Things are a bit slow this morning, as most people are gearing up for Thanksgiving tomorrow.  There will be a lot of traveling today and tomorrow, and I will be heading home in just a few hours.  I wish everyone reading today a very Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels!

• As you all are probably now aware, the Milwaukee Brewers signed left-handed reliever R.J. Swindle to a major league contract to serve as Mitch Stetter's partner in crime out of the bullpen.  This move has the potential to be an unsung move by Doug Melvin.  I profiled what Swindle will bring to the table this morning.  While you are at it, why not take a look at Aaron's season review of Rickie Weeks.
• R.J. Anderson of Beyond the Box Score also profile's R.J. Swindle and provides some pitch f/x graphs on the movement of his pitches.  It seems that against the Mets that game, his curveball averaged a little faster than the reported 51-55 MPH, while he was bringing in the fastball with some pretty good zip (for him).  Beyond the Box Score loves this move for the Brewers as well.  If nothing else, Swindle should be a nice LOOGY against teams like the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Tom Haudricourt is reporting that Doug Melvin made contact with CC Sabathia's agents, but nothing really came from the talk.  It seems to me that Sabathia is waiting to see if any of the California teams jump into the mix. 
  
  The same article also notes that DM talked to Gabe Kapler's agents.  He did not offer Kapler a contract, but he still wanted to make contact to open discussions in the future.  The Brewers will likely have a difficult time keeping Kapler in Milwaukee.  It is likely that he will field many offers, many coming from teams who can offer much more playing time than can the Crew.
• Speaking of CC Sabathia, it seems the Los Angeles Angels are intently talking with CC's agents.  They are reportedly preparing an offer that will challenge (but likely not exceed) the Yankees' offer.  The thought process behind this deal is that CC would take a paycut to go to a west coast team, especially since the same post says the Yankees are unlikely to increase their offer too much.  That is the first time I have heard anything about the Yankees not being willing to increase their offer substantially.  I will keep you all posted on that front.
• Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com (via MLB Trade Rumors) discusses some of the potential free agent bargains this winter.  A couple names jump out at me.  If the Brewers are unable to magically sign CC Sabathia, Doug Melvin should seriously take a run at Randy Johnson.  Crasnick is saying Johnson only seeks a one-year deal, and the Crew has money to play with this winter.  Would Randy come to Milwaukee for a one-year $12MM deal?  The other free agent that snared my interest is Juan Rivera.  He would provide the Crew with a nice insurance policy in case Corey Hart is unable to regain his All-Star form.  Crasnick also says that Rivera could be had for two-years $6-8MM.  Rivera has had injury problems in the past couple seasons, but he is a serious candidate for comeback player of the year if he can even come close to his .310 AVG season with 23 home runs.
• Beyond the Box Score warns any GM who is possibly thinking about signing Jon Garland this offseason.  Statistics suggest he is nothing better than a five-run pitcher, yet he is poised to earn probably $7-8MM per year.  Thank goodness someone else realizes how not good Jon Garland is.  Doug Melvin better not touch him with a 30-foot pole, unless he is only looking for $2-3MM per year.  Like that is going to happen.
  
• Seamheads shows a monument in Watertown, WI erected to commemorate Fred Merkle, who played in the Deadball Era.  There are monuments popping up all across the nation to honor these "forgotten" players.  Looking at the list, there are plenty in Wisconsin.  I will certainly check these out if I am ever in Watertown.
• The Hardball Times ask if Ted Simmons belongs in the Hall of Fame.  Be sure to read the rest of the article, but here is the conclusion:
  
  "Based on the above, I'm not sure that Simmons belongs in the Hall of Fame. I'm not sure that he doesn't either. My instinct tells me that if Carter belongs, then so probably does Simmons. It's not a strong instinct, though, and I'd be receptive to hearing further arguments from either side. What I am certain about, however, is that Simmons is an eminently worthy candidate who deserved far more serious consideration than he ever received."
• To all those that say there is nothing exciting about the Rule 5 Draft coming up next month, The Baseball Analysts has a nice list of who has come out of the draft in the last couple years.  Johan Santana, Dan Uggla, Shane Victorino, and Josh Hamilton are not too bad in the last couple years.  The article then discusses some of the pitchers who could come off the board in December.  Will anyone take Kei Igawa?
• Baseball Musings says that the Boston Red Sox seem to have signed Junichi Tazawa.  I have heard conflicting scouting reports about this pitcher.  He seems to not have the velocity previously reported.  It will be interesting to see how he fares this season in the minors.  If he lights it up in 2009, teams will likely be much more likely to woo Japanese amateur free agents.