Here's the latest on the Brewers, including what's happening at the GM meetings in Milwaukee:
- The Brewers are much more interested in Rafael Furcal than Aramis Ramirez, tweets Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Danny Knobler of CBS Sports adds that the Brewers have strong reservations about Furcal and may stick with Yuniesky Betancourt. Still, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke admitted that he likes both Furcal and Ramirez today on MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM with Jim Bowden and Casey Stern.
- Clint Barmes is another possibility for the Brewers at shortstop. MLB.com's Adam McCalvy writes that GM Doug Melvin will meet with Barmes' agent tomorrow.
- Milwaukee is considering whether funds are available for the top shortstop on the market, Jose Reyes, tweets Jon Heyman of SI.com.
- The Brewers inquired on Gaby Sanchez at season's end, tweets Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. If the first baseman becomes available, Milwaukee could make a play for him.
- Melvin says he hasn't given up on signing Prince Fielder, and will meet with Scott Boras today. However, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel thinks the GM has moved on, meaning Mat Gamel could get a chance to start the season at first base (all Twitter links).
- The Brewers will not attempt to re-sign Milwaukee native Craig Counsell, tweets Haudricourt.
- In another tweet, Haudricourt adds that outrighted players Mitch Stetter and Josh Wilson have elected free agency.
CyYoungSuppan
If they stick with Betancourt, I might legit cry.
twenty1thirteen
Who could blame you? Getting rid of him was the best part of the Greinke trade.
LarrySellers
I would cry too… but then I’d get out the pitchforks and torches and get a mob together heading straight for Doug’s office.
BaseballLogic_Braves
I think Gaby Sanchez would fit well in Milwaukee. Miami just has to sign a big bopper first.
DT Flush234
Doubt Furcal will go to the Brewers. They will pursue Reyes or
Rollins because they have extra cash to pursue bigger FA.
SunsetStripper
Why does everyone think the Brewer’s have money to spend with Fielder’s contract coming off the books? Don’t you people realize that raises are due to Weeks, Hart, Braun, and Gallardo. That’s where the $15 mil that Prince made last year is going. The Brewer’s would be lucky if they got a guy like Furcal. Hopefully they don’t have to overpay to get him.
jessethegreat
Didn’t Braun just sign a big contract a year or two ago? I say use the savings from Prince to lock up Grienke.
SunsetStripper
I hope they can extend Greinke. I have no clue what he would be looking for in an extension. Maybe 5/80?
nictonjr
They did draw almost 300,000 more fans this year than last. That would have to help payroll increase some…
ophaq2
Bye Aramis. I’ll enjoy watching you lollygag for another team and get paid well to do it. I don’t think you’re worth a squirt of piss.
mlbfanwi
How quick you forget. He was one of the best players for the Cubs for just under a decade.
cedarandstone
Pickings have been very thin the last decade.
Alou and Derek Lee were very productive though.
lefty177
He hasn’t given up but he appears to have moved on…huh?? Is his favorite song Hot N’ Cold by Katy Perry or something?
rockfordone
What did Fielder make last year? 17M?? add 3M and sign him for 3 years. Not much a market out there
CaseyBlakeDeWitt
Prince’s big thing is that you’re getting him in his prime. If you sign him for only 3 years, he’s going to expect a much higher rate annually, since he’s giving up the big upside to signing him to a long-term deal.
SunsetStripper
He made $15.5 last year. You’re dreaming if you think he’ll sign for 3/60. Go back to your little fantasy land.
CyYoungSuppan
He already turned down a 5/100 from the Brewers. Why would he even consider a contract for less years and the same money?
Harry Doyle
Not to mention they would like to lock of Greinke or possibly Marcum… and need to.