NL Central predictions

With Abraham Nunez as the most intriguing story right now, here are a couple articles covering the Brewers that could interest you:

• http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/01/23/the-2008-milwaukee-brewers-growing-pains/
• http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7684706

On a separate note...

I've still been hearing a lot of grumbling about the defensive switches in store for Bill Hall and Ryan Braun. After some thinking, here's another possibility.

Melvin is obviously improving our defense from last year by moving Billy to 3B and Braun to LF. I'm not saying that Braun would never have been a solid third baseman, as Braun's athleticism and some patience by the Brewers faithful would have allowed Ryan to eventually corrected his footwork. Melvin could simply be thinking about the future of the franchise by moving Braun to the outfield. Two of the Brewers' best prospects were blocked at 3B when Braun was there (Mat Gamel and Tyler Green). Unless Hall has an offensive rejuvenation, the Brewers will either be looking to trade him, or simply lose him to free agency in a couple years. By that time, Melvin could be banking on Gamel or Green being ready for the big show. While it doesn't seem like it could be this way on the surface, moving Hall to 3B could actually be opening it up for prospects down the road.

On the other hand, Braun still has something to prove in left field. It's not as easy as many people are making it out to be, but Braun's athleticism should allow him to make the switch. Ryan's speed and his arm should allow him to flourish in the outfield. Eventually, however, Braun will most likely be moving to right field to make room for Matt LaPorta, who has been showing great power in the minors already. This would move Hart to center. The Brewers do have many outfield options in the minor leagues, but I doubt Melvin and company can find a better outfield trio than LaPorta/Hart/Braun. Match those three with Fielder, Weeks, and Hardy, and the Brewers have a lineup absolutely stacked with firepower.

All in all, I think the Cameron move was made to help our defense improve in the short-term, yet Melvin may have solved our positioning problems down the road too. Maybe this Cameron signing isn't so bad after all...

Rumblings on the Cameron signing

Buster Olney and Tom Haudricourt give us a couple interesting reactions from Ryan Braun and Bill Hall about the Mike Cameron signing.

Braun is very open to moving to LF for the Brewers. "I'm excited about it," Braun said. "It's in my best interests and in the best interests of the team. Whatever makes us better, I'm all for it. There's no question it's the right move." This is the talk of a quintessential team-player. The type of player that the Brewers have fought to include on their club.

Hall, on the other hand, is not overly excited about moving positions again. "I think every player likes to look out for himself at some point," said Hall. "You want to protect your dignity a little bit." He is talking about the fact that he has been bounced around, while he has been told that he will not be. I can understand this. At the same time, he is getting paid to be a part of the Brewers, so I'm not sure he has the leverage (especially after a down year) to be demanding a certain position.

Olney wonders if the Dodgers might revisit trade talks surrounding Bill Hall. This seems like a possibility because of Hall's discontentment, but Hall would still have to be a 3B in Los Angeles. Hall would really have to want to leave Milwaukee for that trade to be enacted, I think. I don't know what we would get anyway. Hall, Vargas, and a prospect for Andre Ethier and keep Braun at 3B? I just don't see that much swapping happening. Then again...I didn't see Melvin making a move to switch both Hall and Braun's positions.

Dodgers ask Melvin about Hall

The LA Times reports that a league source said the Dodgers asked Doug Melvin about Bill Hall. This could blossom into something, as the underachieving Hall is expensive for the BrewCrew, yet below market price for someone of his talents. Plus, Tony Gwynn Jr. could be the leadoff hitter Milwaukee has been looking for. He certainly is an upgrade defensively.

This made me think of the Dodger's inquiry on Ben Sheets and Melvin's interest in Andy LaRoche. I wonder if the two teams would be able to work something out. That would be really interesting. I say...

Brewers GET:
3B Andy LaRoche
RHP Jonathan Broxton
RHP Chad Billingsly
a mid-level prospect

Dodgers GET:
RHP Ben Sheets
CF/3B Bill Hall
LF Kevin Mench

This would suddenly make the weak bullpen the Brewers have a strength, and it would give us a 3B that is a very good defensive player. Not to mention, a top prospect in Billingsly. The Dodgers, however, would be getting a bonafide ace in Sheets, and a starting player in Bill Hall that still has the ability to produce big. Kevin Mench would be more of a salary drop in this case. I think this could legitimately work. What do you all think?