The fact that a fan believes Prince is leaving based on comments he made while trying to get paid two years ago or that he has a particular agent is humorous to me. Look this isn't the Brewers of 10, 5, even 3 years ago. The Brewers are selling A LOT of season tickets in a very challenging economy. They have MAJOR corporate sponsors begging to advertise with them. Even the Yankees are struggling with those two aspects of baseball economics.

Here's the big picture...Attanasio has changed the financial stability of this franchise so that they can compete with the big boys. Hence, the Brewers competing with the Yankees for Sabathia's services this past off-season.

There goes another bomb for Cecil's boy!! Two on the night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So tell me if Attanasio has such deep pockets then why did he allow CC to leave? I realize this is new ownership that will spend money, but there is still a limit to how high they can go as evidenced by CC. Prince will command top dollar and set the standard as Boras so often does. Do you really think that Prince's thought process has really changed that much from his comment of his time is coming and it's coming quick. Do you really think Boras will not let him get to free agency and that Attanasio will be the highest bidder for his services? I have no doubt that Attanasio will make a serious effort to get him signed long term, but Prince's comments of a year ago spoke volumes although not as loudly as the man he hired to represent him.

Btw- He made those comments last March, not two years ago as you stated.

I also have nothing against Prince. He is probably my second favorite Brewer behind Weeks. He is a great hitter, not just a power hitter, and it is because of that that I think no matter how high Attanasio can bid, there will be either the Red Sox or Angels that will bid higher.

Attanasio was bidding for Sabathia in the midst of the Great Recession for our country. There were many uncertainties since Attanasio has various financial investments. When Prince comes up for free agency I would bet our country's financial status will be much better giving Attanasio more flexibility to invest in his team. Again, just my hunch.

I was happy to see Fielder lose some wieght before the season b/c it showed some more commitement to his performance. I was thrilled he signed the two year contract b/c it means we don't have to worry about a hearing next year.

Fielder has been excellent this year with the bat, and better with the glove. Possibly the MVP so far.

I think if Prince was desperate to stay in Milwaukee, a longer contract to buy one year of free agency would have already happened. I think he stays a Brewer (not traded) until he is a free agent.

We shall see, I just think he is such a good hitter with power that some big market team will not allow Attanasio to outbid them.

I honestly have very little doubt that Fielder gets a new deal with the Brewers. If Attanasio wants to compete with the Cards and Cubs on an annual basis then he'll need Fielder. There isn't a player in the Brewers' minor league system that could hold Prince's jock at the plate right now. As a matter of fact, the minors look a little dry right now after Escobar.

On top of that, just look at how poorly a team like Minnesota ended up after they traded Johan Santana. Trading a MVP candidate is just nonsense. Attanasio will rob Peter (one of his other businesses) to pay Paul (Fielder and Gallardo). He's a smart businessman.

quote:

Originally posted by brosto1:
There are other factors in play. Does Prince want to stay in Milwaukee and not simply make as much money as possible. I am not advocating that he needs to take a hometown discount to stay, but if a team like the Yankees, Red Sox, or Angels want him they will be able to spend more than the Brewers most of the time.

I did question his commitment to keeping in good shape. This year he looks much better, but I also stated that I felt any conditioning he does would not be about the improvement of the Milwaukee Brewers, but the improvement of future earnings and I still believe that was a big part of his improved conditioning. Not surprisingly with the improved conditioning has come improved defensive play, which will help the Brewers and increase the number of teams that will throw big money at him in two and a half years.

I don't recall anyone here wanting to trade him for low minor league prospects. I know that I suggested a package to the Dodgers with Broxton and Loney, among other ideas which included major leauge ready players like Kazmir, Niemann, and Aybar.

I don't necessarily want him out of Milwaukee, but I also don't believe that he wants to be here long term. If he stays and is motivated by team success rather than a big fat contract as a free agent then that would be great.

- sounds reasonable ...
And for sure, nobody likes the reality of it OrlandoWolf ...

There's merit on both sides- I truly agree that if Prince's idea was to get rich playing baseball for Milwaukee, he would not require the services of one Scott Boras. The man is in baseball for one thing- to get the most money for his clients. That obviously means that players have to buy into his confrontational style of negotiation. Look at Manny Ramirez- the guy turned down a monstrous offer only to sign that deal 2 months later. With Arod he terminates a $25M/year deal only to negotiate and sign a deal for more. Only an agent with the power and clout that Boras has could pull off those Herculean feats.

That hasn't worked for eveyone, though.

I think that Mark Attanasio is interested in making Prince his signature player. He won't be worth the kind of deal Teixeira got (8 years, $180M), but I would not be surprised if the Brewers offered him 5 years and $75-90M, somewhere in that neighborhood. He'll probably want more years. It may not be enough...

quote:

On top of that, just look at how poorly a team like Minnesota ended up after they traded Johan Santana. Trading a MVP candidate is just nonsense. Attanasio will rob Peter (one of his other businesses) to pay Paul (Fielder and Gallardo). He's a smart businessman.

The Twins finished with 88 wins last year and barely missed the playoffs. I would bet they are in the mix to make the postseason again this year.

The Brewers let CC and Sheets go and (at least for now) they are still in the playoff hunt. My guess is that if they won't or can't resign Fielder they will still be a competitive team. If they don't think they can resign him I would bet they will trade him- and that will get them something back in return.

One guy doesn't make or break a team- even Fielder.

quote:

Originally posted by Music City:
He has improved a TON with the glove.

Improved a TON? I gotta disagree with this, based solely on his inability to save a ball in the dirt. He cannot do it. If he could scoop a simple one-hopper he'd save the rest of our infield about 10 or more errors a year. Prince doesn't get the "credit" for those errors but for any decent first baseman that is a gimme.

I'm not going to base 1 off-season of Prince getting back into a decent playing weight to say he is committed. The only thing he is committed to is getting paid. Milwaukee will never be able to compete for his next contract and the possibility of only DHing has to be intriguing to him. Just MHO.

I haven't been much into trade speculation lately because I have been happy with where the Brewers are at and I'm still not convinced whether another bat or another starting pitching is their greatest need.

But in this discussion (Fielder's long-term future with the Brewers) and the timing (playing the Braves), I couldn't help but bring this up. Over the last couple of nights when watching the Braves play, I just couldn't help think that Fielder would be a huge addition for them.

Obviously the Brewers cannot trade Fielder during this season, so this has to do with potential trade possibilities after this season is completed. Then it would make a lot of sense for the Brewers to consider dealing Fielder. This upcoming off-season Fielder will be 2 years from free-agency and it appears that he will be coming off of a great season, not to mention his salary is already locked in for 2010, which means he will have hit peak trading value and the Brewers will never get more for him.

Looking at the Braves lineup, there is no question that first base is a glaring offensive hole for them. Even if Kotchmann is playing, he doesn't bring the bat you would like out of that spot. The Braves have some really good starting pitching, Jurrjens would be the guy that tops my list as far as a trade target. He posted a very solid 3.68 for the Braves last year, and has been better this year.

The Corey Hart/Kelly Johnson situation could play into this too.

Jeff Francoeur looks like he needs a change of scenary big-time. I don't see him helping the Braves much, but I would be interested in him if he was available and the Brewers did trade Hart. Francoeur gives you plus-defense in right field, and although he's thought of to be way, way down offensively, his current OPS is just slightly less than Hart's.

Anyway, I think there are many interchangeable pieces here and a trade appears to be workable and could help both sides. The Brewers lose Fielder's big bat but open up first base for Gamel which is one of his likely landing spots. Meanwhile they acquire a young starter that they will need if Parra doesn't improve and Looper's option is not picked up. The Braves could totally change the face of their lineup which they definitely need to do. And while losing young quality starters is not easy, it appears they would be covered in 2010 because they would still have Lowe, Hanson, Vazquez and could pick up the option on Hudson. The only real hangup could be if the Braves felt they needed more young pitching for 2011 and beyond. Otherwise I think there are pieces and fits here that make sense and would work for both clubs.

I think there are a lot of teams who would like Prince.

I don't want Francoeur.

Fielder is not going to give any of his post arby years away to sign an extension with Milwaukee unless it's a google... He's going to DH in the AL and play a little 1B.

quote:

Originally posted by Music City:
He has improved a TON with the glove.

It's interesting you say that because it seems to me he has improved on those balls in the dirt, at least from the eye of this beholder. Who knows, it may just be the timing of when we are watching or listening.

Anyway, it seems like both sides are right on this. I have no doubt Prince works hard to improve (to the best of his physical abilities), I have no doubt that he is a huge part of this team not only with his bat but with his leadership as well. I also think he will want the pay day but would be more than happy to take it from the Brewers.

It just comes down to how the team wants to allocate their money and they will have to in some way. If Hardy, Hart and Weeks all play up to their potential, that is a lot of dough. Throw Yo into that pile as well.

People have brought up letting CC go and I don't think that is fair criticism for the organization. The money he got was just plain irresponsible.

I also saw Johan brought up and I don't think that is fair for the ridiculous money he got as well. You don't give starters that kind of dough for that long of time if you have to manage your money in some way, shape or form. The Twins are still winning games but when it was all said and done, they didn't get nearly enough for him.

Bottom line is Prince is a leader and huge part of this team but Melvin has to be always on the lookout for that huge bounty he could grab for him.

quote:

Bottom line is Prince is a leader and huge part of this team but Melvin has to be always on the lookout for that huge bounty he could grab for him.

- Thats the way I see it going down also ... I would not let him walk for the picks and I would have a very good succession plan in place for first base and cleanup hitter.

I hope they get to see Escobar and Gamel in place before the Prince day arrives because if Weeks continues his progression and with Braun in place for awhile ... IMO you could really try to build a top notch staff from Hardy, Hart and/or Prince acquisitions.

I'd like to enjoy this right now though.

quote:

I hope they get to see Escobar and Gamel in place before the Prince day arrives because if Weeks continues his progression and with Braun in place for awhile ... IMO you could really try to build a top notch staff from Hardy, Hart and/or Prince acquisitions.

Good thoughts... I think this might be hitting close. The Brewers are waiting patiently (which is probably why the Prince deal went 2 years) while the players they have on their list work themselves out. If Hart has a big year, they could offer him to a team with needs of his skill set. Hardy would look like the most likely candidate to move, because they have a top prospect at the same position coming up who could become a leadoff guy (opening up the lineup somewhat). Just about every team would be happy with a power hitting SS with a very good glove/arm.

Prince could net top prospects, but then again, he may not. The Brewers would be in too precarious a position in the final year of his deal, so teams would use that against Melvin in negotiations.

But I would be hopeful that Attanasio would at least consider a future with Prince on the team. Commit 5 years to him and pay him top market value.

Will the Diamondbacks start dumping salary? And who would be interesting going after? Felix Lopez anyone?

Webb?

sign sheets traded em for webb, hey a guy can wish right?

Interesting excerpt regarding Boras and Melvin...

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/47266372.html



Would the Brewers go for a Boras client if one slips lower than projected because of "signability" issues?
"We're thoroughly exploring that possibility," said Seid. "We do have a good relationship with Scott Boras. (General manager) Doug (Melvin) will explore that possibility (from a financial standpoint) if it's somebody we're interested in."

From Rosenthal:

One scout has noticed the Brewers following Erik Bedard and believes they'll make a "strong play" for him.

I could see this maybe being the club's best shot to get a decent arm. They could maybe give up a lower level prospect with a bigger "upside" and keep the guys closer to the bigs because of Jack Z's (obvious) knowledge of the system.

quote:

Originally posted by chickenboy:
From Rosenthal:

One scout has noticed the Brewers following Erik Bedard and believes they'll make a "strong play" for him.

I could see this maybe being the club's best shot to get a decent arm. They could maybe give up a lower level prospect with a bigger "upside" and keep the guys closer to the bigs because of Jack Z's (obvious) knowledge of the system.

Bedard is probably the best shot they have at getting a real high upside, dominating starter. But Bedard is questionable as to how many innings he would bring. He missed his last start with shoulder tenderness, and looking at his track record over the last couple of years it's pretty unlikely that he'd be a guy who could string together 4 or 5 straight seven inning starts.

I'm just as attracted to his teammate Jarrod Washburn. Washburn doesn't have nearly the same stuff, and he had a pretty poor year last year, but he's been solid this year and has been a real innings-eater. And his price tag should be pretty reasonable.

I also couldn't help but notice in the same Rosenthal article he talks about J.J. Hardy still possessing quality value on the trade market.

Which led to the following discussion in today's MLBtraderumor.com chat. These are just opinions of baseball fans like you and I, but I still think it makes for some fun discussion and speculation. Somebody who I assumed (assumption could be completely off) was a Red Sox fan asked about a straight up trade of Brad Penny for J.J. Hardy. The moderator said there was no way the Brewers would do that. Then a bit later he was presented with a Penny + Michael Bowden for Hardy swap...and he said that was a deal the Brewers should consider. Bowden was the Red Sox #2 prospect (Baseball America) heading into this year, has three plus pitches (best curveball and best change in the Red Sox organization), profiles as a #3 starter, and is still very young. Getting Penny to help the rotation now and getting a potential solid starter for the future might be worth dealing Hardy for. If I was in Melvin's shoes and the Red Sox made this offer I would have to give it consideration. Between Gamel, Counsell, McGehee and Hall I think the Brewers could cover 3rd, SS and 2B and Escobar wouldn't even have to enter the equation this year...and with Hardy gone you have saved about 6 million and opened the spot for Escobar in 2010.