The $60 million dollar challenge. Build the '07 Brewers.

[Team Canada]

Glad to clear that one up for everyone

 

Thanks, you're most helpful.

[Postseason2006]

Quote:

---

1) Every club DOES NOT have injuries

---

 

Can you name one that didn't?

[sbrylski]

Trade Jenkins and Mench for prospects/reliever.

 

Sign 3B Aramis Ramirez - 5 years / $75 million

 

Sign a very good RP, I'll pick out LHRP Jamie Walker - 3 years / $10 million (3, 3.5, 3.5)

 

Resign Cirillo - 1 year / $1 mil

Resign Shouse - 1 year / $1.25 mil

 

Negotiate with Hall and Capuano to buyout their arby years.

Hall - 3 years / ~$16 mil (4, 5.5, 7)

Capuano - 3 years / ~16 mil (4, 5.5, 7)

 

Negotiate with Davis for a three year deal.

Davis - 3 years / ~$18 mil (5, 6.5, 6.5)

 

Move Hall to CF and leave him there, barring any IF injury, for the rest of him time in Milwaukee, hopefully his career.

 1. 2B Weeks $ .500 2. LF Gross $ .335 3. 3B Ramirez ~$15.000 4. 1B Fielder $ .330 5. CF Hall ~$ 4.000 6. RF Hart $ .330 7. SS Hardy $ .355 8. C Miller $ 2.250 OF Clark $ 3.800 OF Nix/Gwynn $ .330 IF Koskie $ 2.000 IF Cirillo ~$ .800 C Rivera $ .330 1. Sheets $10.000 2. Capuano ~$ 4.000 3. Bush $ .352 4. Davis ~$ 5.000 5. Villanueva $ .327 LR Sarfate $ .380 (else Spurling, other FA, Mench or Jenkins trade) MR Turnbow $ 2.300 MR Walker ~$ 3.000 MR Wise $ 1.000 SU Shouse ~$ 1.250 SU Capellan $ .330 CL Cordero $ 5.000 ------- TOTAL $63.299

Braun gets shifted to a corner OF spot and starts out in AAA, though would likely be up very soon and split time with Gross until he gets adjusted. In the meantime, Clark starts in LF against LHP.

 

Koskie is trade bait throughout the offseason and until the deadline if he comes back. He would likely need to prove he's healthy before he's traded.

 

AAA Depth:

OF Braun

OF Gwynn/Nix

UTIL Rottino

IF Perez

C Closser (if we can get him through waivers)

[trwi7]

Love the ideas sbrylski06. Just a question though, don't players salaries go up in the new CBA? Players like Fielder, Capellan, Hardy etc. making more money? I don't think it'd make a huge difference in total payroll I'm just wondering.

 

I wish I knew what the negotiations with Hall for the extension were last year. Would he accept 3/16 or would he want more after this year?

[rluzinski]

It's hard for me to take seriously any scenario that makes Jenkins' entire salary magically disappear. The Brewers will either have eat a portion of that contract or take on another bad contract. $7 mil will not be freed up.

[sbrylski]

Then add 2 or 3 million to that proposal. I don't think Jenkins will be quite as hard to trade as some think, but I do agree we will be taking on a mil or two.

[trwi7]

I am now going to propose the most unrealistic challenge to date. Now don't say I didn't warn you.http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

LINEUP:

 

1. Roberts $2,500,000 (signed 2 years $5 million)

2. Crawford $4,000,000 (trade Gallardo to get him)

3. Weeks $500,000

4. Fielder $382,000

5. Hart $382,000

6. Hardy $408,000

7. Koskie $2,000,000

8. Miller $2,250,000

 

BENCH:

 

Gross $388,000

Clark $3,800,000

Cirillo $1,000,000

Gwynn Jr. $380,000

Rivera $380,000

 

STARTING LINEUP:

 

1. Sheets $10,000,000

2. Peavy $4,750,000 (trade Hall and Eveland or Jackson)

3. Capuano $3,000,000

4. Bush $425,000

5. Davis $5,000,000

 

BULLPEN:

 

Cordero $5,500,000

Turnbow $2,300,000

Wise $1,000,000

Shouse $1,250,000

Capellan $383,000

Sarfate $380,000

Villanueva $380,000

 

TOTAL PAYROLL: $52,738,000

 

-Trade Jenkins for whatever we can get.

 

Now I'm going to go to bed and make my dreams come true and then possibly make it happen on X-Box tomorrow.http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Nader Raider Tim]

Ok, well I have been wanting to give this a shot for a while so here goes.

 

1 - *Gary Matthews Jr. CF 11.00

2 - Rickie Weeks 2nd .50

3 - Prince Fielder 1st .33

4 - Billy Hall 3rd 4.2

5 - Corey Hart RF .33

6 - Gabe Gross LF .35

7 - JJ Hardy SS .33

8 - Damien Miller C 2.5

 

Bench

 

Mike Rivera .33

Tony Gwynn Jr. .33

Yohannis Perez .33

Corey Koskie 2.0

Brady Clark 3.8

 

Starting Rotation

 

1 - Bennie Sheets 10

2 - Chris Capuano 4

3 - David Bush .352

4 - Doug Davis 5.5

5 - Carlos Villenueva .327

 

Bullpen

 

Dennis Sarfate .38

Matt Wise 1

Brian Shouse 1.25

Derrick Turnbow 2.3

**Armando Benitez 7

Jose Cappellan .33

Fransisco Cordero 5.5

 

* Sign Gary Matthew Jr. 3 yr. 29 million (Year 1 - 11 million, year 2 - 9.5 million, year 3 - 8.5 million) with a team option for a 4th yeary @ 9 million

 

** TRADE Geoff Jenkins for Armando Benitez, similar contracts, the Giants need 2 corner outfielders

 

***Kevin Mench trade him for whatever you can, just get rid of that money

 

 

TOTAL $64,269,000

 

Now I am not completely sold on Gary Matthews Jr. I just am infatuated with trying to get a Gold Glove caliber outfielder in CF. I do also think that of all of the Free Agents Matthews is one that we could have a shot at, being 31 and never getting a huge contract I would assume that he would stricktly go to the highest bidder.

 

What I really like about this is that it gives JJ Hardy one more chance. If Hardy can't hack it at SS, then move Billy Hall from 3rd to SS, and bring up Ryan Braun.

 

If Hardy proves that he is the real deal, a prototypical #2 hitter, then keep him there. Keep Billy Hall at 3rd. Move Ryan Braun to LF, or trade him.

 

1 - Gary Matthew Jr. CF

2 - JJ Hardy SS

3 - Prince Fielder 1st

4 - Billy Hall 3rd

5 - Corey Hart RF

6 - Rickie Weeks 2nd

7 - Ryan Braun LF

8 - Damien Miller C

 

IF, and I am saying IF, everything works out perfectly that is a pretty intimidating lineup. There may not be a true basestealer but there are multiple guys who can/should stear 15-20. There is some nice power potential. I like it.

[tigerbrew]

Boring day in the office, so I'm indulging in my fantasy... Assuming if we are unable to sign Aramis Ramirez to a FA contract, I hope to:

 

Trade Davis, Hardy and Clark for Vernon Wells + 5 years / $62.5 MM extension.

 

Trade Jenkins for Mike Morse.

 

Sign FA Justin Speier to 2 years / $6.6 MM.

 

Resign Ohka to 2 years / $11 MM

Resign Cirillo to 1 year / $950 K

Receive a low 1st round draft pick for Graffanino

 

In LF, platoon Gross (against RHSPs) and Mench (against LHSPs). Platoon Rivera and Miller at catcher.

 

BATTING LINEUP:

 

1. 2B Weeks............$ 500 K

2. RF Hart................$ 350 K

3. CF Wells..............$ 5.6 MM

4. SS Hall.................$ 3 MM

5. 1B Fielder.............$ 350 K

6. LF Gross/Mench....$ 350 K

7. 3B Koskie.............$ 2.25 MM

8. C Rivera/Miller.......$ 330 K

 

PITCHING LINEUP:

 

1. Sheets.................$ 10 MM

2. Capuano...............$ 3 MM

3. Bush....................$ 360 K

4. Ohka....................$ 5.5 MM

5. Villanueva.............$ 330 K

 

BENCH:

 

OF Mench................$ 3 MM

OF Nix.....................$ 360 K

IF Morse..................$ 330 K

IF Cirillo...................$ 950 K

C Miller....................$ 2.25 MM

 

BULLPEN:

 

RP Sarfate................$ 330 K

RP Wise...................$ 1 MM

PR Shouse...............$ 1 MM

RP Turnbow..............$ 2.3 MM

RP Justin Speier.......$ 3.3 MM

RP Capellan.............$ 350 K

CL Cordero...............$ 5 MM

 

TOTAL:....................$52.09 MM

 

Note: I may be a bit off on some of the salaries.

 

AAA Depth:

 

3B Braun

OF Gwynn Jr.

UT Rottino

IF Yohannis Perez

C J.D. Closser (if he gets through waivers)

 

P Dana Eveland

P Zach Jackson

P Yo Gallardo

P Grant Balfour

P Chris Spurling

P Chris Demaria

 

Edit: switch Gross/Mench to 6 and Koskie to 7 in the batting order.

[reillymcshane]

Quote:

---

Trade Davis, Hardy and Clark for Vernon Wells + 5 years / $62.5 MM extension.

 

Trade Jenkins for Mike Morse.

---

 

I think Wells would fetch quite a bit more than this. Just my opinion.

 

And we'd probably have to toss in some $$$ for Seattle to take Jenks. Again, my opin. I just don't think a team is going to freely take $7 million in salary for a player that struggled so much last year.

[Nader Raider Tim]

I too, would love to have Vernon Wells, but I think that it would cost a bit more to get him in a trade and to sign him long term.

 

Vernon Wells

 

for

 

JJ Hardy

Mark Rogers

 

I think that might be enought to entice them. MAYBE.

 

Vernon says that he wants a 7 yr 119 million dollar deal, so he won't sign for 5 yr 62.5. If we would trade for him and tore up his deal for this year he might be willing to sign for 7 yr 100 mill.

 

But what about trading Billy Hall for Vernon Wells and Dustin McGowan? Would you do it? Would they do it?

[pogokat]

any deal that is over 5 years and 100 million dollars for any player less than babe ruth in his prime would kill the brewers..maybe permanently...as they would have to let all their young players walk and sign up a buncha rummies...vernon wells is no babe ruth,...he's no mannay ramirez or vladdy, he's not even really better than carlos lee...

 

he's just not right for the crew...and long term, i think he'll be a major bust

[DHonks]

okay, my turn now.

 

My simple moves:

1) Trade Jenkins, get Matt Clement. Some scenarios could be straight-up, or perhaps in a 3-way with the Giants for Benitez since we know the Red Sox want a new closer. Perhaps to balance out the salaries it could be Jenkins and Turnbow for Clement and Craig Hansen.

2) trade Kevin Mench for AA fodder.

3) sign Jose Guillen for 2 years and $11 million, with a $7.5 million option.

4) trade Brady Clark for AAA fodder

5) sign Javy Lopez for around 2 years and $6 million

 

Suddenly that puts our rotation at around $29 million. Bullpen at $8.5-9.5 million.

IF at about $4.5 million

OF at around $9.5-10.5 million

C at around 5.5-6

 

That's a total of $57-59 million

lineup:

Weeks

Hart

Fielder

Guillen

Koskie

Hall

Hardy

C

 

bench (some getting plenty of starts):

Cirillo, Gross, Nix/Gwynn/Krynzel, Rottino, new SS

 

Rotation:

Sheets

Clement

Capuano

Davis

Bush

 

Pen:

Cordero

Tbow/Hansen

Wise

Shouse

Capellan

Villanueva

Sarfate

 

I'd also consider Eveland for the pen, and love to sign/acquire a lefty like Steve Kline or Ray King. Kelly Wunsch could be an option as a minor league free agent

[Mass Haas]

DHonks, Clement unlikely to pitch at all until 2008:

 

www.rotoworld.com/content...mp;id=2675

[DHonks]

thanks Mass. I take that back then.

[reillymcshane]

Okay, this one is strictly a crazy, fun idea.

 

FA signing:

Gil Meche or Greg Maddux - Both can probably get in the $7-8 million/year range. Maddux for two year or Meche for three. Either would go into the rotation.

 

David Weathers - RRHP - 2 year/$1.5-2 million/year

Scott Walker - LRRP - 3 year/$2.5/year

Two veteran relievers who have been pretty consistent over the last few years. Adds needed depth.

 

Jose Cruz - OF - 1 year/$1 million - still an above average righthanded bat who is a superior fielder - won a gold glove in 2003. He can provide play all three OF slots.

 

Resignings:

Davis - 3-year deal for $21 million ($6/$7/$8 payout)

Graffanino - 2-years/$2.5 a year

Cirillo - 1 year - $1 million. Not sold on this, since Rottino might do just the same thing. Still, he had a good year, so they'd probably want him back - if he doesn't retire.

 

Trades:

Jenkins ($7.0) and Clark ($3.http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/glasses.gif -> SF for Benitez ($7 million)

Why? Jenks will start for them at a corner. Money wise, Clark/Benitez is a straight swap, but SF needs to give us more. They do that by taking on Clark and his salary. Clark offers a solid 4 spot back up for them. They get rid of a guy they don't want in Benitez.

 

A-Rod and $2 million/annually -> Brewers

Capuano, Turnbow, Benitez and Zach Jackson -> Yankees

Yes, you'd have to convince A-Rod to take the trade. Let's just go on the assumption you could get that to happen.

 

Yankees get a quality, inexpensive, young lefty who they can really use. He's the kind of guy who can help shut down Big Papi. They get a reliever will probably be servicable for a season in Benitez. They get another reliever in Tbow who could be a bust or a gem. Never know. They get a good pitching prospect in Jackson. They take on about $12-13 million in salary in the players, but Tbow is only signed through 2008 and Benitez through next year. With their starting pitching needs filled - and a couple of arms in the pen - they use their funds to go after a guy like Aramis Ramirez.

 

Brewers get a 40 HR potential at 3B at around $14/million annually (I believe the Yankees are paying him $16 million each year, with the Rangers picking up the rest). The Crew save themselves around $16 million in salary in 2007 by trading Capuano, Tbow, Clark, Jenks. The team immediately moves Braun to LF, where he can spend 2007 at AAA learning the position.

 

Moves:

Hall goes to CF full time. Hart goes to RF, Gross to LF against righthanders, Jose Cruz starts against lefties.

 

Lineup

C - Miller/Rivera - Platoon

1B - Prince

2B - Weeks

SS - Hardy

3B - A-Rod

RF - Hart

CF - Hall

LF - Gross (L)/Cruz ® - Platoon

 

Bench

Graffanino - SS/3B/2B/1B

Rottino - 3B/1B/LF/RF/3rd Catcher or Cirillo if the club doesn't think Vinny is a big leaguer

Gwynn or Krynzel - OF

Cruz would also be availble to PH when not starting.

 

Starting Pitchers

Sheets

Bush

Davis

Meche/Maddux

Carlos V.

 

Relievers

Cordero

Wise

Capellan

Walker

Weathers

Eveland

Sarfate

 

If there is an injury to starting pitching, you have Eveland or Yo move into the rotation. Or even Hendrickson if it happens in spring training. If there are injuries to the relievers, you have Zumwalt or Bray brought up.

 

Salaries:

 

Miller - 2.25

Rivera - 0.4

Prince - 0.4

Weeks - 0.5

Hardy - 0.4

A-Rod - 14

Graffanino - 2.5

Rottino - 0.38

Hart - 0.38

Hall - 3

Gross - 0.45

Cruz - 1

Gwynn/Kryzel - 0.38

Sheets - 10

Madduxm/Meche - 8

Bush - 0.5

Davis - 6

Carlos V. - 0.38

Cordero - 5.4

Wise - 1

Capellan - 0.4

Sarate - 0.38

Eveland - 0.38

Walker - 2.5

Weathers - 2

 

Total: 62.98

 

All in all, you're risking a lot by unloading Capuano, but you'd be getting a potential monster in A-Rod. You have Graffy for infield depth. Outfield depth is questionable. Pitching would have to rely on some youngsters, especially if there were injuries.

 

Of course, you'd have to get a lot of people agreeing to sign here, make the deals, etc. It's so easy for one element to fall through to make the plans work.

 

But look at the line and the home run potential:

 

Weeks - 20 HR

Hardy - 10 HR

Fielder - 35 HR

A-Rod - 40 HR

Hall - 35 HR

Hart - 20 HR

Gross/Cruz - 20 HR

Miller/Rivera - 15 HR

 

That's 195 HR out of our starters alone - and there's potential for more.

 

Again, just a crazy idea.

 

Edit: forgot about Koskie. If healthy, he's a back up, or perhaps dealt. Might need to add $2 million to the salary number.

[trwi7]

How about something like this?

 

-Put together a package to get Freddy Garcia from the White Sox (come up with ideas if you want,)

 

-Trade Davis to Boston for Crisp.

 

Fielder 1B $382K

Weeks 2B $500K

Hardy SS $408K

Hall 3B $3M

Hart LF $382K

Crisp CF $3.75M

Jenkins RF $7M

Miller C $2.25M

 

Clark $3.8M

Gross $388K

Koskie $2M

Cirillo $1M

Rivera $380K

 

Sheets $10M

Garcia $10M

Capuano $3M

Bush $425K

Villanueva $380K

 

Cordero $5.5M

Turnbow $2.3M

Wise $1M

Shouse $1.1M

Capellan $383K

Sarfate $380

 

Total: $59.708M

 

That's only 24 players so we could either sign a reliever or let our prospects fight for the job.

[strawbossisevil]

Moves:

Trade Jenkins for Lopez

Trade Davis (plus midlevel prospect if necessary) for CoCo Crisp

Trade Turnbow, Koskie, Clark (and a prospect if necessary) for Morgan Ensberg

Trade Mench for AA prospect

Sign Jamie Walker 3 years @ 4 million per

Sign V. Padilla or Lilly 3 years @ 8.5 million per

Sign J. Cruz Jr. 2 years @ 1.5 million per

Sign T. Graffainno 2 years @ 2.5 million per

 

Lineup:

CF: Crisp $3.5 million

2nd: Weeks 500 K

3rd: Ensberg $5 M

1st: Fielder $380 K

LF: Hall $3.5 M

RF: Hart $382

SS: Hardy $380

C: Miller $2.25 M

 

Bench:

Ut: Cirillo $1 M

LH OF: Gross $380 K

RH OF: Cruz Jr $1.5 M

Ut: Graffainno $2.5 M

C: Rivera $380 K

 

Rotation:

Sheets $10 M

Capuano $3 M

Padilla or Lilly $8.5 M

Bush $388 K

Villenueva $380 K

 

Bullpen:

CL: Cordero $5.5 M

SU: Capellan $383 K

SU: Walker $4 M

MR: Wise $1 M

MR: Sarfate $380

Loogy: Shouse $1.1 M

Long Relief/6th Starter Lopez $3.5 M (Career ERA under 3 as a reliever in 60 innings+, could possible move to SU role)

 

Total $60.11 M Payroll (+/- a couple million dollars depending on arbitration/free agent numbers)

 

Make it happen Doug!!!

 

The depth on this team would be excellent. We could survive an injury at any position and not lose too much in production. (With the possible exception of 1st base)

If an injury happened:

At 3B: We have Cirillo and Braun

At SS or 2nd: Graffaino and Perez (if he shows he can handle a bat)

At C: Closser (sp?)

At Pitcher: Lopez, Eveland, Jackson, Gallardo

OF: If anyone went down, a platoon of Gross and Cruz would provide solid numbers, Gwynn

[trwi7]

Isn't Guardado out for 2007?

[strawbossisevil]

You're right, so I replaced him with Jamie Walker who, while old, has been a very solid set up guy for the Tigers.

[sbrylski]

Incorporating some of the recent rumors, this is a direction I'd like the see the Brewers take.

 

1. Lose interest in Roberts and Pierre, or they elect to sign elsewhere.

 

2. Grab two arms for the rotation, enabling a Davis trade.

+ Kevin Mench for SP Rod Lopez (or similar)

+ Geoff Jenkins, Zack Jackson/Dana Eveland, $3 million for SP Jake Westbrook (or similar)

 

3. Shop Davis around for the best OF we can get.

+ Doug Davis for CF Ryan Church (or similar - I picked a player less mentioned)

 

4. Round of the offseason by adding a decent vet LHRP.

+ Sign RP Aaron Fultz (or similar)

 STARTERS BENCH/BULLPEN ON THE FARM -------------- -------------- -------------- 2B R.Weeks C M.Rivera C J.Closser SS J.Hardy IF J.Cirillo 3B R.Braun 1B P.Fielder IF V.Rottino SS Y.Perez LF B.Hall OF G.Gross OF T.Gwynn CF R.Church OF B.Clark OF L.Nix RF C.Hart 3B C.Koskie C D.Miller SP B.Sheets CL F.Cordero SP C.Villanueva SP C.Capuano RP D.Turnbow SP Y.Gallardo SP D.Bush RP J.Capellan SP Z.Jackson/D.Eveland SP J.Westbrook RP M.Wise SP M.Parra SP R.Lopez RP B.Shouse SP T.Dillard RP D.Sarfate RP A.Fultz

(Thanks to Brewerfan82 for the format.)

 

EDIT: Other SP targets: Kelvim Escobar, Javier Vasquez, Kris Benson, Carlos Silva

[brewerfan82]

Here it is! HIGHLY unrealistic, but it makes me happy to think about:

 

Sign

SP Gil Meche - 3 years, $18mil

RP Eric Gagne - 2 years, $8mil

CF Kenny Lofton - 2 years, $8mil

 

Trade

CF Brady Clark to COL for minor leaguers

OF Kevin Mench to ??? (as you see, this is real thought out)

SP Doug Davis, OF Geoff Jenkins, RP Derrick Turnbow to BOS for OF Manny Ramirez

 

Payroll

CF Kenny Lofton      4.000

2B Rickie Weeks      0.500

LF Manny Ramirez    18.000

1B Prince Fielder    0.380

3B Bill Hall         3.000

RF Corey Hart        0.380

SS JJ Hardy          0.410

C  Damian Miller     2.250

 

C  Mike Rivera       0.380

IF Corey Koskie      2.000

IF Jeff Cirillo      1.000

OF Gabe Gross        0.390

OF Nix/Gwynn         0.400

 

SP Ben Sheets       10.000

SP Chris Capuano     4.000

SP Gil Meche         6.000

SP Dave Bush         0.420

SP Carlos Villanueva 0.380

 

CL Francisco Cordero 5.500

RP Eric Gagne        4.000

RP Jose Capellan     0.380

RP Matt Wise         1.000

RP Brian Shouse      1.500

RP Dennis Sarfate    0.380

RP Eveland/Balfour   0.380

 

              TOTAL 67.030

 

Piece of cake.

[RyDogg66]

Gil Meche will get no less than 8 million per year. And I dont think Gagne signs a two year deal.

[And That]

Doug Davis for CF Ryan Church (or similar - I picked a player less mentioned)

 

I know this wasn't your point, but if the best we can get for DD is Ryan Church, I'd rather have DD and sign Roberts/Lofton. I'm not saying Davis is worth Crawford or Baldelli, or I'd like to think he's worth more than a 28 year-old CF w/500+ career AB.

[aracko]

I will finally put the time in to come up with my own 60 million dollar challenge.

Obviously I will be relying on trades - which if the trades arent fair my plan goes up in smoke.

 

 

MAJOR MOVE #1 - Trade Doug Davis and Mike Rivera and perhaps a midlevel prospect to the METS. Get Aaron Heilman and Lastings Milledge. Mets really need a starting pitcher and Davis is pretty much a proven commodity. They need a backup to LoDuca.

 

MAJOR MOVE #2 - Angels want a Power Bat in their Lineup at 3rd base. Bill Hall would fill their need. Brady Clark will provide a very solid backup in CF for Matthews. CoCordero and FROD would make a real nice combo to seal the deal late in games. Send Billy Hall and Brady Clark and CoCordero to Anaheim for Ervin Santana, Scott Shields and Chone Figgins. Figgins plays 3rd base until Braun learns to use his glove. He can also rotate around the field when Rillo is in the lineup. Figgins can spell Weeks, Hardy or any OF. Its Yosts job to find a way to get him 450+ ABs. Shields can close or remain the best setup man in baseball. The advantages of having Santana have already been discussed on these boards. A Young, Top of the rotation pitcher could really do something special in the laid back atmosphere of Milwaukee I think.

 

MINOR MOVE - Sign Kenny Lofton. 1 year 4 Million. Overpaying a bit but a young high cieling team is going to need a veteran player who can relate to the young kids. Kenny Lofton was once Ricky Weeks, Prince Fielder, JJ Hardy, Lastings Milledge, Corey Hart. Let Milledge platoon with Lofton in CF. Jenks and Mench can platoon in RF. Hart/Gross in LF.

 

MINOR MOVE #2 - Release Corey Koskie if you cant get a midlevel prospect in return.

 

Decide if Closser is your guy or not. If not sign Greg Zaun. Your going to have to outbid the SOX and Yankees but pay him 9 million over 2 years. With my proposal you can afford to overpay a bit for guys like Lofton and Zaun.

 

Fielder 1B (382K)

Weeks 2B (500K)

Hardy SS (408K)

Figgins 3B (2.3M)

Hart LF (382K)

Lofton CF (4M)

Jenkins RF (7M)

Miller C (2.25M)

 

Milledge (350K)

Gross (388K)

Cirillo (1.5M)

Mench (5M)

Closser? (350K)

 

 

Sheets (10M)

Capuano (3M)

Santana (350K)

Bush (425K)

Villanueva (380K)

 

Turnbow (2.3M)

Wise (1M)

Shouse (1.1M)

Capellan (383K)

Sarfate (380K)

Heilman (359K)

Sheilds (2.1 Mill)

 

Total: $46.587M

 

This leaves you quite a bit of available money if Mark A is sincere about his 60Million Payroll for this season.

 

I would do the following with the spare 13+ Million depending if you sign Zaun or not.

 

#1 - Sign Capuano to a long term deal.

#2 - Sign Dave Bush to a multiyear deal.

 

I think that still leaves us under 60 Million. I know this team could contend this year and probably for many years to come. It has a real nice mix of veterans and youth. Lofton, Figgins, and Miller bring a championship mentality to the team. Jenkins and Mench get a chance to bounce back. If they cant do it, Milledge is there ready to take their jobs.

 

1. Lofton/Milledge CF

2. Figgins 3b

3. Weeks 2b

4. Fielder 1b

5. Jenkins/Milledge/Mench RF

6. Hardy SS

7. Hart/Gross LF

8. Catcher

 

I am not exactly sure how the OF would play but I know a platoon of Mench and Jenks has very good potential. When one isnt in the game that would be a heck of a bat off the bench. This lineup has a huge increase in speed, which I think is a great way to win ballgames. The Catcher position has evolved to a offensive minded position and teams are ignoring the defense.