re: Making a Trade for a Starter

Ryan Topp — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:07:33 GMT

Stud,

I went and read your comments to Powell and from what I can gather, you're question to both is: 'Do you think Prince and Ben will take less money to sign with the Brewers so that the team can stay together.' If that isn't right, please correct me and I'll get back to you.

The simple answer to the question is no, I don't see it, though the situations are

a bit different.

Ben Sheets is having a great year, today notwithstanding, and his comments on the subject of going to free agency are on the record. He is going to hit the market and see what he can get. As I said in my blog post on the subject, I think he is going to get far more than the Brewers should spend on him long term. I don't see him coming back. Money talks.

Fielder is a different situation, because he cannot declare free agency until after the 2011 season. His performance to this point in the season is better than a lot of people think, but not up to the standard he set last year. If a repeat performance was worth a 10 million dollar first year payday in arbitration, then maybe his performance this year knocks him down to 7 or 8 million. But the important fact is that Brewers control him for three more seasons after this one, and though he will get more expensive in arbitration each year, they will be able to afford those salaries with little hardship.They may also look to deal him, if they think he can bring back a need in a trade and they can replace him from within.

Of course, after 2011 he and his agent are dead set on testing the FA market, so they aren't going to sign a Braun like deal (word is they turned down a 60 million offer at some point) and he will leave after 2011. Given his body type and already bad defense, I have no problem whatsoever with the Brewers not committing to Prince long term. He really is a DH.

re: Making a Trade for a Starter

wisconstud — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 08:02:46 GMT

i agree, please read my comment on jim powells blog, could there be a truth to what i wish? is it possible to make good money for the chance at a ring even if it was for a short contract say 2 years? how about looking towards the future with gallardo coming back and mcclung doing ok and parra rocking everybody, could sheets maybe see the possiblility of us being a force to be reckoned with? pitching makes a team that is like the brewers with the big hitters we have, we have the pieces of the puzzle, we just need to get them to work together or see the whole picture. Ben is worth money, Prince is worth money, but can they gamble on ours and thier talent to bring it on home to miller park.