colbyjack

As already noted, Kazmir isn't going anywhere, but I do like Aybar as a 3B or all-around utility option. Fielder for Shields and Niemann would be a steal for the Rays but I don't see the Rays really needing a DH or a 1B. I'm not too sure about that, as I do think they could use an upgrade at the DH position. Can you imagine a 3-4-5 of Pena, Longoria and Fielder for that team next year, with pieces like Iwamura, Upton and Crawford sprinkled in either ahead or behind them? Given all of the talk about how their offense is slumping in the World Series, they may be tempted to move some pitching to improve their offense. Their farm system is loaded with arms, but really is devoid of impact bats. Jackson's WHIP scares me. Niemann, Aybar and something else for Fielder? The Rays have enough pieces to make a trade for someone like Fielder while virtually leaving the rest of their 2008 team intact. Not related to a trade proposal, but I would really like to see the Brewers pursue Cliff Floyd (a FA) as a lefty bat for their bench.

The problem with that is that this is a bumper year for 1B/DH types. You have Texeria and Giambi of course. But then you have a bunch of OFers who likely shouldn't be in the OF and fit better at 1b/DH: Dunn, Burrell, Floyd, Ibanez, Ramirez. Then you have aging infielders that team might take a flyer on at 1B in Nomar, Kent and Durham. And if teams choose to pursue those options to fill their needs at 1B and DH, than so be it. The Brewers don't have to trade Fielder right now, which is why they are in the driver's seat, and they will be for a few more years. I'm guessing at some point some team is going to recognize Fielder's value vs. the options that are available.

Then again how many teams are looking for 1B? If Fielder is on the market, my guess would be that Melvin would receive quite a few inquiries. In the AL alone, benefiting from the DH, you would have to guess that the Yankees, Angels, Orioles and Rays would all be interested. The Tigers and Royals could get into the mix as darkhorses (the Royals reportedy are looking for an impact bat this offseason), and again, that doesn't even touch on the NL teams (such as the Giants & Nats). I think a pretty good trade barometer to use is the package that the Braves gave up to the Rangers to acquire Teixeira. For those of you ready to point out just how much better Tex is, the two of them currently have nearly identical career lines (.290/.378/.541 vs. .274/.370/.533) and Fielder is 4 years younger. I recognize that Tex is Gold Glove material at 1B, but I think the trade value is roughly a wash when you factor in age and the fact that Fielder won't be a FA for 3 more years. The Braves gave up mostly top prospects, as I'm sure the Brewers would be looking for more MLB ready material, but most of those prospects were at least close to contributing. Saltalamacchia and Harrison are already with the big-league club, Elvis Andrus is the team's top prospect at SS, while Beau Jones and Neftali Feliz finished the year with AA. And that would quantify as a substantial package. If the Brewers can't get that, they shouldn't settle just because the right offer isn't made. $7+ million in arbitration is more than worth the investment for another year of Fielder, hopefully one that he bounces back, even if he wasn't terrible this past year.

The AFL weekly notebook sheds some light on the recent injuries: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/a...ws_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

No Brewers saw playing time in today's AFL game. And while I agree with Boy Jeenius that there were much leaner years, I also agree with twobrewers that this has been a stinker of a year to follow the fall/winter leagues. Of course we've been spoiled in recent years, particularly last year given Gamel's success in the HWB and LaPorta's in the AFL. Heck, it's hard to find anything encouraging from the Caribbean leagues.

The Rangers biggest need is pitching, and if the Brewers deal Fielder I'm guessing they are going to want to get a young pitcher in return, so I really have a hard time seeing why either team would make this deal. For the Rangers it would be like swapping their current 1B/DH candidates for someone else's 1B/DH candidate.

If Macha gets the job, I would imagine Rene Lachemann would be a candidate to be the team's 3B coach. Interesting report from Chicago regarding Brenly.

Both HWB games today have been postponed due to rain, and the league is schedule to be off tomorrow.

Hey jerrytek, thanks for joining us. I've been watching USS Mariner from afar for several years now, and have been talking baseball with Dave for long before USSM or even this site were created. Anyway, I'm not sure that having Jack Z. as your GM will play that big of a difference in Fields getting signed. The one thing that could play against Fields signing is the comp pick, like you pointed out. Jack could be looking to put his hand-print on the team, and having one extra pick would allow him to do so sooner rather than later. On the flip side, Fields is still a very talented player, just an odd one for the Ms in the position that they were. He was actually a favorite around here for the Brewers pick. I really don't know why Fields (and Boras) are pushing for so much more money. He's already delayed the beginning of his pro career once before, and I just don't see him making that much more money by waiting. Although I talk as if Jack will actually be making the picks. My understanding is that you already have a scouting dep't. in place, and I'm not sure how much he's going to dictate the pick. When I mentioned that the Ms wouldn't draft another college reliever under his watch, that didn't have to do with Fields or the pick as much as it did Zduriencik's draft style. The Ms take a pair of projected relievers the past three years with their top picks isn't going to happen again. Zduriencik while in Milwaukee was always looking for a home run, particularly with his earlly picks, meaning he targets players with the potential of a staff ace or starting impact hitter.

The Javelinas got their butts handed to them tonight, 15-4, and the Brewers that were part of this game did not fare well. Palmisano was 0-1 with a K. Cain was 0-4. Periard walked 3 and gave up a pair of runs in an inning of work. Wright did alright, walking 2 and giving up 2 hits and 1 ER (a solo HR) in 2 innings of work. http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/s...008_10_25_peswin_perwin_1 The league is off tomorrow.

I haven't seen this mentioned elsewhere, but the T-Rats have developed some co-branded merchandise: http://wisconsin.timberra...t_t572&fext=.jsp&sid=t572 You can also check out their 2009 schedule: http://wisconsin.timberra.../28/KP9wsTbr.jpg?sid=t572

That's interesting that Zduriencik actually interviewed Randolph. I suppose it makes sense, if Z was confident that we would be moving onto the Mariners, Randolph essentially interviewed for two different jobs at once.

West Oahu's game last night was Brewerless.

The WWBA World Championship kicked off yesterday, and PGCrosschecker has a live blog up and running with updates on the players and teams that are providing the most interest: http://www.pgcrosschecker...ogs/2008/tournaments.aspx I'm currently working on my 2008 draft review/2009 draft preview story, and just want to point out two names to remember that are brought up in the blogs: Shelby Miller and Mike Monster. They're both RHPs, and Miller is from Texas while Monster is from British Columbia. Miller could very well end up being a top 10 overall pick, while Monster is interesting because of his Canadianism and his awesome name.

About a year and a half ago I purchased an XM Radio (I believe the Delphi Roady XT) and the boombox that you can plug the radio into when you're not using it in your car. I haven't used it nearly as much as I thought I would (therefore it is really like new), and I'm curious if anyone is interested in taking it off my hands. I'm not sure what I would be looking to get for it, but reply here if you need more details, PM me or shoot me an email (pebert@brewerfan.net).

Here's the schedule. The Brewers and the rest of the NL Central are up on the 29th: http://www.baseballameric...aft-dish/2008/267081.html

I think you're reading his post the wrong way. He's (IMO) saying that Johnson wasn't fired due to lack of success (making him a "retread" manager like the rest), but because he had issues with crazy owners. He meant it as a plus, not a negative. Yup, you got it Peavey, thanks.

Yes there is an indication that he would come here. The Brewers would just have to give Peavy a full no trade clause and either increase the buyout option in 2013 or pickup the option in 2013. I'm really against no-trade clauses. It takes way too much power away from the team, as I'm guessing Towers is going to find out this offseason when he finds it more difficult to move Peavy than he thought it would. I know Peavy was initially viewed as a market bargain since he is signed for so long, but guaranteeing his 2013 deal and making him nearly impossible to trade is not a good combination for a team like Milwaukee. His no-trade clause allows him to dictate these types of things before he even is on the move. The one thing that plays into the Brewers favor is that they do remain one of the teams out there with the chips at their disposal to try and make this happen. If the Braves are balking (which is more likely posturing), the team everyone thinks matches up perfectly with the Padres, who else fits? Of the other teams Peavy prefers, the Cardinals don't have the ammo if they aren't willing to move Rasmus, the Astros quite simply don't have the ammo at all. I'm not sure how the Cubs would make that happen, although the Dodgers probably could. While an American League club, the Rangers would really match up well with the Padres, with pitching prospects, a talented young SS prospect (Elvis Andrus) and a pair of CF prospects (Julio Borbon, Engel Beltre) to dangle.

Welcome aboard knowitall. Allow me to point out that there is a lot more talk concerning the amateur players from Wisconsin (and everywhere else) on the draft forum. Also allow me to point out that you are taking Madtown's points WAY too personally. It's not like his post was filled with venom or that he had any kind of agenda while sharing his thoughts on Hoenecke or the UWM program. I'm a fan of the UWM program, as I'm an alum, but even I wish they did things better. That's really not Doffek's or the coaching staff's fault, but it really starts with the joke of a home field they play on. Also, I have been told by the parents of some more notable players that have gone through the area that they would have considered going to UWM to stay close to home if they would have ever reached out to them. Meaning, Doffek almost concedes that he's going to lose the top talent from Wisconsin (national level talent) before he even asks, and I know this has happened for a fact (unfortunately I can't tell you the specific names) on three separate occasions in the past three to five years. They need to somehow get the university involved or find some rich alum that loves baseball (sorry, I only apply for one of those two qualifications) and they also need to think bigger than what they currently are. I'm pretty excited to see Hoenecke play at UWM. I think his upside's limited to be perfectly honest with you, but I like his bat, and after seeing him a few times the past several years, I plan to get out to see him at some point next spring. Hopefully Mother Nature is cooperative with the UWM program this year.

Welcome aboard knowitall. Allow me to point out that there is a lot more talk concerning the amateur players from Wisconsin (and everywhere else) on the draft forum. Also allow me to point out that you are taking Madtown's points WAY too personally. It's not like his post was filled with venom or that he had any kind of agenda while sharing his thoughts on Hoenecke or the UWM program. I'm a fan of the UWM program, as I'm an alum, but even I wish they did things better. That's really not Doffek's or the coaching staff's fault, but it really starts with the joke of a home field they play on. Also, I have been told by the parents of some more notable players that have gone through the area that they would have considered going to UWM to stay close to home if they would have ever reached out to them. Meaning, Doffek almost concedes that he's going to lose the top talent from Wisconsin (national level talent) before he even asks, and I know this has happened for a fact (unfortunately I can't tell you the specific names) on three separate occasions in the past three to five years. They need to somehow get the university involved or find some rich alum that loves baseball (sorry, I only apply for one of those two qualifications) and they also need to think bigger than what they currently are. I'm pretty excited to see Hoenecke play at UWM. I think his upside's limited to be perfectly honest with you, but I like his bat, and after seeing him a few times the past several years, I plan to get out to see him at some point next spring. Hopefully Mother Nature is cooperative with the UWM program this year.

Max Scherzer and the Phoenix team really stuck it to the Javelinas today, 13-1. Unfortunately there was a Brewers pitcher involved in this mess, David Welch, who went 1.2 innings giving up 5 hits and a walk while giving up 4 earned runs. Tomorrow night is the league's all-star game. With Green and Jeffress out, I don't think we'll be seeing any other Brewers farmhand in attendance, but you never know. I haven't seen an official league release for this contest, so unless someone beats me to it, we may just have to wait until tomorrow to find out.

Good call Toby. I know we weren't the only ones that hoped Loewen wouldn't sign with the O's before the '03 draft, although I'm glad the Brewers weren't presented with that option given the elbow problems he has had. He is such a great natural athlete, a la Rick Ankiel, that such a conversion may work long-term. Ankiel's recent success is also probably the reason why so many teams are showing interest, even if that success is more of an exception to the rule. Loewen is Canadian, if that helps http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif. Maybe Mark Mulder should start hitting the batting cage as well...

Blengino wasn't the area scout in the NE for very long, but during his time spent in that role he definitely made a strong enough impression for Jack Z. to listen to his recommendations. IIRC, Joel Rivera (2003) was one of the first players he was responsible for (a DFE signing in '04), followed by Rogers, Salome and Ford in '04 (Ford signed in '05 as a DFE) and Garrison and Braddock (signed in '06 as a DFE) in '05. Keep in mind that the NE isn't a hotbed for talent, which further proves that he made a strong case for the players in his area for the team to use that many high picks to take so many players from that area. Lawrie's signing technically goes to the Canadian area scout, whose name escapes me, but I believe Blengino served more of a crosschecker for the talent North of the border, and like Zduriencik also filled in at other events (such as the WWBA tourney currently being held in Jupiter, FL). Also, just because Blengino is a SABR guy doesn't mean that he doesn't know/appreciate old-school scouting techniques. Keep in mind he's the man responsible for signing Mark Rogers, who basically goes against the pre-conceived notions of what "Moneyball" is all about.

Again, I'm slow to get to the offseason transactions, many of which occurred the past several weeks and have been talked about elsewhere. I'm not going to post transactions pertaining to the AFL, HWB or Caribbean Leagues, such as Scarpetta replacing Ramlow (oops, I just did!) since we have individual threads dedicated to those leagues. First, here's the link to the August/September minor league transaction thread, which has links on the first page to take you back to all of the monthly transaction reports: http://forum.brewerfan.net/viewtopic.php?t=14650 According to Baseball America, here is what has gone down so far this offseason (since early September, roster formality transactions involving players currently playing in winter leagues are not included): Signed: SS Michael Garciaparra, OF Luis Chirinos (Venezuela), RHP Joe Bateman, LHP Rafael Lluberes, LHP Lindsay Gulin, LHP Sam Narron, LHP Chris Narveson Granted free agency: RHP Derrick Turnbow, LHP Randy Choate, C Eric Munson, OF Laynce Nix Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Wes Etheridge, 1B Ned Yost Reinstated from DL: C Brett Whiteside, 3B Edgar Trejo, OF Stephen Chapman, RHP Mark Rogers, RHP Chad Robinson, RHP Travis Navakshonoff, RHP Wily Peralta

It's draft report card season at Baseball America, and they kick it off today with their general overview, ranking the best players/tools/debuts among the 2008 draftees. Brett Lawrie got some love (link for subscribers only): http://www.baseballameric...aft-dish/2008/267079.html 5th best power hitter 4th closest to the majors among HS players 4th most intriguing background, non-baseball relative division Cutter Dykstra had the 4th most intriguing background in the baseball relative division. BA also broke down what each team spent towards signing their draftees. The Brewers finished sixth by dropping more than $8 million, almost double what they spent in 2007. All of the teams that spent more than the Brewers outside of the Red Sox (who have been spending crazy amounts of money on draft picks in recent years) were among those that had the single biggest bonuses handed out to players (Rays/Beckham, Pirates/Alvarez, Royals/Hosmer/Melville, Giants/Posey). Again, the link is for subscribers only: http://www.baseballameric...aft-dish/2008/267078.html