June 29
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Assistant general manager Gord Ash confirmed Sunday that the Milwaukee Brewers had interest in Cleveland second baseman Mark DeRosa, who was traded to St. Louis the previous day in a move that should help the Cardinals greatly in the National League Central race. Ash said general manager Doug Melvin contacted the Indians about DeRosa but didn't have available what Cleveland wanted: young, major league-ready pitching. St. Louis sent young reliever Chris Perez and a player to be named to the Indians in the trade. "They didn't feel like we had the type of players they were looking for," Ash said. "The big thing will be who the second player is. I would imagine it's a pretty good player. "(The ..."
June 28
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Assistant general manager Gord Ash confirmed Sunday that the Brewers had interest in Cleveland second baseman Mark DeRosa, who was traded to St. Louis in a move that should help the Cardinals greatly in the NL Central race. Ash said general manager Doug Melvin contacted the Indians about DeRosa but didn't have what Cleveland wanted – young, major league-ready pitching. St. Louis sent young reliever Chris Perez and a player to be named to the Indians in the trade. "They didn't feel like we had the type of players they were looking for," said Ash. "The big thing will be who the second player is. I would imagine it's a pretty good player. "(The Cardinals') interest in him is similar to ours – ..."
June 19
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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With the team enjoying an off day Thursday in Detroit and club personnel scattered about, Milwaukee Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash said he did not speak with head trainer Roger Caplinger. But Ash did speak after the game Wednesday night in Cleveland with Caplinger, who said he didn't consider Ryan Braun's lower-back tightness "anything serious." Braun left that game in the eighth inning after experiencing the tightness. The Brewers' leftfielder has been plagued with back/side issues in the past but had problems swinging the bat during those periods. Braun had no such issues in the three-game sweep in Cleveland, collecting six hits in 13 at-bats (.462) with a home run and six ..."
June 13
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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For nearly 2½ seasons, the Milwaukee Brewers and general manager Doug Melvin have been rumor magnets when it comes to trade talks. There are a couple of reasons. One is Melvin actually has been one of the more active GMs, making moves to add a piece or two for the second half of the season, most notably the trade last year for CC Sabathia. The other is because the Brewers have good, young talent at the major-league level and in the farm system, giving them desirable pieces as the July 31 trade deadline approaches. Melvin's history and his current personnel have put him in the middle of trade rumors recently that have him dealing starting shortstop J.J. Hardy, all-star rightfielder Corey ..."
June 9
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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The Milwaukee Brewers haven't selected as low as No. 26 in the first round of the June draft since 1983, when they grabbed future closer Dan Plesac out of North Carolina State. That's the spot the Brewers hold when the 2009 draft begins Tuesday at 5 p.m. Not coincidentally, they are picking 26th after making the playoffs the previous season, just as in '83. Success means drafting lower, so the Brewers aren't about to complain. But it does allow for considerable variance before their turn comes around, leaving new scouting director Bruce Seid and his staff to mull a wide range of possibilities. "Being in the draft room the last few years and being able to identify the top guys we had a ..."
June 6
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Right-hander Dave Bush's pitching arm felt better than expected Friday, a day after he took a line drive off it just above the elbow during a start in Florida. It won't be until Sunday, however, that it is determined whether Bush will take his next turn on schedule or have it pushed back. A scheduled off day Monday gives manager Ken Macha flexibility to make adjustments to his starting rotation if necessary. "There's no need to worry about it right now," said Bush. "We'll see how it feels when I play catch. We're all going to get an extra day (between starts) anyway with the off day, so that works out well." Bush was fortunate to escape serious injury Thursday night when a liner off the ..."
May 24
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
columnist Tom Haudricourt
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Though San Diego ace Jake Peavy exercised his no-trade rights to veto a deal to the Chicago White Sox, you have to figure the cost-cutting Padres will continue to seek a trade. Don't be surprised if the Milwaukee Brewers jump in at some point. It was obvious by what the Sox put on the table that the Padres are looking for good, young pitchers in any deal for Peavy. Clayton Richard and Aaron Poreda, the top young pitchers in Chicago's system, were in the four-player package offered to San Diego. That would seem to count out the Brewers, who have no pitching prospects to trade at the top of their farm system. But, as suitors fall by the wayside because of Peavy's no-trade rights, the cost ..."
April 23
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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The odds of reliever David Riske pitching again for the Milwaukee Brewers this season are not good. In fact, there's a possibility he won't pitch for the Brewers again, period. The second opinion Riske sought on his ailing elbow from Los Angeles specialist Lewis Yocum confirmed the diagnosis by team physician William Raasch. There is laxity, or looseness, in the ulnar collateral ligament, a very bad thing for a pitcher. Riske will try to strengthen the elbow with three to four weeks of physical therapy. If that fails, Riske will undergo "Tommy John" surgery to replace the ligament with a transplanted tendon. Pitchers who undergo that procedure normally need at least a year of recovery time ..."
April 18
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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If all goes well, Trevor Hoffman could be closing games for the Milwaukee Brewers before this three-city, nine-game trip is over. Hoffman, sidelined since mid-March with an oblique strain, will throw his second bullpen session Saturday before the Brewers take on the New York Mets at Citi Field. If all goes well, he will join Class AAA Nashville on Tuesday in Memphis and pitch an inning that night and Friday. Barring a setback in those assignments, Hoffman will rejoin the Brewers and be activated next weekend in Houston. "My last bullpen (session) went well," Hoffman said. "They want to put me in a game situation. A simulated situation would be lacking in game speed and intensity." Hoffman ..."
March 25
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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It appears the rumors are starting to spread that the Brewers have interest in trading for San Diego ace Jake Peavy, so I just gave general manager Doug Melvin a call to see what was what. Melvin assured me that those rumors are false, that he has not inquired with the Padres about Peavy. "We haven't talked to them," said Melvin. "There's nothing to it." Melvin has always been a straight shooter with me, particularly with trade rumors, so that's good enough for me. A couple of things to keep in mind. Peavy has some $60 million and four years remaining on his contract, and owner Mark Attanasio is on record as saying his budget already is stretched pretty thin. Also, Peavy has a no-trade ..."
March 3
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Right-hander Braden Looper, signed before the start of spring camp to provide depth in the pitching rotation, might open the season on the DL for the Brewers. Manager Ken Macha just told us that medical personnel have opted to take a conservative approach with Looper, who suffered tightness in his left oblique while warming up in the bullpen Saturday for his first spring start (he actually first felt a twinge while sneezing a few days before). Macha said Looper will not be allowed to throw for 10-12 days. Once he is cleared to do that, he'll have to go back through the progression of throwing bullpen sessions to get ready to pitch. That process probably will not allow him enough time to ..."
February 3
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
columnist Michael Hunt
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From a childhood memory that stretches to San Diego and the times he would accompany his dad to the ballpark, Tony Gwynn Jr. carries a certain image of Trevor Hoffman. "Four or five hours before the game, there he was, running the warning track in scrubs," Gwynn said. Paging Dr. Closer. From the hole at the back of the bullpen to the undeniable need for a veteran presence in a clubhouse dominated by gifted 20-somethings who still might not have a complete grasp of the overall score, this Hoffman guy just might be the strongest relief available to the Milwaukee Brewers without a prescription. Beyond the fact that he's got more saves than a tent revivalist working the midnight shift in south ..."
January 26
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Corey Hart has heard the horror stories about players being taken apart by their employers in salary arbitration hearings. "I don't think anybody wants to go (to a hearing)," the Milwaukee Brewers rightfielder said. "You're hopeful that something gets done (with a new contract) because of what can happen there." To avoid a hearing, the Brewers and Hart must close a considerable gap in the arbitration figures they submitted. Hart requested a $3.8 million salary, with the Brewers offering $2.7 million. A sizable gap also must be bridged with the other Brewer remaining in arbitration, second baseman Rickie Weeks. He submitted a $2.8 million request and the club came in at an even $2 million. ..."
January 22
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Someone familiar with the talks just told me that the Brewers and first baseman Prince Fielder have a deal in place for two years and $18 million, pending Fielder passing a physical. Fielder is due to participate in the Brewers' winter activities Friday and Saturday, so he'll probably take a physical tomorrow. Teams have been instructed by MLB not to announce signings until players pass physicals. The Brewers are having a 4 p.m. press conference today at Miller Park that already was arranged prior to the Fielder negotiations. General manager Doug Melvin, manager Ken Macha and scouting director Bruce Seid are scheduled to participate in that session, and owner Mark Attanasio might be on ..."
January 22
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Before salary arbitration figures were filed Tuesday, some wondered if the Milwaukee Brewers and first baseman Prince Fielder would be able to avoid a contentious hearing by reaching an agreement for the 2009 season. Doing that one better, the Brewers and Fielder are closing in on a two-year deal. "We've got some positive things going on," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin confirmed Wednesday evening. "There's a possibility of doing that." The possibility of the sides working out a two-year deal was broached earlier in the day by SI.com's Tom Verducci on the MLB Network. Fielder's agent, Scott Boras, did not return a telephone call, but Boras has done this type of deal with clients in ..."
January 11
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
columnist Tom Haudricourt
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The assumption by many in Brewer Nation is that general manager Doug Melvin will follow the signing of closer Trevor Hoffman by landing one of the higher profile starting pitchers remaining on the free-agent market. Don't count on it. First, forget the rumors that the Brewers are in the hunt for Derek Lowe. He doesn't fit into the team's budget for next season and beyond, and Melvin isn't going to forfeit a first-round draft pick in June by signing a Class A free agent. "I haven't even talked to Scott Boras," said Melvin, referring to Lowe's agent. Melvin wouldn't reveal his exact budget for 2009, but including projections of the team's six looming arbitration cases, the signing of Hoffman ..."
January 11
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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The Milwaukee Brewers will provide a mix of baseball and entertainment for the Brewers Winter Warm-Up variety show on Friday, Jan. 23, at the Riverside Theater. The show stars Bob Uecker, acting as a sort of "Tonight Show" host as he brings on Brewers players, coaches and managers. There will be baseball talk. There will be skits. And there will be comedy, featuring Uecker and comedian Fred Klett, himself a big Brewers fan. And there will be a full house at the theater, team officials said. "Bob's signature persona will dominate. We want it to be light-hearted and fun," said Rick Schlesinger, executive vice president for business relations. "We are going to showcase a lot of the great ..."
January 8
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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A reliable source familiar with the negotiations just told me that the Brewers have reached agreement with closer Trevor Hoffman on a free agent deal. It should be announced very shortly. I don't know yet if they settled on the Brewers' initial offer of one year plus an option for 2010 or if they had to guarantee a second year to beat the Dodgers for Hoffman's services. And I don't have financial details yet but I'll get them to you ASAP. So, the Brewers have their closer. And he's baseball's all-time saves leader. He might be 41 but he still converted 30 of 34 saves last year and is the best ever in conversion rate (89%). I'll post more details as I get them. But the deal is done. Hoffman ..."
January 8
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin knew there was a chance that his club was being used to drive up the price for free-agent closer Trevor Hoffman in Los Angeles. But, after another discussion with agent Rick Thurman on Wednesday, Melvin did not get that impression. "There's always that possibility, but I've dealt with Rick before," said Melvin. "I still think we have a chance. We're just not there yet." Melvin's optimism could be well-founded. Hoffman is expected to announce his decision today and one Internet report late Wednesday night suggested the Brewers had emerged as the favorite to land baseball's all-time saves leader. Melvin was well aware of the home-field advantage ..."
January 8
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin knew there was a chance that his club was being used to drive up the price for free-agent closer Trevor Hoffman in Los Angeles. But, after another discussion with agent Rick Thurman on Wednesday, Melvin did not get that impression. "There's always that possibility, but I've dealt with Rick before," said Melvin. "I still think we have a chance. We're just not there yet." Melvin's optimism could be well-founded. Hoffman is expected to announce his decision today and one Internet report late Wednesday night suggested the Brewers had emerged as the favorite to land baseball's all-time saves leader. Melvin was well aware of the home-field advantage ..."