Several names have been included in trade rumors involving the Brewers but their offer is thought to center on outfielder Matt LaPorta, their top minor-league prospect. LaPorta, currently playing at Class AA Huntsville, was the Brewers' first-round draft pick in 2007.

I know for a fact the Indians also have shown interest in Class A Brevard County third baseman Taylor Green, the Brewers' minor league player of the year in '07. A third prospect could be included in the offer as well, possibly Brevard outfielder Lorenzo Cain.

I would give up Sabathia at this point for LaPorta, Green, and Cain.

Probably a typo, but Robo's report said the Brewers may offer both LaPorta and Escobar, possibly also Green/Cain. Robo also said the Dodgers could be offering Hu/Laroche/McDonald. Am I the only one who would jump at either of these offers for Sabathia?

The big winner in this whole thing could be Pittsburgh. Robo also seems to think that L.A. is really pushing for Jack Wilson and would likely offer Hu, Laroche, or McDonald. I would LOVE to see any of that happen, as unlikely as that is.

Yeah, Robo's kind of cooky when nothing's going on, but he's pretty spot on when it comes to reporting hard news and insider information.

Robo quoted two baseball people from other teams; one of them thought Escobar MIGHT be in the Brewers' offer, but both agreed LaPorta was the centerpiece.

The J-S says Escobar (and Hardy) are not included.

Melvin talks pretty frankly on-the-record for a GM (and I believe he was one of Gammo's prime souces going back to his Texas days), and it wouldn't surprise if he (or Ash) is giving info off-the-record as an "anonymous source" for the J-S.

How often do you see a GM go, "Yeah, we've made a trade offer for so-and-so, and we're just waiting for a response"?

It's smart of Melvin to say take it or leave it to Cleveland. If they are going to get this done, it needs to be done ASAP from the Brewers perspective. No dragging it out for weeks while CC makes meaningless starts in Cleveland.

this is going to wrap up in the next 24 hours. i doubt anyone tops the brewers' offer.

Are the Brewers going to try to lock up Sabathia immediately after the trade, try to lock him up after the season, or just take the picks and make the trade for the sake of making a run?

LaPorta is a sweet return if the Indians are convinced they can't sign/afford Sabathia.

Are the Brewers going to try to lock up Sabathia immediately after the trade, try to lock him up after the season, or just take the picks and make the trade for the sake of making a run?

There's been no indication that, if he were to be acquired, they would attempt to sign Sabathia during the season.

A rental + picks would be most probable, although I suppose it depends on how the rest of the season goes.

Picks, especially because you don't know what team will sign your player, are practically worthless when compared to a prospect like LaPorta.

Jack Zduriencik is regarded by the Brewer front office as some mystic when it comes to player personnel. I am not claiming it's deserved. Just relaying the perspective.

And Darren, what would you have the Brewers do with LaPorta? You are clearly opposed to making a deal. So what's the alternative plan given that:

LaPorta is NOT an outfielder. He is a first baseman/DH.
The Brewers have scads of right-handed players.
Matt Gamel looks to be in his class as a hitter, is left-handed, and will almost certainly have to play first base in the big leagues as well
The team's firsthand experience in not appreciating defense in 2007 haunts everyone in the front office. The notion that the team will intentionally weaken the defense for the sake of a bat is crazy. Won't happen.
Fielder is still under the team's control for a fair amount of time.

By the way, stating that Milwaukee shouldn't have drafted LaPorta is not an answer.

Picks, especially because you don't know what team will sign your player, are practically worthless when compared to a prospect like LaPorta.

Good thing that this isn't the NFL, and they're not trading the picks for LaPorta, but attempting to trade the redundant LaPorta+ for a half-season of a top-of-the-rotation pitcher AND two picks in an attempt to stop a 25-year playoff drought.

LaPorta can certainly mash, but the Brewers haven't had too much problem finding those types of guys. Two picks on top of the likely Sheets picks means another busy draft day for Jack Z. in 2009.

I'm afraid Darren may be being sarcastic regarding an argument I had with some Sox fans here awhile ago about LaPorta's relative value. I could be wrong though.

LaPorta can certainly mash, but the Brewers haven't had too much problem finding those guys.

I disagree, is all I can really say. They have Braun and Fielder, but neither one is looking that great this year. Hart is nice too, but I don't know that the Brewers are a team of mashers. This year they are 7th in the NL in runs and last year they were 5th. It seems that improving the offense would be just as legitimate as improving the pitching, but it seems that every front office person, announcer, media member, and fan would prefer upgrading the pitching for whatever reason.

Melvin talks pretty frankly on-the-record for a GM (and I believe he was one of Gammo's prime souces going back to his Texas days), and it wouldn't surprise if he (or Ash) is giving info off-the-record as an "anonymous source" for the J-S.

Definitely.

If the suckitude of Rickie Weeks continues, the Brewers will have a tough time carrying out any plan for the near future or the slightly-less near future.

I disagree, is all I can really say. They have Braun and Fielder, but neither one is looking that great this year. Hart is nice too, but I don't know that the Brewers are a team of mashers. This year they are 7th in the NL in runs and last year they were 5th. It seems that improving the offense would be just as legitimate as improving the pitching, but it seems that every front office person, announcer, media member, and fan would prefer upgrading the pitching for whatever reason.

So the Brewers AREN'T seemingly loaded at the moment with minor leaguers who can hit?

It is true that it sure SEEMS like the lineup hasn't really caught fire this year - they're 5th in the NL in OPS+ (they were 5th last year as well, when they lead the majors in HR - Miller historically boosts homers, hurts BA).

Part of the reason people might be willing to give more slack to the offense is that the core players are still reasonably young and pre-peak. Certainly, you'd wish the OBP were higher, but power certainly isn't a problem. Perhaps they are what they are and that's all they'll ever be, but it's also easy to see why some might think/hope for even more in the future.

Now, if you think the offense needs to be upgraded now, where? Dump Weeks and get a Brian Roberts sort? Elsewhere, the outfield isn't changing, Branyan has picked up the slack from Hall, Hardy is unlikely to move right now since he's sure-handed defensively and started hitting in the #2 hole.

When the backend of your rotation is Dave Bush and Seth McClung - for as well as they've pitched as late - that seems an easier fix. Sabathia would be more of a dependable inning-eater (as well as a much better pitcher overall, obviously) than Bush or McClung, so that's going to also have a side benefit of fewer innings for the bullpen, as well as moving one of Bush/McClung to the 'pen.

(Bullpen-wise, it would also be nice if Riske could put up one of his normal seasons from here on in)

I disagree, is all I can really say. They have Braun and Fielder, but neither one is looking that great this year. Hart is nice too, but I don't know that the Brewers are a team of mashers.

Luckily for Fielder and Braun, the numbers they put up last year have to figure into any evaluation of them. Even if you consider Braun's season a disappointment, he's got as many big league homers right now as LaPorta has AA homers. LaPorta is not a better hitter than either, so he can't improve the offense in Milwaukee right now. Especially if he can't play outfield in the big leagues. He would improve the offense if he could play 2B or catcher, but that's about as likely as the Angels moving John Lackey to DH so he can be the "big bat behind Vlad".

I'm not saying the offense is bad, just that it isn't great and there is room for improvement there, just like there is on the pitching side.

And they do seem loaded with minor leaguers who can really hit, but they have in the past too. Until some of these current guys become excellent major leaguers, I'm not going to take their ability to develop great hitters for granted. So far, they have had 3 guys (in what, 8-9 years?) develop into very good ML hitters, and that was with 7 top 12 picks. It's nice to have 3, but I don't think we can act like the Brewers have some special ability to just churn out all-star hitters.

SLIGHTLY OFF TOPIC, BUT WAS ANYONE ELSE KIND OF PUT OFF BY HAVING THE AMERICAN FLAG STAMPED OVER CHIEF WAHOO'S LIKENESS ON THE INDIAN CAP THIS WEEKEND???!!!

wow, I hadn't noticed that. It reminds me of a leftist art exhibition I saw when I was in college.

The unintended symbolism of the hat is almost too obvious. I can't believe they didn't use their "I" logo instead.

Assumptions:

LaPorta can't play the outfield. Far-fetched really, but not relevant as the Brewers have plenty of quality outfield players and prospects. LaPorta is young though. They don't need to do anything with him right away.

Gamel has no hope of playing third. Very interesting and I assume the poster must be reporting from Huntsville. Don Money doesn't agree and the team plan is to leave him there for the rest of the year and see how he does. Again, very young, and no need to do anything this year or next.

I wasn't intentionally making any reference to the previous discussion of LaPorta's worth.

And Darren, what would you have the Brewers do with LaPorta? You are clearly opposed to making a deal.

I'd have them not make a deal of LaPorta++ with the thought that they are going to let Sabathia walk and get the picks. Less than a half season of Sabathia is going to have a very small impact on the Brewers' season. Two mystery picks are going to have little value.

LaPorta, even if redundant, is a very valuable player. He's a year removed from college and mashing in AA. Just because he's blocked doesn't mean you have to give him away on the cheap, which is what I think of the deal for Sabathia.

This may not be a question for today, but one practical alternative that has not been mentioned (assuming that LaPorta is indeed destined for 1B, which I don't dispute) would be to trade Prince at season's end as a separate means for reloading the pitching staff. If the Yankees can't sign Teixeira, I assume they will be int he market for a 1B.

Would you rather have LaPorta + other prospects earmarked for Indians + say, Kennedy/Horne/A. Jackson - 1/2 season of Sabbathia - supplemental and 1/2 rd pick - Prince or the converse?

If a move has to be made to break up the 1B logjam, I'd rather trade LaPorta now (we know Prince hits major league pitching, which is more valuable than the very great likelihood that LaPorta will), make a run, and avoid giving up one of the players for $0.75 on the dollar as the Phillies had to do a couple of years ago.

Are you talking about Thome? Because I think Gonzalez/Rowand/Haigwood was a pretty fair return for him. Since the trade, Thome's had WARP1's of 6.0, 4.9, and 1.5. Rowand's been 2.7, 7.6, 3.8. And those numbers give Thome credit for being a neutral fielder, despite the fact that he's limited to DH. Meanwhile, Rowand was much cheaper and they got the two pitching prospects to boot.

The Brewers just don't need to break up the perceived log jam right now, either. If and when they do, they could, as you suggest, deal Fielder instead and probably reap more benefits.

LaPorta can't play the outfield. Far-fetched really, but not relevant as the Brewers have plenty of quality outfield players and prospects.

False on several fronts. LaPorta's range is nonexistent. He is a totem out there. He handles what he can get to but what he can get to is d*mn few. As to the plenty of outfield prospects there is nobody in the system who could be branded a grade "A" outfield prospect. The top ones are likely Brantley and Cain and both have gaps in their games.

Gamel has no hope of playing third. Very interesting and I assume the poster must be reporting from Huntsville. Don Money doesn't agree and the team plan is to leave him there for the rest of the year and see how he does.

I have seen Matt at every minor league stop. Braun was a better minor league third baseman and care to recall how that turned out? Don Money is a very positive guy and it's not like organizations everywhere haven't been saying hopeful things when hope was needed.

I believe it is important to be pragmatic. I leave the "wishcasting" to others.

The Brewers seem to think he can play the outfield. He doesn't have to be good, just passable.

Darren:

Then what would be your "play"?

Because I think bringing in a quality left-handed starter to the weaker league has the ability to be an impact decision. Particularly in a division where a single game could be the difference.

The Brewers rotation isn't the weakest part of the team. But I doubt Melvin is focussed on moving Weeks.

Of course this Burnett nonsense drives me nuts.

The Brewers seem to think he can play the outfield.

This is the same organization that has kept Weeks at second and was determined to keep Braun at third. And thought moving Hall to centerfield was a good idea.

Pardon me if I allow history to be a guide.

Bringing in Sabathia at a reasonable price (that includes LaPorta) is a slam dunk. Right now may well be the best chance the Brewers are going to have at making a run at a championship.

The Brewers seem to think he can play the outfield. He doesn't have to be good, just passable.

But how many "just passable" defenders can you carry in the outfield? Two? All three? LaPorta isn't going to be better than Braun at anything. Perhaps you could stick him in right field, but then you either have to play Hart in center or trade Hart. Is LaPorta going to give the Brewers a 120 OPS+ and match Hart's defense? I wouldn't hold my breath.

I can understand holding on to LaPorta and foregoing Sabathia if you're willing to punt this season. If.

CC probably wouldn't have a major impact on the regular season, but I would guess the reason that he is the target is for what he could do in the postseason. A rotation of Sheets, CC and Parra in the postseason could be the best rotation in the NL and would greatly increase the chances of the Brewers making it to the WS.

I think LaPorta's inclusion in the offer is a sign that LaPorta doesn't have a future in the next couple of years for the Brewers, and if you can trade him now while his value is high for an improved chance at winning the WS, I think it's worth the risk.

And please note what I wrote earlier. The 2007 defensive debacle looms large influencing decisions across the organization.

The team will not make a move that clearly weakens the defense.

A Braun/Hart/LaPorta outfield will not happen in Milwaukee.

My play would be to wait until Colon was healthy and trade some chumps like Gamel and Lucroy for him.

And please note what I wrote earlier. The 2007 defensive debacle looms large influencing decisions across the organization.

The team will not make a move that clearly weakens the defense.

A Braun/Hart/LaPorta outfield will not happen in Milwaukee.

It is noted. Your previous statements had some weight in my thinking, but the fact that LaPorta is available pretty much backs up your statements in my mind. The fact that Escobar is reported as being untouchable while LaPorta is available makes it clear to me what the Brewers value going forward and what some of their plans are.

Then why not trade Hart for a real CF? That sounds better than trading probably the best pure hitter in the minors, for three months' worth of a guy.

Then why not trade Hart for a real CF? That sounds better than trading probably the best pure hitter in the minors, for three months' worth of a guy.

I don't think that helps the goal of winning the WS this year. It seems like the Brewers front office wants to make a Marlins style dash for the WS this year and then reload with picks, stay competitive for the next couple of years and repeat as needed.

Who trades one of the best if not the best right fielder in the league during the middle of the season? And right NOW the weaknesses are second base and the bullpen. Getting a solid starter sends an iffy starter to the bullpen.

Dave Bush doesn't want to go but I think he would excel in the bullpen.

That Indians hat's really tacky and tasteless.

This certainly has the look of a trade that should help both teams.

I doubt CC would give up hits to a no-name catcher hitting .200 or a pitcher .091 after getting a 4-0 lead.

Suppan is in a funk. Last year's trough lasted three months. Considering Suppan had been solid for the first 2.5 months I am not filled with hope in the second half around JS's ability to get outs.

And now a 2-run homer to LaRoche.

Geez Jeff.....