twobrewers

Wasn't there a study a few years ago that had Corey Patterson as the worst regular MLB player?

I think Melvin (Or should I say Mark A) learned their lesson from Gagne. We are back to the days of throwing a bunch of stuff against the wall and hoping for the best. (And I mean that in a good way)

I think Melvin is open to Sheets returning. I think Ben Sheets is done with Milwaukee. He wasn't always treated the best here in Milwaukee, and if he signs and gets hurt - he will be booed mercilessly again. Ben would be better off pitching in a new location where the fan base stands behind him. (Plus, he would like an American League team closer to Texas)

Homer Bailey really isn't the prospect he was a few years back. At this point, he is more hype than production.

Sheets expected to reject arbitration.

It was "Details." - not "Details?" As in, those are mere details that need to be worked out. There are clearly ways to reduce payroll and still add those players. (I also think you are way overpriced on Hoffman) As my point stated, I think several players would help the Brewers much more than CC. (Without 5 years of risk)

Exactly. Not only that, but if we cut him in March - at that point, many teams already have their bullpens pretty set - so Julio might be willing to head to AAA.

And St. Louis would never sign CC Sabathia for a 5 year 100 million dollar deal. Milwaukee fans get so caught up in the "small market" tag that they just use it as a crutch to blame quality business decisions. Milwaukee had a very respectable payroll last year. The biggest markets - Red Sox, White Sox, Cubs, Dodgers, Mets & Angels haven't show much (or any) interest in CC Sabathia. It has very little to do with the size of the market. Most GMs just don't want to give a 5 year 100+ million dollar contract to a pitcher because of the enormous risk. Edit: I think CC would be making a huge mistake if he resigned with the Brewers. CC saw first hand how Milwaukee fans treat players who do not perform up to their salary/expectations. Bill Hall, Eric Gagne, and Ben Sheets were all booed significantly during CC's time in Milwaukee. CC cannot possibly continue to perform at the level he set last year - at some point, the fans would turn on him for not "carrying" the franchise for 5+ years.

Do we really want Dunn clogging up the base paths?

To be fair, Gamel did play a little at AAA last year. And a few at bats for the Brewers. Considering he had a bum elbow, he performed pretty decent at both stops. I don't mind Gamel - I, as others have stated, just don't want him up on opening day so that we can have an extra year of his services. (Also known as "pulling a Hardy")

Details. Throw Bill Hall into the Guillen trade. Jeff Suppan to whoever is willing to pick up the most of his contract. (We eat about half) In my opinion, Guillen/Johnson/Hoffman would cost about 23 million. Those 3 players at $23 million > $CC Sabathia at 20 million Salome did not make the MiLB.com top 50 minor league prospects - in spite of an amazing offensive year. He has to be a catcher. There is a real chance he doesn't pan out. Gillespie profiles as a good 4th OF - he really has no spot on the Brewers. Guillen is a switch hitting all star 3B.

Pretty sweet jerseys - autographed too. If the Cirillo jersey wasn't the Cerveceros jersey - I'd be pretty temped.

My ideal off-season is to add Hoffman (2 years), Johnson (1 year) and resign Sheets (2 years) Then trade for Carlos Guillen from Detroit in mostly a salary dump for Detroit. (Trade Salome & Gillispie) 2B Weeks 3B Guillen LF Braun 1B Fielder SS Hardy RF Hart CF Cameron C Kendall P Sheets P Gallardo P Johnson P Parra P Bush CL Hoffman That is a very good team with little long term risk.

I am very leery of trading for a closer when so many FA closers are available. (And Jenks is only middle of the pack talent wise when put with the rest of the FA closers) Hoffman is still my choice.

Well, LaPorta was ranked #14 - and the Brewers seemed to value Escobar more than LaPorta when talking with the Indians during the CC Sabathia trade. So I would guess the Brewers think as much of Escobar as MiLB.com.

But the Brewers could negotiate that with Prince before the actual arbitration hearing. (By the way, his first career home run game was on the other night. He was a pretty trim looking fella)

Everyone ahead of Escobar was a 1st round draft choice. Well done Brewer scouts.

Can I nominate Matt Cain as the new Kelly Shoppach?

Money is that AAA manager!?! Can we nominate that as most predictable move of the year? Was Kremblas "not retained" - or was he fired?

I'd have to imagine it is a minor league deal - with spring training invite?

I understand that - but that might raise unemployment to the 9% or so Detroit currently has. A 25% unemployment rate in Detroit (and surrounding areas) could be a death blow. IF (big IF) that all goes down, Detroit either has to drastically slash payroll as revenue will crumble - or move. I'd trade any one player for Grandersen straight up. (Except Braun or Yovanni) BTW - the most realistic target is Guillen. He plays 3B. Has a career OBP of .360 and is owed 10M in 2009, and 13M in 2010 and 2011. He fits the Brewers needs very well - and looks like a perfect salary dump for Detroit.

I still expect that somehow Ford, Chrysler and GM will continue on... However, what if the government doesn't step in to provide loans/financing to continue operations? What if Chrysler, Ford and GM really shut their doors? Unemployment in Detroit (already high at 9.3%) could peak to great depression levels (25%). The Detroit Lions are already having difficultly getting fan's in the gates. (Albeit - they suck) It is my belief that the Tigers could become huge sellers as they look to slash payroll. ($137 million last year) I know they would love to deal Dontrelle Willis for a bag of balls. I would imagine Magglio and his salary are also available. Grandersen would be a dream in CF. The Brewers have legitimate young (cheap) prospects, maybe now is the time to see if we can pry away some huge chips during a great buyers market. Anyone have any ideas?

While you admit that this is only opinion - there is no evidence to really support that claim. In fact, some people do get to see the baseball teams finances/books - perspective buyers! If baseball teams made tons of money (return on investment), the price would increase to the point that the return on investment came in line with other possible economic investments & returns. In other words, their is a good reason many owners are individual "fans" instead of huge investment firms. I know several people who do significant business on Ebay and they have complained that sale prices are down around 20%. (Which has to be about the mark-up) I agree completely. Mark appears to run the Brewers as a completely seperate entity. (As he should) I would think the older players on the verge of retiring will suffer the most. Craig Counsell maybe had 5 - 10 million stashed away for retirement. Now he might only have 2 - 5 million. That would certainly make some one consider playing another year. (Durham) Of course, maybe this is also the best time to bet on the economy. I am sure all of the Brewers without long term contracts feel nervous as well - all while Braun laughs watching highlights of his HR against the Cubs. With that in mind, maybe this is the best time to lock up players to long term contracts (or sign free agents *Dunn*) while they worry about the economy. (I bet Corey Hart would sign that contract he turned down in a heart beat today.) One last thought, how badly are the Tigers going to suffer? If Detriot automakers don't get the bailout and are forced to shut down, no one in Detroit will have disposable income to spend at the ball park. Detriot might really be looking to trade away some players to shed salary. (Seriously, how awesome would Granderson be as a lead-off hitter?)

I really hope this means Melvin was not content with Branyan/Hall at 3B and has much better things in mind. Branyan/Hall was at least an average 3B. I really don't like Lamb/Hall nearly as much. Melvin is starting to confuse me.

As I suggested about a month ago, I would love to pay Dunn (4 years and $44 million) to be a back-up/platoon this year and a full-time player in 2010. However, the only way he signs as a back-up/platoon is if we overpay. I also think Milwaukee would be really hard on him. (Milwaukee complains about Cameron striking out too much and having a low average. Imagine if he was gawd-awful on defense on top of that!)