The Mets get the last laugh.

Wow...yeah, the Mets really were the winners on that one...

I was really hoping the Brewers would keep Latroy Hawkins around. That guys is terrible.

Im guessing he will trade him. After eating salary

I have no idea what this headline said.

I was hoping Madson would do the same. Alas, no such luck.

WTF Indeed: The Mets get the last laugh.

A very quiet laugh while they get set to field a last place team in the NL East.

Yanks_RSJ: A very quiet laugh while they get set to field a last place team in the NL East.

Because the Marlins picked up Jose "I'm going to cry every time Ozzie Yells at me" Reyes? He's an injury waiting to happen. I'm surprised his hamstring didn't blow out walking to the podium for the press conference.

$14 million? That seems rather...

*puts on sunglasses*

...arbitrary.

By K-Rod acceptib arbitration the Brewers aren't left with much room to wiggle for any other free agents (they were very interested in 3B A. Ramirez and 2B J. Rollins). Tom Haudricourt has been saying that it's looking more and more like Yuni B will be the starting shortstop for the Brewers in 2012. *sigh* First base will likely be Mat Gamel who has had almost no success in limited major league time with Taylor Green (did well in some PH roles late last season as a call-up) and Casey McGOOOOOOO platooning at third.

If this is the case, I just don't see the Brewers competing as much next year with such a suspect infield and defense as a whole. They'll be a slightly above .500 team and MIGHT challenge for the WC but that's about it. While their starting pitching will remain in tact their bullpen will be looking for a few middle relief type guys and their offense will likely be down with the loss of Fielder. All that considered I could see maybe 85 wins.

Obviously, this could all change between now and Spring training and then again before the beginning of the season. K-Rod could get dumped and the Crew would only be on the hook for 1/6 of his arbitration salary and they may know that ahead of time and sign a couple of FAs before then.

And here I thought that the Orioles had the market cornered for overpaying for relief pitching.

farkin_in_K-town: 2B J. Rollins

They were going to try to sign Rollins and then move him to 2nd, or is that a typo?

I wonder if this will happen to the Phillies with Madson.

farkin_in_K-town: By K-Rod acceptib arbitration the Brewers aren't left with much room to wiggle for any other free agents (they were very interested in 3B A. Ramirez and 2B J. Rollins). Tom Haudricourt has been saying that it's looking more and more like Yuni B will be the starting shortstop for the Brewers in 2012. *sigh* First base will likely be Mat Gamel who has had almost no success in limited major league time with Taylor Green (did well in some PH roles late last season as a call-up) and Casey McGOOOOOOO platooning at third.

If this is the case, I just don't see the Brewers competing as much next year with such a suspect infield and defense as a whole. They'll be a slightly above .500 team and MIGHT challenge for the WC but that's about it. While their starting pitching will remain in tact their bullpen will be looking for a few middle relief type guys and their offense will likely be down with the loss of Fielder. All that considered I could see maybe 85 wins.
Obviously, this could all change between now and Spring training and then again before the beginning of the season. K-Rod could get dumped and the Crew would only be on the hook for 1/6 of his arbitration salary and they may know that ahead of time and sign a couple of FAs before then.

Sob...

you have pee hands: farkin_in_K-town: 2B J. Rollins

They were going to try to sign Rollins and then move him to 2nd, or is that a typo?

I wonder if this will happen to the Phillies with Madson.

D'oh, SS J Rollins.

Handsome B. Wonderful: I have no idea what this headline said.

It does require quite a bit of back knowledge.

1. Brewers picked up Francisco Rodriguez last year to bolster their bullpen that, outside of lights-out closer John Axford, was not that good. K-Rod was then the setup man, because quite literally Axford never blew a save during the time K-Rod was on the team.

2. K-Rod is on the record multiple times saying that he didn't like being a setup man and next year would pursue closing jobs instead of resigning with the Brewers.

3. Being a Type A free agent, K-Rod was worth two high level draft picks if the Brewers made him an offer and he signed elsewhere. Melvin, assuming that K-Rod would not want to come back next year and be a setup man (which really was the right move for the GM, Frankie was VERY unhappy pitching the 8th. Everybody thought it was pretty safe to say he was going elsewhere) threw up the offer for arbitration to collect the draft picks.

4. K-Rod found out that nobody wants to pay $14 million for a relief pitcher. So he stayed with the one place that offered him that much. And now, the Brewers have no shot at getting Fielder back, at securing Jimmy Rollins, at wooing Aramis Ramirez in, anything. All of the money is now gone.

Make more sense now?

you have pee hands: farkin_in_K-town: 2B J. Rollins

They were going to try to sign Rollins and then move him to 2nd, or is that a typo?

I wonder if this will happen to the Phillies with Madson.

Has to be a typo. The Brewers have Rickie Weeks at 2B, but are in desperate need of an SS.

/subinator

you have pee hands: farkin_in_K-town: 2B J. Rollins

They were going to try to sign Rollins and then move him to 2nd, or is that a typo?

I wonder if this will happen to the Phillies with Madson.

Madson already declined arbitration.

CmndrFish: Make more sense now?

Somewhat. Thanks!

I still wish the Brewers would just go on a spending spree ala the Phillies.

Alas.

Sabyen91: Well, the Brewers got their SS. Not much offense but better D.

They got what they needed. Better defense.
The offence is there, even without Prince.
Casey will bounce back, Weeks is hot, Hart will hit 25-30 hrs, and Braun will be Braun. Gamel's not so bad either, remember.
With Albert out of the division, we are almost guaranteed to win it. Assuming Prince doesn't sign with the Cubs...

Sabyen91: Just need a CFer.

Gomez will be a year older and a year wiser. He's one of the best defensive CFs in the game. I have faith that his offense will come around too.