Milwaukee Brewers Off Season Thread 2010-2011

[Mudge]

Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead!

If the reports are accurate and Zack Greinke is heading to Milwaukee along with Yuniesky Betancourt for Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain, Jeremy Jeffress, et al, then it would appear that the Brewers are trying to do it for 2011, and let the future take care of itself.

That's three major league ready prospects for a front-line pitcher.

So, with the addition of both Greinke and Sean Marcum this off season, the Brewers staff will have the following rotation (Bill James' predictions for 2011 in parenthesis, just for the hell of it):

1. Gallardo (190 IP, 3.60 ERA)
2. Greinke (222 IP, 3.57 ERA)
3. Marcum (203 IP, 3.77 ERA)
4. Wolf (229 IP, 4.05 ERA)
5. Narveson (180 IP, 4.45 ERA)

On paper, that's got to be among the best in the NL Central, if not the best, and it should get continued offensive support from Weeks, Braun, Fielder, Hart, and McGehee. Betancourt has some pop, but he is a big-time defensive liability (as are most of the Brewers, which might drive the pitchers nuts).

Still, at least Braun will not be able to complain that the Brewers aren't serious about contending.

[Mr. Baseball]

MILWAUKEE -- The Royals and Brewers were engaged in talks on Saturday about a deal that would send right-hander Zack Greinke to the National League for a package of prospects, a source told MLB.com.

Neither club has confirmed reports of a deal.

Word that the Brewers were close to acquiring Greinke for a package of prospects first surfaced on "Bernie's Crew," a blog hosted by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel but independent from the newspaper. It said Milwaukee would send shortstop Alcides Escobar, outfielder Lorenzo Cain and pitcher Jeremy Jeffress to the Royals for Greinke, shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt and cash.

I can't believe this. I almost feel as if Christmas has come early with this trade! A few websites seem to have already confirmed that Zach Greinke is now a Milwaukee Brewer. With a rotation that would hold Gallardo, Greinke, Marcum, and Wolf and an offense with Hart, Magee, Braun, and Fielder. It's hard to deny that we would be the team to beat in the central.

Thoughts?

[Mr. Baseball]

It shocks me that Greinke accepted the trade (presumably). Rumor has it we were listed on his "no trade list". I guess he really wanted out.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

MLB.com also states that both teams are close to an agreement. IMHO nothing is sure yet.
Since the Brewers weren't much of a contender last year, I wonder if Greinke is happy with this deal.

[Mudge]

MLB.com also states that both teams are close to an agreement. IMHO nothing is sure yet.
Since the Brewers weren't much of a contender last year, I wonder if Greinke is happy with this deal.

Well, if the deal goes through, Greinke has at least joined a team that will contend in 2011. After that, it is a crap shoot. The Brewers have basically eviscerated their farm system to get Sabathia a few years ago (for Matt LaPorta, Zack Jackson, and Michael Brantley) and Greinke perhaps now.

My feeling is that the Brewers will rue the day they made this trade.

The flip side is seeing what the Royals got. They already have the most loaded farm system in baseball; now they get three (major-league-ready) players.

[Buccos13]

I think this will be a good trade now for the Brewers and a good trade later on down the road for the Royals. I love Lorenzo Cain; I saw him play this summer, and he hit a walk-off against the Pirates. However, Greinke will really help the pitching staff in Milwaukee for at least this year.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

Well, if the deal goes through, Greinke has at least joined a team that will contend in 2011. After that, it is a crap shoot. The Brewers have basically eviscerated their farm system to get Sabathia a few years ago (for Matt LaPorta, Zack Jackson, and Michael Brantley) and Greinke perhaps now.

My feeling is that the Brewers will rue the day they made this trade.

The flip side is seeing what the Royals got. They already have the most loaded farm system in baseball; now they get three (major-league-ready) players.

So how on earth it is possible that they still can't build a contender? I think the management of the team should look at themselves and wonder if they are doing a good job.

[Mr. Baseball]

The Brewers will part with shortstop Alcides Escobar, center fielder Lorenzo Cain, top pitching prospect Jake Odorizzi and a player to be named later for Greinke, a right-hander, plus shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt and cash. - MLB.com

No mention of Jeremy Jeffress. Looks like he may have been withdrawn from the deal.

[Mudge]

No mention of Jeremy Jeffress. Looks like he may have been withdrawn from the deal.

That would make the deal more palatable for Brewers fans. I know that Jeffress has not impressed in the minors the way everyone hoped he would, due i9n large part to injuries, but I do think he has major league possibilities.

[Mr. Baseball]

It's official. Zach Greinke is now a member of the Milwaukee Brewers....you have no idea how hard it is for me to not type all of this in caps haha. This team is really getting me excited, I can only pray that injuries don't screw it all up for us *Knock on wood*.

Okay I kept my composure for the first few sentences. Below is my personal space to express my excitement.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ZACH GREINKE IS COMING TO MILWAUKEE!!!!!