. I think we all agree if you're trading Prince or Rickie you have to get some top level pitching prospects in return. The Cubs have two of those that would fit very nicely with the Brewers, Andrew Cashner and Jay Jackson. Both are the Cubbies top 2 arms and Cashner is already in the bigs this season. He's more of a proven commodity having played college baseball at TCU. He was taken 19th overall in 2008 and shot up thru the Cubs minor league system with 2 plus pitches his fastball and slider. Jackson is another college pitcher from the 08 draft who has shot up the ranks with a plus curveball and great control. Both pitchers are on the verge of being able to contribute at the major league level, in Cashner's case he already is as a back end of the bullpen reliever. That alone might be enough for me to do the deal right there, but I think the Cubs are also so eager to get rid of Zambrano, if the Brewers agreed to take him on they'd sweeten the deal. With Suppan off the books and moving Prince and Rickie its a contract the Brewers could easily afford. He's up after the 2012 season, so next year you can see if the change of scenery theory holds true and if not buy him out for '12. I think the Cubs might be willing to part with their top minor prospect OF Brett Jackson in order to just be done with Zambrano as part of the overall package that lands them Fielder and Weeks. So am I off my rocker here or does this trade make sense to anyone else?

brwrsfan, got your pm and replied, thanks BSC, hahaha, ok I'll mind my Ps & Qs... Yeah I'm a Cowboys fan, but I wouldn't say I'm a die hard. Far from it, some times I don't even watch the games. They were great to root for in the early 90s, but they got really annoying in the mid 90s with all of the scandals. Living in Dallas at that time it was all you would hear or read about. You couldn't turn on the TV for 5 seconds without hearing about Michael Irvin or Erick Williams. That really turned me off to them and I haven't ever gotten back to that level. Now that they have Romo and got rid of T.O. they're easier to root for again. Probably doesn't help much, but the Packers are my second favorite team and I think everybody loves Brett Favre.