In the News (12/4)

Brewers News

- Of course, the big news of the day was the Jorge Julio signing. The 29-year-old righty reliever inked a one-year deal to play in Milwaukee. The deal is for $950,000 with up to $950,000 in performance bonuses. Julio has closing experience, but would seem more likely to be a middle reliever for the Brewers. Melvin hopes he’s due for an “up” period. It’s not a big transaction, but I like it. These are the kind of guys you pick up relatively cheap and hope can stick it out and eat up innings during the season. More HERE.

- Michael Hunt says it’s time for the Brewers to say good bye to Sheets.

- Adam McCalvy profiles the Brewers needs and surpluses going into the Winter Meetings.

- Christopher Reina of Real GM “audits” the 2008 Brewers.

Rumors and Speculation

- The Giants could enter the CC sweepstakes with an offer that’s bigger than the Brewers. It would seem foolish for a team that already has way too much money invested in Barry Zito for the next several years and for a team that will have to eventually put up big money to keep Tim Lincecum in town.

- The Yankees continue waiting on word from CC. A-Rod and Jeter have called him. The Yankees are not used to not getting whoever they want. I don’t mind watching Sabathia play them a little.

- Al at Al’s Ramblings thinks Jon Lieber might be a nice pickup for the Crew.

- Raygu at Fake Teams suggests the Brewers could enter the Jake Peavy sweepstakes if they lose out on Sheets and Sabathia. He thinks one of Gamel, Escobar, Hardy and Salome combined with Parra would be enough to get the deal done. It’s an interesting idea, but I think I’d actually rather hang onto the prospects and Parra. Parra has a chance to become a real nice pitcher (probably not Jake Peavy nice, but certainly a No. 2 starter) and the hitting prospects have very high ceilings as well. Peavy’s recent injuries and the fact that he pitched half his games at Petco make me a bit leery of his future.

- Two more relievers that could be interesting for the Brewers are apparently available via trade: J.J. Putz and Chad Bradford.

NL Central

- The Pirates are talking to former Brewer Mark Loretta. Would he start for them?

- Jack Wilson is reportedly close to being traded, so that could open up the spot for Loretta in Pittsburgh.

- The Cubs are still talking to the Padres about a Peavy trade. With the Braves seemingly out of the bidding for Peavy, the Cubs seem like the only serious bidder. With the Cubs horrible minor league talent, they’re apparently looking to involve one or two more teams in the deal.

- The Reds signed Mike Lincoln.

Other News

- Jack Z lured another former Brewer to the Mariners today, Callix Crabbe. It’s been a whirlwind of a year for Crabbe I’m sure. He’s gone from the Brewers minor leagues to the Padres big league team (as a Rule 5 draft pick), back to the Brewers minor leagues and now to Seattle.