2010 Milwaukee Brewers Offseason - Prince or no Prince?

[Timothy A]

Re: 2010 Milwaukee Brewers Offseason - Prince or no Prince?

Marcum for Brett Lawrie straight up...seems like a great deal if they lock up Weeks and Zmarcum performs at or better than what he has been.

Love the trade. Lawrie would have stuck behind Weeks/Braun/Hart (if he swtiched to a OF corner) for years, so getting a #2 for him is awesome. I think a great bonus is now the Crew doesn't desperately need starters, so they can jack up the price on Prince. Snagging a 1 or 2 or 2-3 minor league P's for Prince would be perfect. But he has to be moved. It's just a matter of now or during the season.

Also love Villy is gone.

 

[MW4Bucky&SNC]

Re: 2010 Milwaukee Brewers Offseason - Prince or no Prince?

Lawrie can rake, but he's another one of those guys with no real position who would be a minus defender wherever they jammed him in the lineup in a year or two. Getting a quality proven major league pitcher in his prime is a good move. I've heard some really bad things about Lawrie's attitude and lack of brain power. They were very unhappy with is unwillingness to play in the Arizona Fall League.

One story I heard about Lawrie that I can't 100% verify. In 2009 in Appleton one of the coaches was doing some teaching about baserunning and he mentioned a couple of times how "Ken Macha" liked it. Finally Lawrie pipes in "Who the hell is Ken Macha and why do I care how he runs the bases?" Followed by dead silence before the coach says "He's the Manager of the Milwaukee Brewers." Again, I can't verify with 100% certainty it isn't an urban legend but at the very least it's pretty funny.

 

[icebadger]

Re: 2010 Milwaukee Brewers Offseason - Prince or no Prince?

Lawrie can rake, but he's another one of those guys with no real position who would be a minus defender wherever they jammed him in the lineup in a year or two. Getting a quality proven major league pitcher in his prime is a good move. I've heard some really bad things about Lawrie's attitude and lack of brain power. They were very unhappy with is unwillingness to play in the Arizona Fall League.

One story I heard about Lawrie that I can't 100% verify. In 2009 in Appleton one of the coaches was doing some teaching about baserunning and he mentioned a couple of times how "Ken Macha" liked it. Finally Lawrie pipes in "Who the hell is Ken Macha and why do I care how he runs the bases?" Followed by dead silence before the coach says "He's the Manager of the Milwaukee Brewers." Again, I can't verify with 100% certainty it isn't an urban legend but at the very least it's pretty funny.

That would fit with the rumblings of an attitude problem. The Brewers wanted Lawrie to play in the AZ Fall League and he didn't want to.

 

[jen]

Re: 2010 Milwaukee Brewers Offseason - Prince or no Prince?

There's a ton of new entries on the jsonline blog, but here's a few highlights -

- Brewers close to signing Wil Nieves as backup catcher because they want an old sucky backup catcher instead of a young sucky one
- The Braves wanted Cain, but not enough to give the Brewers something they'd want for him, and the Brewers don't really want to trade him anyway
- Brewers are working on Counsell, Capuano and an extension for Weeks
- Trade market for Fielder seems to have dried up for now
- Melvin says he really doesn't want to go after pitchers that are coming back from injuries, like Harden, Penny, Webb

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/brewers.html

p.s. have to share that I got a TG-used batting practice jersey at the clubhouse sale for $50. Even the Villanuevas were $200.

 

[jen]

Re: 2010 Milwaukee Brewers Offseason - Prince or no Prince?

<a href="http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/111497549.html">Brewers should let Fielder's contract run out</a>.

Not sure I disagree with this, unless somebody gets really desperate in July and wants to give up young pitching. Getting two high draft picks may be the way to go at this point, because the return on Fielder is not going to be enough. I certainly wouldn't complain about having to watch him for another year. Maybe Shaun Marcum will lead us to the playoffs and we'll need him.

 

[icebadger]

Re: 2010 Milwaukee Brewers Offseason - Prince or no Prince?

There's a ton of new entries on the jsonline blog, but here's a few highlights -

- Brewers close to signing Wil Nieves as backup catcher because they want an old sucky backup catcher instead of a young sucky one

The backup catcher competition is supposedly going to be between Nieves, Kottaras, and....Mike Rivera.

 

[MW4Bucky&SNC]

Re: 2010 Milwaukee Brewers Offseason - Prince or no Prince?

<a href="http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/111497549.html">Brewers should let Fielder's contract run out</a>.

Not sure I disagree with this, unless somebody gets really desperate in July and wants to give up young pitching. Getting two high draft picks may be the way to go at this point, because the return on Fielder is not going to be enough. I certainly wouldn't complain about having to watch him for another year. Maybe Shaun Marcum will lead us to the playoffs and we'll need him.

I'm really starting to lean this way if the return on investment only about $.50 on the dollar like is being reported. Taking high draft picks in MLB certainly isn't the same as it is in other sports, but it just might be the way to go over taking a mediocre pitcher and perhaps some moderately rated prospect.

 

[jen]

Re: 2010 Milwaukee Brewers Offseason - Prince or no Prince?

Brewers are trying to sign Carl Pavano (I hope it's Marlin or Twin Pavano and not Yankee Pavano... can they specify? ) Maybe Doug Davis will be available!

speaking of former Brewers... Lyle Overbay is now a Pirate, Hardy is an Oriole and TG is a Dodger I kind of hoped he'd stay a Padre, but he didn't really have a spot there, either.

ha, I just read the article on the Gwynn signing, and it says LA is still looking for another OF. Candidates? Scott Podsednik and Bill Hall.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: 2010 Milwaukee Brewers Offseason - Prince or no Prince?

In other news from ESPN.com (behind Insider)
Among the possibilities for clubs looking to trade for a starting pitcher rather than pay Carl Pavano $10 million per season over three years, is Fausto Carmona, writes FoxSports.coms Jon Morosi.

Carmona isn't the ace that the Yankees or Rangers may prefer after losing out on Cliff Lee this week, but the right-hander could serve a consolation prize to Matt Garza or James Shields, both of whom could be dealt by the Tampa Bay Rays this winter.

Garza has drawn interest from the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals, among others, but because there is always more demand than supply, the Cleveland Indians may be in a good position to max out the return on Carmona.

The 27-year-old will make $6.1 million in 2011 and has three club options through 2014 worth $7 million, $9 million and $12 million. Without guaranteed salaries, the best proven starter on the Tribe roster could fetch some quality young talent from a number of clubs, though GM Chris Antonetti has to consider how he fields a halfway competitive rotation next season without Carmona.

 

[WeWantMore]

Re: 2010 Milwaukee Brewers Offseason - Prince or no Prince?

Greinke deal is supposedly done.

In the deal, the Brewers are reportedly acquiring Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain, shortstop Alcides Escobar and prospect pitchers Jake Odorizzi and Jeremy Jeffress for the 27-year-old Greinke, 10-14 with a 4.17 ERA in 2010 after winning the 2009 Cy Young.

The Brewers were expected to receive another major leaguer in the deal. Jim Breem of the blog "Bernie's Crew" reported that player to be shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt.

I'm assuming they've got Royals and Brewers transposed in that first paragraph.

 

[powerofyellowandblack]

Re: 2010 Milwaukee Brewers Offseason - Prince or no Prince?

I'm not a fan of this trade. I know what I said about prospects in the Sabathia deal, but I really, really, REALLY liked Odorizzi. And I am a HUGE Lo Cain fan. I would rather have him in CF than Gomez. Its too early to be giving up on Escobar. The only one I don't care about is Jeffress. Yeah, he can hit 100 on the gun.....but he's also one pot binge away from being banned from the game. I'm just not sure. I hope to be proven wrong, I really really do!

 

[WeWantMore]

Re: 2010 Milwaukee Brewers Offseason - Prince or no Prince?

Gammons now saying Jeffress isn't a part of the trade. Instead it's a player to be named.

 

[jen]

Re: 2010 Milwaukee Brewers Offseason - Prince or no Prince?

Not sure about this yet. I REALLY like Cain too. And Escobar. Not totally convinced on Greinke. But you have to give up something to get something, and pitching is at a premium. You can't say the Brewers didn't address their needs, but now they have to go for it THIS year.

 

[zamboni crash-test dummy]

Re: 2010 Milwaukee Brewers Offseason - Prince or no Prince?

On kansascity.com the Royal fans are overwhelmingly less than thrilled with the trade. Maybe that's a good sign.

 

[JF_Gophers]

Re: 2010 Milwaukee Brewers Offseason - Prince or no Prince?

Trading prospects for proven talent at least shows the Brewers are trying to win now. Even if you like your prospects, they are an unknown. You know what Zack can give you right away.

He had a rough season last year, but he was 60-67 in 7 years with the Royals of all teams. Now he gets a team that can supposedly put some runs on the board for him.

 

[powerofyellowandblack]

Re: 2010 Milwaukee Brewers Offseason - Prince or no Prince?

I think I did overreact at first. When this is the first thing you see in the morning, it really clears the sinuses and wakes you up. However, after going to the Y and getting in a good workout, and sitting in the sauna, it dawned on me that I love this trade. There are now 2 aces on this staff, and the top 4 is among one of the better starting 4 in the game. Other than the Phillies, name one team with a better starting 4 than Gallardo, Greinke, Wolfe, and Marcum? The Cards have Wainright and Carpenter...but after that they don't have much. I am sure I am missing some team with a solid starting 4 because I have my Brewer Blinders on, but regardless, this team didn't give up any offense to add pitching, so scoring runs should NOT be part of the problem. I am now instantly ready for spring to get here.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: 2010 Milwaukee Brewers Offseason - Prince or no Prince?

I'm not a fan of this trade. I know what I said about prospects in the Sabathia deal, but I really, really, REALLY liked Odorizzi. And I am a HUGE Lo Cain fan. I would rather have him in CF than Gomez. Its too early to be giving up on Escobar. The only one I don't care about is Jeffress. Yeah, he can hit 100 on the gun.....but he's also one pot binge away from being banned from the game. I'm just not sure. I hope to be proven wrong, I really really do!

Now that Jeffress is on the 40 man roster, he would not be banned for a pot binge...

 

[Timothy A]

Re: 2010 Milwaukee Brewers Offseason - Prince or no Prince?

Trading prospects for proven talent at least shows the Brewers are trying to win now. Even if you like your prospects, they are an unknown. You know what Zack can give you right away.

That's how I feel about it. Prospects are just that, prospects, and Grenkie is a known commodity. Escobar underperformed offensively last year, Cain is less proven than him and Jefferies is one ooops from being out of the league. I know nothing about the other guy other than he was in AA, which is still a bit away from the bigs; you never know. Now they have stud starters for 2 years, so we can look forward to being in the mix for 2 years (even thought Prince will be gone in year 2).

The massive improvement in pitching will easily overcome the loss of D in Cain and Escobar.

The fact they will have inning eaters who will get guys out will be huge for the bullpen also.

So we know the starters and the finishers (Braddock/Ax), whose bridging the 1 inning to them? Parra, Hawkins....

 

[zamboni crash-test dummy]

Re: 2010 Milwaukee Brewers Offseason - Prince or no Prince?

So Greinke took the Brewers off his no trade list because they signed Marcum and kept Fielder.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/112190409.html

 

[jen]

Re: 2010 Milwaukee Brewers Offseason - Prince or no Prince?

Someone pointed out the Brewers now have 3 Opening Day starters - Gallardo, Marcum and Greinke all did it last year.

an angry article from the KC star - <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/2010/12/19/2531568/without-greinke-were-royal-blue.html">Without Greinke, we're Royal blue</a>

“It’s a good trade for the Royals,” said one personnel man. “But it’s a great trade for the Brewers.”

It's a little odd to be on the other side of this - the OTHER team's fans complaining about rebuilding all the time, and waiting for a great farm system to get to the big leagues.

To me, it hasn't really sunk in yet how good this staff could be, and they lost almost no offense. I am still guardedly optimistic.

Also - Craig Counsell will be back.