Lance Allan: Sports Glance with Lance
DOUG MELVIN ON THE MARKET
TRADE TALK AND OTHER ISSUES SURROUNDING THE CREW
Among GM's that I've dealt with over the years, Doug Melvin is always near the top of the list. He's never going to give you all of his trade secrets...and I don't expect him to.
But he's usually as honest and forthcoming as he can be, and let me share to you some of my conversation with him this past Monday.
On trading for pitching, specifically Roy Halladay: "Nothing major at this time. I don't anticipate anything. The teams that are successful have good pitching that they don't want to trade, and the teams that aren't successful are so because of their pitching."
On the trade market in general: "I talked to a GM at lunchtime. He said right now they're going for it. But a week from now they might be out of it if they have a bad week to 10 days. One year in Texas....we traded a couple players, veteran players that helped us the next season go to the postseason. I just hope we're not in that boat."
On re-considering deals for Escobar and/or Gamel: "They're quality players....and a big part of our future. They're as close to untouchable as you can get."
Other notes: Melvin said the team definitely needs to get its swagger back. His only frustrations are the consistency and the team's 11-20 record in day games...prompting different substitution patterns.
A bullpen pitcher may help a little, but Melvin says only pitching 20 innings down the stretch...it's not worth giving up a great prospect for such a limited role.
Opinion: I get the sense that the Brewers will stick with Corey Hart for now, because they don't have a better alternative. And they won't trade Alcides Escobar...because I'm thinking J.J. Hardy will be gone at some point, since he won't play third base at this point in his career.
Emails at lallan@todaystmj4.com
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