In other words, the Brewers are not going to move center fielder Mike Cameron to the Yankees for a package headed by outfielder Melky Cabrera — at least not yet. Melvin said he first needs to get a feel for his pitching and whether trading Cameron could improve the staff.
The loss of Torres leaves the Brewers without a closer. Three of their other relievers — right-handers Eric Gagne and Guillermo Mota and lefty Brian Shouse — are free agents. Lefty CC Sabathia and righty Ben Sheets are likely to sign with other clubs, leaving two holes in the rotation.
If the Brewers trade Cameron, they likely would need to get back a center fielder or acquire one in a separate deal. Shortstop J.J. Hardy also could be dangled for pitching help but so far is drawing only nibbles.
Hardy, 26, actually is more attractive than Cameron — he is nine years younger, two years away from free agency and expendable due to the rise of top shortstop prospect Alcides Escobar. Yet, one rival executive says that Hardy is not even available.
"We haven't put him out there yet. I'm not sure we will," Melvin said. "Teams will call and say they're interested in Hardy. But if you're interested, tell me what you're talking about.
"A number of teams ask, but won't even give you a name. I can ask for names, but I'm not doing that at this point. If they have interest, they can let me know. Only one team did that, and they were talking about a fifth starter."
If the Brewers kept Hardy, Melvin said they could start Escobar at Triple-A, a level at which he has yet to play a game. Escobar, 21, spent last season at Double-A before joining the Brewers as a September call-up.
Melvin said Escobar will play second base as well as short in spring training, working with the team's new bench coach, former major league second baseman Willie Randolph. But the retirement of Torres might force the Brewers to shop Hardy and others more aggressively.
Here's a random, speculative thought: Cabrera, second baseman Robinson Cano and young pitchers to the Brewers for Cameron and first baseman Prince Fielder.
Such a deal would leave Cano as the Brewers' only left-handed threat and perhaps require them to give up on second baseman Rickie Weeks, but the team would gain long-term payroll flexibility, creating other possibilities.
Again, it's just a thought — one that, by the way, would only enhance the Yankees' chances of landing Sabathia, who grew close with Cameron and Fielder in Milwaukee.
The point is, the Brewers will need to be creative. And Melvin repeatedly has shown in the past that he is not afraid.
comments (1) write a comment »
write a new comment
about 1 month ago
The Brewers are going to need starters. The Giants straight up need Fielder. Cameron might not be in Brew town much longer either. Fielder and Cameron to the Giants for Cain, Sanchez or Lowry, and Rowand? Giants go after C.C. 5 years 100 mil
write a new comment