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Brewers Rumors: Rolen, Andruw, Mench

By Tim Dierkes [November 29, 2007 at 3:49pm CST]

MLB.com's Adam McCalvy posted a Brewers article yesterday that's worthy of discussion.

One reliever Doug Melvin has considered that I hadn't heard before: Eddie Guardado. Hey, at least he'd come cheap.

Players like Rickie Weeks, J.J. Hardy, and Corey Hart won't be moved. No surprise there.

McCalvy says Melvin confirmed having internal discussions about Scott Rolen. Would John Mozeliak trade him within the division? More importantly, would the Brewers take on the money and injury risk? The obvious match would be to send a starter over to St. Louis for Rolen.

Which starters are available? Though you can never have too much pitching, Dave Bush, Chris Capuano, or Claudio Vargas might be considered expendable. Their salaries will all be rising as they are arbitration-eligible. None will be non-tendered.

Aside from Rolen, another unlikely possibility is Andruw Jones. Melvin did at least speak to Scott Boras about him. Moves for Rolen or Jones would of course involve moving Ryan Braun and/or Bill Hall to other positions, something Melvin prefers not to do.

If Melvin can't trade Kevin Mench at the Winter Meetings, he'll probably be non-tendered.

By the way, Tom Haudricourt echoes the Rolen and Jones rumors in his blog this afternoon.

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Comments

Braun for Nathan?

Bush + low prospect for Rolen to fill the hole?

LaPorta, Hardy, Weeks, Hart, Fielder and Hall are enough offense.

Nathan can close. Rolen brings solid D.

Posted by: henry14theking | November 29, 2007 at 04:08 PM

Braun for Nathan?

Shirley you can't be serious.

Posted by: Mykenk | November 29, 2007 at 04:09 PM

Braun would net only the Son of God or a Jennifer Love Hewitt lapdance party for the team. Anything else, next please..

Posted by: bobhamelin | November 29, 2007 at 04:13 PM

Sorry :D

Just throwing it out there. Probably not a good idea to trade 30/100 for a closer eh?

Posted by: henry14theking | November 29, 2007 at 04:18 PM

would the Brewers be willing to deal Carlos Villanueva? or do they seem him in their rotation?

Posted by: SpecialFNK | November 29, 2007 at 04:22 PM

I would say Villanueva is untouchable. He's a young, good, cheap starter.

Posted by: brewersfan729 | November 29, 2007 at 04:30 PM

Why would anyone even consider putting Braun's name in a trade after the year he just had. He's as untouchable as a player can get I would think. He sucks at 3B but that bat is just so good. It'd take a Buccholz, Hughes, Kershaw, Billingsly, Adenhart, etc. kind of pitcher to pry him loose. Thats just not gonna happen.

And nobody bring up how Delmon Young got dealt, because his makeup is worse, the Rays have tons of outfield options, and his plate discipline is just awful. Its just a different situation

Posted by: scribbletone | November 29, 2007 at 05:50 PM

As a Cubs fan, I hate that the Brewers and Cards would be helping each other out here. Let's go over the many ways.

First, Rolen's defense would automatically drop the ERA of Suppan and some of their other pitch to contact guys by at least .10. Braun was so bad at 3B, that he had a worse FLD PCT than when Sheffield screwed up on purpose so he would get traded. Sheffield has admitted to throwing balls in the stands for fun... and Braun was worse.

So the Brewers improve on the defensive side. In addition, Rolen provides veteran world series championship experience the the club. Sure you have Suppan, but I really think it helps to have a guy like that in the lineup giving tips to guys about how to hit. I mean, Fielder, Weeks, Hardy, Hart, Braun, these guys are like 23-26 years old. Hall isn't good enough to provide advice. Kendall isn't a good hitter. Those seven guys and Rolen is a very nice lineup though.

As for the Cards, Capuano, Bush or Vargas would do much better with Dave Duncan. They are Duncan kind of pitchers. I don't think the Cards have enough to do a ton of damage, but we don't need another team that could get hot in the Central especially with LaRussa at the helm.

The Cubs will still win the division, but I hope these trade talks die.

Posted by: TrueCubsFan | November 29, 2007 at 05:58 PM

I am serious, and don't call me Shirley! Mykenk ... just kidding, I couldn't resist. I would not trade away Braun, even for Nathan. They can have Hall and a prospect instead.

Posted by: Larry Oliver | November 29, 2007 at 06:00 PM

Braun had a Pujols-like year in Milwaukee last year - apply the numbers to a full season and you'll see what I'm talking about. What's that worth - for a guy that's under team control for years?

Carlos Villanueva has been useful and effective so far for the Brewers but IMO tops out as a useful bullpen part that is effective in a swingman role in stretches. He looks to me to have some stamina issues and doesn't jump out to me as a great "stuff" guy. A nice part but hardly an untouchable IMO.

Posted by: Comma8 | November 29, 2007 at 08:16 PM

"Carlos Villanueva has been useful and effective so far for the Brewers but IMO tops out as a useful bullpen part that is effective in a swingman role in stretches. He looks to me to have some stamina issues and doesn't jump out to me as a great "stuff" guy."

He has a 3.01 ERA as a starter and has been a starter up until this year. He was in the bullpen because they wanted veteran guys in the rotation and Villanueva pitched so well in spring training that they had to give him a roster spot. Otherwise he would've been a starter in Nashville.

And stamina issues is ridiculous. He had a 7 inning outing this year and was taken out early a couple times for a pinch hitter. He went 8+ in his last start in 2006 as well.

He may not have a great fastball but he does have an outstanding changeup.

Posted by: brewersfan729 | November 29, 2007 at 08:47 PM

Kevin Mench lost considerable power these last two years. I wonder why?

Posted by: HoratioAlgae | November 29, 2007 at 09:08 PM

"Kevin Mench lost considerable power these last two years. I wonder why?"

He was a product of the park he played in. Look at his home/road splits in Texas.

Posted by: brewersfan729 | November 29, 2007 at 09:28 PM

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Brewers Rumors: Rolen, Andruw, Mench

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