dpapo

I hope someone at WSSP remembers to make it available online as that is the only way I'll be able to listen to it. But thanks for mentioning it, I'll check their website at 9, as I'm out East, to see if it's made avaible online.

Like I wrote earlier, I didn't think Sabathia's agent was going to tell or lead Melvin to believe the Brewers didn't have a chance. The more teams that are viewed as having a chance at signing Sabathia, the more leverage Sabathia and his agents have. I'm almost disappointed as it now seems like the Brewers will have a pretty quiet winter meetings other than some possible minor type moves. It's also disappointing to hear that the Brewers have nothing going on with any other free agents. There are some decent pitchers that are avaible, both starters and relievers. It seems like right now the Brewers are putting all their eggs in one basket, (Sabathia) which still seems like a long shot. Maybe Melvin feels the only way the Brewers have a chance at making the playoffs is if they sign Sabathia. Otherwise, they do need to get at least one other quality starting pitcher and a closer. It seems like this winter is turning more into a buyers market, with some free agents getting their money, but others are probably going to have to settle for less than what they are looking for which would be a great time for a team like the Brewers to sign a quality free agent or two, but it seems like they don't have much interest. Hope I'm wrong. Edit: More evidence that hints towards Sabathia's agent just using the Brewers as leverage. "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. Colletti didn't reveal any more of the conversation, but he allowed there's "a possibility" that the Dodgers could enter the mix for the native Californian, who hasn't accepted a three-week-old offer from the Yankees of six years and $140 million. 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. Colletti didn't reveal any more of the conversation, but he allowed there's "a possibility" that the Dodgers could enter the mix for the native Californian, who hasn't accepted a three-week-old offer from the Yankees of six years and $140 million." http://mlb.mlb.com/news/a...otstove2008&fext=.jsp

Adam McCalvry is pretty much reporting the same as has already been mentioned. "LAS VEGAS -- The Brewers may have upped their offer to free-agent ace CC Sabathia before a face-to-face meeting at the Bellagio, and team officials may be mulling another new twist: an opt-out clause midway through the deal. The Chicago Tribune cited "sources" Monday indicating that the Brewers had already added a sixth year to their initial proposal, and that general manager Doug Melvin was "considering a willingness" to add a clause that would give Sabathia the opportunity to opt out after three seasons. In that scenario, Sabathia could be a free agent again in the 2011-12 offseason as a 31-year-old. But that report was topped by SI.com, which reported that the opt-out clause could be presented after just two years, when Sabathia would be 30. SI.com was among the outlets reporting that the Brewers were only considering adding the sixth year, and had not yet done so formally. Sabathia remains the Brewers' top offseason target, and his decision could impact the rest of the team's winter maneuvering..." http://mlb.mlb.com/news/a...otstove2008&fext=.jsp I still think that Sabathia will sign elsewhere. Hopefully Melvin will get a pretty good idea of whether Sabathia is really serious about possible signing with Milwaukee after talking with his agent today. My fear is that Sabathia's agent leads the Brewers to think they have a good chance, thus putting the Brewers on hold on making any deals. To then only have Sabathia sign with another team and the Brewers end up having to pick up the scraps of what's left or passing on deals that could have really helped them. It might be a quiet winter meetings for the Brewers as I doubt that Sabathia's agent will lead the Brewers to think anything other than they have a chance. It's in Sabathia's best interest to have the Brewers viewed as a serious contender, even if they really aren't.

Jon Heyman from CNNSI, is reporting that a "friend" of Sabathia has told him that at least 4 teams have made Sabathia an offer. "While there could well be a string of free-agent signings at the Winter Meetings that convene in Las Vegas next week -- heaven knows, plenty of talent remains available -- it will be a surprise if CC Sabathia is among those signing new deals. According to a friend of Sabathia's, he's waited long and worked hard for this moment, and he does not plan to rush into anything, apparently not even into a market-setting $140-million contract that the Yankees offered -- not when his former Brewers team appears willing to up their initial $100-million bid and two other unknown teams are apparently in the bidding already." "...That friend also suggested there have been more than just the two known bidders -- the anxious Yankees and just-as-anxious Brewers -- in the game for some time. Two bids from two other undisclosed teams came in before Thanksgiving, the friend said. So Sabathia is apparently pretty good at keeping secrets, among his other obvious attributes. Those teams still remain a mystery today. But it's reasonable to believe there's more interest out there for one of the game's two best pitchers (along with Johan Santana) than just his former team and one other. I don't blame anyone who takes a couple months to make what might be a life-changing decision." Heyman mentions the Brewers again later in the article in regards to Sabathia, " The incumbent Brewers, for one, aren't likely giving up. Brewers owner Mark Attanasio is said be enthralled by Sabathia and willing to stretch as far as their small-market dollars will go, which means they aren't done bidding after the Yankees blew by their $100-million proposal by 40 big ones." I think the Brewers should really start seriously planning on going with Plan B. Of course, I didn't think the Brewers had a strong chance to resign Sabathia to begin with, but if Sabathia is going to take his time and it seems like the Brewers are a long shot at best, I think they should move on. I'm glad Attanasio is willing to spend money, but I think it's best if the Brewers move on. http://sportsillustrated....etings/index.html?eref=T1

At the very end of Baseball Tonight (Hot Stove League edition) Steve Phillips predicted that Sheets would accept arbitration Sunday and that Kerry Wood would be signed by us for a two year 18 million dollar deal. Well, if Steve Phillips is predicted this, then I guess we can now be 100% sure that Sheets will reject salary arbitration and Kerry Wood won't be signing with the Brewers. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif Maybe he'll be right for once as I think that would work out quite nicely for the Brewers.

Giants preparing to make an offer? Tom Haurdricout, via The Daily News from New York is reporting that the Giants may be preparing to make Sabathia an offer. "The report says the Giants will bid more than the five-year, $100 million offer the Brewers made to keep Sabathia but less than the six-year, $140 million offer made by the Yankees, with hopes he would take a hometown discount. Sabathia is from Vallejo, Calif., just down the road from San Francisco. I firmly believe that Sabathia would love to play in San Francisco, which would keep him in the NL and close to home. So, any strong offer by the Giants would make them the favorites to land him." http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/35541039.html The actual article mentions that the Giants are "considering" making an offer: "Sources say the Giants are considering a play for Sabathia, although their only hope of landing the big lefthander would be for him to take an extreme hometown discount. According to sources, the Giants are contemplating an offer of more than the $100 million the Brewers have bid for Sabathia for five years, but far less than the six years and $140 million the Yankees have offered."

We can put this rumor to rest. "Melvin did slam the door shut Tuesday on one rumor that the Brewers were interested in 39-year-old Japanese left-hander Ken Takahashi. "We're not involved with any Japanese players," Melvin said." http://milwaukee.brewers....mp;fext=.jsp&c_id=mil

In case there were still some people hoping that the Brewers had a shot at Sabathia, this pretty much makes it clear that he's not coming back to the Brewers. From the N.Y. Post, along with some quotes from the article. "YANKEES READY TO BLOW AWAY CC WITH BIG OFFER" "This is about cash, and just how much of it the Yankees will offer their No. 1 offseason target. Well, really it is about how much more of it they will offer than any West Coast team or NL team, or in Sabathia's ideal world, a West Coast NL team. " "...sometime tomorrow you can expect the Yankees aggressively will extend a proposal. It might not be their best and final, but Yankee insiders suggest it will be a number that says this to Sabathia: "Anything they can do we can do better - much, much better." "That means a bid north of the six years at $137.5 million the New York Mets New York Mets bestowed last year on Johan Santanaohan Santana. My gut says six years at $150 million sounds about right to force league-wide surrender before the bidding really even gets started. " http://www.nypost.com/sev..._cc_with_big_o_138398.htm If the Yankees are starting at a number somewhere between $137-$150 million a year for 6 years, you can pretty much forget about the Brewers having a chance.

Does anyone know when the deadline to offer a player arbitration is? According to MLB.com: Dec. 1, 2008 • Last date for former club to offer salary arbitration to ranked free agents in order to be eligible for compensation. Dec. 7th, 2008 Last date for player who declared free agency to accept an arbitration offer from former club.

If it's Macha, I won't be happy. Why, because I'm a Brewers fan. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif Actually, I don't like what I have read about his poor communication skills, the attitude he had towards injured players, complaints about not sticking up for his players and so on. I don't mind a manager being a bit tough on his players, but at times you do need to stick up for your players. Hopefully those are mistakes he has learned from. Also, one of the complaints I read was that he may have overused his bullpen. Also, it sounds like Melvin pretty much has had his mind made up on Macha. I think it usually works best when a GM has an open mind and talks to a number of candidates before making a decision. It would also be better for whoever ends up being the manager, that they select the people/coaches they want, except for Bill Castro of course. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif If what Tom H. is saying is correct, then it sounds like the new manager was under some pressure to accept a few of the current coaches. Maybe not direct pressure, but it would be better for their chances if they agreed to include them on their staff. We'll see who does get hired and how that works out.

I found a few interesting things in Haudricourt's article this morning, "One interesting connection in the search is that Melvin, Macha and Randolph all played together in 1974 for Pittsburgh's Eastern League team in Thetford Mines, Quebec. Melvin also came up through the Yankees' system as a video coordinator and later farm director in the '80s, and knows Randolph from then." "Macha was dismissed in 2006 after Oakland won the AL West but was swept by Detroit in the ALCS, and reports surfaced that there was a "disconnect" between the manager and several players, including catcher Jason Kendall, who now plays for the Brewers. But Melvin said he looked into that situation and thinks there were extenuating circumstances that led to Macha "getting frustrated" there." "Melvin knows Randolph so well that he let scouting director Jack Zduriencik ask most of the questions during their interview earlier in the week. Randolph told the New York Daily News that he noticed Zduriencik kept checking his BlackBerry and didn't know why, until it was announced the next day that Zduriencik got the job as Seattle's general manager." "Should Brenly get the job, it might signal a return to the organization of Dale Sveum and Robin Yount, who returned as bench coach at the end of the season when Sveum was named the Brewers' interim manager. Yount was Brenly's bench coach in Arizona in 2004 and resigned out of loyalty when Brenly was fired that season." If I had to guess, right now I think Macha is probably the favorite, then Brenly and Randolph 3rd. There is a past playing history with Macha and Melvin wanted to hire him back when he hired Yost, but Macha took the Oakland job instead. Also, Melvin sticking up for Macha, could be another sign that is where he is leaning. Plus, Haudricourt keeps saying that he is hearing a lot of talk about Macha. With Randolph, there is a history and Mark A. being a Yankee fan might be more interested in Randolph, but I still think that it would be a bit odd if Melvin hired Randolph without giving him an interview. Yeah, he probably doesn't really need to as he seems to have a history with him, but still it will look bad if he hires Randolph without giving him an interview, even if it's just for show. With Brenly, he's the only one that really fits one of the things Melvin said he was looking for. Someone who is familiar with the Brewers and the division. It might mean Yount coming back as bench coach. Haudricourt also hints that it might make it more likely that Sveum comes back which Melvin wants, but I'm not sure why Brenly would be more open to having Sveum back then say Macha, unless they are really good friends. He's also a name that might be attractive to Mark A. A name that Brewer fans and fans in the area will be familiar with due to his time as a Cub broadcaster and he's won a world series title as manager. Those things might be appealing for Mark A. So, I guess a case could be made for all 3, though it would seem on the surface that Macha is the favorite at the moment, Brenly a close second and Randolph 3rd. At least that is my take of things at the moment. http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/33285809.html

I wished he would have been able to stay at least one more year with all the draft picks the Brewers are going to have this year. Also, Jack Z. is going to know which Brewer minor players that aren't protected to go after as well.

I think Melvin had his mind pretty much made up who he wanted, which leads me to believe it's probably Macha since he's the only manager he interviewed before. Then again, when he first talked about who he was looking for, it sounded like Brenly with all the stuff about someone knowing the team and the division. Macha really worries me due to all the bad things said about his communication skills. Here ere are some quotes from a couple articles at the time he was fired. "Not to fault either side, but I felt a disconnect on a lot of levels," general manager Billy Beane said. "Once again, it's not to point the finger at Ken or anything like that. But that disconnect was there and it was something we needed to address as soon as possible." "The San Francisco Chronicle, citing team sources, reported earlier Monday that Macha's job was in jeopardy due to his trouble communicating with his players and his "callous attitude" toward injured players." "Macha's relationships with a number of players have been the source of Bay Area stories for several seasons. Macha almost didn't return to the A's after last season, but was later rehired." "For the last two years, our relationship has deteriorated to nothing," back-up catcher Adam Melhuse said, according to the Chronicle. "He didn't even speak to me for well over the last month. For me, as a backup, all I want is communication. Every other coach, I get along with great, but with Macha, it is not an exaggeration to say he doesn't speak to me -- not 'Hi,' not anything. "It's tough to go to work every day knowing you're working for someone who doesn't think much of you as a player and on top of that, doesn't even acknowledge you." Earlier this season, Macha refered to disabled players Joe Kennedy and Rich Harden as "non-entities." http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2628358 From another article, ...Mark Kotsay said. "There's no question there were things throughout the year, but the fact of the matter is that that by the end of the year, the players didn't have the same feeling about the manager as they did at the start of the year -- and that was at a point you'd think everybody would be happy, with a six-game lead. ... I believe there was friction.'' "The whole thing was a weird situation for me because ever since he came here, we had a pretty good relationship, but over the last couple years, I could see things unfold, and I kept hearing things,'' Chavez said. "He's always been very open and communicative with me, and with some other players, that wasn't true. I heard some things that were kind of disturbing. I think there are going to be a lot of guys who are happy about this.'' ... This negative cloud was just eating at everybody.'' "The fact is, when you have someone leading people, you want them to be a visionary, to forge ahead and be on the front lines,'' Zito said. "We felt like we were on the front lines, and he might have been with us, but he didn't have the same conviction or faith. I think it was a fear of failure. He was a little more focused on the pessimistic stuff than on success.'' "Zito was among those who felt as if Macha had not done enough to back him sometimes, especially in his final start against Anaheim in 2004, when he left after seven innings and 115 pitches. The A's lost the lead after Zito departed, and Macha told reporters afterward that Zito had taken himself out of the game." Macha's seeming impatience with injuries also upset players. Kotsay, whose availability was uncertain at times because of a bad back, was furious when Macha said it was "puzzling'' that Kotsay couldn't play in a road game against Tampa Bay when the team had been off the day before. Two days earlier, Kotsay had described himself as having to use duct-tape simply to drag himself onto the field. "When I got injured, I felt disrespected,'' Kotsay said. "The 'puzzling' comment really threw me. My manager didn't have my back, and every manager's first business is to protect his players. That totally lost my trust in that relationship, between us as player and manager.'' ...Kotsay said. "Well, we didn't play for him. "Everyone thought it was weird Kotsay didn't hit against left-handers the last two months of the season, he's so great defensively,'' starter Dan Haren said. "And it was unfair to sit him two months against lefties and then all of a sudden throw him in there in the playoffs against tough lefties like (Johan) Santana and Kenny Rogers. I don't think Macha handled that correctly. "Then there were issues with the bullpen, guys being possibly overused, a lot of different issues.'' http://www.sfgate.com/cgi...006/10/17/SPG4ULQPA71.DTL

Doug Melvin did an interview with Homer on 540 ESPN. I'll leave a link and also give a short recap in my own words. --Homer is a big Dillon fan, so Homer began with playing Dillon as a balance that the lineup needed. Melvin instead talked about needing a left handed hitter for better balance in the lineup. --Briefly talked about not starting Gallardo in game 4 of the playoffs. Not something Melvin really discussed with Sveum, let things up to Sveum. --C.C. Sabathia--Basically, yeah we'll make an offer, but I can't think of too many players who signed before they actually filed for free agency when given the chance. Talked about spending too much money on one player, etc... Basic vibe I got from Melvin, Sabathia is not resigning with the Brewers. --Homer mentioned his plan of starting Escobar at short next year and moving Hardy to third, keeping Weeks at second. Melvin said it's been discussed, but they haven't made that decision and have yet to approach Hardy to see if he would be interested and haven't made the decision if it's something they would be interested in yet. Then Melvin brought up on his own that they really could use another left handed bat in the lineup and were thinking about having Gamel playing 3rd next year. Gave the example of Arizona bringing up and carrying Mark Reynolds even though he made 29 errors and had a bunch of strikeouts. Gamel would make the errors, but wouldn't strike out as much and can also hit left handed pitching. However, was disappointed that they didn't really get the chance to play some of their younger players (like Gamel) more to see what they could do. --Subject turned to Mike Cameron. Homer came up with the idea of not picking up his option and trying to get a left handed, lead off hitting center fielder and if there was a center fielder that basically fit that bill. Melvin asked what was the most important thing for a lead off hitter and Homer said OBP, but Melvin said scoring runs. A bit of give and take about all that and some talk about strikeouts not being that big of a deal, but having players make more contact also has some advantages and so on. But basically sounded as if Melvin was sticking up for having Weeks as the lead off hitter. Also, sometime during the interview was asked if the decision to pick up Cameron's option was made yet and Melvin said they haven't made a decision on that yet. --Homer said that Brenly fit the main things that Melvin was looking for. Melvin said no decision has been made yet, but did confirm that Brenly was a candidate and has 4 to 5 serious candidate's that have experience. Reasons to like everyone of them and reason to have reservations about all of them, like managing with a large market team when the Brewers aren't and will still need someone to teach and develop those AAA/AAAA type players like Brady Clark and Podsednik type of players. --Tough choice with Sveum and is still talking with Sveum, even mentioned that they had just had a 20 minute conversion with him. But, went on to talk about having an experienced manager and all the stuff that we all have seen about what's he looking for. --Talked about value or lack there off of hitting coaches. Hitting approaches, needing to make adjustments. --Was asked about the level of involvement that Mark Attanasio has. Gave same answers we've heard before. They work together and gives input, but Melvin has the final call. Used Mike Camerson signing as an example. Had a discussion about Cameron and Mark felt pretty good about signing Cameron. But, gave the typical PC answer which doesn't mean it isn't true. Just nothing we haven't heard before. Whenever I try to do these recaps, I know that I always miss a few things here and there, so I also like to leave the link so people can listen to it themselves. mms://goodkarma.wmod.llnwd.net/a459/o2/WAUK/Doug_Melvin102108.mp3 or if that link doesn't work, http://www.espnmilwaukee.com/audio/

Macha would be my last choice, so he'll probably get the job. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif He had a good record with Oakland, but I don't know if I have ever heard players openly say how much they hated a manager, like the players in Oakland did about Macha. Well, I probably have, but it sounded like the players really hated him and I would hate to lose the chemistry the Brewers team seems to have. Plus, Macha seems to be a pretty bad communicator, once again, something I think would be bad for this Brewers team. And I'm sure Kendall would let the other players know what a terrible manager/person, etc... Macha was/is. Just seems like a bad fit, but Melvin did interview him and wanted to hire him last time, so... I guess like most here, I would like Davey Johnson, but it doesn't sound like he's in the running at the moment. Not thrilled with Brenly, though probably not as opposed to him as most here. I guess I would have to do some research to see why he was fired and some of the things that have been said about him. Brenly seems to fit best what Melvin said he was looking for. Experience, knows the Brewers and the division, has had success, might have learned from his mistakes and be a better manage given a second chance, etc... Tracy, Showalter, Randolph, Narron, I would probably rather have just stuck with Sveum. Showalter seems like he would be a good manager if it wasn't for his personality, which of course is important. I wouldn't mind Valentine, but it doesn't appear as though Melvin and Valentine have even been in touch with one another. I think we are going to end up being disappointed with the choice, unless there is a surprise name that no one has really talked about yet. But, Macha is the choice that really worries me, even though he did have success with Oakland.

Sounds like Melvin and Attanasio are also getting close to an extension, I think. Are they close to an extension or is the ""We're getting close enough" just meant in regards to the managerial selection? Edit: Okay I think he meant to an contract extension, just a bit confusing the way it was written.

Wow! I still can't get enough highlights of the game. I only wish I could be in Milwaukee right now. I'm glad for the fans who weren't around during the 1982 season. I think you probably get a better idea of why people from that time still like to celebrate that season. Why that team is still so popular even though they didn't win the World Series. Take in everything you can today and as long as the season lasts. Hopefully it won't be another 26 years till they get back to the playoffs, but you never know so enjoy things now while you can. You will never forget these times. I was a teenager in 1982 and I did really enjoy it and probably made the most of that time. Going downtown and celebrating with all the fans and after the World Series going to the stadium to celebrate with the team and other fans. If you get the chance to go to the celebration event tomorrow, go! The only bummer is that I am going to be working till night time on Wednesday, so I'm probably going to miss the entire game as I am almost sure it will end up being one of the day games. And will probably miss most of Thursdays game as well, if it's a day game. But, I was able to watch today's game and kept flipping back and forth between the Mets game and the Brewers game. And when I saw Helms was pinch hitting, a part of me thought wouldn't it be ironic if Helms hit a home run and of course he did. Great day, great games, just happy they are finally back in the playoffs!!!!! And once again, I can't get enough highlights. I am going to have to go to all the local tv stations web sites, along with checking out the highlights people place here. Yes!!!!

Sabathia needs to do it himself, hit a homer here, cause that seems to be the only way to score today.

Sabathia needs to do it himself, hit a homer here, cause that seems to be the only way to score today.

Maybe the Brewers shoud just throw out their young and bench players, Escobar, Gwynn, Lamb, Rivera, the bat boys... they can all do a better job of hitting then the Brewers are today.

Maybe the Brewers shoud just throw out their young and bench players, Escobar, Gwynn, Lamb, Rivera, the bat boys... they can all do a better job of hitting then the Brewers are today.

I could pitch a couple shutout innings against the Brewers right now. I mean the Cubs are throwing out their worst pitchers and the Brewers can still only manage one single.

I could pitch a couple shutout innings against the Brewers right now. I mean the Cubs are throwing out their worst pitchers and the Brewers can still only manage one single.

Are people the people who get FSNWI without directv getting the pregame show or the soccer game as well.

Are people the people who get FSNWI without directv getting the pregame show or the soccer game as well.