Speaking of Josh Hamilton (somebody had to) [Latest… Melvin: We have the connection with Narron but not with US Bank… post 230]

[RockCoCougars]

Maybe Hamilton gets the annual 5 year/$100 million offer this off-season.... the scary thing is that he may be the one to bite on it.

[Outlander]

That is usually reserved for retaining a player so I don't see an offer coming.

[DHonks]

I'd take Hamilton, trade Gomez for a reliever, give our young pitching a chance, perhaps sign a starter in Feb for under-value, and be happy with or 6 runs a game.

[JohnBriggs12]

I'd take Hamilton, trade Gomez for a reliever, give our young pitching a chance, perhaps sign a starter in Feb for under-value, and be happy with or 6 runs a game.

 

That's my thinking as well. Six runs a game makes life a lot easier on a young pitching staff. Yeah they'd lose some OF defense, but this staff, that included all these young guys, struck out a lot of hitters, and likely will again. No defense needed when hitters are grabbing some bench.

 

There are going to be veteran rentals available in July if you need one to bolster a rotation and be a post season starter.

[wisniewski]

Just saw this thread after being mentioned in the Major Leagues forum.

 

Great posts all around, and not much more I can add other than I am firmly entrenched in the 'No Thanks' camp regarding Hamilton. It just doesn't make sense on any level and reeks of a fantasy baseball move. Has no basis in reality for this Brewers team, as it's currently constituted.

[ilikewisco]

The only way it could make sense is if they could deal Aoki. I'm not advocating to sign Hamilton, but a platoon of Gamel and Gomez (late defensive sub as well) could work out very nice. I don't like the idea of Hamilton in CF, but if it got Gamel some AB's it may work out. And a 1-5 of Weeks-Hart-Braun-Hamilton-Ramirez looks pretty good. They would be missing an Aoki type at the top again, but that line-up looks pretty stacked to me. I agree with everyone else that its not something the Brewers should be looking to do, a top of the rotation starter is needed much more.

[Invader3K]

Heyman has another story up about this now. No real new info though.

[PrinceEatMeat]

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/jon-heyman/20686156/brewers-seriously-thinking-about-making-a-play-for-josh-hamilton

 

The fact that Heyman is reporting it alone makes it more legit to me. Scares the crap out of me even more.

[splitterpfj]

I've never thought this was impossible, and I still don't.

 

I don't believe Hamilton will be a 200M guy, but he will absolutely stretch the Brewers' budget...and this is a team that led the league in scoring.

 

If there's a trade out there for pitching, then I'd love it...if this was the big move of the winter...it's the wrong move.

[ELCABALLO45]

The guy has a OPS of .913 and we are acting like we are thinking about going after Alfonso Soriano

[nate82]

The guy has a OPS of .913 and we are acting like we are thinking about going after Alfonso Soriano

 

He may very well become Alfonso Soriano by the end of his contract.

[Bnowell4evr]

At least the group of fans who want an all in house rotation should be pleased with these rumors.

[PrinceEatMeat]

At least the group of fans who want an all in house rotation should be pleased with these rumors.

 

Pretty sure a veteran starter could be had fairly cheap late in the offseason if Hamilton is signed, but it guarantees at least 4 in-house guys in the rotation. It would likely eliminate them from the #2 starters market though for sure, and probably limit the flexibility to sign bullpen arms. Another reason why it's a bad idea. Although I'm sure some people believe we could trade a bat for an arm if Hamilton is signed. That's possible I suppose.

[MNBrew]

I'm not sure where I stand on this Hamilton thing that keeps floating out there, but...

 

...if signing Hamilton necessitated realizing a cost savings somewhere other than the rotation to ensure payroll flexibility, or

...if they had the money to sign Hamilton but would then need to move from other positions of strength either to have budgetary room to acquire a #1/#2 starter OR to use in trade for a #1/#2 starter,

 

then there are legit/viable "in-house" options:

 

- w/ Logan Schafer in the fold, they could easily trade Gomez or Aoki (depth is good but they don't need 3 MLB CFs at this point w/ Gindl also CF-capable waiting in the AAA wings)

- perhaps not as ideal, but w/ at least 2 of Gamel/Green/Ishikawa around, there would be ample 1B options if they chose to save $$ at 1B by trading Hart

- similarly, w/ Green & Bianchi around (preferably Green, though), Weeks would likely fetch a decent return (either alone or as part of a large deal) and save good $$ at 2B

 

Again, just some thoughts. There are pros & cons to every angle or option. But at least theoretically, there would be a nice variety of legit/viable options.

[TURBO]

latest:

 

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Brewers are "seriously considering a run" at impending free agent Josh Hamilton.

 

Nice attendance figures the last few years has allowed Brewers owner Mark Attanasio to expand the payroll, which was just south of $100 million in 2012. While they were unable to re-sign CC Sabathia and Prince Fielder, Hamilton shouldn't require nearly as big of a contract. They also have an ace up their sleeve in hitting coach Johnny Narron, who was Hamilton's "life coach'' with the Rangers. The Brewers probably won't be able to compete if the bidding for Hamilton gets too crazy, but they could be players if the price is reasonable.

 

CBSSports.com Oct 25 - 9:34 PM

[Baldkin]

The guy has a OPS of .913 and we are acting like we are thinking about going after Alfonso Soriano

 

This is hilarious.

Soriano, Washington, 2006: .277, .351, .560.... .911

Hamilton 2012: .285, .354, .577.... .930.

 

One was 30 years old, the other 31.

 

One averaged 155 games over the previous 6 years, the other, 111.

 

I want no part of Hamilton.

[Bnowell4evr]

The guy has a OPS of .913 and we are acting like we are thinking about going after Alfonso Soriano

 

This is hilarious.

Soriano, Washington, 2006: .277, .351, .560.... .911

Hamilton 2012: .285, .354, .577.... .930.

 

One was 30 years old, the other 31.

 

One averaged 155 games over the previous 6 years, the other, 111.

 

I want no part of Hamilton.

 

Soriano signed an 8 year deal and Hamilton isn't expected to get anything more than 5 years.

[pogokat]

I think the Brewers are played on hamilton if they can sign him in the 3 or 4 year range...i don't think they'd go any further than that. Hamilton seems like a really thoughtful guy---the kind that might make this decision with something other than his wallet...

 

I don't think they will give him 5 years or anywhere near 100 million...but i could see a 3 year 60 million dollar deal...and i'd be cool with that

[jerichoholicninja]

Hamilton seems like a really thoughtful guy---the kind that might make this decision with something other than his wallet...

 

He's already said he'll sign with whoever gives him the most money.

[SoCal Brew Crew Fan]

I would bet his agent is using this as a way to get the bidding up for other teams...seems the Brewers have become the agent world's new favorite decoy.

[KCBrewerfan34]

If Bost, NY, LA Dodgers aren't interested and Texas seemingly not willing to ante up adding this guy on a 4 year $80 million dollar deal would be sweet, what a line up!!!

 

We have good young starting pitching, tweak the bullpen, and we're right back in the thick of things!

 

Hart would probably be lost via FA after this year.

[pogokat]

Hamilton seems like a really thoughtful guy---the kind that might make this decision with something other than his wallet...

 

He's already said he'll sign with whoever gives him the most money.

 

If that's truly the case, then this is a moot conversation, because it won't be Milwaukee

[monty57]

At least the group of fans who want an all in house rotation should be pleased with these rumors.

 

Is there a group that specifically wants an "all in house rotation?" I don't want us to sign a multi-year deal for a pitcher that we'll regret in a couple of years, and that same logic would apply to signing Hamilton to a long-term / $20+MM-a-year deal.

 

Just like I'd be fine with signing a top-of-the-rotation starter to a 2-3 year deal, I'd be fine with signing Hamilton to a shorter-term deal. Just like I wouldn't sign a big, multi-year deal to a CF who is no better than Gomez/Schafer, I do not want to sign a big, multi-year deal to a SP who is no better than the "in-house" guys we already have.

 

Getting a significant upgrade at a position is great, and that's the only reason you'd sign a player to a position where you already have "MLB caliber" players. We have CF covered, but Hamilton is a big enough upgrade where you'd consider signing him for the right price. We have SP covered, but if we can get a significant upgrade at the right price we should look at upgrading. In neither case should we sign a veteran just because we have some money to spend and it'll look to the fans like the front office is trying. Not that that's what you're advocating, but some seem to think we need to get a veteran pitcher "just because."

[JohnBriggs12]

monty57,

 

I might get you in trouble with some on here, but I couldn't agree more with your post. I'd add that top of the rotation starters with 2-3 years on deals are guys you can usually only get in trades. Most of the veterans out there some are suggesting are mid to back end guys, or mid rotation guys coming off of career yeas in their 30's. The risk of overpaying these types is huge and the Brewers have a history of doing just that especially when they have a lot of room in their budgets. That's exactly why some of us would rather go with guys that showed something last year and are still cheap. There will be quality veteran arms available in July. There are every year.

 

Your assessment of the Hamilton situation is right on. Big upgrade at right price is something you don't turn away from. The Brewers aren't going to blow teams out of the water with a Fielder type offer that was fueled by an owner willing to lose money to win a championship before he dies. But the Brewers have been and still need to be opportunity shoppers.

[Bnowell4evr]

At least the group of fans who want an all in house rotation should be pleased with these rumors.

 

Is there a group that specifically wants an "all in house rotation?" I don't want us to sign a multi-year deal for a pitcher that we'll regret in a couple of years, and that same logic would apply to signing Hamilton to a long-term / $20+MM-a-year deal.

 

Just like I'd be fine with signing a top-of-the-rotation starter to a 2-3 year deal, I'd be fine with signing Hamilton to a shorter-term deal. Just like I wouldn't sign a big, multi-year deal to a CF who is no better than Gomez/Schafer, I do not want to sign a big, multi-year deal to a SP who is no better than the "in-house" guys we already have.

 

Getting a significant upgrade at a position is great, and that's the only reason you'd sign a player to a position where you already have "MLB caliber" players. We have CF covered, but Hamilton is a big enough upgrade where you'd consider signing him for the right price. We have SP covered, but if we can get a significant upgrade at the right price we should look at upgrading. In neither case should we sign a veteran just because we have some money to spend and it'll look to the fans like the front office is trying. Not that that's what you're advocating, but some seem to think we need to get a veteran pitcher "just because."

 

From my perspective there are a large number of posters on this site who would prefer Melvin to do nothing this winter so a couple of pitchers with a mid 4 ERA in AAA along with a journeyman who was dumped by the Nationals can be given every rotation spot behind Gallardo. There seems to be a large number of Brewer fans who were upset by our late season surge because it prevented an all our rebuild like they desperately wanted.