Matt Breen

I just think a deal with Tampa makes too much sense. They need relief pitching and a package around Jeffress would be perfect. I'd take Shields or Garza. I've always liked Shields. Maybe with his off year last season it's a good time to go after him.

Another value to dealing prince now and letting a team have a negotiating window is that it locks Prince into that team for the next 7-8 years (or however long the contract). This is good because after next season, one of the primary teams that would be interested in him would be the Cubs. Sorry, but I'd just hate to see Prince as a Cub. Get him to Baltimore or Washington or wherever - just not in Chicago (or St. Louis - which I don't see happening since I feel that Pujols will eventually sign a new contract).

Well, if we trade Cain, how about we pick up Mike Cameron on the cheap from Boston (with the paying most of the salary).

wow, prince could be a perennial 50 HR guy at Camden. Give us Matusz and they can have prince, then the O's can cap it off by going out and signing Cliff Lee. We'd be happy with our solid pitching staff.

And we could try and reacquire Hardy from the Twins. Just kidding. Kind of. I have to admit, that would be fun. I like Escobar, but I really thought J.J. was great. I loved the power from that spot. Not that it's there any more.

The thing about Baltimore that makes sense is that Fielder could eventually shift to DH, thus making a long term deal less of an issue for them. And considering how bad Baltimore was in hitting - they could really use Fielder. Who could we get from Baltimore? Guthrie isn't bad. Not great, but not bad. I think he has two years of control left.

If Fielder is open to a new contract, and the Brewers talk to teams with the intention of letting them hammer out an extension, what teams match up at this time? We need teams that the need for Fielder and the money to pay him. I don't see Boston or the Yankees working. The White Sox are out - as are the Cubs (the Brewers would never deal Fielder to the Cubbies anyhow). I also don't see Atlanta or Texas spending $20+ million for a 1B, even though they could use him. Seattle has Smoak and Cust to play 1B and DH. But you never know with them. What about the Washington and Baltimore. What about something around Jordan Zimmerman? I know they like him a lot, and their pitching isn't any good now, but maybe they'd include him for a premier bat. Any other thoughts?

The comments about being willing to work and extension might not be aimed at the Brewers - most people feel the Crew can't afford Fielder beyond 2011 - but at potential trade partners. The comments might be part of a deliberate strategy to signal to teams that Fielder would be open to signing a new megadeal. Such a move would open up teams to working a deal for the trade, and then negotiating a new contract extension for Prince. This could, theoretically, help the Brewers get better offers for Fielder. If they offer a negotiating window with the new team - it might spur some interest. Of course, this only works if Prince truly is open to signing an extension. If it's all smoke, it's just a waste of everyone's time.

Royals are giving him $2.5 million. I just don't get why this guy keeps getting chances. He hasn't been decent in four years. Oh well, better KC than Milwaukee.

That's the first I've heard of this. Interesting. And fwiw, Heckathorn's peak WAR is also projected as 4.0. Hunter Morris -- I like this guy -- is projected at 3.5. I really liked what they had to say about his defensive tools (but not the comment right afterwards http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif): Defensively, he has quick feet and a strong arm. His range is above average. I understand why Jeffress continues to get downgraded for his positive drug tests. However, as a Brewers fan & being marginally familiar with the situation, at this point it almost seems a bit lazy to rely on that factor so heavily in grading him. I understand it, though. I just don't think his peak WAR at this point would be 3; I think it'd be closer to 4 or 5, if you're talking *peak*. Jeffress's being ahead of Heckathorn, even though he wasn't projected for as high a peak WAR, makes me think that if you'd ask Hulet again, he'd say 4.0 or so for JJ. I was a bit surprised to see how low Thornburg was on the list, and that Kentrail Davis wasn't even on it. But like you said reilly, it was a really in-depth & well-done scouting report. The pitchers especially seemed well-scouted -- typically these kinds of lists rely purely on stats & player reputations. You could tell Marc Hulet has at least seen video of some of these players. I've seen some of his stuff in the past; I'll have to keep a closer eye on what he puts out in the future. TooLive, you did a better review than I did. Thanks. Thanks for catching the errors on Heckathorn's and Morris' WAR peak value. Like you said, it was nice having a review that appears to have been done by someone who's actually seen the players.

or maybe he cuts hair for the guys.

http://www.mlbtraderumors...ment-with-jack-cust.html Nothing we weren't expecting.

Crawford produced a 6.9 WAR last year according to Fangraphs - if you like those kinds of rankings. That's amongst the top 10 hitters in the league. It was his best ever, so you have to be wary. But as we've seen, it only takes one team to go insane to make the move.

PS - thank you everyone for the Minor scouting reports. I appreciate it. I enjoy having everyone as a resource - and your willingness to share your opinions. It makes this board so great. Thanks.

This is awesome. Thanks. It's like reading one of those Nigerian oil scam emails - where punctuation is optional and normal spelling rules just don't apply. I would think it was some sort of spam or autofilled post - but it's such a goofy subject, that doesn't make sense. Of course, neither does the post.

Who would have thought a Wil Nieves thread would be more than one page and over 1000 views. This just proves how desperate we are news.

Anyone have a nice scouting report on Minor? Just curious what he's all about. Thanks.

Fangraphs has a review of the Brewers top 10 prospects: http://www.fangraphs.com/...s-the-milwaukee-brewers/ It's nice seeing so many pitchers on the list, but most are in A ball now - so many are at least 2 years away. Only Odorizzi and Rogers are projected to have a WAR of 4 or higher at best. So not a lot of impact players in the system. I appreciated their analysis -- more in depth than most reviews of minor leaguers.

I worry that Rickie is seeing mega dollars after 2011 and wants to test free agency. It's not hard after seeing Werth get $126 million. He might be thinking that will be him next year. Think about this - if he can repeat his 2010 performance in 2011 - what's he worth in FA? $15-16 million? Rickie doesn't seem like he's afraid of risks, and you wonder if he might roll the dice next year and come out bent offseason with a massive contract. I really hope we can sign him - but I won't be shocked if it does not happen.

I believe Garza is under control for 3 years. He was a super-2.

Actually, the 'mystery team' exists in the portfolio of Scott Boros tricks that we all seem to keep falling for.

I'm thinking the Tigers or Orioles. And when another team offered 7 years, I bet the Nationals added it as well - making them the 2nd.

i'd guess the extra year we'd get him, plus the very high upside of Lawrie. Just a guess.

Straight up there's probably no way this happens - but if we take on salary....maybe someone would be interested. Kawakami was okay in 2009. I haven't seen him pitch, so I don't know if that year was a fluke, but he would seem to be an option for the bullpen or even a starter if he can rebound. I just don't know which version of a pitcher he is - 2009 or 2010. Beachy I only know by looking at stats - he mostly relieved in the minors, but he has some very good numbers. Even as a bullpen arm he might be interesting to have. Of course, do the braves want Gomez? If they can save several million dollar perhaps.

Especially after Colorado just got Jose Lopez - who plays a lot of the same positions. Good article at Fangraphs on the move: http://www.fangraphs.com/...an-odown-you-confuse-me/