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Absolutely NO WAY I would give them Escobar with LaPorta.

It seems to be much more serious. Everybody at ESPN is on this, the Brewer brass had a long meeting before the game, after which they acknowledged discussing pitching (they really can't take it any further than that with another team's player), and we know for certain that Cleveland has scouts watching both Huntsville and Brevard County. This is a lot more than just an idea. FYI, Olney pointed out, if the Brewers get Sabathia, and if both Sabathia and Sheets walk, the Brewers could own five of the first thirty-five picks next year. That would present multiple issues on the pitching front, but it certainly is interesting. Doug, don't stop, after you get your starter, for gosh sakes, get someone for the 8th innings!

Green and LaPorta would tick me off.

Green and Gillespie are both better prospects than many here give them credit for. Who knows whether that offer would get it done, but it's certainly not an insult.

I really like Green too, but better him than Gamel!

Arroyo is still a Red, at least for now. The Reds are certainly shopping him, but nothing is done.

I know Arroyo was being shopped heavily, but I hadn't heard this yet.

From Jayson Stark: • Brew view: Clubs that have checked in with the Brewers say they're being so aggressive in their hunt for a big-time starting pitcher, they might even be willing to include J.J. Hardy or Rickie Weeks "in the right deal." The Brewers have onrushing 21-year-old shortstop Alcides Escobar tearing it up in Double-A. So their middle infield would be covered long-term, and some combination of Craig Counsell, Bill Hall (if he's not dealt) and Joe Dillon potentially could handle it short-term. Let's say this again: The Brewers are a team you should not take your eyes off in the pre-deadline hysteria. "They'd listen on just about anybody for the right pitcher," said an official of one club that spoke with them. "And they're still very deep in their system. We've got nine prospects on our list from their Double-A club alone." http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&page=rumblings

That's too bad, there's really not much you can say about an inning like that.

Manny's doing a great job, but don't look for him on the All-Star team. Always remember the stupid, "Every team must be represented" rule, Sheets will already be there, the Brewers are not likely to get two pitchers in.

Yes, I think that's about right for JJ, those offensive numbers seem like realistic projections. Defensively, he'll stay at short for a while, his range is a bit limited, but he's got a feel for the position, and more than enough arm.

Yep, I worked from BA's pre-season rankings. What I really want people to see is: First, look through there and see how many elite prospects are not blowing people away right now, guys like Brignac and Lowrie - also notice how many guys are hurt right now. OK, once you've done that - take a look at what the Brewers' prospects have done this season. There hasn't been one flop in the bunch, and on top of that, Salome has plowed his way right into the middle of the list. I'm trying to give people some idea of who the Indians, Rockies, etc will be asking for in trades, but I also want people to realize why it is that the guys at ESPN, etc, keep talking about Milwaukee's prospects. The Brewers' prospects really are that good. Melvin is in a true position of strength, most of these teams have one obvious guy that you figure they wouldn't deal, LaPorta and Gamel are both in that class, and then you get to a great prospect at both SS and C, two very tough positions to fill, and then there's Jeffress who's BB/K ratio is excellent, and who is clearly improving as the season progresses. The Brewers are clearly in a position to outbid anyone they may want to, only Tampa and Boston are in the same class - and both of those teams are chasing bats at the moment.

I'm basing this on pre-season rankings of each system, if you've got more info to add, please do. Cubs - 1. Josh Vitters, Class A, 3B - 51 ABs after signing last year, 73 ABs so far this year. He's only 18 - he won't be traded at this point. 2. Tyler Colvin, AA, OF - In A+ last year, 16 HR, .299 AVE, .812 OPS, in AA this year, 7 HR, .233, .632. Was in many of the Brian Roberts rumors. 3. Jose Ceda, AA, RHP - Recently bumped to AA, and to relief work, in 10 IP, Ceda has 4 saves, a .90 ERA, 2 BB, 17 Ks 4. Donald Veal - AA, LHP - 4-5, 3.43 ERA, 94.1 IP, 49 BB, 67 K Big lefty, low 90s, still working on control. 5. Jeff Samardzija - AAA, RHP - All over the place, 50 BB, 53 K, 88 IP. Hard to figure, reaches 98 MPH...puts up these stats. Cardinals - 1. Colby Rasmus, AAA, OF - Nah...they wouldn't. Not destroying AAA overall, but he's on every Top 5 Prospects list you'll see. 2. Chris Perez, MLB, RHP - 19 1/3 major league innings - 12 BB, 18 K, 1 HR, 3.72 ERA, 1.44 WHIP 3. Bryan Anderson, AAA, C - Bumped to AAA, combined season stats - .356 AVE, .896 OPS, 3 HR 4. Brian Barton, MLB, OF - 118 MLB at-bats, .254 AVE, .722 OPS, 2 HR, 3 SB 5. Jaime Garcia, AAA, LHP - Bumped to AAA, combined season stats - 7-6, 3.35 ERA, 99.1 IP, 37 BB, 97 K Phillies - 1. Carlos Carrasco, AA, RHP - 5-7, 4.18 ERA, 97 IP, 38 BB, 89 K Venezuelan "Bonus Baby", can reach 95 MPH, "best changeup in system" 3. Joe Savery, A+, LHP - 3-8 4.48 ERA, 96.1 IP, 38 BB, 78 K Injury issues in past. 5. Kyle Drabek, A+, RHP - Yes, this is Doug's son, and yes, he has the stuff of a future ace. Still getting back from Tommy John. Dodgers - 1. Clayton Kershaw, AA/MLB, LHP - Just back down to AA, he's everybody's favorite pitching prospect - I can't imagine he's available. 2. Andy LaRoche, MLB, 3B - Just 30 ABs this year, injuries have dogged him since he got to LA. 3. Chin-Lung Hu, AAA, SS - Failed with the Dodgers this season, is currently back on the DL in AAA. 4. Scott Elbert, AA, LHP - 1-1, 2.95 ERA Shoulder surgery last June, just 18.1 IP so far this season, working in relief 5. Blake DeWitt, MLB, 3B 238 ABs, .261 AVE, .706 OPS, 5 HR, 3 SB Red Sox - 1. Clay Buchholz, AAA/MLB, RHP - Currently back in AAA, he has gone 4-1, 1.63 in 8 games down there. Nothing left to prove in minors. 2. Lars Anderson, A+, 1B - 267 ABs, .311 AVE, .900 OPS, 10 HR Won't be 21 until September. 3. Justin Masterson, MLB, RHP- Since his recall, has gone 4-2, 3.75 ERA Low 90s, with heavy sink. 4. Jed Lowrie, AAA, SS - 174 ABs, .276 AVE, .811 OPS, 5 HR, 1 SB 5. Ryan Kalish, A, OF - 234 ABs, .282 AVE, .732 OPS, 3 HR, 12 SB Rays- 1. David Price, AA, LHP - Currently a Montgomery Biscuit, the first overall pick in the 2007 draft is certainly not available for trade. 2. Jake McGee, AA, LHP, McGee started 15 games this season, but is currently disabled. 3. Wade Davis, AA, RHP - "The Biscuits Are Loaded"...7-6, 4.14 ERA, 95.2 IP, 39 BB, 69 K 4. Reid Brignac, AAA, SS - 283 ABs, .265, .743 OPS, 7 HR, 4 SB Brignac hit very well climbing the ladder, not as well so far in AAA 5. Desmond Jennings, A+, OF - 85 ABs, .259 AVE, .772 OPS, 2 HR, 5 SB Brewers- 2. Alcides Escobar, AA, SS - 359 ABs, .331 AVE, .809 OPS, 7 HR, 22 SB - If there's enough bat here, this guy will stay a LONG time 3. Jeremy Jeffress, A+, RHP - 3-3, 4.34 ERA, 47.2 IP, 18 BB, 67 K - Just stay on the mound, young man 4. Mat Gamel, AA, 3B - 340 ABs, .382 AVE, 1.086 OPS, 15 HR, 5 SB - He may be too good to trade, that really does say .382, 1.086 5. Cole Gillespie, AA, OF - 293 ABs, .273 AVE, .867 OPS, 10 HR, 9 SB - So easy to overlook, Cole is rock-solid, and yes, he was rated #5 in the system to start the season. Angels 1. Brandon Wood, AAA, SS/3B - 276 ABs, .275 AVE, .895 OPS, 19 HR, 3 SB - .134 AVE, .376 OPS in 97 MLB ABs...no, I am not kidding. 2. Nick Adenhart, AAA, RHP - 6-10, 6.19 ERA, 100.1 IP, 49 BB, 75 K - In 12 IP with the Angels this year, Adenhart walked 13, and allowed a .360 batting average 3. Jordan Walden, A, RHP - 4-6, 2.18 ERA, 32 BB, 91 K - Just promoted to A+, 6 scoreless in debut 4. Hank Conger, A+, C - 140 ABs, .293 AVE, .867 OPS, 7 HR, 1 SB - 1st round pick, 2006, many injuries since, including broken hamate 5. Sean O'Sullivan, A+, RHP - 12-4, 4.98 ERA, 106.2 IP, 35 BB, 79 K - ERA titles last two years....not so much this time OK, I know Salome is absolutely in the top 5 for Milwaukee now, etc - these are the guys who were top 5 to begin the season. If you'd like to expand on any particular player, or team, please go ahead and post your thoughts. I intentionally skipped Parra, Longoria, Soto, etc, because they are now firmly entrenched on their MLB teams.

Scouts were on hand to watch the Phillies' top prospect last night, AA RHP Carlos Carrasco - he was scratched, due to shoulder stiffness. Phillies are scouting both Sabathia and Bedard, lots of Seattle scouts following the Phillies around at the moment. Several teams are pursuing Ron Mahay, of the Royals. Mahay is 37, has one more year at 4 million. He seems to be Plan B for those who do not get Fuentes. Cubs scouting both Wolf and Harden, in addition to Sabathia. Rockies - Willing to discuss almost anybody. Fuentes is a free agent after this season, Holliday is after next season, and is a Boras client, and Atkins is a free agent after two seasons, with replacements ready if they move him.

I just saw that story, and I don't like it. I have no interest in Burnett, I don't trust him to stay healthy, and I've always thought he was overrated.

That doesn't surprise me at all about the Phillies, what will surprise me is if they give up what it takes.

Buster Olney updates to say Cleveland will open the bidding over the next few days. He lists Milwaukee, Tampa Bay, Boston, the Dodgers and the Cubs as the five possibilities. If that turns out to be the case, both Tampa Bay and Boston have publicly stated their preference to add a bat before chasing a starter, Tampa has also increased their focus on Brian Fuentes. If those two teams stay out, I can't see the Cubs matching whatever the Brewers offer, which leaves the Dodgers. AZ's poor play of late has allowed LA to hang around, I wondered if I'd hear of them in this discussion. I'm not sure what LA needs most, is it a starter, or do they need to focus on a bat?

Yes, Russ, early on the DBacks made some terrible decisions on the bases, but Seth hung in there on a night when he clearly just didn't have it. With so many offensive issues, you'd think AZ would be more careful on the bases.

Great win for the Brewers tonight - way to tread water in the race, while you fight to get back home. Man, it has to be frustrating to be a DBacks fan right now, they're losing games just about every way possible. Cameron is clutch, Weeks is clutch, Branyan is clutch, Shouse is clutch, Villanueva is clutch, Torres is clutch, Hardy is clutch. Did I miss anyone?

I really don't see the Rays trading their minor league pitching for Sabathia. I believe the Rays are going to use that depth to land someone like Bay, Nady, or Holliday. The only other team that could match us with any offer short of a LaPorta/Gamel and a Salome/Escobar/Gillespie or any other player would be the Red Sox. Nate, that seems right, and Boston is more concerned about a bat, because they don't know what to expect from Ortiz. I'm sure Cleveland is trying to pull teams like the Cubs and Phillies into this, but the Brewers certainly do look like the best match.

Owings left his last start early, with a leg or groin injury - that's probably why he isn't in there tonight.

zzz, I think you're right in the ballpark of what would actually happen. I'll just say not Gamel or LaPorta, but a Huntsville player, with Braddock and one more for CC, with perhaps one more guy each way. Right now, I think the Indians are trying to set the bar as high as they can, while they try to draw in as many teams as possible. Who can blame them?

Oakland got six players for Haren and one additional, including two current members of their rotation, and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. Is that cheap? The Twins got four players for Johan, including Carlos Gomez. The key difference of course, is that both players are signed beyond this season, I would think Sabathia would have to agree to a deal with Milwaukee for them to pull both Jeffress and a top bat out of here. That would certainly be interesting.

I don't see a Sabathia deal getting done without one of the top five guys at Huntsville, and two additional prospects. If Linebrink gets you three prospects, there's no way Sabathia doesn't, only this time they're going to be even better prospects - you're not getting out of that one with the Huntsville roster intact. I have no idea whether the Brewers would do it, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if Cleveland wanted a Huntsville bat, Jeffress, and a third player. If Weeks or Hardy are indeed made available, I have no idea what that would do to the overall deal.

I have a feeling Cleveland is asking for the moon at this point, but I don't think they'll get it. Watch Milwaukee, but also watch Tampa, my bet is on one of the two. Tampa could give more arms, for sure, while the Brewers have the better bats ready to move.