dpapo

Cough, salary dump, cough. Yuk, put in the end, I don't like this deal camp. Let's see, an OBP of .301 and an OPS of .642 in 2008. Hmm, who does he compare to, a slightly lesser Craig Counsell who had an OBP of .355 and an OPS of .658 last year. So, if this trade is true and doesn't involve any other players, out new starting centerfielder is basically a slightly less productive offensive player than Craig Counsell from a year ago. Edit: Actually his numbers are even more similar to Jason Kendall in OBP, Slugging and OPS.

Cough, salary dump, cough. Yuk, put in the end, I don't like this deal camp. Let's see, an OBP of .301 and an OPS of .642 in 2008. Hmm, who does he compare to, a slightly lesser Craig Counsell who had an OBP of .355 and an OPS of .658 last year. So, if this trade is true and doesn't involve any other players, out new starting centerfielder is basically a slightly less productive offensive player than Craig Counsell from a year ago. Edit: Actually his numbers are even more similar to Jason Kendall in OBP, Slugging and OPS.

Cough, salary dump, cough. Yuk, put in the end, I don't like this deal camp. Let's see, an OBP of .301 and an OPS of .642 in 2008. Hmm, who does he compare to, a slightly lesser Craig Counsell who had an OBP of .355 and an OPS of .658 last year. So, if this trade is true and doesn't involve any other players, out new starting centerfielder is basically a slightly less productive offensive player than Craig Counsell from a year ago. Edit: Actually his numbers are even more similar to Jason Kendall in OBP, Slugging and OPS.

Cough, salary dump, cough. Yuk, put in the end, I don't like this deal camp. Let's see, an OBP of .301 and an OPS of .642 in 2008. Hmm, who does he compare to, a slightly lesser Craig Counsell who had an OBP of .355 and an OPS of .658 last year. So, if this trade is true and doesn't involve any other players, out new starting centerfielder is basically a slightly less productive offensive player than Craig Counsell from a year ago. Edit: Actually his numbers are even more similar to Jason Kendall in OBP, Slugging and OPS.

Cough, salary dump, cough. Yuk, put in the end, I don't like this deal camp. Let's see, an OBP of .301 and an OPS of .642 in 2008. Hmm, who does he compare to, a slightly lesser Craig Counsell who had an OBP of .355 and an OPS of .658 last year. So, if this trade is true and doesn't involve any other players, out new starting centerfielder is basically a slightly less productive offensive player than Craig Counsell from a year ago. Edit: Actually his numbers are even more similar to Jason Kendall in OBP, Slugging and OPS.

Here's what Melvin had to say today about the rule 5 draft, *Rule 5 Draft "We're looking to take somebody, probably a pitcher," said Melvin.

From Melvin's daily briefing today as it relates or could relate to free agency, *Free agents Ben Sheets and Brian Shouse. "We'll let our guys go out and see what they can get (on the free agent market)," said Melvin. Melvin reiterated he has no plans to make an offer to Sheets, who is being courted by Texas and the Yankees. "I think he's going to be OK," said Melvin. *Pitching needs "We probably need, ideally, one of each (starter and reliever)," said Melvin. "It's whatever becomes available that fits for the right price. We're looking free agency first. The trades are tougher." *Free agent pitcher Randy Johnson The Brewers are interested but the problem with that pursuit is that Johnson prefers to play on the West Coast, and teams such as Oakland and the Los Angeles Dodgers have shown interest. "We've inquired about him," said Melvin. "We fit four of the five criteria he's looking forward. The one we're missing is location, the West Coast. We won't give up on it but we haven't made any offer." *Free agent relievers Trevor Hoffman and Brian Fuentes Melvin met with Rick Thurman, the representative for both closers. Melvin told Thurman he wouldn't pursue Hoffman but left the door open on Fuentes. The left-handed Fuentes, 33, is looking for a deal better than the two-year, $20 million offer Kerry Wood got from Cleveland and there has been brisk action on him. "We're in conversations with a lot of teams right now," said Thurman, who said it was "definitely possible" that he'd hear back from Melvin. St. Louis has made no bones about making Fuentes its top priority on the market. *Available funds Melvin has said many times that the $100 million he offered CC Sabathia would not be rolled over to another big-ticket free agent. But he did say some of that money was available to pursue pitching help. "We've got some flexibility to do things," said Melvin. "But one person isn't going to replace the six (free agents) that we lost." *Chris Capuano update Friday is the deadline to tender contracts to players for next season. The Brewers are expected to non-tender left-hander Chris Capuano, who sat out the 2008 season after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery. Capuano had a $3.75 million salary and teams are not allowed to cut pay by more than 20%. With Capuano's status for the start of next season in question, it's highly unlikely the Brewers would commit that kind of money to him. Assistant general manager Gord Ash said a decision had been made on Capuano but wouldn't divulge it. One likelihood is that the Brewers would work out a lesser deal with Capuano with incentives should he return to regular action in 2009. http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/35937804.html I heard an intervew with Melvin on I believe WSSP and it does appear that Capuano is going to come back to Milwaukee. So, the decision on Capuano is to bring him back, but they are still working on a contract.

Jesus Colome was cut by the Nationals today. He seems to be the type of reliever Melvin likes, a hard thrower.

MLB.COM is reporting that the Brewers are talking to the Texas Rangers about Padilla and Millwood. Ironically enough, the Rangers are looking to get trade one or both to make salary room for Ben Sheets. "The Brewers, having lost C.C. Sabathia, are looking for starting pitching and have talked with the Rangers about Vicente Padilla and Kevin Millwood. The Rangers are interested in trading one of the two and create salary room for Ben Sheets." http://hotstove.mlblogs.c...ewers_chat_about_pit.html No mention on what the Rangers are looking for. The odd thing is that prior to the start of the meetings, the Rangers were looking to trade hitting to get pitching. They have already traded Laird and were talking about trading one of their outfielders, so I really have no clue what the Rangers would want in return. I believe Padilla is due to make 12 million and Millwood 11 million next year. Seems odd that they will be looking to trade pitching to be able to sign pitchers, which seems to be the one thing they are looking for.

Even with the money involved, I would rather have Fuentes but for the fact that it would cost the Brewers their 1st round pick. So, I guess Hoffman, though I do worry about his age.

Looks like the Brewers are considering "secondary" type of starters. "The Brewers have had internal discussions about secondary starting options, including Carl Pavano and Randy Wolf, among many others. Players in this range often carry question marks; Pavano's health history, for example, and Wolf's relatively high asking price, according to one Brewers official." "If the free agent market yields no one of interest, the Brewers will have to consider trading one of their young hitters. First baseman Prince Fielder and shortstop J.J. Hardy are the most often mentioned, Fielder in particular because he is entering his arbitration years and his price is about to go up. Melvin conceded that he gets asked about both players, but has nothing currently on the table with any other teams for Fielder and/or Hardy." http://hotstove.mlblogs.c...st_refocus_on_pitchi.html

Haudricourt has updated his blog again and in his last blog he wrote the following, "Melvin said he didn't expect to bid on another free agent pitcher but obviously has to get at least one other starter somehow." Pretty much what Melvin has been saying for a while now, however in his latest blog, he quotes Melvin as stating, "Melvin had said all along that Sabathia was a "special case" and losing him didn't mean he'd roll the $100 million over into an offer for another free agent pitcher. The Brewers were willing to have a higher payroll with Sabathia and stretch their budget. "There's not a lot of starting pitching that I think we'll bid on," said Melvin" http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/35871799.html Has there been a change of minds or is that just Melvin speak.

Haudricourt's latest blog has Melvin reactions. Basically, disappointed, but not surprised. Also, "For the first time, Melvin confirmed that the Brewers had bid five years and "slightly more" than $100 million for Sabathia - the only other bid the big lefty received other than the Yankees' original six-year, $140 million offer. And Melvin said it was "under serious consideration" to move the offer up to six years in his next meeting with Sabathia's agents before hearing the news that the deal was done with the Yankees." Also, "Melvin said Sabathia's agents wanted an "opt out" no matter which team he signed with, and the Brewers were prepared to offer one, also." And, "At least the Brewers can move on with plans to improve their club. Melvin said he didn't expect to bid on another free agent pitcher but obviously has to get at least one other starter somehow. "We always felt there was a chance of losing him," said Melvin. "We'll go back to the drawing board. We've got some holes to fill." Disappointing to hear that the Brewers don't expect to bid on any free agent pitchers. Not only do they need to get another starter or two, but they also need to get a closer. http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/brewers.html

Looks like we may end up getting the Yankees 1st round pick and still possible get a 1st round pick for Sheets, depending on who he signs with, according the latest reports from the mlb.com blog. Also the Yankees deal with Sabathia isn't officially finalized yet, but the Yankees are moving forward as if it is. "A seventh year and significantly more compensation -- roughly $20 million more -- apparently is what prompted CC Sabathia to accept the Yankees' offer early Wednesday morning, MLB.com has learned. Though the agreement isn't finalized and neither the widely reported offer of $140 million nor the final figure of $160 million is precise, the Yankees are moving forward as if they have their hands on the pitcher they wanted most. And forward, in this case, means pursuing two other free-agent pitchers -- Derek Lowe and A.J. Burnett -- though the club wants to sign one, not both. A person familiar with the Yankees' thinking and early-morning maneuvers explained that Wednesday. He said the club extended its offer to Sabathia from six to seven years to influence the free-agent pitcher at about 3 a.m. ET. The Yankees' rationale was essentially how great a difference is seven years to what they initially had proposed. The additional $20 million, of course, is a rather significant and, it seems, persuasive difference. It also increased dramatically the difference between the Yankees' offer and any other offer -- the Brewers' -- that Sabathia had received. The source said the Yankees believe they can top the Braves' offer to Burnett if it is five years for $15 million per and that the Yankees' interest in Mark Teixeira has waned." http://hotstove.mlblogs.c...s_for_sabathia_and_t.html

No real surprise. I pretty much knew Sabathia was using the Brewers offer as leverage with other teams. I do think he wanted to play for a team in California, but it appears that the Dodgers and Angeles never really got into serious talks with Sabathia and the Giants were probably going to end up offering a deal similar to the Brewers. The Yankees ended up offering way more money than any other team was willing to do. I am disappointed that Melvin wasted his time waiting around for Sabathia and wasn't more aggressive trying to make trades or going after other free agents, if he had been maybe the Brewers would have made a move by now. It looks like this may have cost the Brewers a chance at Wood. I have a feeling that was Melvin's first choice as closer. I wrote yesterday that Fuentes was looking for a 3 year $30 million deal. I don't believe any other team will offer him that, including the Brewers. I think if Melvin were to offer, say 3 years at 24-27 million, Fuentes would probably accept it, but I don't know if Melvin wants to offer that type of contract for Fuentes. It also appears as though the Yankees are the favorites right now to sign Sheets. Read in ESPN that they checked out his medical records, so unless they find something there they don't like, or some other team jumps in at the last minute, don't be surprised to see the Yankees sign Sheets as well. That would mean that we still would lose a first round pick as we would end up getting the Yankees 2nd round pick for Sheets. There hasn't been any serious rumors that I have seen that has the Brewers going after any of the other free agent starting pitchers. In fact, Melvin has basically stated that he isn't interested in acquiring one of the other free agent starting pitchers. If he doesn't trade for one, I have to think he will end up signing at least one. I hope that was just talk and not how Melvin really feels. It's just too bad the Brewers wasted their time and energy waiting around for Sabathia. It's one thing for fans to have hope, but Melvin needed to be realistic about it. Of course, it's hard to know what Melvin has really been doing the past few days as we can only go on what is being reported.

I wonder if this means the Brewers feel that Sabathia is not going to sign with them. Until they know what's going to happen with Sabathia, they really can't make a move on Fuentes. It looks like waiting around for Sabathia has cost them a chance at Wood, but they still might have a chance with Fuentes or Hoffman. I would prefer Fuentes who is younger, but would cost more. Melvin is suppose to meet with Sabathia agents again later this week, if Melvin feels like it's time to move on, then they could quickly turn their attention to Fuentes or Hoffman, if they haven't sign with another team yet. The last I read, Fuentes was looking for a 3 year deal for $30 million. I'm pretty sure Melvin wouldn't be interested in paying that much. Of course, everything is on hold until the Sabathia situation is decided, one way or another.

In Haudricourt's latest blog, he has a link from a Newsday articles which is reporting that, "The Brewers don't intend to raise their offer to CC Sabathia, a person familiar with the situation told Newsday. Milwaukee has offered Sabathia, who pitched for the Brewers in the second half of the 2008 season, a five-year deal for about $100 million. Some industry people believe that there is some deferred money in the package." Haudricourt himself has this to say, "...let me tell you what I know from the Brewers' end. I can't speak for what the Giants or Angels might be planning or if Sabathia is bold enough at this point to punt the Yankees, but here's my information from the Brewers end: *They have not increased their original offer of five years and $100 million (which they haven't publicly confirmed by the way), despite reports that they added a sixth year, raised the money, included "opt out" clauses, etc. *They are scheduled to meet with Sabathia's agents in a couple of days, and have until then to decide if they want to increase their offer. They might decide to goose it up a bit and see if Sabathia is intrigued. Or they might decide it makes no sense from their end. I understand they are wrestling with that decision now, and I think it's premature to report they've definitely decided they won't boost the offer.So, that's my information from the Brewers' end. They're still trying to figure out what's best. As for what happens from the outside, my hunch is Sabathia would love to come away from his meetings this weekend with the Giants thinking they'll be making an offer he can accept." http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/brewers.html I still think it's coming down to a California team or the Yankees. If Sabathia does sign with the Giants, guess who the Brewers open up the season against, the Giants. Which would mean the Brewers will probably face Sabathia on opening day, then Tim Lincecum. Oh yeah, along with not getting a first round pick for Sabathia, well if you don't count the sandwhich pick.

In the latest blog report by Haudricourt, the Angeles may turn their attention to Sabathia, "On yet another topic, I was told this morning that the Angels are tiring of the waiting game to sign free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira and might re-focus their efforts to sign CC Sabathia. That's what Sabathia has wanted all along, for a California team to enter the bidding." Also, mlb.com has a report on it's blog that confirms the report by Ken Rosenthal, "An industry source with knowledge of the Giants' dealings insisted early Tuesday morning that the Giants had a strong chance of signing Sabathia, despite their apparent reluctance to match the New York Yankees' reported six-year, $140 million offer. The Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers, Sabathia's former club, are believed to be his other suitors, although Boston is concentrating more closely on first baseman Mark Teixeira, another premier free agent. The Los Angeles Angels also could join the Sabathia fray. The Giants have not formally offered Sabathia a contract, but sources familiar with the talks said that the club has outlined a proposal that falls short of the Yankees' bid but exceeds Milwaukee's five-year, $100 offer..." http://hotstove.mlblogs.c...stain_interest_in_cc.html I've said this before and will repeat it again, Sabathia is not coming back to the Brewers. It's time they realize this and move on.

According to mlb.com, the Mets are close to a deal with Rodriquez on a 3 year, 37 million dollar deal. While the Indians are getting close to a 2 year deal with Kerry Wood, with a possible option for a 3rd year, though that is not confirmed yet.

Looks like we can forget about Sheets coming back. From the end of the latest blog from Haudricourt that was mostly about Sabathia, but at the end of it, the following: "And, on another note, Melvin said he has no plans at this time to make an offer to free agent right-hander Ben Sheets, who declined the club's offer of salary arbitration. Teams can still negotiate with free agents who decline arbitration if they so choose. "Maybe Ben feels slighted by it but we haven't approached them at this point," said Melvin." http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/brewers.html I guess if (when) Sabathia signs with another team, they may decide to offer him a deal, but it doesn't look too promising.

Sheets talked to the Rangers today. Looks like it was a get to know you meeting. Seems like the Rangers will be interested at the right price. Basically, if they don't have to pay too much. Maybe a good word from Maddox has peaked the Rangers interest. http://hotstove.mlblogs.c...ers_meet_with_sheets.html

I just checked online again and the audio is now working. Don't know when it started working, but it seems to be working now. Just good to hear Brewers talk. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

I'm not getting any online audio of the show. Is anyone else having the same problem?

The last I read about the Giants and Sabathia was that they were talking about a parameters of a possible deal. There are a bunch of rumors out there, but the only confirmed offers out there at the moment are from the Brewers and Yankees.

I think the first decent offer Sabathia gets from a California team, he's going to sign. As far as we know, Sabathia didn't show up at the meeting with Melvin today, but he did show up for the meeting with the Yankees on Sunday and told the Dodgers GM he wanted to play for the Dodgers. Once again, the quote I listed earlier, ""In the Bellagio Hotel to meet with Yankees brass on Sunday night, free-agent pitcher CC Sabathia ran into Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti and told him he wants to be a Dodger, Colletti said on Monday. " I think Sabathia's first choice is to sign with a California team, if that doesn't work out, then he'll sign with the Yankees.