• Ranking the top 50 free agents — Ben Reiter, SI.com (10/27/08)

If you pay by phone, you know what you’re going to get from this sturdy old-schooler: somewhere around a .500 record, and somewhere around a 4.50 ERA. That promise will be attractive to a team in need of a No. 4 or No. 5 starter, like the Brewers, who play in pitcher-friendly Miller Park.

• How much should Ben Sheets get? - Victor Wang, The Hardball Times (10/13/08)

So what should Sheets get on the free agent market? Well, the risk seeking team in this example values Sheets as a 3.2 WAR player, which would be worth about $16 million for a one year contract. Using Tom Tango’s salary scale, Sheets should get around a four- or five-year contract for $55 of $65 million, assuming a team doesn’t sign him for over five years.

 

• Trenni Kusnierek End of Year Interview - Trenni Kusnierek, Right Field Bleachers (10/7/08)

What about Sheets? What was his mood like following that last game?

Very emotional. He got very choked up in our interview with him. I asked him how proud he was of the guys and about his memories in Milwaukee. He was very choked up about that he loved the guys in the clubhouse and the hardest thing about walking out that day is that he may never put on a Brewers uniform again.

He did make a joke. He said, “We all thought Cirillo wasn’t coming back and ‘Rillo came back and played in Milwaukee again. So, you never know, I may pull on a Brewers uniform again.” But I think he knows he may not.

However, now that he has this elbow issue, he may not command the money in the free agent market that everyone thought he was going to. There’s going to be red flags. I don’t think the Brewers would sign him to a long-term deal, but they may get him for one year for the money that they paid an Eric Gagne. They may get him for one year for $8, $9, $10 million and say, “Listen, if you’re healthy after that, we’ll talk long-term contract, but if you can’t stay healthy, we’re going to be done with you.” You never know, but the injury, as strange as it may seem, may have played in the Brewers’ favor in keeping him around for just one more year.

• Ranking the top 50 free agents — Ben Reiter, SI.com (10/30/08)

Lefty regained form and closer role in ‘08 (30 saves, 2.73 ERA), and could represent a better value than K-Rod for a fireman-desperate club. Milwaukee’s 26 blown saves in ‘08 were fourth most in N.L.

• The Case for Jesse Litsch - Jim Breen, Bernie’s Crew (10/13/08)

While there would certainly have to be some corresponding moves to address the offense, a J.J. Hardy for Jesse Litsch and company would solidify the starting rotation and potentially the bullpen for the next couple years.  Losing J.J. would be a big blow to the offense, but it would be foolish for Doug Melvin not to discuss a deal like this.  The Blue Jays are actively searching for a stud shortstop, and Milwaukee could be the beneficiaries of a desperate team.

• Yank’s Plans May Include Cameron - By George A. King III and Bart Hubbuch (10/23/08)

According to an industry source, the Yankees are waiting to see if the Brewers pick up a $10 million option on Cameron, who will be 36 in January.

If they don’t, the source said, the Yankees have targeted him because they consider him an upgrade at center field, where they have Brett Gardner, Melky Cabrera and Johnny Damon.

 

• When Dodgers’ season ends, the real game begins - Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports (10/15/08)

Not much doubt that the Brewers will exercise their $10 million option on center fielder Mike Cameron, who turns 36 on Jan. 8. Yes, Cameron had the fourth-highest strikeout rate in the majors, but his .811 OPS ranked sixth among center fielders with 500 or more plate appearances — ahead of Shane Victorino, ahead of B.J. Upton …

• Possible Cano Suitors - Tim Dierkes, MLB Trade Rumors (10/3/08)

If Rickie Weeks doesn’t get another shot, the Brewers might have the need. But again, what starter would they move?

 

• A fine mess in Philadelphia - Nick Cafardo, Boston Globe (10/19/08)

The Braves are pushing hard to land San Diego ace Jake Peavy (Atlanta shortstop Yunel Escobar would have to be included in a deal), but if you’re looking for a sleeper for Peavy, a few people are keeping their eye on Milwaukee, which will likely lose CC Sabathia, and possibly the oft-injured Ben Sheets.Milwaukee makes sense, considering the Padres want a shortstop and the Brewers would move J.J. Hardy in the right situation.

 

• Contract may force Padres to deal Peavy - Tim Sullivan, San Diego Union-Tribune (10/19/08)

 

• Handicapping the Jake Peavy Trade Market - Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports (10/19/08)

Brewers. Their fear would be that Peavy could turn into another Ben Sheets, suffering frequent injuries while earning $48 million from 2010 to ‘12. A Rickie Weeks-J.J. Hardy offer would snap the Padres to attention — look ma, a new middle infield! — but the Brewers are not going to part with their best young pitchers, righty Yovani Gallardo and lefty Manny Parra.

 

• Sources: Pads gauging interest in Peavy, whose contract runs through 2013 - Buster Olney, ESPN (10/17/08)

The Padres are seeking at least two young pitchers in return, along with someone who can become the team’s everyday center fielder sometime in the immediate to near future.

 

• On the Block: One Ace? - Dave Cameron, FanGraphs (10/15/08)

The Padres seem to believe that now is the time to sell high. If 2008 Peavy was a sign of things to come, they’re probably right, and potential suitors for Peavy might want to consider alternative options before giving up a ton of prospects for a guy with some real question marks.

 

• In right scenario, Peavy could go — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union Tribune (10/15/08)

Among the cities Axelrod mentioned were Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and St. Louis.

 

• MLB Trade Rumors: Jake Peavy - Raygu, Fake Teams (10/15/08)

Another team that I think could get into the mix would be the Brewers, who will lose CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets to free agency. The Brewers also have a nice farm system to deal from, and they have the money to take on Peavy’s reasonable contract.

 

• Padres make Peavy available for a trade - Dan Hayes, North County Times (10/13/08)

And unless the Padres are knocked off their feet by an offer — think similar to the six prospects the Arizona Diamondbacks sent to Oakland in exchange for ace pitcher Dan Haren — they don’t have to move Peavy, who is 86-62 with a 3.25 ERA in 199 career starts.

 

• Peavy Trade Talks Begin - Tim Dierkes, MLB Trade Rumors (10/13/08)

MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan wrote today that Peavy said he will only waive his no-trade clause for a National League team. However, Peavy’s agent Barry Axelrod said Friday that three teams in the American League could entice his client. The Yankees could be one; we discussed the possibility here. A possible Peavy trade will be one of the biggest stories at the Winter Meetings in December.

 

• Braves May Consider Peavy - Tim Dierkes, MLB Trade Rumors (10/7/08)

The White Sox, Tigers, Angels, Mets, Phillies, Brewers, Astros and Dodgers are other teams that will be searching for pitching this winter. Many top prospects and young players are deemed “untouchable,” but an ace like Peavy may cause teams to reconsider.

• Where Could Prince Land? - Tim Dierkes, MLB Trade Rumors (10/7/08)

Consolation prize to the Tex sweepstakes?  Brian Roberts, George Sherrill, and Melvin Mora would add depth for the Brewers, and Roberts gets you two draft picks if he leaves after the season.

• MLBTR Chat - Tim Dierkes, MLB Trade Rumors (10/15/08)

Where will Joe Crede end up? How much?

1 year, 4-5 mil plus incentives. Indians, Twins, A’s, Giants, Dodgers, Reds, Brewers are suitors.

• Where Could Prince Land? - Tim Dierkes, MLB Trade Rumors (10/7/08)

The Brewers would probably want MLB-ready talent, meaning Phil Hughes.