When Melvin takes the approach that he is not going to participate in the free agent market, he severely limits his options. Rather than simply listing a handful of free agents who could have been signed, Melvin could have taken the opportunity to restructure the team, and fill the gaps with whichever free agents fit. Ever since Spring Training, there’s been an undercurrent with fans and the organization that Fielder is a malcontent, and that Boras will prevent him from being a long-term option for the Brewers. Aside from a couple big splashes, the free agent market has been pretty cheap this year, and a less risk-averse GM could have made a major transaction like moving Fielder, and filled whatever gaps were left. However, this is wildly speculative, and for all we know, Melvin did try to move Fielder. So, we’re left with some specific signings, that in the grand scheme of things won’t make a lot of difference one way or another.

Signing Hoffman when he could have gotten into the market for Fuentes was disappointing.

Failing to open serious discussions with Ben Sheets was disappointing. For Sheets to say he’s looking at other teams, it leads me to believe that Melvin and the organization created some ill will there at some point. However, it could also be that Sheets is content to wait out the market, since he’s already got one big contract under his belt and isn’t as needy as younger guys.

Picking up Mike Cameron’s option for $10 million was disappointing. For a slight dropoff in defense, the Brewers could have moved Hart to center and signed Pat Burrell (for less) or Bobby Abreu (for more) and gotten more consistent offensive production.

Melvin said early on that the Brewers had no remaining interest in the free agent market, and he has mentioned several times that the economy is a factor, and that the Brewers don’t have the resources to compete. And then they continue to reveal record-setting ticket sales. If Melvin is not going to improve the team via free agency, and he has not seriously moved to make any trades, then the Brewers must be standing pat. And if they’re standing pat, or simply signing gritty veterans that might have a little left, then it’s going to be a long year.

I’m really pissed off about the scoreboard. In a season of record ticket sales, it was ridiculous to push that ALREADY LATE renovation back another year, especially since it was originally pushed back so they could build another store in the stadium.