Counsell, Wolf, etc.

The Brewers have said that they want a decision from veteran utility infielder Craig Counsell before the Winter Meetings are over. They don't need to sign him, but they want to know whether he will be back or not, for sure. Says Melvin, "Craig's a good player and a veteran guy. We'd like to have him back." In case he isn't the Brewers have already made some moves, including minor league journeyman infielder Adam Heether to the 40 man roster and claim infielder Luis Cruz off waivers from the Pirates.

Reliever Mark DeFelice who is expected to miss all of 2010 after under going shoulder surgery may be back on a minor league deal. As I expected this will intensify the Brewers' search for bullpen help. Melvin has said that they have had contact with some agents, but nothing real solid as of yet.

It was well known that Melvin had told Jason Kendall's agent Arn Tellum that $5 million was too much for a catcher and given him a number, and that number is finally out. As you could've guessed by Zaun's 1.9 million dollar deal $2 million was the cap. Arn said no thanks, and the two parted ways. Zaun's contract does include up to 600k in incentives based on games played though...

The USA today claims that a Randy Wolf signing is imminent, but interestingly enough Wolf's agent (also Arn Tellum) has yet to arrive at the meetings... Things could have been ironed out before hand though. It is typically policy to not announce signing until a physical has been made as well...

Also, there again claims to be interest in Brewers right fielder Corey Hart. One team that came up specifically was the Rockies. I'm not sure why they Brewers would do this, as in the minors Matt Gamel is all there is, and as he is not an outfielder, it would just create another hole.

Also, the idea of swapping out Jeff Suppan in a trade of bad contracts was put out there, not really a rumor just an interesting idea. The name that was brought up was Juan Pierre, the speedy Dodgers outfielder who is owed 18.5 million over the next two years. Suppan will make $12.5 this season with a $2 million buyout for his 2011 option. Interesting idea, as Pierre has a nice career OBP, is a base stealer and bats from the left side. Also, the Dodgers are very short on pitching, and maybe Suppan would fair better in the cavernous Dodger Field. Soup also lives in LA... Just an interesting thought.

No Arbitration Offers, Halama Official

Well, the Brewers did not offer arbitration to any of their free agents. The Crew had five type B players who would have netted them a draft pick if the player had declined and signed else where. Type B players were: RHP David Weathers, RHP Braden Looper, CF Mike Cameron, 2B Felipe Lopez, and C Jason Kendall. Pretty much saw this coming, still thought they would offer to Lopez, but GM Doug Melvin hinted yesterday hinted they wouldn't risk him accepting.

Also, the John Halama deal I've mentioned before has officially been completed. The former big league lefty signed a minor league contract with an invitation to big league camp. If John wins a spot on the 25 man roster he will draw a $450,000 dollar salary, otherwise he'll head to AAA.

Arbitration approaches, Millwood rumors, Fielder Contract

The deadline for offering free agents approaches. Free agents are given either an A, B, or no ranking depending on there position and production, and teams may recieve compensation for those players leaving, but only if the offer of arbitration is extended. There is more to this, but I do have a longer explanation in a post from the summer. Long story short: Teams want draft picks, but can't just offer in case the player excepts, as he is then under contract. Also, a player almost never takes a pay cut in arbitration.

There is no point in extending offers to free agents who are not ranked since there is no compensation. The Brewers have no type As this year, however do have 4 type Bs. If these players are signed elsewhere the Crew would recieve a draft pick between the first and second rounds.

Mike Cameron- Made $10 million last season and I really doubt he will be making that much in 2010. Brewers have already committed to Carlos Gomez as their outfielder, making it almost a sure thing Cam' is not offered.

David Weathers- The Brewers already declined Weathers' 3.75 million dollar option, paying him a $400k buyout instead. Seeing as David make 3.4 mill this year the decision has already been made, Weathers will not be offered arb.

Jason Kendall- GM Doug Melvin has already said he does not want to allocate $5 million to the catching position, which is what Kendall made this last year. Seems likely the Crew goes the cheap route, Kendall is not offered.

Felipe Lopez- The second basemen had a career season and enters a week crop of middle infielders. After making only 3.5 million in '09 if he were to accept arbitration would likely not see 5. Also, arbitration is a one year contract, and I'm sure Felipe would like to see a couple of years. This being said, it is doubtful that he would accept an offer, and if he does it wouldn't be a bad deal for the Brewers, who could always trade him or Weeks later on. Lopez does get offered arbitration, and declines.

So it is a bit of a shame for the Brewers to have 4 players and only get 1 pick out of it, but it's better than last year when they had 2 type A free agents and only got a supplemental and a 2nd rounder (Ben Sheets never signed with another team).


Now on to new Kevin Millwood rumors. Supposedly the Orioles are interested, and the sourse claims that the Rangers would like to move his 12 million dollar salary to free up money for a bat. This is all and good, however the report coming in a few days ago was the the Rangers had new real incination to move Kevin...


Some other interesting ideas came up in a Brewers Mailbag with Adam McCalvy. It has been said that the Brewers will look to sign Fielder to an extension following the heart of this offseason. Fielder is already under contract for 2010 and under team control for another season after that. What else we know is that Fielder's agent, Scott Boras does not like to sign deals during arbitration years, and it was even surprising when a two year deal was reached last winter. What is scary now is the comparison McCalvy made between Fielder and another Boras agent... Mark Texiera. Tex signed a 8 year 180 million dollar contract last year with the Yankees and will be seen as a comperable for Prince. Mark was 28, with a .282 avg, 140 hr and 450 rbi after 4 seasons while taking 5th in rookie of the year voting, winning a Silver Slugger and making an All-Star team. Prince will be 27 when he hits free agency, and is currently a .283 hitter with 158 hr and 443 rbi while taking seventh in ROY voting, winning a Silver Slugger, making an All-Star team, and taking third in a MVP ballot. Yikes. The point is why would would Prince sign a 3-5 year deal now when he is just two away from would could potentially be a 200 million dollar pay day? I would like to see it happen but it won't. To me Prince will be a Brewer for the next two years MAX (and likely less).


That's it for now, hopefully things will heat up after Tuesday, and the Winter meetings are just right around the corner. Getting cold outside, Brew Up.

Lucroy Gets Consideration

GM Doug Melvin has now said on two separate occasions the catching prospect Jonathan Lucroy may get the nod next year for the Crew. Apparently there has been contact with Kendall's agent, but Melvin also said that he doesn't see the team spending the $5 on catching that the team did this year, so that can go ahead and cross out big name free agents like Bengie Molina, and probably a guy like Miguel Olivo too. Though it seems as if Kendall would be welcomed back at a discount.

Lucroy had a nice season in AA ball this year, and is continuing to impress currently in the Arizona Fall League. He has passed up Angel Salome on the depth chart, after Salome failed to impress and battled injuries this year at AAA Nashville. Melvin said he spoke with Salome who insists that he is working hard and is ready to compete for a major league job. Could come down to a battle in Spring Training.

I personally see Lucroy getting the nod, his defense is better than Salome's, and walks more than he strikes out. I guess Mike Rivera will be back as the reserve catcher, although he may get a few more starts this season than in the past. Salome will spend another year at AAA and hopefully reach the form we expect him to. Then in the end, Lucroy can be our all-star catcher for the next 8 years and we can trade Salome for a top notch pitching prospect...

Fun Stuff, happy Vet's Day. Brew Up.