The off-season for the Brewers hasn't exactly lived up to my expectations so far this year. I know it is still considered early, but with today's report that they will most likely be quiet at the Winter GM Meetings, I'm starting to wonder if they are painting themselves in a corner with these CC negotiations. If it drags out into the depths of winter before one of the L.A. teams steps up and offers him a contract which he will accept, the Brewers may be left with little options. At least on the free agent market. I think plan A still includes keeping this team relatively as it was last year with CC leading the staff once again. I think plan B is still the trade of Cameron, Fielder or Hardy (my gut says Fielder), and the restocking of their minor leagues and young talent and pushing some of those talents to the big league level. I can't call it a rebuilding project, becuase that isn't what it is, but a restocking project might be a better way to say it. Then if these young guys develop quicker than anticipated and they are competitive this year they will have depth in the minor league system to make trades for veterans as the year goes on, or as needed. And by the way, if you haven't figured it out, plan A is not going to happen. Getting CC back is a pipe dream and if you haven't realized it yet, wake up.
The reason I feel that Fielder will be the one to go is that I don't think the Brewers believe that Alicides Escobar is ready to be an everyday player. He didn't perform well in the Arizona Fall League which is usually a pretty good indicator. If you didn't read about Escobar and other Brewers propects in the AFL, you can check it out at this link...
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/35014469.html
Whichever way they want to go, I just wish it would get going or stop calling it the hot stove, because it's been about as dull as can be.
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3 comments:
Melvin has tricks up his sleeve. But it surely wont involve JJ Hardy. Every publication out there has pointed to the lack of quality SS's in the league. If the crew did trade JJ, they would be able to get a hell of a deal. But Melvin is committed to JJ. Escobar will have to learn 3rd, especially since JJ is one of the best defensive SS in the league.
The crew wont trade Prince either. It would be nice to see them go after Adam Dunn though, who hasn't made many waves in the off-season talks. Having Dunn play right field and Hart in center...would help the heavy- right handed batter dilemma.
Dunn love to strike out, but the guy can go yard like none other. Have him bat 5th...? Trade Cameron...I like your idea there.
Look for the crew to go after Wood, since Chicago declined to offer arbitration to him.
Also...Brilliant move to bump Don Money up to AAA Nashville today! Keep him with that corps of players from Huntsville so that he can prep them.
I don't hate your idea of Adam Dunn. But only if you trade Mike Cameron because the two of them in the same lineup would just be too many strikeouts. Melvin not only said he would go after a left handed bat, but a left handed bat who high OBP. I don't think Dunn fits that bill, although he does walk a lot. I just don't think that he is in the cards.
Don't you just get the feel that they are either going to spend money to stay competive or not spend any and build again from within. And it all hinges on CC saying no.
As far as Escobar, I think you're right that he may not play short, but I think he would eventually play second. He isn't a third base type hitter.
Why are you so sure they won't trade Prince. If they wanted him around that bad, he would be signed to long term contract right now.
I like the Wood idea. There has been some rumors starting to gain some steam that the Brewers could get in the K-Rod sweepstakes. I don't like that, but interesting nonetheless
They will trade Prince. Just not this year. Boy oh boy, it would be nice to have Matt LaPorta waiting to take over first base. Then again, had they not traded him I wouldn't have been able to watch October baseball at Miller Park.
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