aracko

If it isnt a significant upgrade I would rather hold onto Turnbow. He is an important part of this team.

Seems too good to be true. I have wanted to acquire Baldelli for sometime now. He would instantly become my favorite Brewer.

And even if Hall played CF - I dont thnk he is even close to the defender that Vernon Wells is. Its just my opinion.

POGO - I have said it before and I will say it again. I just dont think that Bill Hall is as good as he was last year. I think he performed above his cieling. Forgive me.

Bill Hall and Brady Clark for Vernon Wells and Dustin McGowan. Just one mans opinion.

We know Doug Melvin loves dealing with Toronto. I Look at the counsell signing and definatly think something is up. Of all the teams most desperate for a SS, I think Toronto tops the list. They were going to move Russ Adams to short if they got Adam Kennedy and that fell through. They want to win now and are stuck with Royce Clayton as their starting SS as a result of missing Kennedy. We know from last year that Doug like McGowan. He doesnt seem to really be in the plans this year too much in Toronto. hardy for McGowan? Hall + Jenkins for Glaus+McGowan? Hall and Clark for Vernon Wells? I really dont know - I think I am just really bothered by the makeup of this roster and am convinced that something bigger is in the works. I think Toronto and Milwaukee have had dealings in the past and would not hesitate again. Both teams have holes to fill - with Torontos SS hole being a huge one. Troy would be that 10 million dollar bat in the middle of the order (exactly 10 mill). www.mlb4u.com/profile.php?id=399 Contract: signed 4-year deal worth 45M on 12/9/04- he receives a 4M signing bonus and salaries of 8M in 2005, 9M in 2006, 10.5M in 2007, 12.5M in 2008- + he receives a suite at all hotels on the road and he can receive up to a 250K reimbursement each year for "personal business expenses" (a.k.a his wife's equestrian business)- + he receives a limited NO-TRADE clause that allows him to veto deals to several teams including TOR, but not BAL or BOS- + waived no-trade clause to allow for trade to TOR on 12/27/05- + in exchange for waiving no-trade clause, his no-trade clause becomes a full NO-TRADE clause for the 2006, 2007 and 2008 seasons- + as part of trade, a Player Option for 2009 worth 11.25M is added- + as part of trade, he receives a Canadian Tax Equalization Adjustment that ensures that value of deal will remain same as it would have in ARI- + as a result of CTEA, the Diamondbacks will pay him about 850K in 2008 in the form of either a signing bonus or buyout, depending on whether or not the player option is exercised- + as part of trade, the Jays will increase the amount he is reimbursed for his wife's business by 75K each year in 2006, 2007, 2008 and possibly 2009 Agent: Mike Nicotera

Everyone is so down on trading hardy - for good reason - coming off a low point. Thats the same reason I advocate trading Hall. He will never be higher quite possibly - especially if he moves to OF. Hall will be the guy traded this winter. I have no doubt.

I thought KC was going to scoop up Okha for sure.

I say we keep Hardy - Offer Coco instead of TBOW - so you make it Coco, Jenkins, and Miller for ManRam. Hardy remains the everyday SS, Billy Hall roams CF for the next 10 years. 1. Weeks 2b 2. Estrada c 3. Prince 1b 4. Manny lf 5. Hall cf 6. Koskie 3b 7. Hart rf 8. Hardy ss I know its a big if getting Manny - and I know Coco is a favorite in these parts, but I think Turnbow can get it back, and I think Aquino could do it as well. That lineup above would be enough (offensively) to keep pace with Chicago and St Louis.

I wonder if Miller could go to Philly for Gavin Floyd who seems to have completely fallen out of favor.

Rivera has had an offseason to improve on his building skills, while Miller has had an offseason to try to keep his skills from decaying any more. I would definatly shop Miller. I want Estrada in there as much as possible - One day off a week maybe. Maybe 3 games off Every 2 weeks. With Damian on the roster - Ned is going to go to the well too many times because he is such a loyal dupa. We should get every ounce out of Estrada that we can.

Mid 40s exaggerates it a little - he is 41. That said - age is a fair argument - I cant argue against it. Yes he is old. Still worth the risk I think.

I am glad you can make wise quips. Thats very impressive if we were in highschool. Why not.

I have changed my mind a bit. Initally I really was intersted in Kenny Lofton(still am). But as I look at the available guys and I think about the potential rewards, I keep coming up with the same answer. Steve Finley. Brewers Needs #1 - A Center Fielder #2 - Pop in the middle of the order #3 - Solid Defense #4 - Veteran influence #5 - Winning attitude Clearly Steve Finley offers defense as evidenced by his FIVE GOLD GLOVES. He is a member of baseballs 300-300 club with 300 HRs and 300 SBs. "Steve Finley has slipped quite a bit the last few years" A - Yes he has but look at how much he has moved. 2004 was his last really good year. His entire career has been played in the NL wiht the exception of 2005 - where he moved to the AL - adjustment period. Then 2006 he moved back to the NL again. Another adjustment period. These things can play tricks with guys heads I really believe. Steve Finley is a great player. I think he could answer some questions that we have in this lineup. Nobody can question the fact that he will play a great CF. The best that can happen is he gets his stroke back and hits 20 + HRs in CF and plays Gold Glove Defense and comes up wiht loads of big hits like veterans can do. He can be your #2 hitter - where he hits .323 on his career. He can push for 3000 hits as a Milwaukee Brewer. The worst that could happen is you could have him in the bottom 3rd of your order where he still plays real good defense and you are on the books for 1 or 2 years at about 6 million per who knows how to put the ball in play and knows situational hitting. His #s away from SF were far better than his #s at home. He went to College at Southern Ill - so he might welcome a return to the Midwest. (plus he can pitch - 2001 - 1IP 0.00 career ERA.)

I have "plantar fasciitis" and you would have to be REALLY tough to play OF with this and be really effective. It definatly makes you get going alot slower. Slower jumps on balls and slower out of the box? NO THANKS

Although if we got him he would probably play LF - which means Billy Hall can play CF.

Id rather take my chances with guys on the roster than Stewart. I love new players and he doesnt do anything at all for me to be honest. Sad thing is he would probably cost 2+ Mill.

Id agree - Bonds first, Manny 2nd. I gotta figure that Bonds is about ready to get out of the Big Market Limelight. He also seems to be a guy who is into baseball history somewhat and maybe....just maybe

As of this point in time: Fielder 1B (382K) Weeks 2B (500K) Hardy SS (408K) Koskie 3B (2M) Hart LF (382K) Hall CF (4M) Jenkins RF (7M) Estrada (3M) Miller (2.25M) Gross (388K) Cirillo (1.5M) Mench (5M) Closser? (350K) Sheets (10M) Capuano (3M) Vargas (1.275M) Bush (425K) Villanueva (380K) Turnbow (2.3M) Wise (1M) Shouse (1.1M) Capellan (383K) Sarfate (380K) Aquino (500K) CoCo (5.0M) Total: $52.9M Am I missing anything?

I did not say he cant but rather that I dont expect him to. Bill Hall doubled his HR total from the season before. Nobody expected him to hit 35 HRs before the season. I just dont expect him to maintain that.

In reguards to Figgins at 3b - this article is worth checking out. www.hardballtimes.com/mai...e-figgins/

Understood. But the upgrade at pitching is worth it. I love the looks of our BP with the moves stated above, and our rotation looks oh so pretty. Lofton and Figgins provide us an added element of speed on the basepaths. You can win with situational hitting. Jenkins/Mench platoon provides a big upgrade IMO. I love Bill Hall, but in no way to I expect Bill Hall to hit 35 home runs next year. If he does, I think that if he isnt moving around the diamond, again he loses some value to us as a team. Thanks for the opinions.

I really think Figgins is only a stopgap at 3B until Braun gets his glove right. Then he can move to a utility role where his SBs and SWITCH HITTING contact bat is really the most value. He would be the everyday CF after the season when Lofton is gone. In the meantime, just because we arent getting power out of 3b doesnt mean we cant win. I have heard people here suggest Tony Graff at 3b and I think Figgins is a huge upgrade over that. He plays real solid defense at 3b and he provides bat control and speed at the top of the order. Lofton and Figgins with a bad defensive catcher behind the plate has the potential to win games alone. Again - gotta stress that Figgins is just a real nice stopgap until Braun gets his glove on straight. Then he moves back into the utility role. I dont want koskie around. With all due respect to the man, I want to win. The guy hasnt played baseball or done physical activity for months now. I can picture it already - Ned Yost sticking by a "gritty Veteran" guy "Battling to get his stroke back" when he isnt the best option. Same stubborness he showed with Mr Jenks vs Lefties last year. And quite frankly, After the Jenkins debacle, I dont trust Ned Yost in situations where a "win at all costs" decision is a must.

I will finally put the time in to come up with my own 60 million dollar challenge. Obviously I will be relying on trades - which if the trades arent fair my plan goes up in smoke. MAJOR MOVE #1 - Trade Doug Davis and Mike Rivera and perhaps a midlevel prospect to the METS. Get Aaron Heilman and Lastings Milledge. Mets really need a starting pitcher and Davis is pretty much a proven commodity. They need a backup to LoDuca. MAJOR MOVE #2 - Angels want a Power Bat in their Lineup at 3rd base. Bill Hall would fill their need. Brady Clark will provide a very solid backup in CF for Matthews. CoCordero and FROD would make a real nice combo to seal the deal late in games. Send Billy Hall and Brady Clark and CoCordero to Anaheim for Ervin Santana, Scott Shields and Chone Figgins. Figgins plays 3rd base until Braun learns to use his glove. He can also rotate around the field when Rillo is in the lineup. Figgins can spell Weeks, Hardy or any OF. Its Yosts job to find a way to get him 450+ ABs. Shields can close or remain the best setup man in baseball. The advantages of having Santana have already been discussed on these boards. A Young, Top of the rotation pitcher could really do something special in the laid back atmosphere of Milwaukee I think. MINOR MOVE - Sign Kenny Lofton. 1 year 4 Million. Overpaying a bit but a young high cieling team is going to need a veteran player who can relate to the young kids. Kenny Lofton was once Ricky Weeks, Prince Fielder, JJ Hardy, Lastings Milledge, Corey Hart. Let Milledge platoon with Lofton in CF. Jenks and Mench can platoon in RF. Hart/Gross in LF. MINOR MOVE #2 - Release Corey Koskie if you cant get a midlevel prospect in return. Decide if Closser is your guy or not. If not sign Greg Zaun. Your going to have to outbid the SOX and Yankees but pay him 9 million over 2 years. With my proposal you can afford to overpay a bit for guys like Lofton and Zaun. Fielder 1B (382K) Weeks 2B (500K) Hardy SS (408K) Figgins 3B (2.3M) Hart LF (382K) Lofton CF (4M) Jenkins RF (7M) Miller C (2.25M) Milledge (350K) Gross (388K) Cirillo (1.5M) Mench (5M) Closser? (350K) Sheets (10M) Capuano (3M) Santana (350K) Bush (425K) Villanueva (380K) Turnbow (2.3M) Wise (1M) Shouse (1.1M) Capellan (383K) Sarfate (380K) Heilman (359K) Sheilds (2.1 Mill) Total: $46.587M This leaves you quite a bit of available money if Mark A is sincere about his 60Million Payroll for this season. I would do the following with the spare 13+ Million depending if you sign Zaun or not. #1 - Sign Capuano to a long term deal. #2 - Sign Dave Bush to a multiyear deal. I think that still leaves us under 60 Million. I know this team could contend this year and probably for many years to come. It has a real nice mix of veterans and youth. Lofton, Figgins, and Miller bring a championship mentality to the team. Jenkins and Mench get a chance to bounce back. If they cant do it, Milledge is there ready to take their jobs. 1. Lofton/Milledge CF 2. Figgins 3b 3. Weeks 2b 4. Fielder 1b 5. Jenkins/Milledge/Mench RF 6. Hardy SS 7. Hart/Gross LF 8. Catcher I am not exactly sure how the OF would play but I know a platoon of Mench and Jenks has very good potential. When one isnt in the game that would be a heck of a bat off the bench. This lineup has a huge increase in speed, which I think is a great way to win ballgames. The Catcher position has evolved to a offensive minded position and teams are ignoring the defense.

So if it takes Bill Hall and CoCordero to get Figgins, Shields, and Ervin Santana, how fast would you all move to sign the papers? Figgins replaces Hall in the utility role (i think hall is far more valuble when he is moving around). Santana is a cog in our rotation for the forseeable future. Shields gets a chance to close or remains the best setup man in baseball. Hopefully TBOW gets it back and if not you give Capellan a bigger role on the team.