Hart Drawing Interest

Brewers outfielder Corey Hart is drawing interest from several teams, including the Tigers, Giants, and Red Sox. Hart, who is hitting .256 with 5 home runs and a .330 on-base percentage, is making 3.5 million dollars this year. The Brewers are asking for pitching in return, something all three of those teams have.

Hart isn't a game changer or team leader, so he likely would not have the impact of a, let's say, Matt Holliday. However, a team like the Giants, who are in need of a corner outfielder who could hit 20 home runs, would benefit from him.

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Gagne Signs With Canadian Team

Free agent pitcher Eric Gagne has signed with the Quebec Capitales of the Independent Can-Am League, SI.com is reporting. Gagne, who has worked almost exclusively as a reliever, will start for the Capitales, the team confirmed Wednesday. Gagne, 33, is a former NL Cy Young award winner with the Dodgers, but struggled once he left. He pitched for the Rangers, Red Sox, and Brewers, but was released on March 8th.


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Jake Peavy Rejects White Sox Trade

Padres pitcher Jake Peavy invoked his no-trade clause, rejecting the proposed trade to the White Sox. 

"As of right now, this is the best place for us to be. We made that decision for the time being," Peavy said before Thursday night's game against San Francisco.

Peavy, who is 3-5 with a 3.82 ERA with 69 strike outs, will make his scheduled Friday start versus the Cubs. I wonder if teams now know that the Padres are ready to deal if they will step up and make a big move. The Cubs, Mets, Phillies, Brewers, Astros, Rockies, and Dodgers are the most logical teams based on current situations. 

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Padres Acquire Gwynn Jr.

I'm sure he'll be a fan favorite. The Padres have acquired outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. from the Brewers in exchange for outfielder Jody Gerut. I like this move for both sides. The Brewers acquire an outfielder coming off a very good 2008 who can serve as a reserve outfielder. Padres great and Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn delivered the news to his son.

Gwynn will be able to suit up tonight when the Padres face Tim Lincecum and the Giants.

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Rickie Weeks Out For Season

Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks will miss the remainder of the season with a wrist tear. Weeks, who was hitting .272 with 9 home runs, was just starting to live up to his high expectations. 

"I was enjoying myself watching him play," Macha said. "This is one tough guy, a grinder, very intense. It's a shame."

The Brewers must scramble to fill the spot, which will go to Craig Counsell for now. They could talk to the Indians about utility man Mark DeRosa. They worked together a big trade last season and DeRosa would give manager Ken Macha a lot more options on the field. 

To read more on DeRosa, click here.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

2009 MLB Draft Order

Here is the order for this years MLB Draft, which is set to take place in June.

1. Washington Nationals
2. Seattle Mariners
3. San Diego Padres
4. Pittsburgh Pirates
5. Baltimore Orioles
6. San Francisco Giants
7. Atlanta Braves
8. Cincinnati Reds
9. Detroit Tigers
10. Washington Nationals*
11. Colorado Rockies
12. Kansas City Royals
13. Oakland Athletics
14. Texas Rangers
15. Cleveland Indians
16. Arizona Diamondbacks
17. Arizona Diamondbacks*
18. Florida Marlins
19. St. Louis Cardinals
20. Toronto Blue Jays
21. Houston Astros
22. Minnesota Twins
23. Chicago White Sox
24. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
25. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim*
26. Milwaukee Brewers
27. Seattle Mariners*
28. New York Yankees*
29. Boston Red Sox
30. Tampa Bay Rays
31. Chicago Cubs
32. Colorado Rockies*

10 - Washington Nationals receive this pick as compensation for not signing 2008 1st Round Pick, Aaron Crow.

# 17 - Arizona Diamondbacks receive this pick as compensation for the Los Angeles Dodgers signing 2B Orlando Hudson

# 24 - Los Angeles Angels receive this pick as compensation for the New York Mets signing Francisco Rodriguez.

# 25 - Los Angeles Angels receive this pick as compensation for the New York Yankees signing Mark Teixeira.

# 27 - Seattle Mariners receive this pick as compensation for Philadelphia Phillies signing Raul Ibanez.

# 28 - New York Yankees receive this pick as compensation for not signing 2008 1st Round Pick, Gerrit Cole.

# 32 - Colorado Rockies receive this pick as compensation for Los Angeles Angels signing Brian Fuentes.

(Courtesy of 2009 MLB Mock Draft)

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Would The Indians Fire Wedge?

The Indians are currently 6.5 games out of first, and have lost 3 of their last 10 games. Wedge isn't all too concerned about his status, he is more focused on getting his team turned around. 

"I'm the manager," he said. "It is my fault. I'm not out there playing, but I'm the manager of this team, and I'm responsible for this club. I try to stay out of the way when things are going well and take full responsibility when they're not going well. The bottom line is, we're a better club than what we're showing and how we're playing. That has to be a direct reflection on me." 

This time last year, the Indians were 19-19, but that was when they had C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee, who was in Cy Young form. The Indians are hitting just .246 with runners in scoring position and the bullpen owns a 6.18 ERA so far. Wedge turned the team around last year to finish with an 81-81 record, so I suspect the Indians will give him another opportunity to turn them around before he is let go. 

It would make sense to bring in someone from the outside if he needs to be replaced. The team is still young and if they do indeed need to go in another direction, then it should be with someone with a fresh thinking. Guys like Alan Trammell of the Cubs or Willie Randolph of the Brewers could take a look at the job openings. John Farrell of the Red Sox is another good option, and Mike Hargrove, who is retired, would make for a nice reunion in Cleveland. He could also set up the return of Manny Ramirez, who was managed by Hargrove in Cleveland. But that is a long ways a way. Wedge's seat isn't as hot as we think, or as Indians fans may want it to be.

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Brewers Sign Catalanotto

The Brewers and Frank Catalanotto have come to terms on the a minor-league deal, Eli's MLB Rumors has confirmed.

"I've talked to him personally," Brewers GM Doug Melvin said by phone Tuesday afternoon. "He's going to be a specialized guy. We're hoping he can improve our quality at-bats coming off the bench." 

The story was first reported by Ken Rosenthal of Foxsports.com.

Melvin confirmed the report that Catalanotto will report to extended spring training for five to seven days before they send him to one of their minor league clubs.

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Red Sox Could Trade Penny

Buster Olney of ESPN.com speculates on his blog about the chances of the Red Sox trading Brad Penny, who is 3-1 in six starts. Penny owns a booming 6.96 ERA and has a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 16/15 - not all that spectacular. Penny pitched in the NL his whole career before making the jump to the AL. He is probably in the toughest division in baseball hitting wise, which also happened to open another hitters ballpark this year.

Olney suggests the Brewers or Mets as possible landing spots if made available. I think it would be a smart move to unload him. Masterson will move back to the bullpen when Matsuzaka returns, Buchholz and Bowden are both pitching very well in Triple-A, and John Smoltz will be coming back in the next month or so. Trading Penny midseason is risky, but taking a chance on Buchholz or Bowden in the five spot is worth the risk.

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Brewers Prospect Out 6-8 Weeks

Keith Law of ESPN.com is reporting that Brewers prospect Lorenzo Cain will be out for 4-6 weeks with a torn posterior cruciate ligament. The injury happened when Cain made a diving play for a ball last Thursday, but the injury won't require surgery.

Cain was 0-14 prior to going down for the Double-A Huntsville Stars.

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Rangers May Trade Millwood

If Rangers pitcher Kevin Millwood continues to pitch like he has in his first two games, the Rangers might be able to unload him for a pair of decent prospects. Clearing payroll would also be a reason to make the trade considering Millwood has 2 years and 23 million dollars left on his contract. Millwood has been the veteran the Rangers hoped he'd be when they signed him, working with their young pitchers and taking pressure off Vicente Padilla and Brandon McCarthy. 

A team like the Brewers, who are already considering adding another pitcher, could look to Millwood as a potential fallback to someone like Jake Peavy.

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2009 National League Predictions

National League East

1. New York Mets: 86-76  

2. Florida Marlins: 84-78

3. Atlanta Braves: 84-78

4. Philadelphia Phillies: 83-79

5. Washington Nationals: 64-98

The Mets finally have a strong bullpen that will keep them in games late like it has failed to do the past two seasons. 

National League Central

1. Chicago Cubs: 90-72

2. St. Louis Cardinals: 89-73

3. Milwaukee Brewers: 85-77

4. Cincinnati Reds: 80-82

5. Houston Astros: 76-86

6. Pittsburgh Pirates: 69-93

The Cubs will have a tough season, and could fall apart in September facing the Cardinals, Brewers, Giants, and Diamondbacks in the final two weeks. 

National League West

1. Los Angeles Dodgers: 86-76

2. Arizona Diamondbacks: 82-80

3. San Francisco Giants: 76-86

4. Colorado Rockies: 74-88

5. San Diego Padres: 65-97

The Dodgers are the top team in the division and should be able to hold out, especially if they make another run at Jake Peavy.

National League MVP: Albert Pujols, Cardinals

National League Cy Young: Johan Santana, Mets

National League Rookie of the Year: Jordan Schafer, Braves

National League Manager of the Year: Tony La Russa, Cardinals

NLDS: Cubs defeat Dodgers; Mets defeat Cardinals

NLCS: Mets defeat Cubs

National League Champion: Mets

------------------------------

World Series: Red Sox vs. Mets

Red Sox defeat Mets

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Brewers Targeting Peavy?

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that the Brewers could target Jake Peavy to make a serious run at the division. It seems far-fetched considering the Brewers traded four prospects, including top prospect Matt LaPorta. However, the Brewers have a young core of talent and could make a trade without hurting themselves too much. 

If the Brewers were to trade J.J. Hardy (opening up a spot for Alcides Escobar), along with someone like Cole Gillespie and two pitching prospects, they could probably land Peavy. If they let Mike Cameron walk, they will probably receive a compensation pick in the 2010 draft. Not only that, but Prince Fielder and Corey Hart could both be traded for prospects if needed. Mat Gamel has great potential and could take over at first while Lorenzo Cain could take over in right at some point in the near future.

More importantly, this move would give the Brewers a push that would put them in serious contention in the NL Central. While they lose several players, the minor league talent the Cubs and Cardinals possess really doesn't present a serious long term threat. Adding Peavy to that strong offensive team presents a legitimate threat to the heavily favored Cubs, who also plan to target Peavy when their ownership situation is resolved. 

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2009 Milwaukee Brewers Projection

C Jason Kendall

.259 AVG, 2 HR, 41 RBI

1B Prince Fielder

.282 AVG, 36 HR, 103 RBI

2B Rickie Weeks

.263 AVG, 16 HR, 56 RBI

3B Bill Hall

.248 AVG, 15 HR, 55 RBI

SS J.J. Hardy

.280 AVG, 22 HR, 72 RBI

LF Ryan Braun

.301 AVG, 42 HR, 111 RBI

CF Mike Cameron

.240 AVG, 23 HR, 78 RBI

RF Corey Hart

.288 AVG, 25 HR, 83 RBI

SP Jeff Suppan

10-12 W-L, 4.74 ERA, 100 K

SP Yovani Gallardo

13-9 W-L, 4.08 ERA, 194 K

SP Manny Parra

8-11 W-L, 4.53 ERA, 124 K

SP Braden Looper

11-11 W-L, 4.44 ERA, 96 K

SP Dave Bush

9-10 W-L, 4.50 ERA, 118 K

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Cubs Interested In Lamb?

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that the Cubs have interest in free agent third baseman Mike Lamb. Lamb, who would back up Aramis Ramirez, was released by the Brewers earlier this week. He is hitting .250 this spring, but has a .277 career batting average. Sources believe the Cubs are serious about adding Lamb considering they pursued Corey Koskie this offseason as well. Koskie has since retired from baseball, leaving Aaron Miles as the fall back if Ramirez were to go down. 

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Koskie Ends Comeback With Cubs

Corey Koskie, out of baseball since 2006, decided to end his comeback with the Cubs after feeling lightheaded during their Spring Training game on Saturday. Koskie, 35, was up for one of the final bench spots with the Cubs, but his retirement opens up opportunties for younger players. "After that play, I just thought, 'What am I doing out here?"' he said Saturday. "Whether I got the wind knocked out of me a little bit, I did feel a little funky after it. I don't think it was a concussive event. But I did feel a little funny, whether it was the heat, because it was hot out there."

In nine seasons with the Twins, Blue Jays, and Brewers, Koskie was a career .274 hitter with 124 career homeruns.

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Brewers Shopping Players

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel is reporting that the Brewers have received inquires about the availablity of Mike Cameron. While Melvin denies the report, he nearly traded Cameron to the Yankees early this offseason, and is probably just waiting for the right offer. Sources have said that the Brewers would like to add some pitching depth, opening up speculation to a possible run at Pedro Martinez.

We could see teams in the next week pull of some last minute trades to get their rosters ready, so it is still possible to see Cameron or possibly Bill Hall get moved.

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Nationals Sign Tavarez

The Nationals and Julian Tavarez have agreed to a non guaranteed, minor league deal. Tavarez, 35, is 85-75 with a 4.45 ERA over sixteen seasons in both the NL and AL. Tavarez struggled last season with the Red Sox, Brewers, and Braves, going 1-5 with a 5.10 ERA. By adding this depth, the Nationals have more options to restructure their bullpen.

If the Nationals had a little more payroll flexibility, they could pursue lefty reliever Will Ohman. Ohman would be great for that bullpen, giving them the lefty specialist they need.

The 2008-2009 Free Agent List is starting to get pretty small, take a look at the remaining free agents!

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Mets Release Sanchez

The Mets have released relief pitcher Duaner Sanchez, according to David Lennon of Newsday. By releasing Sanchez, the Mets only have to pay him 281,000 dollars. Sanchez put up decent numbers last year for the Mets, posting a 4.32 ERA in 58.1 innings pitched. Sanchez's work ethic may have factored into his release, as well as a drop in his fastball. Now Brewers bench coach, Willie Randolph once sent Sanchez home for laziness. 

Sanchez will likely get a look from another team, perhaps the Nationals, but he might need to throw to teams before receiving an offer.

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Matt Wise Retires

Free agent reliever Matt Wise has announced his retirement, according to the Brew Beat. Wise, 33, struggled with injuries in 2008 but was 3-2 with a 4.19 ERA in 56 games for the Brewers in 2007. Wise threw for teams during the offseason but received no contract offers. Wise is known among teammates and reporters as a good guy and it's too bad to see this guy out of baseball. In eight big league seasons, Wise was 17-22 with a 4.23 ERA and 244 strikeouts. 

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.