Invader3K

Supposedly the Brewers might be interested in pursuing Carlos Pena. Tweet from @BerniesCrew (Jim Breen): In the wake of the Aramis Ramirez signing, a source told me the #Brewers are determining if they have the money to pursue 1B Carlos Pena. I don't think it's a horrible idea, but it sure seems like the Brewers don't really have much faith in Gamel/McGehee.

From what I saw of him playing first base this past season, I think he might be slightly better than Prince.

Why is his 2010 line more likely than his 2011 line?

Players change agents often, especially when they're approaching free agency. Wasn't there an interview earlier this season where Greinke said he and his wife were enjoying being in Milwaukee? I really don't think there's any way he requests a trade when he's a year away from FA. If anything, it could mean he's ready to talk to the Brewers about an extension.

This is why I'm inclined to think something screwed up happened, or the test was just flat out wrong. The guy is already signed for basically the rest of his career. I really doubt he'd risk his reputation and future endorsement deals just to hit a couple more home runs a season or whatever.

It's a risk, but not a horrible one. That third year does make me nervous a bit, but that is how baseball is these days. I'm in favor of this signing, but not overly enthusiastic on it.

All it takes is one sucker, I guess.

Sent you an email.

Well, here goes. I wasn't able to post about this last night, due to being at a family Christmas party. At the time, I doubt I would have been able to write anything that wouldn't have violated the rules of this forum. Anyway, like many of you, I was quite stunned to hear about this news, which I first heard about through Twitter. All I could post on Twitter at that point was, "Well, this sucks." And it still does this morning. It's hard to fathom something like this being connected to our beloved Milwaukee Brewers, a team that has seemed to be above issues like this, which are usually more a providence of the big market teams. Ryan Braun is my all time favorite baseball player. I've had more enjoyment watching him play baseball than even when I was a little kid watching Molitor, Yount, and Gantner. I've cheered him on since day one, and suffice to say, I'm glad he's on our team. I remember how happy I was both times he signed extensions with this ball club. How wonderful it's been to watch a player who you know is truly committed to his team, and clearly wants to win. If this all ends up being true, and Braun gets suspended for 50 games, it basically sinks the Brewers' season. Doug Melvin will have to seriously consider selling off pieces now. It was going to be tough to contend next year without Prince Fielder. Without Braun, its just an incredibly monumental task. I will still continue to be a fan of the Brewers, and yes, Ryan Braun, no matter what. My fandom will probably be a bit more muted, though. I can believe Ryan Braun may have taken a banned performance enhancing drug. At the same time, some of the reports and "facts" seem to be at odds with each other, and it seems like there may be much more to the story than we know at this point. I am just hopeful that the truth, one way or another, comes out very soon. If this gets dragged out for several days or weeks, it's going to do irreparable harm to the Brewers as an organization. Ryan Braun's reputation has already been damaged, and many will always doubt him no matter what. That is truly a shame.

Let's face it though, if Furcal is terrible or gets hurt, eating that salary isn't that big a deal for the Cardinals.

He was bad last year, but he's probably the definition of a huge upside bounce back candidate. I'm not banking on it, but crazier things have happened in baseball.

Yeah, he's K-Rod, not Eric Gagne.

Braves announcer Jim Powell with some extremely effusive comments about Gonzalez this morning on Twitter. Best defensive SS I've ever watched on a daily basis. Easily. @BrewCrewTalk @Jim_Powell What is your opinion of the Brewers new shortstop?

I agree. Let's be honest, if Prince did re-sign, most of us would be pretty darn optimistic about the team's chances for at least the next couple seasons.

As long as you get there by the time it's supposed to start, you'll be fine. They didn't open up the doors to the event early. In fact, there was quite a line we had to wait in to get in.

Pretty sure Sheets has not officially retired, but since there hasn't been any news on him lately at all, you have to wonder if he isn't ready to pitch again this season.

I was browsing through the comments on Stltoday's forum this morning, and there's definitely a lot of bitterness towards Pujols. In a way, I don't blame them. On the other, if I was a Cardinals fan, I would still be reasonably happy having seen him help the team win two World Series championships.

This past year he certainly was...but if he bounces back to 2009-2010 form, he's All-Star caliber.

Me too. I couldn't take another year of that swing that I describe as a "helicopter going down in flames."

Yeah, just saw that too. Turns out the guy on the JSOnline blog was right! Sounds like it's one year with a vesting option. And Brewerfan gives a collective sigh of relief! No more Yuni!

Better glove, though he is quite a bit older (turns 35 in February).

They've had a couple that have been correct in the past about stuff like this, so we'll see. A lot of it tends to be, "My brother's friend's cousin is a ticket sales person", type stuff, though.

Jon Heyman is practically on Scott Boras's payroll. Anything he has to say about a Boras client should be taken with several grains of salt.Yeah, that's exactly why I'm skeptical.

You have to wonder if Prince could get somewhere around $200 million (or more) with the contract Pujols just signed.

Incarerated Bob just tweeted that the Yankees are showing interest in Prince. Hard to see where he'd fit on that team, though.