Braun, Fielder, Hart, Hardy, Weeks: Will they stay in Milwaukee?

[BrewCrewForever]

Heres the thing, if we could keep only one who would you take; Braun or Fielder? I would go with Braun.

[jeffy]

Oh wow. I didn't know they were under contract that long. That is great news. Are they going to start making more than like 500,000 dollars?

Wow. Our 1 through 5 hitters make a grand total of 1.9 million dollars.

Before you guys get too worried about whether these guys are suffering in poverty, you might want to check on what they got as a signing bonus when they were drafted.

[Tbadder]

I'd go with Braun as well. To me, Fielder looks like Mo Vaughn waiting to happen.

[BrewCrewForever]

I'd go with Braun as well. To me, Fielder looks like Mo Vaughn waiting to happen.

I don't quite think Fielder will turn into Vaughn, I think he will have a great career. But Braun seems to be the more total package on offense and if he can get his defense down will be unbelivable. I like to dream and think we will keep Braun, Fielder, Hart and Hardy around for a long time. Those are the 4 guys we need to keep around.

 

[pretendastronaut]

Does anyone think they'll all want to keep playing together since they came up through the system together too? Not that we won't have to pay them well, but I think we have a pretty interesting situation that a lot of these guys could be pretty bonded after coming up together, and if we put together some winning years, some of these guys may be willing to stay a bit longer. I have no idea, its just a thought.

 

Overall I think Braun will be the biggest stud of them all, and I think he's the most likely to go. I don't think Milwaukee will be a big enough market for him. Prince is becoming an icon in Wisconsin, and if that continues to grow, I think he might be interested in sticking around.

[RyDogg66]

Does anyone think they'll all want to keep playing together since they came up through the system together too? Not that we won't have to pay them well, but I think we have a pretty interesting situation that a lot of these guys could be pretty bonded after coming up together, and if we put together some winning years, some of these guys may be willing to stay a bit longer. I have no idea, its just a thought.

 

Overall I think Braun will be the biggest stud of them all, and I think he's the most likely to go. I don't think Milwaukee will be a big enough market for him. Prince is becoming an icon in Wisconsin, and if that continues to grow, I think he might be interested in sticking around.

No.

That just isnt how things work these days.

 

If I could pick two out of Hart, Hardy, Weeks, Fielder and Braun it would be Hart and Braun. I think they have the best longterm potential, with Weeks coming in third. Fielder will be great, but I wouldnt want to give him a 5-6 year deal when he is 28 years old, playing in the NL.

[Fatter than Joey]

Fielder is in the AL for his first big contract in my opinion

 

I agree -- and I think probably would be the best for both parties. Fielder plays 1b like a future DH -- that isn't to say he can't get better, but I just don't see it happening. I think the first opportunity he gets, he is going to NY, BOS or ANA.

 

As far as Braun, I hope they could keep him -- a lot will depend on his defense as well.

[endaround]

My point with Hardy is that he hits free agency just when Fielder, Braun, and Hart hit big arby salaries. And Hardy won't be cheap to sign most likely, probably around $10 million a year adjusted for inflation come time.

[RyDogg66]

Say hello Alcides Escobar....and Im fine with that.

[BrewCrewForever]

Does anyone think they'll all want to keep playing together since they came up through the system together too? Not that we won't have to pay them well, but I think we have a pretty interesting situation that a lot of these guys could be pretty bonded after coming up together, and if we put together some winning years, some of these guys may be willing to stay a bit longer. I have no idea, its just a thought.

 

Overall I think Braun will be the biggest stud of them all, and I think he's the most likely to go. I don't think Milwaukee will be a big enough market for him. Prince is becoming an icon in Wisconsin, and if that continues to grow, I think he might be interested in sticking around.

No.

That just isnt how things work these days.

 

If I could pick two out of Hart, Hardy, Weeks, Fielder and Braun it would be Hart and Braun. I think they have the best longterm potential, with Weeks coming in third. Fielder will be great, but I wouldnt want to give him a 5-6 year deal when he is 28 years old, playing in the NL.

I agree, Braun and Hart are the two I want here for life. Best long term potential and most complete players.

[KCBrewerfan34]

Boras will not "let" Fielder sign a deal before he can be a FA, he loves to shop his clients. If Fielder is hitting 40 HR's a year 10 years for $200 million will NOT be a stretch for his 1st big contract.

 

Lower payroll teams have to build w/ pitching & their minors, that being said you spend your money on pitching, therefore sign Sheets to a 5 yr $75 million deal, Hardy probably will be gone, a little early to start "worrying" about the other guys, YET

 

Jenkins HAS TO BE GONE, his $9 million will prove to be extremely valuable this off-season along with some of the other expiring contracts the Brewers have. Cordero's recent struggles have cost him alot of money, is a 3 yr $24 million deal doable, probably need to go a 4th year.

 

When you teams stinks for so long it's no big deal because you really don't have to many tough decisions, now Melvin has 5-7 toughies coming up in the next 5 years or so, starting with Sheets who IMO is a must sign!!!

 

 

GO Brewers!!

[davego]

Maybe more my heart then head, but I'd almost be willing to give Boras the blank contract and let him tell me how much we are going to pay for Prince.

 

If I were to pick two, Prince and Braun. No question.

[RyDogg66]

Boras will not "let" Fielder sign a deal before he can be a FA, he loves to shop his clients. If Fielder is hitting 40 HR's a year 10 years for $200 million will NOT be a stretch for his 1st big contract.

 

Here is where Boras can screw his clients. Fielder is young, but lets be honest, he is fat. Yeah, its genetics, so cut him a break, big deal, he is still awesome. But he has 4 more full years of playing before he can cash in. A knee problem could crop up, foot issues, etc. Basically what Boras would be saying is that Prince has NO security until 2012, when he would be playing his first year with his new team (Detroit) under a new contract.

 

If Boras and Fielder were smart, they would sacrifice one year of FA for security between 2008-2012 and then cash in after 2012 rather than after 2011. Prince would still be just 29 years old heading into that 2013 and would make a huge amount of money. Not to mention that Prince is gonna make less than 500k next year without a formal contract extension. The Brewers could give him a 3-5 million next year if Prince would be willing to sell off a year of FA and stick around until after 2012. It just makes sense to me, but who am I?

[drezdn]

My guess is that Hart is the most likely to stay a Brewer. It's easy to overlook that he's good because several other players on the team are putting up better numbers than him.

 

With Fielder, Hardy and Braun it's going to depend on a lot of things. For example, what players will the Brewers marketing department hang their hat on? For years, even when the team was doing bad people would go to see Gatner, Molitor or Yount.

 

If Fielder's agent wasn't Boras, I think there's the chance he would have stuck with Milwaukee, because he seems a bit "shy."

 

Braun on the other hand, unless he has a bad year or injury, is definitely not going to be with the Brewers after six years. He plays like he's a Yankee now.

[sbrylski]

My point with Hardy is that he hits free agency just when Fielder, Braun, and Hart hit big arby salaries. And Hardy won't be cheap to sign most likely, probably around $10 million a year adjusted for inflation come time.

Also at the time Suppan's $12 mil is wiped from the books. Yes, it'll be a big decision, but I don't see why the Brewers wouldn't be able to resign one of these players, likely the cheapest. Signing Hardy (Hopefully something like 4 year / $50) or not signing Hardy, we won't be laying down $150+ for Fielder.

[BrewCrewForever]

My guess is that Hart is the most likely to stay a Brewer. It's easy to overlook that he's good because several other players on the team are putting up better numbers than him.

 

With Fielder, Hardy and Braun it's going to depend on a lot of things. For example, what players will the Brewers marketing department hang their hat on? For years, even when the team was doing bad people would go to see Gatner, Molitor or Yount.

 

If Fielder's agent wasn't Boras, I think there's the chance he would have stuck with Milwaukee, because he seems a bit "shy."

 

Braun on the other hand, unless he has a bad year or injury, is definitely not going to be with the Brewers after six years. He plays like he's a Yankee now.

So is he more a true Yankee already then A-Rod? Just kidding, but I hate to think of Braun as a Yankee ever. That would break my heart. I think we are all looking to much into this whole idea that all of our good players are going to leave us. This is not the old days of the loser Brewers. This is the Mark A era, an era that is going to spend money and wants to win. Not cut corners. Im not saying that we can re-sign everyone, but I'd like to think we can keep either Braun or Fielder and a few of the other young core guys.

[homer]

I'm guessing Braun would go to the Angels before the Yankees. He's from SoCal.

[RyDogg66]

Im thinking Dodgers.

[Team Canada]

I agree with Hart and Braun being the highest priority. As good as Prince will probably be, it's a lot easier to replace a 1B (or move someone else there), then find a mashing OF or 3B. Hardy would be nice, but is probably fairly replaceable, especially if he plays more like his 2nd half than the 1st. Obviously the latter would make him one of the best SS in the MLB, and thus much more attractive.

 

Of course, it's also important to remember that Jack has 6 years to find a replacement for some of these guys. If our farm system doesn't consistently produce good players, then we'll have a problem.

[JJHardy7]

I'm not going to worry about this until I have to. If we continue to draft well and win games, everything will work out.

 

Let's just enjoy the guys while we can, since it's very unlikely they'll be here forever.

[BrewCrewForever]

I think if Braun for some reason did leave, I would probably adopt that team as my 2nd favorite to the Brewers. Unless it's the Cubs or Yanks. I could handle if he became a Angel or Dodger. But I want him in Brewer blue for a long, long time.

[panthernick]

Lets not forget that there is 5 years or so before this all goes down. Anyone of these guys could get disgruntled and force a trade, or the Brewers could recognize their value and trade them for more prospects. That of course is the name of the game in small market baseball. With LaPorta possibly coming up it is always a possibility Prince could be traded before he hits his first contract. (obviously in one of his later arby years)

[endaround]

I wish people would not even think of penciling LaPorta's name anywhere close to the mlb roster. The track record of 22 year old college position platers is hardly stellar (yes I know LaPorta has circumstances).

[sbrylski]

Of course, it's also important to remember that Jack has 6 years to find a replacement for some of these guys. If our farm system doesn't consistently produce good players, then we'll have a problem.

Not just Jack. Melvin can trade a Fielder or Braun a year before they hit free agency and bring back a stud prospect or two.

 

[adamb100]

5 years is a long way off. Who know what our roster will look like then, cross the bridge when we get to it.