bat04

Well then plate appearances, then, which would be directly related to how Carlos and for that matter Hart and Cruz are doing.

I am surprised Carlos's physical weight hasn't come up in this argument. I believe Carlos could drop about 15 pounds and increase his fitness level a little bit. Yes, I know about his stolen bases, but those are just from being crafty. Imagine what he could due with 15 pounds less on the horse? I think the brewers should sit Carlos down snf talk to him about fitness this off-season. Then if he performs well next year off him a 3 year contract extension, with a team option for a 4th with a reasonable buyout. They could add a performance guarantee in the 4th year based on hits or rbi's or something. What is the real risk in signing him for 3 more years? If he performs well, both he and the team benefit. If he sucks, you still have Cruz and Hart coming along, trade him for nothing and agree to cover some salary. If he does well but Hart and Cruz are pushing hard for pt, you can still trade Carlos to the American league, I am sure if he is still producing the Yankees or the Red Sox's would take him off our hands. I really don't see a lot of down side in giving him a 3-year deal. I too believe that he will do better next year as he will be adjusted to pitching and the players around him will be better so you can?t pitch around him and there will be more RBI chances. Also at the end of 3 years he will only be 32 going on 33, so he shouldn't have fallen off the deep end talent wise. I say 3 years for $25 million, 4th year for $10 million (teams option, with a $1 million buyout) sounds fair.

The Arizona Fall League should be for minor league prospects, not guys who have made it to the bigs for anything more then a cup of coffee. I don't think Eveland, Fielder, Hardy and even Hart should be there. Get some other people a chance. Eveland and Hardy should certainly not be there, they both proved they are Big Leaguers already and both looked wore down by seasons end. Eveland had nothing left in his arm those last couple of outings.