MVN: Most Valuable Network

This series is predicated on educated guesses, past history of the team/general manager, rumors that have been out there for a while, and actions that I feel could be taken. This exercise is me playing GM to inspire conversation and a new way of approaching things. Moves that I complete as previous GMs of teams will carry over here. Trades only include principal, significant players.

The Brew Crew had quite the 2008 season. After acquiring CC Sabathia, they saw him go crazy on the league and eke into the playoffs, largely because of the New York Mets' annual September collapse. They didn't go far, being vanquished by the Phillies and now are on the cusp of losing their best two starting pitchers (Sabathia, Ben Sheets) to free agency. As a matter of fact, I've projected Sabathia to the Yankees and for Sheets also to depart, so what are the Brewers to do?

They've already picked up center fielder Mike Cameron's option, so they're set there...

Milwaukee Brewers sign SP Derek Lowe, Paul Byrd, RP Damaso Marte.

As the Brewers watch Sabathia and Sheets leave along with Eric Gagne's $10 million contract expire, the team has more cash to play around with than one might expect -- enough to go after another starting pitcher and have a good chance at landing them. Lowe is looking to move closer to the east and Doug Melvin will be motivated to sign at least one starting pitcher to head the team up. That's Lowe, which they can get on a reasonable deal; certainly more reasonable than Sabathia and Sheets.

Byrd is another steady influence who should give the Brewers even more depth and will not command a lengthy or lucrative contract. In 2008 with the Indians and Red Sox, he more than proved his ability to still pitch.

The club will also look to bring in a reliever, as they lose both Eric Gagne and Brian Shouse. Marte was once a highly regarded reliever but imploded upon being traded to the Yankees. He'll head back to a division he was familiar with and take over Shouse's role.

Milwaukee Brewers trade 1B Prince Fielder to the New York Yankees for SP Phillip Hughes, 2B Robinson Cano.

The Brewers are calling around on Prince Fielder, scared to death of the dollars Fielder could see in arbitration, which could see Fielder getting eight figures. The club will find a fit with the Yankees, who will move Phillip Hughes and disappointing second baseman Robinson Cano to the Brewers.

Hughes gives the Brewers a high-impact, young pitcher to try to groom and allows Cano a chance at a fresh start, as the Brewers have certainly been turned off of Rickie Weeks these last few years. Speaking of Weeks...

Milwaukee Brewers acquire 1B Garrett Atkins from the Colorado Rockies for 2B Rickie Weeks.

The Brewers will probably need to chip in with an additional player to send Colorado and with the team bringing in three starting pitchers, they can afford to move some players to Colorado. (Dave Bush? Seth McClung? Manny Parra?)

Atkins replaces Fielder at first and allows the Brewers not to go searching high and low for a first baseman. Atkins is going to start earning some money, but certainly not at the level of Fielder.

The Brewers are now set in every position except backup outfielder and third baseman. The club had Gabe Kapler serve capably in the fourth outfielder role, so it's a no-brainer to bring him back. I don't think the team is too inclined to rely on Bill Hall to recover what talent he had, so the team strikes again...

Milwaukee Brewers sign 3B Casey Blake.

Again, the team has more cash than usual to play with for a market their size. They'll invest in Blake which will provide a steady presence at third and can also chip in in the outfield if needed. Hall will become a roving infielder/outfielder and as dissatisfied with that as he may be, he'll have to suck it up and hope the team trades him during the year.

The Brewers are in an interesting position this off-season: they have valuable commodities becoming free agents, but also have a lot of money to be able to afford to bring in players they otherwise might not have. They're trying to get Sabathia back at four/five years for around $100 million, so that shows you the money is there.

The Brewers should absolutely be in the wild card/division hunt again in 2009, whether or not they bring Sabathia back or not.