Latest Team Info
Coming off the worst season ever for the Brewers. A lot was broken, and it all needs some fixing. Here is the latest information from the Brewers front.
*Old news but, I wanted to remind you all that Doug Melvin is the team's new GM and Milwaukee based lawyer, Ulice Payne Jr. is the team's president because of Wendy Selig Prieb stepping down.
*Ulice and Doug's first act was to hold a Fan Forum at Miller Park and they did so last month. The transcript of the forum is currently not typed and will not be typed because of it being held a month ago. Most of the information is irrelivant.
*Doug Melvin hired former Brewer Ned Yost as the ball-clubs new manager replacing the fired Jerry Royster. Shortly after Mike Maddox was named pitching coach and Butch Wynegar was named batting coach. Bill Castro will return to the bullpen as the bullpen coach.
*The Brewers picked Rick Dauer as their new third base coach and Dave Nelson as their new first base coach.
*The Brewers traded RHP's Gerald Oakes and Matt Yeatman to the Twins for C Javier Valentin and RHP Matt Kinney.
*Cecil Cooper was hired as the Brewers Triple-A team manager. The Brewers' Triple-A team is the Indianapolis Indians.
*The Brewers traded C Paul Bako to the Cubs for a player to be named later. The player to be named later was infielder Ryan Gripp.
*The Brewers avoided arbitration with Robert Machado, signing him to a one-year contract.
Free Agency
Jose Hernandez leads the Brewers' free agents. Although most columnists believe he will end up resigning, the Brewers (Doug Melvin imparticular) wants no part in him. There is about a 90% chance of him striking out 170+ times for another team but, also hitting 20 homers for them while batting .280 .
Matt Stairs is a free agent maybe at the end of his rope. He just doesn't produce anymore. Brewers' are showing just about zero interest in resigning him.
Lenny Harris baseball's all-time pinch hitter is a free agent. With the Brewers' wanting a youth movement I doubt they will attempt to sign him.
Jorge Fabregas is interested in resigning with the Brewers. I am not sure that they need to sign him because, they have enough controversy at catcher. But, I am sure the Brewers will sign him.
There has been speculation that P Rick Helling will end up with the Brewers. There is nothing to back up this statement but, I guess anything is a possibility. I know that the Brewers are very interested in SS Royce Clayton.
How I see the 2003 Opening Day Starting Lineup
C: Jorge Fabregas
1B: Richie Sexson
2B: Eric Young
SS: Royce Clayton
3B: Keith Ginter
LF: Geoff Jenkins
CF: Alex Sanchez
RF: Jeffrey Hammonds
Questionable Positions:
SS: The Brewers' are interested in a couple of SS. I think that they will end up signing Clayton for the simple reason that he played for and respects Doug Melvin. Melvin has been talking to him for around a month.
3B: Ginter will definitely get most of the time, unless the Brewers' explore there interesting option of resigning Mark Loretta. Melvin made it clear that he wants Loretta back.
LF: Geoff Jenkins very well should be the opening day starter in left. But, Geoff is a fairly marketable player on the trade wire. The Brewers' have been scoping out a multi-player deal, my speculation and insiders make me believe Jenkins could be one that goes it they do it. The only thing doubting it is that he is injury prone, does another team want him when he has been hurt the past to years?
RF: Jeffrey Hammonds has a huge contract for a player of his limited caliber. A bad shoulder and an All-Star year at Coors Field is all he has to show for his yearly 7.5 million dollar contract.
NOTE: Information will be added as it comes available.
