BrewBalls

If it makes you feel any better I did laugh once I read your explanation. Unfortunately, I didn't realize it was sarcasm since it wasn't in blue.

What kind of return would justify trading Maldy? I don't think he will get you much more than a low level prospect or bullpen arm. Maybe if he can show better production nest season we can look to trade him then. For now, I like having the ability to play Lucroy at first and put him behind the plate. He calls a good game and is familiar with Peralta and Fiers from their time spent together in the minors.

Looks like the Angels are looking to trade either Kendrick or Freese for pitching. I wonder what they would want in return. Would they take Lohse in return? In all honesty, they can clear more payroll space and get a better return by trading Kendrick instead with such a weak 2B free agent class and so many teams looking to contend in 2015 that need one (Nationals, Blue Jays, Orioles, Yankees and A's). http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/10/angels-likely-to-trade-kendrick-or-freese.html

I'm guessing you meant Martin Maldonado not Marco Estrada. And he will only make about $1M this coming season which is worth it when compared to Centeno offensively.

The Royals signed Infante to a four year deal last offseason. There is no way he plays for the Royals next season. My guess is either the Orioles or Blue Jays on a 2yr/$11M deal.

I can see Rogers spelling LaRoche maybe once every couple of weeks just to keep him fresh but I doubt they will look into a straight platoon. LaRoche still put up better numbers versus left handed pitching than Reynolds. LaRoche: .240/.298/.420 .718 OPS Reynolds: .173/.277/.296 .573 OPS Still appears to be a solid upgrade over last season. Also I'm not convinced Rogers' offensive production will be much higher than a .725 OPS to warrant the need to platoon LaRoche.

The first Brewers jersey I ever purchased was Rickie's. I have always been a fan even through all of his struggles. He always gave 110% and is a true professional. I will definitely wear his jersey if/when he returns to Miller Park. Thank you Rickie for all of the great memories over the past 10 years. IMO he will be starting at 2B somewhere next season.

Putting Gomez in the 5 spot allows him to utilize all of his strengths. He can drive in runs with his power and cause havoc on the base paths with his speed. This will hopefully provide more RBI opportunities for our 3B (whoever that may be) and Davis.

What about trading for Mike Olt? He likely wouldn't cost much (Gagnon or Pena) and the Cubs already have Valbuena with Bryant close behind. Olt has struggled ever since being traded to Chicago. A change of scenery might help him get back on track.

Wow, Vitters had a .607 OPS last year at AAA. He just completely fell apart last year. His minor league stats show improvement at every level when his was promoted mid season and returned the following year to the same level until last year. Maybe a fresh start could get him back on track. He's definitely worth a waiver claim with his potential and young age.

True this is why I believe MA and DM will go after LaRoche. He can slide into the #4 spot while A-ram slides down to #5 or #6 if Gennett bats either first or second next season. Personally, I don't want our offense to be dependant on two aging veterans as key contributors next season. I prefer to let Ramirez walk and sign LaRoche.

My biggest concern with trading for Lind is the large drop off defensively from someone like LaRoche. Unless we can use the saved money to upgrade 3B (i.e. Sandoval or Headley), I think it becomes more of a lateral move which doesn't improve the team enough to be contenders in 2015 at which point I prefer we trade a couple assets and restock our upper minors with top tier talent.

I mentioned the possibility of trading Gomez to the Mariners for Walker, Peterson and Hultzen and someone else mentioned trading Gallardo to Boston for Cecchini. These two moves could provide the Brewers with enough talent to rebuild within 1-2 years instead of having to completely overhaul the team. Now you can sign LaRoche (2yrs/$24M) which keeps ticket sales high, Bonifacio (3yrs/$16M) to platoon with Gennett and Parra, resign Duke (3yrs/$12M) to solidify our bullpen depth. These signings paired with the aforementioned trades will infuse both our current roster and farm system with some solid high ceiling players and proven veterans. This should expedite the rebuild process while allowing the Brewers brass to continue fielding a competitive team to keep ticket sales up. Next years roster would be: Rotation: Lohse, Garza, Walker, Peralta and Fiers Bullpen: Broxton, Smith, Thornburg, Nelson, Duke, Henderson, Kintzler/Pena Lineup: Gennett, Braun, Lucroy, LaRoche, Davis, Cecchini, Parra. Segura Bench: Maldonado, Rogers, H. Gomez, Bonifacio, Herrera/Free Agent This roster provides solid defense, good pitching from both the rotation and bullpen and a balanced lineup and is still way under budget (roughly $86-$88M). Then in 2017 our lineup could be: Rotation: Walker, Peralta, Garza, Hultzen, Fiers Bullpen: Thornburg, Smith, Jeffress, Duke, Nelson, Jungmann, Wagner/Goforth/Pena Lineup: Taylor, Gennett, Lucroy, Braun, Peterson, Coulter, Cecchini, Arcia Bench: Maldonado, Rogers, Segura, Bonifacio, Davis This payroll depending on arbitration raises could come in between $90-96M and gives us a solid young core to compliment our veterans.

Terrible news. Losing someone so young must be hard on everyone close to both families and the Cardinals organization. Personally, I was hoping to watch him play against the Brewers over the next decade and develop into a perennial All-Star. My condolences go out to his and his girlfriend's families along with the entire Cardinals organization.

What about trading Gomez to the Mariners for Walker, Peterson and Hultzen? Mariners get another right handed bat who can handle the space in CF at Safeco while the Brewers get a top of the rotation starter, a top 10 1B prospect and a former #2 overall pick (2011) who is coming off shoulder surgery but could develop into a solid starter.

Maddon admitted they were just to far apart financially in their negotiations. Its possible Joe isn't confident the Rays can continue putting a competitive team on the field without Friedman and/or an increased payroll. At the end of the day, money usually wins out.

This is an interesting option. The Mariners are said to be in the market for two right handed power hitters. Gomez would fit in great roaming CF at Safeco Park while the Brewers have a decent pool of corner infielders (Peterson/Kivlehan) and pitchers (Paxton/Diaz/Gohara/Pike/Hultzen) to choose from. Would a package of Peterson, Paxton and a mid-level prospect be a fair price for two years of GoGo?

The Brewers have made it clear they're going to stick with Roenicke going into next season, so that scenario won't play out. Friedman has supposedly been on board with keeping Mattingly on in LA, so it seems like going to the Twins is Maddon's only opportunity as of right now. Maddon also said he wasn't going to leave but circumstances can change quickly in professional sports. I think Mark A. and DM would be foolish to not at least sit down and discuss the possibility. Again Maddon presents a clear cut upgrade over RRR where as you couldn't say such before he Maddon opted out.

I wonder if Mark A will look into hiring him. He is a clear upgrade over RRR. Although I'm sure the money LA will likely offer him will be hard to pass up.

I don't think the Red Sox would trade for Gomez since they just signed Castillo who also plays CF. Also their OF is already overstocked when you add in Cespedes, Victorino, Betts, Bradley, Nava and Craig.

I've heard Lind is a terrible defender at 1B. I know fielding isn't the top priority for 1B, but having lived through Fielder and Francisco at the position in recent years, I just hate having more of the same. Still, I haven't seen the guy (that I recall) in the field. So I'm just going by what I have read. His UZR/150 was -14.8 last season. He definitely is a terrible defender at 1B. There is a reason guys like Lind, Kendreys Morales and Billy Butler are full time DHs. Their value is lost once they put on a glove.

I understand your reasoning, unfortunately I simply do not see any options available better than LaRoche. Although IMO LaRoche and Plouffe would be an decent upgrade over Reynolds/Overbay and Ramirez.

I wouldn't take him unless I got a lot more than $6M back. That still makes him a $12 milllion a year player - which he isn't close to being. I would be interested as to what people say about his play in 2014. He was wasn't just 'down' last season - he was awful. One of the worst players in the league - fangraphs has him at -1.6 WAR - 5th worst in the league amongst over 700 hitters. Was he hurt? Has he just lost it? His skillset - walks and power - often fades pretty quickly. The team would have to feel confident he could rebound before adding him. It appears Swisher had been dealing with knee problems all season and was finally shut down in August. He could rebound next season once he is fully healed or be Corey Hart 2.0. Knowing this the Indians would likely need to throw in more than the $6M I originally suggested. Maybe the Brewers bite if the Indians cover around half ($14-15M) of the remaining monies owed. http://www.sportsinjuryalert.com/2014/08/indians-injury-update-nick-swisher-to.html#.VEfsdvldWPZ

Thoughts on trading for Swisher? He will be 34 next season, is owed $30M over the next two years and is coming off a down year. The Indians could be looking to move either Bourn or Swisher to clear payroll and willing to take on some of his remaining salary, say $6M. We could send back Parra who can play RF giving them a solid defensive outfield (Brantley, Bourn, Parra) to roam spacious Progressive Field. Swisher is a switch hitter with almost even career splits (LH: .829 OPS/RH: .795 OPS). A move to a more hitter friendly ballpark might be enough to increase his offensive production while his defense would be considered average.

I can't think of any 1B being made available this offseason who put up better numbers than LaRoche this past season. Brandon Moss, Yonder Alonso, Mitch Moreland, Allen Craig and Steve Pearce are all younger options who could be made available for the right price but none were as productive as Adam in 2014. Who do you have in mind and what are you willing to give up to acquire him? The other option would be to target a young controllable 3B like Trevor Plouffe or Garin Cecchini (as another poster suggested) although Plouffe might cost us a young controllable arm.