In the News (Dec. 1)

Brewers News

- The Brewers offered arbitration to CC Sabathia, Ben Sheets, and Brian Shouse, and declined offering arbitration to Eric Gagne. In my opinion, these were the right moves. More HERE.

- Between the Green Pillars says offering Sheets arbitration was the right call.

- Chone Smith ranked J.J. Hardy as the best defensive shortstop in baseball last season. While any Brewer fan could tell you Hardy was very solid at shortstop, I don’t think many would claim he’s the best in baseball. His range is not spectacular, but maybe we should give the guy more credit than we have.

- The Brewers released their Spring Training schedule.

- Four former Brewers are on the Hall of Fame Ballot. Jessie Orosco, Greg Vaughn and Dan Plesac are first-timers. Ballot holdover Dave Parker says he should be in the Hall. None of them should get in, according to Craig Calcaterra of the Hardball Times. I agree with Craig, but I definitely have a lot of fond childhood memories of Vaughn and Plesac.

Rumors and Speculation

- This is just a shot in the dark since I’ve always liked Adam Dunn, but hear me out...The Diamondbacks did not offer him arbitration today. That makes him a more appealing free agent option because teams do not have to give up any draft pick if they sign him.

If the Brewers signed Dunn, they could trade Cameron for a package that included pitching (likely to the Yankees since they’ve shown interest) and shift Hart to center. Dunn provides the left-handed bat the team needs and he gets on base, another area the team needs to improve in.

When Prince leaves in free agency or is traded within the next couple years, Dunn could shift to first base, where he has experience, and the Brewers can promote one of their outfield prospects (Cain, Gillespie, Gindl) to fill the outfield spot.

Dunn will cost quite a bit (in the $13-14 million a year ballpark probably), but it should be within the Brewers budget if they don’t sign Sabathia (which appears very likely). The Brewers would certainly lose out on outfield defense if they went this route, but I think the cumulative positive would be worth it.

In my dream world, the Brewers batting order would look something like this in the 2-5 spots: Hardy, Dunn, Braun, Fielder. Would there be a heart of the order pitchers feared more in baseball?

- Friends of Chuckie Hacks’ woziszues ran into Ben Sheets last week. He allegedly told them he had two offers on the table and neither were from the Brewers.

- The Cubs declined arbitration for Kerry Wood and Bob Howry, who both are Type-A free agents. This makes both of the relief pitchers much more attractive options for the Brewers.

Wood is asking for four years (which he probably won’t get) and he’ll come with a high price tag. Howry is coming off a down year and could be a steal. Al at Al’s Ramblings thinks Howry could be a fit with the Crew.

- The Rockies are reportedly interested in Brian Shouse.

- At least four teams are interested in former Brewer Mark Loretta. I think Loretta, who can play first, second, third and short, would be a nice bench option for the Brewers, but early indications are that the team will not spend as much money on the bench this season.

Loretta earned $2.75 million last year and will likely command a similar amount this year in free agency.

- Rob Neyer of ESPN analyzes the issue of Sabathia’s weight.

- Joe Sheehan of Baseball Prospectus took a shot at what he’d do as the Dodgers GM. His plan for L.A. included trading for Rickie Weeks and converting him to center field. I agree with Fire Ned Colletti Now though. That trade doesn’t make much sense for Milwaukee (though I admittedly know little about the prospects he mentions).

- The Angels may go after Sabathia and Peavy. Their rotation would include five out of six of Sabathia, Peavy, Lackey, Santana, Weaver and Saunders. One of the last four would have to be a part of the Peavy trade in all likelihood, but still, that rotation would be absolutely insane…

- Would Jesus Guzman be a fit for the Brewers in the Rule Five Draft? Jim at Bernie’s Crew says no thanks.

Minor Leagues

- The Brewers signed former Braves first baseman Scott Thorman to a minor-league deal with an invite to Spring Training. Thorman is a lefty bat, has power, and can play the outfield in addition to first. Have the Brewers replaced Brad Nelson?

- MLB.com revealed Nos. 41-50 on their top prospects list and Brewers pitching prospect Jeremy Jeffress came in at 44.

N.L. Central

- The sale of the Cubs continues to move at a snail’s pace. That has to make conducting offseason business pretty difficult, so it’s OK by me.

- The Astros signed Mike Hampton. Hampton is 36 and hasn’t been able to stay healthy since the first Bush administration (only a slight exaggeration).

Other News

- Former Brewer Kevin Mench signed Hanshin Tigers to play in Japan.