Fox Sports Radio Rumors (Jenkins, Cordero, and other stuff)

[Madtown Bomber]

Hey guys, just wanted to update you on what was just on Fox Sports Radio this afternoon. I'll give you just the Brewers tie in's first.

 

Geoff Jenkins option will not be picked up however look for the Brewers to be the front runner for re-aquire his services. Other teams that could be looking towards signing Jenkins are the Cardinals, Tigers, Padres, Dodgers, and Yankees. Rumored to be looking for 3 years at 17-20 million.

 

Fransisco Cordero is likely gone from the Brewers. Brewers look to be only offering a 3 years around 26 million but Cordero is likely to get 4 years around 45 million on the open market. Teams likely to come after Cordero are the Cubs, Tigers, Orioles, Reds, and Red Sox.

 

The Cubs are likely to cut ties with injured pitcher Mark Prior. Prior is arbitration eligable however he is expected to get a minimum 3 million due to some rule that says a player can't get 20% less then what they got the previous season. Prior who won't be ready to join a staff until late May would likely be either the Milwaukee Brewers or the Kansas City Royals.

 

Other non Brewers stuff was:

 

Jorge Posada will likely remain with the Yankees however if Posada chose to test the waters if Joe Torre would leave, Posada would quickly be persued by the Cubs, Padres, and Giants.

 

Alex Rodriguez could be asking for 11 years at 400 million. There are only 3 teams in baseball that could afford him at that price, the Yankees, Cubs, and Red Sox.

 

If Adam Dunn's option is not picked up by the Reds it is almost certain that Dunn would end up in San Fransisco.

 

Oakland could be looking to trade Dan Haren but would require 3 Billy Bean moneyball impact players...whatever in the hell that means.

 

White Sox are likely to get either Torji Hunter or Aaron Rowand with the other ending up in San Fransisco.

 

The Dodgers seem to be the only team that will be willing to go after Andruw Jones with any sort of long term deal.

 

There is no truth to the rumor that Johan Santana is available, he is as important to the Twins as it was to resign Brad Radke years ago.

 

That is all they had time for.

 

My thoughts...Prior cheap could be interesting. Cordero, let him go. I will take the picks. Jenkins is NOT worth 3 years and 20 million. 3 years at 15 then maybe, but it isn't my money.

 

Watch the Giants spend some serious coin this year. Posada and Dunn? The lesser or Hunter and Rowand? If they could somehow get A-Rod too? look out.

 

They had some guy talking about John Schuerholz leaving as GM. And they go into how Schuerholz has been Jeff Francouer's biggest supporter while many inside of the Braves organization aren't as high on him. Braves were offered Noah Lowry and prospects at the deadline for Francouer and while many in the Braves organization wanted to take it Schuerholz had no part in it. This same offer could be offered and/or many other teams might jump into the frey.

 

WOW! Brewers need to get into this bidding war. Chris Capuano and any combination of prospects in the system not named LaPorta or Jeffers.

 

How about this. Chris Capuano, Chuckie Caufield, Mat Gamel, and RA Dickey for Jeff Francour straight up.

[sbrylski]

Geoff Jenkins option will not be picked up however look for the Brewers to be the front runner for re-aquire his services. Rumored to be looking for 3 years at 17-20 million.

 

Ugh, I'd rather have him for 1 year and $9 million than 3 years at $6+ a piece.

 

The Cubs are likely to cut ties with injured pitcher Mark Prior.

 

I'd definately be a worthwhile reclaimation project at the right price.

[kgbaseball]

I'll go insane if Jenkins gets a multi-year deal from the Brewers. DM has to be smarter than that, right? RIGHT?!?!

 

Heck, why not go after both Prior AND Wood? Wood's a reliever this team could use, and Prior would be cheap and the risk/reward is astronomical.

[Madtown Bomber]

Wouldn't it be poetic justice if Wood and Prior came to the Brewers, stayed healthy, and produced?

 

Not likely. For Prior to be a Brewer it would have to be 3 million or less with a ton of insentives.

 

Jenkins, no kidding huh? I don't object on bringing Jenkins back but it has to be a nice contract for the Brewers. I just don't think the Brewers will end up giving Jenkins that much for that long.

[trwi7]

Yuck am I the only one who doesn't like Francoeur? Hart is 10x the player he is.

 

DO NOT sign Jenkins to a multi-year deal.

 

We better not have another crap bullpen next year Melvin.

[sheetswannabe]

If Cubs get Cordero, AND A-ROD I will puke.

[Team Canada]

There's no way Jenkins gets a 3 year deal from us. That would be ludicrous. I don't even really buy that we're the frontrunner on him, if we were we'd just pick up his option, because presumably he will get a couple years from someone else.

[endaround]

Makes no sense to decline the option on Jenkins and resign at 6 million over three years. Either its the additional $8 million over one or he leaves.

 

My premonition on Cordero is being echoed. The Brewers will give him a decent offer but far below market. I'd rather sign 3 Bob Howrys for close to the same amount of money.

 

Between KC and Milwaukee, you'd think Prior would take Milwaukee.

 

As to ARod's contract, the Dodgers, Angels, Mets and even White Sox could do it. Don't see him approaching $40 million per year though.

[TooLiveBrew]

Thanks for the update(s), Bomber. Don't want to be the poop in the punchbowl, but I think it's important to remember these are all rumors. Remember how Manny was guaranteed gone last offseason? No! But they really meant it that time! The things I noticed that stood out -

 

Jenks will not get a multi-year deal from the Crew. Unless you call two years "multi" (which technically it is) - but I'm sure there will be at least one other team to go at least to 3 years, and likely more AAV.

 

Almost certain Adam Dunn winds up in SF? I smell a familiar agent tactic. There are so many other teams, especially in the AL, that would be interested.

 

I'd imagine at least LAD would be able to afford Rodriguez, too - but just a guess. If they are supposed to be able to afford Andruw Jones, they can handle A-Rod. (EDIT: good call end, and the only one with which I disagree is NYM. Not because they couldn't afford it, but because of Wright/Reyes)

 

My guess is that the 'no truth to the rumor of Santana's availability' is the Twins making sure they keep their asking price high. They can always wait for him to turn down whatever (less than he'll get as a FA) they offer, and then claim their hands were tied.

 

Interesting stuff all in all, but - call me a conspiracy theorist - I see a lot of team & agent attempts at manipulation in there. Which is why the offseason is so much fun!

[Gopher74]

Makes no sense to decline the option on Jenkins and resign at 6 million over three years. Either its the additional $8 million over one or he leaves.

 

My premonition on Cordero is being echoed. The Brewers will give him a decent offer but far below market. I'd rather sign 3 Bob Howrys for close to the same amount of money.

 

Between KC and Milwaukee, you'd think Prior would take Milwaukee.

 

As to ARod's contract, the Dodgers, Angels, Mets and even White Sox could do it. Don't see him approaching $40 million per year though.

It's been echoed all year. Everybody always says that every good player is going to leave Milwaukee.

 

And I'll trust Melvin's words over some guesses on the radio. He may be saying them simply to appease the Brewers fan base, but I don't believe it.

 

And for the record, I'd take 3 Howry's over Cordero as well. What's to say we're going to get that though?

But in the end, Coco may leave, but I certainly think we're going to give him a strong effort.

 

[TooLiveBrew]

well, you just said the same thing end did, after telling him his comment was 'what everyone says.' Endaround didn't say "Oh man, Cordero is gone - just like every other good player!" He mentioned what is likely to happen, and to his credit, did so early on in 2007. It is what it is - the best offer this team can afford is likely quite a bit less than what CoCo can make on the open market. DM isn't just saying this to appease the fans, but unfortunately the best the Crew can do isn't the best Cordero can do. Good lord I just hope he doesn't end up with ChC. That would suck.

[dadofandrew]

Francouer is a tremondous defensive OF. He's not a great hitter, but he's still very young as well. Walks going up annually. He might be a star in a couple years.

[pogokat]

i seriously doubt the braves trade francouer...he's the most popular player on the team, and he's still cheap

[Madtown Bomber]

I am telling you that a lineup of

Weeks 2B

Hardy SS

Braun 3B

Fielder 1B

Hart CF

Francouer RF

Estrada C

Hall LF

 

Wow, that is a pretty dangerous team...with a still crummy bullpen

[pogokat]

the jenkins platoon put up better numbers than francoeur this year...bringing in Francoeur wouldn't improve the team at all, and it would hurt the team through the talent that left to get the guy

[AJAY]

I just don't think Jenkins is a fit for this team even if he is available at a cheap price. I would like to see a more consistent high average contact hitter take over in left field. I do like Jenkins' defense, but I am not sure if that is enough to bring him back.

 

I just think we need to mix our lineup a little more and add a completely different type of hitter.

[Gopher74]

well, you just said the same thing end did, after telling him his comment was 'what everyone says.' Endaround didn't say "Oh man, Cordero is gone - just like every other good player!" He mentioned what is likely to happen, and to his credit, did so early on in 2007. It is what it is - the best offer this team can afford is likely quite a bit less than what CoCo can make on the open market. DM isn't just saying this to appease the fans, but unfortunately the best the Crew can do isn't the best Cordero can do. Good lord I just hope he doesn't end up with ChC. That would suck.

I'm not certain what you're saying exactly?

 

And no, he didn't say "he's gone like every other good player is", however he did say that the Brewers would only give him the same effort they gave Lee(which I think we can all agree wasn't a sincere effort), and then cited a very predictable rumor on Fox.

 

I'm not saying that he's GOING to re-sign here, he could get a ridiculous offer, but the Brewers are going to try and sign him I believe, and I believe they're going to give it a good effort.

 

I guess what I'm saying is that predicting that the Brewers aren't going to spend more to sign a player than everyone else isn't exactly ground breaking, but when Melvin insists he's going to try to, I'm just trying to figure out why some people don't think that he will.

[TooLiveBrew]

I'm not saying that he's GOING to re-sign here, he could get a ridiculous offer, but the Brewers are going to try and sign him I believe, and I believe they're going to give it a good effort.

 

I guess what I'm saying is that predicting that the Brewers aren't going to spend more to sign a player than everyone else isn't exactly ground breaking, but when Melvin insists he's going to try to, I'm just trying to figure out why some people don't think that he will..

I don't think anyone thinks that Melvin won't make a serious offer. He certainly will give it a good - likely his best - effort. The problem is that a serious offer from the Milwaukee market is humbled in comparison from a serious offer from a big market. The Brewers can only offer so much, and once you hit that point, the money could be better spent on several players, instead of one. True, the FA reliever corps is not impressive, but the money can be spent on the aquisition of a position player (through trade + contract extension, or FA, etc.), while relief help (odd combo of words) can come from a trade.

[colbyjack]

Thanks for sharing Madtown. Rumors are just that, and regardless of how much truth there is to what you heard today, it's still fun to read through.

 

Oakland could be looking to trade Dan Haren but would require 3 Billy Bean moneyball impact players...whatever in the hell that means.

 

Whatever that means I would be on the phone with Beane trying to find out. If Dan Haren could be had, I would put together my best prospect package. I don't see that happening though, as Haren is signed insanely cheap through 2010 ($6.75M team option for 2010), and has been incredibly solid since being acquired in the Mulder deal, not to mention durable.

 

Interesting note on Prior. I agree, he's the perfect reclammation project.

 

I don't buy the Brewers trying to re-sign Jenkins. I'm sure Jenkins at this point in his career would probably put more value on years in a contract than money per year, but I don't see him getting more than a 2-year deal. My guess is that his career starts to wind down similar to the path Jeromy Burnitz took, jumping from team to team, year to year until he calls it quits for good. I wouldn't be surprised to see him end up with the Cardinals.

 

And Gopher, no one is saying that they don't expect Melvin to give the ole' college try in trying to re-sign Cordero, I just don't think many expect that college try to be good enough to make it happen.

[And That]

I couldn't fathom why the Braves wouldn't keep Francoeur. He's quite possibly the best defensive RF in the league, and his offensive game is on the upswing. I'd kill to get Jeff Francoeur. I'd think the Braves would want at least Gallardo, Gamel, Escobar and Hammond.

[Gopher74]

I'm not saying that he's GOING to re-sign here, he could get a ridiculous offer, but the Brewers are going to try and sign him I believe, and I believe they're going to give it a good effort.

 

I guess what I'm saying is that predicting that the Brewers aren't going to spend more to sign a player than everyone else isn't exactly ground breaking, but when Melvin insists he's going to try to, I'm just trying to figure out why some people don't think that he will..

I don't think anyone thinks that Melvin won't make a serious offer. He certainly will give it a good - likely his best - effort. The problem is that a serious offer from the Milwaukee market is humbled in comparison from a serious offer from a big market. The Brewers can only offer so much, and once you hit that point, the money could be better spent on several players, instead of one. True, the FA reliever corps is not impressive, but the money can be spent on the aquisition of a position player (through trade + contract extension, or FA, etc.), while relief help (odd combo of words) can come from a trade.

Well the argument was made that we'd give him the same effort we gave Carlos Lee, which in my mind wasn't a strong effort.

I don't agree however that the FA corps isn't impressive. I think there are several good relievers out there who are very good. Without looking, I'd guess there are 15-18 at least(less Russ Springer who signed today) who'd be an upgrade on the Brewers.

 

And I think we're all assuming that A-The market is going to be on the same level as it was the previous two years, something that I don't agree with, and B-That Cordero is going to go to the highest bidder.

 

There are several factors that would suggest the market isnt' going to be what it was the last two years.

 

And I'm not sure that the Brewers wouldn't offer 3/30 with a 4th option for 13 or so with a 2 Million dollar buyout.

 

And finally, I don't believe that we're this tiny little market that is going to be so far outspent by all the big markets.

 

Show me the big market teams who are going to need a closer?

NYM-Wagner

NYY-Rivera(who I think they'll bring back)

LAD-Saito

LAA-K-Rod

ChC-Marmol, Howry(and if they get ARod, they'll be all but totally out of it).

BoS-Papelbon(who's a closer to stay)

ChW-Jenks

Cards-Izzy(just picked up his option)

M's-Putz

So those are the true "big market" teams.

I predict our payroll will be up near 80 next year, placing us in that second tier. So who are all the teams that are going to go after Coco?

The Phillies may. They need one.

The Braves may, but it's not like they've got a lot more money to spend.

The O's may with Ray getting TJ surgery.

 

But yea, I just don't think we're going up against the Yanks or any of those teams.

[Gopher74]

I couldn't fathom why the Braves wouldn't keep Francoeur. He's quite possibly the best defensive RF in the league, and his offensive game is on the upswing. I'd kill to get Jeff Francoeur. I'd think the Braves would want at least Gallardo, Gamel, Escobar and Hammond.

Well, look at his numbers. Hart's dwarfed him this year. OBP, SLG...speed.

 

I think that he's a product of hype as much as ability after the SI cover that labeled him "The Natural".

 

I certainly think they'd take Gallardo for him straight up. I also don't think we'd comply.

 

[twobrewers]

When will Tony Gwynn Jr. have more of an everyday job? He has proved that he has the skills and ability to be a consistent starter rather than Bill Hall. Do you think Gwynn could be a starter by the beginning of next season?

-- Andrew S., Milwaukee

I'll be honest: I have no idea what the Brewers' plans are with Gwynn, and people ask me about him all the time. The team has had multiple opportunities to install him as a starter but has not done it, and was prepared to send Gwynn to Boston in a deal for Eric Gagne that never happened. On the other hand, he possesses some skills the team covets in terms of speed, smarts and superior center field defense.

If the Brewers wanted to make Gwynn an everyday player, they could move Hall to left field, where they wanted to stick him anyway before coming up empty last winter in acquiring a center fielder, and use Gwynn in center. But that would leave you with a sophomore in right field (Corey Hart), a rookie in center (Gwynn) and a player coming off a down year in left (Hall). The Brewers should be legitimate contenders next year, so Melvin may want more certainty out there.

This was from the latest Mailbag on Brewers.com.

 

When did the Gwynn for Gagne thing almost happen? Did I miss that one?

 

(not sure where to put this - so I figured I would throw it in with random rumors)

[Team Canada]

I think he meant Gwynn almost went to *Texas* for Gagne, not Boston. It was a rumor at the time.

[Gopher74]

When will Tony Gwynn Jr. have more of an everyday job? He has proved that he has the skills and ability to be a consistent starter rather than Bill Hall. Do you think Gwynn could be a starter by the beginning of next season?

-- Andrew S., Milwaukee

I'll be honest: I have no idea what the Brewers' plans are with Gwynn, and people ask me about him all the time. The team has had multiple opportunities to install him as a starter but has not done it, and was prepared to send Gwynn to Boston in a deal for Eric Gagne that never happened. On the other hand, he possesses some skills the team covets in terms of speed, smarts and superior center field defense.

If the Brewers wanted to make Gwynn an everyday player, they could move Hall to left field, where they wanted to stick him anyway before coming up empty last winter in acquiring a center fielder, and use Gwynn in center. But that would leave you with a sophomore in right field (Corey Hart), a rookie in center (Gwynn) and a player coming off a down year in left (Hall). The Brewers should be legitimate contenders next year, so Melvin may want more certainty out there.

This was from the latest Mailbag on Brewers.com.

 

When did the Gwynn for Gagne thing almost happen? Did I miss that one?

 

(not sure where to put this - so I figured I would throw it in with random rumors)

My guess would be they meant Texas. I have heard a number of times that we were close to trading for Gange from the Rangers before the deadline, and while it's possible Gange would have passed all the way to us on the waiver wire, I'm pretty sure Gwynn wouldn't have.