Yes, I know there's still five weeks left in the regular season and a whole postseason to play through, but it's never too early to look ahead. What do you see the Brewers roster looking like in 2008? What should it look like? Here's your chance to play Doug Melvin and chart out the team's future.
The set-up:
This is a business, not dream world, so there's budgetary and roster constraints. Mark Attanasio wants to win with the best of them, but he and the board can't condone raising the payroll above $80 million. There's an awful lot of guys with no options as well, cramping your style. Trading is one way to deal with the crunch, but you have to make sure they're realistic (i.e., no Laynce Nix for Joe Mauer straight up) and don't raise the payroll too high. Your roster limit is 25 and it should be reasonably balanced (no 15-man pitching staff, Nedgar).
Here's the players currently on the team available (without free-agent re-signings) to put on the 2008 roster (note: arbitration and renewal numbers are my attempt to be realistic, call me on them or change it if you have a better idea). I'm not entirely sure on options for everyone, but I noted the players I know are out of them:
Johnny Estrada, C, last time eligible for arbitration (say roughly $4.2 million), can refuse assignment to minors
Prince Fielder, 1B, contract renewed (say 900k a la Ryan Howard), arbitration through 2011
Rickie Weeks, 2B, contract renewed (say 1.32M, same as this year), arbitration through 2011
J.J. Hardy, SS, eligible for arbitration (say 2.5M), arbitration through 2010
Ryan Braun, 3B, contract renewed (say 450k), arbitration through 2013
Craig Counsell, IF, 2.80M, club option for $3.40M for 2009, player option for $2.80M for 2009 if traded
Corey Hart, OF, contract renewed (say 425k), arbitration through 2011, out of options: MUST be on roster or placed on waivers.
Gabe Gross, OF, contract renewed (say 425k), arbitration through 2011, out of options: MUST be on roster or placed on waivers.
Laynce Nix, OF, contract renewed (say 400k); arbitration through 2011, out of options: MUST be on roster or placed on waivers
Tony Gwynn Jr., OF, contract renewed (say 400k)
Bill Hall, CF, 4.80M, $15.7M commitment through 2010 (club option for 2011)
Geoff Jenkins, LF/RF, club option for $9.00M
Kevin Mench, LF/RF, last time eligible for arbitration (say $4.2 million), can refuse assignment to minors
Ben Sheets, SP, $11.00M (may be traded to only 8 clubs; not sure which ones, presumably contenders)
Jeff Suppan, SP, $8.00M, $27.00M commitment through 2010, club option for 2011 (may block trades to 8 clubs in 2009-2010)
Chris Capuano, SP, eligible for arbitration (say $4.25M), arbitration through 2009
Claudio Vargas, SP, eligible for arbitration (say $3.50M), arbitration through 2009
Dave Bush, SP, eligible for arbitration (say $2.80M), arbitration through 2010
Yovani Gallardo, SP, contract renewed (say $425k), arbitration through 2013
Manny Parra, SP, contract renewed (say $400k), arbitration through 2013
Carlos Villanueva, SP, contract renewed (say $425k), arbitration through 2012
Derrick Turnbow, RP, $3.20M, arbitration through 2009
Matt Wise, last time eligible for arbitration (say $2.00M), can refuse assignment to minors
Brian Shouse, last time eligible for arbitration (say $1.25M), can refuse assignment to minors
Greg Aquino, contract renewed (say $400k), out of options: MUST be on roster or clear waivers
Seth McClung, eligible for arbitration (say $1.00M), out of options: MUST be on roster or clear waivers
Any prospects, minor league roster filler, etc., that you like (assume minimum salary of $400k each to make computation easier)
If you keep everyone on that list, you are on the hook for $70.47M of your $80M budget.
Take a gander at the free agent class list over at Cot's for inspiration and other relevant info.
Again, if I'm way off in my estimation of what a renewal or arbitration will yield, feel free to change it in your calculation or just complain. Good luck!