BrycePecore

The following would my off season moves going forward: 1. Sign ARam (3yr/$33MM) - Provides Crew with a solid middle of the order bat. 2. Sign Punto (2yr/$2.5MM) - Gives them a super utility player to replace Counsell/Hairston Jr 3. Resign Siato (1yr/$2MM) - A solid 7th inning option who can share the role with a younger reliever (Braddock or Kintzler) 4. Non-tender McGehee and Loe - Provides the Brewers with roughly $4MM in payroll relief. These moves allow the Brewers to fill all of their current needs and help them stay closer to their budget (roughly $95.5MM depending on arbitration raises). Rotation: - $35.45MM Gallardo ($5.5MM) Greinke ($13.5MM) Marcum ($6.5MM) Wolf ($9.5MM) Narveson ($450K) Bullpen: $14.3MM Axford - CL ($450K) KRod - SU ($9MM) Siato - MR ($2MM) Braddock - MR ($450K) Kintzler - MR ($450K) Parra - MR ($1.5MM) Estrada - LR ($450K) Lineup: $40.4MM Hart - RF ($9MM) Morgan - CF ($1.5MM) Braun - LF ($6MM) ARam - 3B ($11MM) Weeks - 2B ($10MM) Gamel - 1B ($450K) Gonzalez - SS ($2MM) Lucroy - C ($450K) Bench: $5.35MM Maldanado - C ($450K) Green - IF ($450K) Punto - IF ($2MM) Gomez - OF ($2MM) Schafer/Gindl - OF ($450K) I definitely think this team could compete for another division title.

I don't believe it will happen. Sounds like the Angels plan on playing Trumbo at 3B or in the outfield and having Morales DH or play 1B when Pujols needs a day off. But if they change their mind I would completely on board with trading for him.

I would like to see them sign Punto. He's a solid defender who can play 2B, SS and 3B and is affordable (he made $750K in 2011).

My reliever wish list goes like this: Set up: 1. Lidge 2. Rauch 3. Fransisco 7th Inning: 1. Siato 2. Hawkins 3. Dotel Middle Relief: 1. Zumaya 2. Wheeler 3. Coffey Add 3 of the guys listed above to Axford, Braddock, Estrada, Loe, Parra, Kintzler and McClendon and the Brewers should have a well rounded and deep bullpen.

You wouldn't take a shot on a 28 year old, All-Star caliber SS with a career line of .306/.380/.506 for 3yrs/$46.5MM if you didn't have to give anything up for him? His defense may be bad but his offensive numbers more than make up the difference even in a down year. His numbers last season were still better than both Gonzalez and Betancourt albeit in limited time (92 games). At $15.5MM/yr, Ramirez is actually a decent value.

If this is the case then I want Rollins at SS and am willing to roll the dice with Gamel and Green at the corners. But i still think Mark A. and DM have bigger plans in store.

$4-5MM which allows them to sign Furcal for $7MM/yr versus Betancourt/Gonzalez for $2MM/yr. or to add a quality set up man like Fransisco or Rauch to their diminished bullpen. It could also be used to resign Hairston Jr and Hawkins/Siato. DM can do quite a bit with an extra $4-5MM if he plays his cards right.

I would be willing to trade away Marcum, Thornburg and Gennett plus 1-2 lower level prospects for Ramirez and Nolasco. This would shore up our need for a middle of the order bat, SS and starting pitcher to replace Marcum.

I agree Johnson is injury prone and having another top of the rotation pitcher would help shore up their rotation but I just don't see them trading Ramirez for Greinke when they still have offers out to Wilson and Buehrle. But if neither sign with Miami then I could see them using Ramirez as trade bait to acquire a solid #2 starter.

You do realize the Marlins already have an ace in Josh Johnson who IMO is better than Greinke. Although it would be intriguing to get Ramirez for the next 3 years at a clip of $15.5MM per. Although we wouldn't be able to include Gamel or Green since we need them to fill out the roster. It would have to be a package which starts with Marcum, Thornburg and Gennett plus 1-2 lower level prospects. Personally I don't think the Brewers can afford to lose more prospects and expect to remain competitive long term..

DM can also sign a Garland or Pinero type pitcher for $5MM or less to fill out the rotation and provide a bit more depth. This would put them around the $90-95MM range which is quite realistic considering their increase in revenue from making the playoffs last season. Harang, Francis and Marquis are also possibilities.

Earlier in this thread I showed in an example how this could be possible while keeping their payroll in the $85-$90MM range. So it is possible.

There is now way the Brewers can afford both Rollins and ARam without trading either Hart or Wolf so I would say no to Rollins and insert Furcal instead. An infield of ARam, Furcal, Weeks and Gamel would be pretty solid especially when the starting rotation and outfield will remain intact. I would feel pretty confident going into next season with this roster. Then all DM needs to do is sign 1-2 veteran relievers.

We can have an infield of ARam, Furcal, Weeks and Gamel for roughly $30MM/yr while Fielder alone would likely cost $25MM/yr. And don't forget the Brewers commitment to ARam and Furcal will expire in half the time (3 years versus 6+). I would prefer they go with ARam and Furcal on 3 year deals and hope by 2015 both spots can be filled from within their farm system.