Building a small market team-The Milwaukee Brewer Dynasty Thread

[jaykno14]

Now when I started to write this, there weren't any Brewer dynasties on the board. Well what do ya know, how ironic is it that a Brewer dynasty appears on the board the day before I premier my Brewer dynasty. Let me say this: I am not starting this thread to take any readers away from laxman. In fact if I could I wouldn't even post this dynasty. But, lately I have put in too much work into this dynasty and I think it would be a waste to let it go down the drain. Anyway let the story begin . . .
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Once upon a time, the Brewers were not a bad team. In fact, they even went to the World Series just 23 years ago. Then let’s just say they slipped a little after that. Actually make that they slipped A LOT. In fact, the ‘crew haven’t had a winning season since 1992 Finally the Seligs and the Priebs sold the Brewers to Mark Anttanasio, an investment banker out of LA, California. He is ready to return the Milwaukee Brewers back to there old form. Well actually, their really old form.
I am going to base this a little like CTSoxFan’s Pittsburgh Pirate dynasty.

This story will be from the following people’s point of view:

1. Mark Anttanasio

2. Ben Sheets

3. Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

4. Peter Gammons will report every once in a while about baseball (this is my Peter Gammons so it won’t all be crap about the Red Sox and Yankees)

*EDIT* I am currently 9 or 10 posts ahead of date so hold on tight for those upcoming posts.

[And1pg2]

Idk if this could be half as good as the Pittsburgh one, but lets see.

[jaykno14]

Originally Posted by And1pg2

Idk if this could be half as good as the Pittsburgh one, but lets see.

Yeah I tend to agree with you And1pg2. I don't think I'll ever be able to write as well as CTSoxFan but I'll try!
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milwaukeebrewers.com



Anttanasio deal approved by Major League Owners

In 1970, when Bud Selig brought the Brewers from Seattle to Milwaukee, he said baseball in Milwaukee was meant to be. 35 years later, a new owner is not only keeping the Brewers in Milwaukee, but making them winners once again.

The Major League Owners made the deal official and Anttanasio says it could not have come at a better time.
As a kid, Anttanasio didn’t want to become a major league baseball player; he wanted to become an owner.

“It has always been my dream to own a major league baseball team, and today it is finally come true,” he said.

Mark Anttanasio, 47, is a Los Angeles based business man, bought the Brewers for $220 million after the season from Wendy Selig-Prieb, baseball commissioner Bud Selig’s daughter. The family has owned the team for the past 35 years.

“While in Milwaukee, I want to create a positive and winning atmosphere for the fans, players, and other officials around the league,” Anttanasio said. “It is important that we start to accomplish that from Day One.”

[jaykno14]

December 23, 2004

Brewer owner Mark Anttanasio steps up to the podium



First, I want to extend my tremendous gratitude to the Commissioner and his family for their stewardship of baseball in Milwaukee over the last 35 years. In bringing baseball back to Milwaukee, they've ensured for their efforts, including building a state-of-the-art stadium that Major League Baseball will be played in Milwaukee for decades to come.

This opportunity is very, very exciting for me. I have an immense knowledge of baseball, and let me tell you that for all those people that think winning a championship in Milwaukee is impossible; they are wrong. The A’s, Twins, and Marlins have all proved that it is very possible to win in a small market city such as Milwaukee. I have and will continue to study what they have done to be successful and create a winner in Milwaukee. I will be willing to spend the money to put a winning atmosphere out in Milwaukee, but let me tell you that I will not spend money just to spend money. In college, the ’82 and ’83 Brewer teams were so fun to watch. The fans in those days were so electric and the game was like one big party for them all. I want that attitude to be back in Milwaukee while I am here. Time is running late so let me turn it back over to the commissioner and his daughter. Merry Christmas.

[jaykno14]

Mark sat in his new Miller Park office and looked at what general manager Doug Melvin had just sent him.

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To: MAtannasio@milwaukeebrewers.com
From: DMelvin@milwaukeebrewers.com
Subject: Current Off season Moves to Date

11/29/04 - Signed catcher Damien Miller to a two year contract with a club option for 2007
12/01/04 – Signed relief pitcher Rigo Beltran to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training
12/04/04 – Signed catcher Chad Moeller to a one year contract
12/12/04 – Traded closer Dan Kolb to Atlanta for starting pitcher Jose Capellan and a player to be named later
12/13/04 – Traded center fielder Scott Podsednik and Luis Vizcaino to Chicago (A) for left fielder Carlos Lee
12/15/04 – Traded second baseman Keith Ginter to Oakland for relief pitcher Justin Lehr and out fielder Nelson Cruz

Doug Melvin
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Well, thought Anttanasio, Doug really got busy at the winter meetings making those three trades. I like the aspect though the guys he got in return are definitely worth the guys he traded away. That means we will want a closer and possibly invite a centerfielder to spring training too.

He decided to send an email to Doug about the moves so far.
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To: DMelvin@milwaukeebrewers.com
From: MAntannasio@milwaukeebrewers.com
Subject: Re: Current Off season Moves to Date

Well so far I really like the moves Doug, thanks for emailing them to me.

After looking over the moves, I figure we may need to sign a relief pitcher or two, and invite a center fielder to camp to give Brady and Dave some competition. Also I must mention that we are really thin at short stop. Did somebody say Barry Larkin? Give him a look and then email me back. I am sure these aren’t going to be the only moves for us so keep shopping and email me or try to get a hold of me if you have any questions.

Mark

[jaykno14]

Sheets tips his cap to fans after striking out 18 against the Atlanta Braves last year

Brewers and Sheets discussing a contract extension
By Tom Haudricourt (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

The Brewers haven’t had a true “ace” of the pitching staff for a long time. In fact the last 20 game winner for the Brewers was Teddy Higuera back in 1986. That, if you need help doing math, was 19 years ago.
Well, at long last, the Brewers just might have another guy that could win 20 games for them.

”I wouldn’t say that I am ever going to win 20 games in my career,” two time all star Ben Sheets says. “But I definitely know it is a reachable goal and I will give 110% to reach that.”

Sheets, 26, was a first round draft pick (10th overall) in 1999, is considered as, general manager at the time, Sal Bando’s greatest move. It looks as if that is true right now.

“Sheets has a great makeup and great fundamentals. If we get his back all sorted out then he’ll definitely be considered for a long term extension,” stated general manager Doug Melvin.

Back in October Ben Sheets had successful back surgery to remove a lumber disc herniation from his back. The surgery was performed by Dr. Drew Dossett in Dallas, Texas.

In 2004 Sheets went 12-14 with a 2.70 earned run average in 34 starts. He also broke the single season record for strike outs with 264 in 237 innings.

“Benny really worked last off season on his mechanics to raise his velocity a little,” said Mike Maddux the team’s pitching coach. “Not only did he raise it a few miles an hour, he raised it about four to five miles an hour, phenomenal for a pitcher at his age.”

In 2003, Sheets usually topped out at 93 miles per hour, and most of his fastballs recorded as 91-92. In 2004 Sheets regularly clocked in at 94 and hit 98 once or twice a game.

“It really felt good throwing the ball at that speed, and the increase allowed me to add another feature to my game: strikeouts,” said Sheets who broke the team record previously held by Teddy Higuera.

Sheets is expected to start throwing in a couple of weeks down at the Brewers’ spring training complex in Arizona.

“I am really anxious to get down there and throw,” Sheets said. “This year will hopefully bring many good things to come like last year.”

[jaykno14]

Brewers sign Saenz to minor league deal and invites him to Spring Training
Today general manager Doug Melvin announced that the Brewers had signed Chris Saenz to a minor league deal that would last through 2005.

Two weeks ago, the Brewers had a choice to sign Saenz to a deal and tender him, but elected to make him a free agent so that they could get him cheaper in a few weeks.

Melvin said that fans could expect minor deals like these up to spring training, but never count anything out.

Last year, with injury problems on the pitching staff, Saenz was called up from AA Huntsville and pitched a gem in his one major league start.

“At only 23 years old, he has super potential to do well in a Brewer uniform,” said Minor League Director Reid Nichols.

[CTSoxFan]

Heh...glad to see I'm starting a trend around here. It looks great so far, good luck with this, I'll be reading!

[jaykno14]

Thanks CTSoxFan! I'll try to do the best I can even though I don't think I can do half as good as you can! :-)

[jaykno14]

Brewers add two relievers to staff
On Tuesday the Brewers added more depth to there bullpen by signing former Phillie and Met Ricky Bottalico and also adding the “two headed monster” Brooks Kieschnik.

Kieschnik was eligible for salary arbitration back and wanted $750,000, while the club offered $500,000. They met within that range.

Bottalico signed for less than $1 million, but no exact number is known.

Both pitchers should fit into the late inning mix for the Brewers, who traded away all star closer Danny Kolb just over a month ago.

“It’s always nice to have competition in the bullpen,” said GM Doug Melvin. “The guys work harder then, knowing their job is on the line.”

Bottalico, 35, is expected to compete for the vacant closer’s job with Mike Adams. Bottalico is a former all star, but his talent has faltered. Last year with the Mets he had a 3-2 record with a 3.38 era and a .215 opponent batting average.
“I am very thankful that Milwaukee has given me this opportunity and I feel I have enough gas in the tank to compete for that closer’s job with Mike,” said Bottalico. “I am comfortable with both of us as closers, knowing that we both have what it takes.”

Kieschnik, 32, has been with the Brewers the past two years. The former Cubs’ first round draft pick hasn’t turned out what he was meant to be, but with the Brewers they say he is one of their most valuable players. Over the past two seasons, Kieschnik has a 2-2 record with a 4.50 era in 96 appearances, and along with that he has a .286 batting average with 8 home runs in 133 at bats.

“He has definitely paid off,” said GM Doug Melvin. “We are really pleased to have him back in a Brewer uniform to help the young kids.”

Junior Spivey, Ben Sheets, and Brady Clark are the only three Brewers left that are arbitration eligible for this off season.

[jaykno14]

To: MAnttanasio@milwaukeebrewers.com
From: DMelvin@milwaukeebrewers.com
Subject: Kiesch, Ricky, etc.

Well Mark I am very happy that you allowed me to go through with the Kieschnik and Battalico deals. Those two guys will definitely help the youngsters on our staff this year.

Now we should probably try to get Spivey, Sheets, and Clark under salary so we can avoid arbitration with those three. I’ll talk to you about their one year deals in person.

Sheets’ agent and I are coming along nicely and we feel we are making progress in the deal there. Sheets is a major part of this organization and a great personality to have in Wisconsin. I’ll talk to you soon.

DM

To: DMelvin@milwaukeebrewers.com
From: MAnttanasio@milwaukeebrewers.com
Subject: Re: Kiesch, Ricky, etc.

Very happy to see that you went through with Ricky and Kieschnik.

I’ll talk to you about Sheets’ contract tomorrow at the board meeting. I have heard that Minnesota is close to agreeing to terms with Santana. Sheets definitely deserves to have what he gets.

I think Ben is going to be a huge asset to this organization in the future. Hope we can get him signed. We can talk this over a dinner or something I think. Maybe tonight at TGI Fridays out in Right Field?

Mark A

[jaykno14]

Brewers and Clark Avoid Arbitration
Brady Clark has waited four years to become a starting out fielder for the Brewers. With the trade of Scott Podsednik the 31 year old center fielder finally looks like he is going to get his shot.

Clark and the Brewers avoided arbitration on Thursday agreeing to a $1.15 million deal.

Clark, who was once the hot prospect in the Cincinatti Reds’ organization, will finally, in his fourth year as a major leaguer, become an everyday player. When he found out the Pods was dealt, he had a haunch that manager Ned Yost would pencil him in as the starting centerfielder for the 2005 season. He saw Yost at Miller Park last week and Ned asked if he had his centerfielder glove ready for action.

“That’s when I figured I had gotten the job,” Clark says.

Former first round draft pick (2000) Dave Krynzel will also be battling for the centerfield job, but Clark’s outstanding clove and high on base percentage gives him a large advantage.

“Brady definitely has the edge, but we always like to create a little competition amongst the boys,” said assistant general manager Gord Ash.

Clark had requested $1.3 million in arbitration, while the Brewers offered $1.05 million.

With Clark signed the Brewers have Ben Sheets and Junior Spivey still eligible for arbitration but it is believed that both are close to deals.

[jaykno14]

Marlin Owner Jeff Loria looks on as Carlos Delgado meets the Media

Marlins and Delgado agree to four year deal
The push for all star first baseman Carlos Delgado came to an end on Tuesday, when the he signed a four year deal worth $52 million. A fifth year option would make the deal worth $64 million.

In a statement released by the Marlins today, they said, "The Florida Marlins today reached an agreement with free-agent first baseman Carlos Delgado on a multi-year contract. The agreement is pending a physical examination that will take place tomorrow in South Florida. Upon completion of the physical, the Marlins expect to hold a press conference Thursday afternoon."

Marlins’ officials said that they hoped that this deal would be similar to Ivan Rodriguez’s in 2003 which pushed them into the World Series.

Delgado, 32, provides the much needed left handed bat the Marlins have needed since trading away Cliff Floyd to Montreal in 2002. In his career, Delgado has hit .282 with 332 home runs and 1,058 runs batted in. He has spent the past 12 seasons with Toronto.

“This is something we have lacked for the past two years,” said manager Jack McKeon. “He is a powerful left handed slugger, and he takes pressure of the Kid [Miguel Cabrera] and Mike [Lowell].”

Cabrera, 21, hit 33 home runs with 112 rbi in 2004 for the Marlins. It was his first full major league season. Delgado’s presence also eases three time all star Mike Lowell, who batted third or fourth for Florida last year.
The Marlins swayed Delgado from an intensely competitive field which included the Mets and the Orioles, who agent David Sloane had been in heated discussions with since the first week of January. A fourth team, the Rangers, dropped out of the race on Sunday.

“From day one, we have searched for the place that Carlos had the best shot at winning a World Series, and we feel that Florida gives him this chance,” said Sloane.

But, 74 year old manager McKeon won’t say that the Marlins have the best shot at winning the East this year. “It’ll be a lot like last year with four teams being in contention up till September,” he said.

[jaykno14]

Sosa traded to Orioles for Harriston and minor leaguers

There was once a time in Chicago when a trade involving Sammy Sosa leaving the Cubs would have signaled a seismic shift in the power structure of baseball, but now it is true and it is not such a surprise.

Sosa, 36, got into some heated controversies with Cubs’ officials just before the season ended. The last game of the season, manager Dusty Baker gave Sosa the day off, and Sosa left the ballpark. The rest is history.

Sosa will now be playing in a hitter friendly park, Camden Yards, and he will be in a lineup that will offer him protection. That is the plus side, and it is more than a little. But, after last season fans are beginning to believe that Sosa is an aging slugger who had become a burden in right field and was far past his prime at the plate.

Sosa hit .253 last year for the Cubs, with 35 home runs and 80 RBIs. That was his worst average since nearly a decade ago in 1996. He struck out 133 times in 478 at bats. His on base and slugging average are on the down hill and have decreased the past four years. He was also beset by injury and controversial moves (as mentioned above) with the organization’s front office. He could be free from that in Baltimore, but the diminishing returns at the plate and the controversies made this departure from the Cubs something closer to a necessity than an option.

He had much publicized differences (briefly mentioned above) with manager Dusty Baker, who in the past has related to just about everyone that played for him. Then the matter of Sosa’s walkout from the last game of the season. The Cubs organization took the trouble of releasing a security tape of Sosa leaving the game early. All of this tells you that the organization, far from protecting him, wanted everyone to be clear about Sosa’s inappropriate actions.

In the trade, the Cubs didn’t get as much as most people wanted. It showed how eager the Cubs were to get rid of him. They received Jerry Harriston, who may be asked to play left field, and two minor league prospects. But also in the deal, the Cubs gave the Orioles $12.5 million -which is half the money that Sosa will be owed for 2005- a potential buyout and severances cost in 2006.

That is an astounding trade considering not that long ago Sosa was the true icon to Wrigley Field. That changed last year when he was frequently booed and blamed for who knows what.

This is a long, long way from those days when Sosa was worshiped at Wrigley field by fans. Then again, Sosa’s performance on the field and off last season, was a long way from the old Sosa too.

So the question arises: Can he help the Orioles. We have to wait a little over two months for that questioned to be answered, but what we know right now, is that he definitely needs a new beginning.

[Dougiestyle]

Oooo, I like it so far! Don't let it die, and take this advice ... backups, backups, backups.

[jaykno14]

Originally Posted by Dougiestyle

Oooo, I like it so far! Don't let it die, and take this advice ... backups, backups, backups.

Thanks man. I don't think this one is going to die on me. I don't really understand the back up thing either. Can someone explain?
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February 3, 2005: milwaukeebrewers.com



Brewers and McLemore agree to one year contract

Mark McLemore thought his career was over. In fact, he was just getting ready to announce his retirement to baseball.

But Brewer general manager Doug Melvin had other plans.

“He called and asked if I still intended on playing baseball,” said McLemore. “I said I was getting ready to announce my retirement and he just said, ‘we’d like you to play for us this upcoming year.’ I was fine with that.”

McLemore, 40, will enter his nineteenth season as a major leaguer. He is a career .259 hitter with only 53 home runs, but has 948 runs. In his career, McLemore has stolen 272 bases, but most believe he has slowed down. Not Ned Yost.

“When I first saw him last week, he looked to me like he was in great shape,” said Yost. “He said he had been working out all off-season waiting for a team to call.”

McLemore’s best season came in 1996 with Texas. He hit .290 with a .392 on base average and 87 walks (to 69 strikeouts), and stole 27 times with 84 runs. Ironically, Doug Melvin was the general manager of that team and was the guy that got McLemore.

“He is a good fielder and will get on base a ton for us,” said Doug Melvin. “Expect him to compete with J.J.”

J.J. is J.J. Hardy the 22 year old short stop prospect. Hardy missed almost all of last year with an injury, but Brewer officials believe he will be able to play at the major league level despite missing all that time. McLemore and him will compete for the starting short stop job.

“We are very excited that he has come to Milwaukee,” said Melvin. “He will work well with the youngsters and we’ll see if he has anything left in the tank.”

[Dougiestyle]

Back-up your league file often. Many a stellar dynasties have been lost to the bugs in OOTP.

[jaykno14]

Brewers and Spivey avoid arbitration and bring back fan favorite Cirillo
On Friday, the Brewers avoided arbitration with Spivey and signed former fan favorite and all star third baseman Jeff Cirillo, who are both looking to bounce back from a down year in 2004.

Junior Spivey agreed to pass by his right to file arbitration hearing when he signed a one year deal worth $2.125 million with some incentives that could push it to $2.6 million in which he requested in arbitration.

Earlier in the day, the Brewers announced the signing of former all star Brewer third baseman Jeff Cirillo to a minor league contract, in which he would earn the league minimum if he makes it through spring training.

Jeff’s agent and I talked numerous times earlier in the winter and I just said that we didn’t have a spot for him,” said general manager Doug Melvin, in regards to the battle for third base which will take place in spring training.

Cirillo, who batted .312 in 26 games for the Mexican league’s Los Mochis Sugercane Growers, started calling in person.

“He kept calling and calling,” said Melvin, “and he seemed very persistent about returning to Milwaukee. So I just felt, ‘what the heck, we have nothing to lose.’ So we just went out and signed him.”

Cirillo, 35, was earning $7 million with the Padres this year, agreed to the deal just wanting to play baseball. The pas three seasons for Cirillo have been disappointing, so he will go into spring training searching for that lost sweet swing that he brought to the Brewers back in 1994. He batted .307 over six seasons with the Brewers before being traded off to Colorado prior to the 2000 season. In Colorado he had to good years and then fell off dramatically after signing a multi year deal with Seattle (his hometown) in 2002 and continued to struggle with San Diego.

In his four year, $26 million deal with the Mariners, Cirillo just hit .249 in 2002 and .202 in 2003 before a trade to the Padres where he hit .213 with one home run and 7 RBIs and then was waived in August.

“I am thinking that after signing that deal with Seattle,” Melvin said, “he could just never regain his old form because of pressure. That’s a lot to live up to.”

Melvin also said that they will look to him for utility as he can play any of the infield positions except for pitcher and catcher, and he will probably come off the bench.

Spivey, 30, was acquired by Milwaukee prior to the 2004 season in a deal that Milwaukee sent Richie Sexson to Arizona and they received first baseman Lyle Overbay, short stop Craig Counsell, catcher Chad Moeller, starting pitcher Chris Capuano, and starting pitching prospect Jorge De La Rosa.

In his first season with the Brewers he hit .272 with seven home runs and 28 RBIs before being lost to a season ending shoulder injury 59 games into the season.

“We really like the way he plays for us and we would like to see him succeed in the fashion he did in 2003. That’s what we really want out of Junior,” said Melvin.

The Brewers’ lone arbitration eligible player is not all star pitcher Ben Sheets.

[jaykno14]

Nakamura is excited that he can finally wear the "True Blue" colors

Dodgers sign 3B Nakamura to one year deal
Dodger fans sure can get used to press conferences introducing new players this year. The Dodgers have been one of the most active teams this off season making moves left and right, but on Thursday they made a move that may even be extraordinary for them.

The occasion was to announce the signing of Norihiro Nakamura, a Japanese third baseman. More than 100 members of the Japanese media attended along with Japan’s Consul General to the United States. The sushi was in the house.

Following in the foot steps of former starting pitcher Hideo Nomo, Nakamura, 31, had longed to make this move. If you don’t believe that, then consider that he walked away from a $10 million contract over the next two years in Japan, and agreed to a $500,000 non guaranteed contract to fight for a job as a third baseman for the Dodgers as a non roster invitee.

Money is not important to me,” said Nakamura. “At long last I am wearing a Dodger uniform. It is a challenge for me to show what I can do.”

He’s done quite a bit in Japan (307 homers in 13 seasons) to be an eight time all star and four time gold glove award winner. The down side is that the last two years have been filled with injury.

Two years ago, he backed out of a two year deal worth $7 million to play with the Mets because word leaked out before he could tell his previous team, the Kintetsue Buffaloes.

“Because of culture and custom, that was not the business norm,” he said. “Everything is clean and done the right way this time.”

In 2003, he played much of the season with a torn knee cartilage, underwent surgery in October, and then spent last spring training with the Dodgers in an exchange program.

He comes into camp as a long shot, although a return to 40+ home run power he’s displayed in the past could win him the last piece of third base position. With Adrian Beltre gone, the Dodgers signed Jose Valentin to play third.

Nakamura’s agent said that he would be willing to play in Triple-A, but his client said he’s not thinking about that right now. He’s focused on making the 25 man roster.

“Last year I got into bad habits compensating from the surgery,” said Nakamura, who hit 19 homers with 66 RBIs in 105 games last season.

Former Dodger manager and current senior vice president Tommy Lasorda is expected to be working with Nakamura this spring training.

“I talked to him years ago about being a leader, and he led his club to the championship,” Lasorda said. “I have seen him hit a ball in batting practice so far. It would have been an $11 cab ride to where it landed. He can run for a big guy and also field. He can really play.”

[jaykno14]

Brewer Winter Tour off and running

The first of a series of stops began today in Appleton, WI where the Brewers held the annual Red Smith Dinner at the Paper Valley Hotel.

This stop is the first of 17 stops in the next ten days where the Brewers will meet with fans from around Wisconsin.

New Brewer owner is expected to meet with fans, but was not in attendance at the event. A Q&A event is scheduled for February 5 at the Brookfield Square Mall from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

At the dinner were Mike Adams, Russell Branyan, Chris Capuano, Brady Clark, Bill Hall, J.J. Hardy, Geoff Jenkins, Brooks Kieschnik, Dave Krynzel, newcomer Justin Lehr, Wes Obermueller, Ben Sheets, Matt Wise, general manager Doug Melvin, and manager Ned Yost. Also, past Brewers such as Jerry Augustine, Jim Gantner, Larry Hisle, and Gorman Thomas, and T.V. announcers Bob Brainerd and Daron Sutton, and radio announcer Jim Powell.

“I always love to meet with fans because they’re always fun to joke around with,” said a joking Ben Sheets. “I don’t know how many times I was asked if I would extend my contract. I just said, ‘Only if they let me bat third in front of Carlos [Lee].’”

The mood was joyful and no one could get the fans down.

The Brewers will go to Brookfield Square Mall Saturday afternoon and then will travel to 15 cities in eight days.