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Brewers' GM Melvin needs to start dialogue with Sheets

By David Hannes | January 6, 2009 | Brewers Bar

The Brewers' 25-man is shaping up, with the most pressing needs a reserve middle infielder, a reserve (and left-handed hitting) outfielder, and a starting pitcher (I dismiss Melvin's pursuit of Trevor Hoffman as a necessity, as the team still has Seth McClung, David Riske, and 2-3 other internal options for a closer, not to mention Jason Isringhausen and other closers still unsigned).The reserve middle infielder is relatively easy--guys like Ray Durham (not a great option at short) or Craig Counsell (not a great option at all) are still out there, as is Hernan Iribarren (who bats lefty by the way); Tony Gywnn, Jr., could also fill in as the fifth outfielder, behind Chris Duffy...with Trot Nixon still a possibility if a veteran is needed (all three bat left-handed, as well).So...that leaves the starting pitcher spot left to fill.True, the Crew could break Maryvale with a rotation of Gallardo, Suppan, Bush,...

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Initial Thoughts of MLB Network

By Alan Smodic | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Much like DirecTV's MLB Extra Innings package, the MLB Network is more baseball than one can handle. -- programwitch/Flickr.com

On January 1, Major League Baseball followed in the footsteps of the NFL and NHL by unveiling its own channel -- the MLB Network.If you don't already know what this exactly is, MLBNetwork.com's about page helps:MLB Network stands for Major League Baseball Network, which means access to more baseball than America's ever seen! This new 24-hour network delves into the world of baseball, going far beyond the field. Fans can tune in at any time for fresh perspectives, current news, the latest trade rumors, pre and post-game banter, highlights and more.Again, if you've seen the NFL or NHL networks, just picture those and think baseball. I wasn't sure if I'd receive the channel (I get the NFL network, but not the NHL), so I was surprised to see it coming in through my satellite. Obviously, I checked it out.I was impressed with my first viewing. The first show I saw...

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Baseball's (and the Yankees') free spending

By Alan Smodic | December 30, 2008 | MVN Outsider

What some people actually believe. -- andycarvin/Flickr.com

The stories themselves are a little old, but I didn't come across them until today when Deadspin put together a small piece on it.But there's obviously been some fallout throughout baseball over the recent spending of the New York Yankees to the tune of $423.5 million for the services of A.J. Burnett, C.C. Sabathia and Mark Teixeira. In comparison, the rest of the teams in MLB have spent $296.6 million combined. (Yes, the Yankees have spent more than every other team combined.)That being said, the New York Times and MLB.com recently put out stories centering on this topic, but looking at them through eyes of each team.Talk of a salary cap is brought up in each article, especially the MLB piece with Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, who wrote to the Bloomberg News that "at the rate the Yankees are going, I'm not sure anyone can compete with them. Frankly,...

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MLB Top 10: Baseball's Best Stories in 2008

By Jaymes Langrehr | December 29, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Evan Longoria - Keith Allison/Flickr.com

We're just a few days away from ringing in 2009, so it's time to look back on the year that was 2008. Major League Baseball provides us with tons of memories every season, but only so many can make it into a Top 10 list -- here are the Top 10 moments from this past year in Major League Baseball. Feel free to share your own in the comments section.10. This is the game that never ends...The final All-Star Game played at Yankee Stadium lasted nearly 5 hours (4 hours, 50 minutes), and would have lasted longer if Justin Morneau wasn't able to beat Corey Hart's throw home on a sac fly by Michael Young. The game tied the record for innings played in the Midsummer Classic, matching the 15 innings played in the 1967 affair. With so many innings being played, a number of records fell -- the 2008...

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Teixeira signed by Yanks...good for the Brewers?

By David Hannes | December 27, 2008 | Brewers Bar

Brewers' fans were no doubt a bit miffed upon learning that the Evil Empire, a.k.a. the New York Yankees, signed free agent first baseman Mark Teixeria to an 8-year, $180 million contract earlier in the week. Not only had the Yankees returned to their free spending ways of snaring the best players in baseball to play in the Bronx, but it also cost the Brewers a first-round pick in the upcoming June amateur draft--the Brewers, having lost CC Sabathia to the Yankees--were to have received the Yanks' first-round pick in compensation...until they signed Teixeira, who Elias ranked higher than Sabathia in its rankings, thus giving the Angels, Teixeira's former employer, the Yankees' first-round pick, and resulting in the Brewers' getting the Yanks' second-round pick.But their is a silver lining, of sorts, to all this.The Yankees have now penciled in Teixeira at first base...possibly for all 8 years, through the 2016...

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Christmas 2008 Brewers' Wish List

By David Hannes | December 24, 2008 | Brewers Bar

Once again, Santa faxed me a list of what members of the Brewers' family asked for this Christmas:Doug Melvin--An ace starting pitcher, a closer, and a reserve middle infielder (preferably one that hits left-handed and is not named Craig Counsell)Mark Attanasio--A lower payroll, a revenue increase of 10%, another playoff run, and five minutes with Hank Steinbrenner's checkbookBen Sheets--Somebody to show some interest in giving him a three-year contract...okay, a two-year contract...hey, how about a nice one-year deal with a player option for 2010?Prince Fielder--All he wants is that $10 million one-year contractBill Hall--A pair of glasses that makes pitches seem half as fast as they really are...especially against rightiesRickie Weeks--Good health...and a whole slew of Southern League pitchers in the NL CentralCorey Hart--To find his first half swing...and for someone to take his second half swingRyan Braun--NABob Uecker--A World Series champion before he retiresBill Schroeder--Announcing lessonsKen Macha--See Doug Melvin,...

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Brewers' Melvin making little moves

By David Hannes | December 19, 2008 | Brewers Bar

Well, not that CC Sabathia is officially a Yankee--and Mike Cameron apparently will not be--Brewers' GM Doug Melvin moved on to signing (read: auditioning) left-handed outfield bats to compete with Tony Gwynn, Jr., for a back-up outfielder/left-handed pinch hitter role.Trot Nixon and Chris Duffy have agreed to audition.Nixon, 74...er, 34, hit a buck seventy-one in just 11 games with the Mets before getting injured; Duffy, 28, didn't see anytime in the majors in '08, but is a lifetime .269 hitter that hit .341 his rookie season, in 2005, but over a meager 126 AB's, before struggling with the Pirates over the next two seasons.If either develops during Maryvale, Tony Gwynn, Jr.'s days are numbered, as the only thing apparently keeping Gwynn in Doug Melvin's plans are that he, too, is left-handed. Gwynn remains on the 40-man, while Nixon and Duffy are inked to minor-league deals...still, if both progress, both, theoretically,...

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Idea to complete the Cameron trade

By David Hannes | December 16, 2008 | Brewers Bar

I hesitate to write this post, on the outside chance that someone in the Yankees' organization might see it.Memo to Doug Melvin: Trade Cameron for Melky Cabrera, even up, if you can.I freely admit that Cameron is a better outfielder today. But Cameron is nearing Social Security, and is only under contract for one more season...whereas Cabrera only turns 25 next season and--with only three MLB seasons accrued--would be under the Brewers' control for the next three seasons.Yes, Cabrera only hit .249/.301/.341/.641 last year; but hit righties to the tune of .265...and .288 as a lead off hitter last year, while his .986 fielding percentage is tolerable.If Cashman wants to throw in Kei Igawa...take it. Yes, Igawa is not worth $4 million...but still a gamble worth pursuing.Worried about Igawa's contract and want to get an offset? Then throw in Bill Hall and his $6.8 million due in '09 and $8.4...

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Initial Thoughts of MLB Network

By Alan Smodic | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Much like DirecTV's MLB Extra Innings package, the MLB Network is more baseball than one can handle. -- programwitch/Flickr.com

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Baseball's (and the Yankees') free spending

By Alan Smodic | December 30, 2008 | MVN Outsider

What some people actually believe. -- andycarvin/Flickr.com

Read more | 3 Comments | Tags: Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, MLB Outsider, New York Yankees

MLB Top 10: Baseball's Best Stories in 2008

By Jaymes Langrehr | December 29, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Evan Longoria - Keith Allison/Flickr.com

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Winter Meetings Report: Sabathia disappoints with NYC money grab; Mets dominate closers market; Big bats still available

By Brandon Rosage | December 12, 2008 | MVN Outsider

One host couldn't hide his disdain for the plot twist CC Sabathia supplied for baseball's off-season storyline, while the other host can't get enough big market spending. In this "Winter Meetings Report," The Pitch hosts Joe Aiello and Brandon Rosage bicker about the affect Sabathia's signing has on the off-season market, as well as the business of entertainment for Major League Baseball. Discussion also moves to the New York Mets' acquisition of Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz to solidify their bullpen, and the latest developments regarding Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramirez' future. Plus, the show gives some time to the Red Sox' new logos and added rumor mill sorting. Join the discussion, listen in and participate via e-mail (thepitch@mvn.com) or in the comments....Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: audio, Boston Red Sox, CC Sabathia, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals

Winter Meetings Primer: Hudson and Crede top values on IF; How to assess pitching market; Rumor mill

By Brandon Rosage | December 5, 2008 | MVN Outsider

With four days until the start of baseball's Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, The Pitch assesses the market at each key position. Hosts Joe Aiello and Brandon Rosage start with the pool of free agent infielders, ranking Orlando Hudson, Joe Crede and Casey Blake highly above sluggers demanding more dough. Moving past Manny Ramirez, the discussion moves to good-value outfielders, like Raul Ibanez and Bobby Abreu. The show sorts through the overrated and underrated hurlers on the pitching market, including praise for Oliver Perez, Derek Lowe, Randy Johnson and Jon Garland. Join the discussion, listen in and participate via e-mail (thepitch@mvn.com) or in the comments....Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: audio, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants

Hot Stove report: Bay Area lures Sabathia, Pedroia builds case for big money, free agent predictions

By Brandon Rosage | November 21, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Just a few weeks away from Major League Baseball's winter meetings, "The Pitch" fans the flames of the Hot Stove by shuffling through all of the latest CC Sabathia, Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixera and Jake Peavy reports. Hosts Joe Aiello and Brandon Rosage also evaluate the MVP and Cy Young Awards and how the winners might be affected in the market today and down the line, including Boston's rising star Dustin Pedroia. Listen in and participate via e-mail (thepitch@mvn.com) or in the comments. And don't miss Brandon Rosage's new web video talk show "Boom, Outta Here," which spends its latest episode discussing Pedroia's shot at a new Red Sox deal....Read more

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Hot Stove Dishes - November 14, 2008

By Brian Joseph | November 14, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The latest buzz served up from baseball's Hot Stove League. Ten of the hottest stories, moves and rumors from the past week: Yankees out to buy back in to playoffs, offer Sabathia record deal The New York Yankees are tired of missing the playoffs. The one-year absence has driven them to offer CC Sabathia a six-year, $140-million contract to bring his talent to the Bronx. The Brewers want to keep Sabathia but can they afford the price of competing with the Yankees in the free agent market. Better yet, can anyone? Padres go one way with offering Peavy, Braves go the other At some point in the past seven days there was buzz that the Braves and Padres were very close to a deal that would send Padres ace Jake Peavy to Atlanta. After an entire offseason of talks, the Braves announced that they were calling off their pursuit of...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Atlanta Braves, BBWAA, CC Sabathia, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Dayan Viciedo, Hot Stove, Jake Peavy, Kerry Wood, Kevin Gregg, Los Angeles Dodgers, Manager, Manny Ramirez, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Scott Boras, Trevor Hoffman

Being the GM: 2009 Milwaukee Brewers

By Evan | November 11, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Derek Lowe -- Malingering

This series is predicated on educated guesses, past history of the team/general manager, rumors that have been out there for a while, and actions that I feel could be taken. This exercise is me playing GM to inspire conversation and a new way of approaching things. Moves that I complete as previous GMs of teams will carry over here. Trades only include principal, significant players. The Brew Crew had quite the 2008 season. After acquiring CC Sabathia, they saw him go crazy on the league and eke into the playoffs, largely because of the New York Mets' annual September collapse. They didn't go far, being vanquished by the Phillies and now are on the cusp of losing their best two starting pitchers (Sabathia, Ben Sheets) to free agency. As a matter of fact, I've projected Sabathia to the Yankees and for Sheets also to depart, so what are the Brewers...Read more

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