UPDATE [4:40pm]
Sabernomics takes a look at what CC Sabathia will command this offseason. The article says it will take Johan Santana money to land the big left-hander, which means about a six-year $144 million. That's about $24 million per season. That's a lot.
If the Brewers even stay pat at a $90 million payroll (which I don't foresee), CC would still eat up 26.67% of the Crew's payroll. It will even be more if they cut the starting payroll to about $80 million, which seems more reasonable.
CC is a fantastic pitcher, but that type of commitment is just ridiculous.
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The 2008 Offseason is officially upon us, people.
- After the game yesterday, a very emotional Ben Sheets spoke to the media. He's definitely not going to be accepting arbitration from the Brewers. How do I know? He hinted that the only way he would ever see himself in a Brewers uniform again is if he came back later in his career, much like Jeff Cirillo did. Those thoughts certainly make it sound like Benny will be in the free agent waters this winter.
- Right Field Bleachers says that Brewers fans shouldn't get too down after yesterday's loss. It was still a dream season and one to remember for the people of Milwaukee. It was only the sixth time in Milwaukee's franchise history that its team won 90 games in a season. This team gave something exceedingly rare to Wisconsin, October baseball and 90 wins.
- The Brew Town Beat writes a letter to the 2008 Milwaukee Brewers from the state of Wisconsin. It says thank you and sums up the thoughts of most Brewers fans around the country.
- The Bucky Channel says that we should do this playoff thing more often. Indeed, sir. I'm all for that idea.
- Viva Cerveceros shows how strangers have bonded over the Brewers playoff run, bridging the social and generation gaps. I wholeheartedly agree with this. I cannot tell you how many times I've walked down College Avenue and had people yell, "Go Brewers" to me when I'm wearing a Brewers hat or shirt. Wisconsin as a whole had Brewers fever. Even places outside the Dairy State had it. It was a pleasure to be a part of this season.
- Anthony Witrado has a down-er piece on the Brewers. Instead of celebrating the season that was, it seems that he would rather focus on the negatives of yesterday's game. He focuses on how Milwaukee has been so dependent on the home run the whole season, and the long balls were not there this week. Four games and one home run is not a good recipe for the Crew. Ryan Braun is quite correct when he says the team needs to adjust their approaches at the plate this offseason. You can lead a horse to water, but can you make it drink though, Ryan?
- The Brew Town Beat lambasts Jeff Suppan for his start yesterday and his September in general. Soup is the very reason why Milwaukee should not be giving a multi-year contract to a free agent pitcher this winter. It handcuffs the team's finances, and it is very dangerous to do that with a starting pitcher. Position players can make more sense, but not free agent starters.
- Two Fisted Slopper says that there couldn't be a worse way to end the season than to lose to Joe Blanton. I can think of a worse way to end the season...how about not playing in October? How about losing to Jamie Moyer on Saturday and getting swept? I can think of plenty of ways...
- Chuckie Hacks quotes a Philadephia columnist who said that Miller Park was not that loud on Sunday, and he wasn't impressed with the fanbase. The post then quotes a Phillies fan that was actually in the stands who said that Brewers fans were "too loud." He couldn't make his cheers heard over the deafening noise. I completely agree with the latter. I was at the game yesterday (and had a blast, minus the bad basball), and the crowd was electric. I couldn't even talk to the person next to me over the noise.
- MLB Trade Rumors says that CC Sabathia is open to all teams this offseason. Doug Melvin, please don't cripple the team's future by offering up too much money to get CC. He's a fantastic pitcher, yes, but he'll never throw the ball as well as he did this second half. Cut your losses and take the two draft picks.
The Hawaii Winter Leagues have started up over the past week. I wasn't sure how I was going to cover it, but I'll just add it in the end of the Round 'em Up.
Box Score
West Oahu fell to Honolulu yesterday, 7-3. Caleb Gindl had a nice day, going 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI. His batting average is now up to .250 for the Winter League. Logan Schafer went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.
Mike Ramlow took the mound yesterday and got tabbed for a run on two hits in two innings. He's been throwing the ball well so far in the league, as his ERA is only 1.50 following the outing. Mike had thrown four scoreless frames prior to yesterday's game.