Einsteinhood:

 Guru, any other intel from that interview?

I doubt that they'd hold on to him a whole year while they have Lucroy up.  They're not going to demote him, either, IMO.  So I think this is a good sign that he'll be used in a trade.  I mean, are there any other options for the guy?

Melvin also said that there were 7 teams that were interested in Hardy and that they asked for pitching or CF.  He stated that none of the pitching options were good enough.  Should we take his word for this?

I got two things out of the previous statement about what they were seeking in return.  One, he wasn't looking for a temp catcher.  That means that Lucroy will be the inteded catcher.  Melvin provided examples of good catchers who moved from AA to MLB, and he has a point.  I hope that they get a veteran catcher that doesn't split time time equally, but does get a good chunk of PT.

Second, I wonder that if he would have waited until the winter, would there have been more interest for Hardy.

Cheap talent with Escobar, Gomez and Lucroy?  I'll agree with Einstein that it looks like they're making a push for Lackey.

Einsteinhood:

brewguru:

Melvin just said that Lucroy is going to get a shot to open with the team.

Oh my.

So then this is out, but they'll still need to find a backup type, right?

Would they really go into camp with the plan of Lucroy sinking or swiming and the second option being Rivera?

I sure as sh*t hope not.

If that's the case, then this whole thing today is starting to reek of the "R" word.

brewhawk:

Einsteinhood:

brewguru:

Melvin just said that Lucroy is going to get a shot to open with the team.

Oh my.

So then this is out, but they'll still need to find a backup type, right?

Would they really go into camp with the plan of Lucroy sinking or swiming and the second option being Rivera?

I sure as sh*t hope not.

If that's the case, then this whole thing today is starting to reek of the "R" word.

 

badger80:

Cheap talent with Escobar, Gomez and Lucroy?  I'll agree with Einstein that it looks like they're making a push for Lackey.

 According to Tom H,

"Having traded Hardy for a centerfielder, Melvin did say he might have to explore the free agent market for pitching help. He mentioned John Lackey, the top pitcher on the market, but didn't indicate he would pursue him."

 Sounds like Doug Melvin is hinting that he will go after Lackey.  

Also,

I'm wondering if Doug Melvin will go after 3 SP's instead of 2.  Look at this quote, 

"Melvin did say he has contacted the agent for left-hander Mark Mulder, who has been sidelined for some time with injury problems. Mulder has a connection to new coach Rick Peterson and I expect the Brewers to sign Mulder to an incentive-laden deal to see if he can help next year."

 I'm starting to think that Doug Melvin will go after 1 FA, 1 by trade, and one pitcher coming off of an injury (Incentive deal) Mulder?

TheDude:

brewhawk:

Einsteinhood:

brewguru:

Melvin just said that Lucroy is going to get a shot to open with the team.

Oh my.

So then this is out, but they'll still need to find a backup type, right?

Would they really go into camp with the plan of Lucroy sinking or swiming and the second option being Rivera?

I sure as sh*t hope not.

If that's the case, then this whole thing today is starting to reek of the "R" word.

 

I thought you'd like it if Lucroy replaced Kendall?

It made my day!

brewhawk:

Einsteinhood:

brewguru:

Melvin just said that Lucroy is going to get a shot to open with the team.

Oh my.

So then this is out, but they'll still need to find a backup type, right?

Would they really go into camp with the plan of Lucroy sinking or swiming and the second option being Rivera?

I sure as sh*t hope not.

If that's the case, then this whole thing today is starting to reek of the "R" word.

 

I wouldn't say that yet, I think Melvin is building as much money towards FA SP, he probably asked how much of a budget he was on, and probably figured out how much he would have to cut to be able to sign the FA SP(s) he wanted, and Hardy's 4 mil was just a portion of that.

He probably thought it was killing two birds with one stone: cutting Hardy's salary (for a minimum salary Escobar), and replacing Cameron (for a minimum salary Gomez). Obviously they will take a hit offensively, but if they can improve the catcher spot (even if Lucroy struggles it can't be worse than Kendall), then the offense might be able to break even, and the pitcher would be much better.

I wouldn't mention the "R" would until Fielder is gone.

BenderTheOffender:

brewhawk:

Einsteinhood:

brewguru:

Melvin just said that Lucroy is going to get a shot to open with the team.

Oh my.

So then this is out, but they'll still need to find a backup type, right?

Would they really go into camp with the plan of Lucroy sinking or swiming and the second option being Rivera?

I sure as sh*t hope not.

If that's the case, then this whole thing today is starting to reek of the "R" word.

 

 

I wouldn't say that yet, I think Melvin is building as much money towards FA SP, he probably asked how much of a budget he was on, and probably figured out how much he would have to cut to be able to sign the FA SP(s) he wanted, and Hardy's 4 mil was just a portion of that.

He probably thought it was killing two birds with one stone: cutting Hardy's salary (for a minimum salary Escobar), and replacing Cameron (for a minimum salary Gomez). Obviously they will take a hit offensively, but if they can improve the catcher spot (even if Lucroy struggles it can't be worse than Kendall), then the offense might be able to break even, and the pitcher would be much better.

I wouldn't mention the "R" would until Fielder is gone.

That's exactly what I was getting at.

brewhawk:

BenderTheOffender:

brewhawk:

Einsteinhood:

brewguru:

Melvin just said that Lucroy is going to get a shot to open with the team.

Oh my.

So then this is out, but they'll still need to find a backup type, right?

Would they really go into camp with the plan of Lucroy sinking or swiming and the second option being Rivera?

I sure as sh*t hope not.

If that's the case, then this whole thing today is starting to reek of the "R" word.

 

 

I wouldn't say that yet, I think Melvin is building as much money towards FA SP, he probably asked how much of a budget he was on, and probably figured out how much he would have to cut to be able to sign the FA SP(s) he wanted, and Hardy's 4 mil was just a portion of that.

He probably thought it was killing two birds with one stone: cutting Hardy's salary (for a minimum salary Escobar), and replacing Cameron (for a minimum salary Gomez). Obviously they will take a hit offensively, but if they can improve the catcher spot (even if Lucroy struggles it can't be worse than Kendall), then the offense might be able to break even, and the pitcher would be much better.

I wouldn't mention the "R" would until Fielder is gone.

That's exactly what I was getting at.

No "R" word yet. Not until we

• sign Washburn
• trade Fielder
• sign Kendall to a 5 year deal

So it appears Melvin is going for young, cheap, upside talent at key positions (SS, CF, C)...and then having Braun, Fielder, Gallardo lead this team. I'm alright with this for now. I'm a bit disconcerted, but this is okay for now. I will see what subsequent moves happen though they are unlikely to happen in the near future (not days, definitely months maybe weeks). This will just make for lots of conjecture in the coming weeks.

Then again I'm not sure anybody expected the Hardy deal so soon...so we shall see, shan't we?

TheDude:

 

Einsteinhood:

 Guru, any other intel from that interview?

I heard the whole thing on my ride home from work.  Melvin, when asked about Salome, said he needed another year to prove himself. 

I doubt that they'd hold on to him a whole year while they have Lucroy up.  They're not going to demote him, either, IMO.  So I think this is a good sign that he'll be used in a trade.  I mean, are there any other options for the guy?

Melvin also said that there were 7 teams that were interested in Hardy and that they asked for pitching or CF.  He stated that none of the pitching options were good enough.  Should we take his word for this?

I got two things out of the previous statement about what they were seeking in return.  One, he wasn't looking for a temp catcher.  That means that Lucroy will be the inteded catcher.  Melvin provided examples of good catchers who moved from AA to MLB, and he has a point.  I hope that they get a veteran catcher that doesn't split time time equally, but does get a good chunk of PT.

Second, I wonder that if he would have waited until the winter, would there have been more interest for Hardy.

He said that Gomez brings "energy" to the team and compared him to Bourn. Said that Gomez didn't have much minor league time, so he's still developing.

Cameron won't be back (which we all assumed). Didn't say it outright, but used him in the past tense.

He expects Hardy to bounce back.

Wants to keep payroll flexibility to see what pitching becomes available.

Says he'll take some risks on injured pitchers, but not a Tim Hudson-like risk ($27 million over 3 years after pitching 160 innings the last two years).

Einsteinhood:

brewguru:

Melvin just said that Lucroy is going to get a shot to open with the team.

Oh my.

So then this is out, but they'll still need to find a backup type, right?

Would they really go into camp with the plan of Lucroy sinking or swiming and the second option being Rivera?

I sure as sh*t hope not.

I agree 1000%.

They have to get a veteran here for a couple reasons.

1) For insurance.

2) A veteran, especially at the C position, is vitally important to help the rookie in the handling of the pitching staff.

So, maybe they just don't have the money to sign people?

Seriously, I get that they want $$$ for pitching, but going on the cheap at CF, SS, and C?

brewguru:

Wants to keep payroll flexibility to see what pitching becomes available.

No putting all of our eggs in one basket.

Torrealba just got bought out. I'd like to see DM take a run at him.