Offseason Roster Preview

This is where I present the 11/1 roster and sets up the off-season trades, waiver wire pick ups, and free agent signings. Those more interested in rosters have a better grasp of who is available, so I'll stick with who the Brewers actually have within their power. Each question deserves its own post, so they'll be spread out over the next five months. Pitchers in bold.

Core Roster:


The salary total on these players, assuming modest raises in arbitration and a large one for Fielder ($9mm), should be around $55mm. It's just a guess at this point, who knows what the raises will be like or if Hardy, Hart, or Fielder sign real live baseball contracts.

Team Options:


These won't be cleared up until A) Melvin is resigned or a new GM is in place or B) the situation with FA pitchers is resolved. Right now I am apt to pick up the option on Cameron and Torres and decline Counsell. Cameron deserves its own post weighing available CF values and whether he's worth it, and Torres because of effectiveness and the tenuous bullpen situation going into the offseason (all the Brewers have right now in the established reliever role are Riske and Villanueva).

Filler:


There's no way around this, the other players on this list are going to be filler, trade bait (Gwynn, I'm looking at you), or an emergency starter (Escobar). I think the four players starting this image can be had if they are asked. I think Capuano will have value to hang onto even though he won't be able to pitch until July 2009.

The others ... AAAA players who have options, pinch hitters, situational pitchers (I think Stetter will make the roster outright next year), and whatnot. I think the backup catcher next season should be Salome, Palmisano, or Rottino and provide a bridge to 2008 first rounder Lawrie (if all goes well). An interesting player on this list is Jay Gibbons who hit well in the minors after almost being excommunicated out of baseball for steroid abuse.

As they say on Univision ... deciones, deciones, deciones.