It’s likely that Prince would already be traded, or if not, would definitely be traded at the deadline. The new GM would not feel the pressure to win now in order to earn a new contract. He or she would be able to accept a package of prospects that includes more high upside players who are still a few years away from the majors. They wouldn’t feel the need to insist on players who are either already in the big leagues or are very close to the bigs.

I also think we’d be taking a wait and see approach on the Weeks extension. It would allow the GM another half of a season to see if Lawrie has made any strides toward being a serviceable Dan Uggla type 2B. If he has, Weeks is likely moved at the deadline. If he hasn’t and needs to be moved to the outfield, then Hart would be moved at the deadline.

We’d be playing for 2012 and beyond when the money that was owed to Fielder and Weeks/Hart would be used to fill any gaps not filled by the aforementioned trades.

David Riske to a 3-year contract, anyone? (This is why the Benoit, Guerrier, and Crain signings are making me cringe btw—at least Melvin didn’t do that one again)

There’s also signing over-the-hill catchers to start—yeah, I <3 Damian Miller and he had a great 2005, but that ball was rolling downhill. the less said about Jason Kendall the better. Nobody could have predicted Zaun’s injury, but I question the wisdom of signing a 39-year-old starting catcher. At least it wasn’t Jason Varitek?

Then there’s last offseason, where “are they going to get us a nice starting pitcher?” discussion around here led to resigned “aw, he’s just going to sign Doug Davis.” We may have thought we were joking, but it happened anyway.

In conclusion: The Brewers front office under Melvin has made some incredible trades, trades that led directly to the team getting the wild card in ‘08 and are going to give the team a chance to contend for the NL Central lead in 2011. They’ve made some great waiver claims like Casey McGehee. Minor league free agents and independent league finds like Chris Narveson, Mark DiFelice and Brandon Kintzler have had success in the organization and could be crucial parts of the 2011 squad. On the other hand, the other free agents (of the 6-year, not the non-tendered variety) they’ve picked up have not been so successful. Perhaps the strategy this year of signing bench parts only will work out.