fondybrewfan

I really don't understand this argument. I would estimate that 9 out of every 10 free agents will probably take the most money and run. Every once in a while their will be a guy who values the location. Moreso he wants to play in a certain city, not that he doesn't want to play in a certain city. If the roles were reversed and the Brewers offered CC 8/180, he would still be a Brewer. RJ wanted to stay out West, it wasn't that he didn't want to come to Milwaukee. Hoffman wants to stay out West, it isn't that he doesn't want to come to Milwaukee. Fuentes wanted to play out west, it wasn't that he didn't want to come to Milwaukee I really don't think their is a good argument out there that players don't want to play in Milwaukee. Most of the time Milwaukee can't pay the same amount as other teams, that would be the reason a FA doesn't come here, the city of Milwaukee probably has a very minimal impact on that decision. In my memory their has never been a FA that has publicly said that he chose a team other than the Crew because he didn't want to play in Milwaukee.

rotoworld has the deal as 1 year which exceeds $4M. There is no word of an option. If the Crew were to offer a 2 year $10-11M deal I would think Hoffman would take it.

Another question. Does the impending sale of the Padres to Moorad possibly increase the chances that he just stays in SD or do you think he is too pissed at Towers and the organization to ever go back?

At this point I almost belief Sheets will be stupid not to just take a 1 year deal. If he is confident in himself that he will stay healthy this year he will make a boatload of money next offseason, much more than he would get in the 2nd year of a deal he signs this year. Of course if he thinks their is a chance he will get hurt again he will try his darndest to get a 2+ year deal. If I were Ben, if someone offered me 1 year and $10M I would take it. He has already made enough money to retire on, why not take a one year deal and hope for the best rather than a 2+ year deal well below market value/

You really think Parra will be the closer? Unless the SP situation drastically changes before opening day I would think both Bush and McClung would be changed to a closer before Parra.

14-12 3.5 ERA, 195 innings, 190 K's. I think this is the year for him, he now has a year of experience under his belt and he certainly has the stuff to eventually be a sub 3 ERA pitcher

Kind of off topic and Bargnani reminded me: I love Andrew Bogut and all but why couldn't the Bucks have won the lottery the year before or the year after Bogut. I can't imagine how different this team would be if we ended up with LeBron or Dwight Howard. The was a pretty crappy draft outside of Chris Paul and Deron Williams and those two were never projected to be a #1 pick so they were never considered by the Bucks. Bogut is a very solid player but as far as #1 picks go, we didn't really get #1 pick talent. If it was any other draft Andrew probably would have been in the #4-6 range. I also wonder how much our crappy former coaches stunted his development in his first couple of years.

That is a pretty good assessment. Both are pretty poor at defense Both have difficulties staying in the starting lineup Both have major offensive firepower Both are incredibly inconsistent The only real difference is that Rickie looks like a normal human being whereas Charlie looks like he is from the plant Gorlock. No offense to him or anything, but he is what he is. I think he has some kind of disease/deficiency/illness but I am not sure on that. I have been pleasantly suprised so far this year. Despite Jefferson playing pretty crappy, the Bucks are within shouting distance of .500 and are actually in the playoffs as of today. Their next 8-10 games are all very winnable. I am hoping they get atleast 6 wins out of this stretch. Bogut needs to get that back healthy and RJ needs to pick it up. They will get trounced in the 1st round by Boston or Cleveland anyways but they have to start somewhere

Tom's Blog Posting on the subject: The Brewers need a closer and general manager Doug Melvin has targeted all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman as his choice to fill that role. I just spoke on the phone with Melvin and he said he's trying to find out as soon as possible -- perhaps even by the end of today -- what the chances are of signing Hoffman. The 41-year-old right-hander became a free agent when San Diego decided not to offer him salary arbitration because of budgetary restrictions. Accordingly, Hoffman would not require the Brewers to forfeit a draft pick even though he is a Class A free agent. "Right now, he is (our top choice)," said Melvin, who spoke with Hoffman's agent, Rick Thurman, yesterday and plans to do so again today. "We've talked parameters. I'd like to know sooner than later." Hoffman, the all-time saves leader with 554 for his career, converted 30 of 34 save opportunities for the Padres last season. Melvin noted that the Padres won only 63 games, so Hoffman saved nearly half of the team's victory total. Because Hoffman is a changeup specialist, Melvin said his age is not really a factor. The Brewers probably would like to do a one-year deal with some kind of option for a second year but Melvin wasn't sure if the future Hall of Famer would settle for just one guaranteed year. Hoffman preferred to stay with the Padres but they are under an ownership change that won't be settled for several months. Thus, San Diego probably won't be in position to sign him. Reports suggest that Hoffman prefers to stay on the West Coast, and the Dodgers supposedly have interest. But a conversation I had with Thurman over the weekend led me to believe that Hoffman would come to Milwaukee with the right deal. "We talk all the time about the mental aspect of that role and he has the most experience out there," said Melvin. "We're trying to find out (if a deal can be struck)." The Brewers were left without a closer when Salomon Torres retired after last season. Torres had replaced Eric Gagne, who forfeited that role when he struggled in the early weeks of the season. Gagne is a free agent whom the Brewers have not tried to keep.

It looks like Doug is still pretty interested in Hoffman. This from rotoworld: Brewers GM Doug Melvin told FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal that he has interest in signing free agent closer Trevor Hoffman. Melvin believes the interest is mutual. The Dodgers have also been in talks with Hoffman, but if the all-time saves leader wants to close games in '09, Milwaukee is the better fit. Source: FOXSpots.com

I believe the Jobs Bank has already been eliminated because GW required it before he gave the Big 3 any money. A part of me just wants the companies to fail and declare bancruptcy so they are forced to reorganize in a more fiscally responsible way, but I also feel for the thousands of people who would lose their jobs if even one of the Big 3 went under. But I suppose many of these long time UAW workers had to have seen a day or reckoning sooner or later, the US auto industry has been on a downward trend for a very very long time.

So what the heck was Hughes doing going in for a layup with 6 seconds left? It looked like he was trying to draw a foul but the Texas guy wasn't that dumb. At least give your teama chance to win Trevon!!! It is a shame because he had a pretty good game going. Bo really needs to get Leuer into the starting lineup. Nankavil is really painful to watch most of the time

So yeah I had to drive to and from UW River Falls from FDL on Saturday in the middle of the snowstorm. That may have been one of the longest days of my life. I had no feeling in my extremeties since I was gripping the wheel so tight. That drive is long enough as it is, when you add snow, wind, and semi's who think they are immune to weather conditions; it makes for about a 10 hour drive home.

TH has a new Sheets posting up basically saying that their is pretty much no market for Sheets right now unless the Rangers can unload Millwood or Padilla. If Sheets is still looking for a job in mid January I wouldn't be all that suprised if Ben inquired with Melvin about a contract. Of course if Melvin picks up a somewhat expensive starter before than you can probably eliminate any kind of Sheets to Brewers speculation. Based on how this offseason has progressed thus far, Sheets might now be wishing that he accepted arby.

My drive to and from UW-River Falls should be really fun tommorrow. I'll estimate about 9-10 inches in FDL and it looks to be wrapping up. The city streets were fine, I would imagine those that live in the country are having a little bit more difficulty getting around though.

There was a rumor during the winter meetings that Huntington was being unrealistic when talking with other teams about the value of his own players so I would imagine that they are asking an arm and a leg and probably way to much. I think the rumor originally started because of his asking price for Adam LaRoche which I guess was way to high for a league average at best 1st basemen.

I just got the call that they accepted our offer, Yay the panic attack is over (But I am sure I will bre freaking out until I actually have the keys in my hand). This home ownership thing is pretty cool. (As is the $7,500 First Time Home Owners Tax Credit we will be taking, we will be paying off the CC's from college, no credit card debt will be a great feeling)

Sorry about the caps, that is how the article was written so not sure I believe it. This has also been confirmed by other sources as well. I wouldn't mind looking at him, he wouldn't be that expensive would he?

According to rotoworld, Melvin has said he is no longer actively pursuing a Mike Cameron trade: General manager Doug Melvin said Wednesday that the Brewers are now unlikely to trade Mike Cameron to the Yankees. Melvin indicated that he hasn't even spoken to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman since the winter meetings and is no longer looking to clear payroll space by moving Cameron. Source: New York Newsday

But there is a pretty god chance that the parents are filling their heads with tons of hate-filled ideology which will probably either lead to the same behavior in the kids or very expensive counselling bills.

Plus the dad had the cajones to say that he isn't a racist!!! Give me a break. You really have to feel bad for the kids, their should really be an exception in these types of cases to allow the kids to change their names before they are 18. I believe that is the rule right?

Buying your first home is incredibly nerve wracking, especially waiting to hear back about your offer. Just call already, I can't get any work done!!!

You really don't think there would be a market for a Top #10 OPS outfielder (3rd in the NL) who is still easily a Top 10 defender and is only making $10M for a single year? I would think many teams would be interested in that type of production, especially considering it would only be a one year commitment. But it does appear that teams (except the Yankees) have been a little hesitant in spending cash this offseason.

Lyle Mouton (Or any other obscenely obscure former Brewer player)

Rotoworld speculates that Furcal could either play SS or 2nd so Kelly Johnson or Yunel Escobar are up for grabs. I would be all for trying to get Kelly Johnson, at the right price of course.