Rampant speculation does seem to be everyone's favorite, so I sat down over a bowl of Sriracha Beer Cheese Soup this afternoon to answer some of your Brewer hot stove questions on the Brew Crew Ball Twitter feed.
@brewcrewball which FA SP do you want the brewers to sign? rank a couple, and consider price too, so you can't just say "greinke"
— Chipper Pear (@ChipperPear) December 3, 2012
Kyle: I think Brandon McCarthy and Dan Haren both represent possibly high value, with some risk. Prefer both to Dempster.
.@brewcrewball Percent chance Dempster is on the mound at Miller in 2013.
— Justin Jabs (@justinjabs) December 3, 2012
Kyle: I'll go 33.3% at this point. I think he'll end up getting 2/$28-30 with a vesting option for 2015.
@brewcrewball who would be a better addition to the brewers, Hamilton or Dempster?
— Nathan Otten (@Nathan_Otten) December 3, 2012
Kyle: Dempster, but only because the contract would be less crippling.
@brewcrewball who is the most important new member of the brewers next year? Will both Rogers and peralta be in the rotation?
— NP (@PPLSCHMPN) December 3, 2012
Kyle: Part 1 - Probably the starting pitcher they haven't acquired yet. Part 2 - I think Peralta will but Rogers won't. Rogers may stick in the pen, though, because he's out of options.
.@brewcrewball What's the Club Infield Box like? Is it worth it to try out sometime?
— Justin Jabs (@justinjabs) December 3, 2012
Kyle: I don't spend much time up on the 300 level. I did the Club Infield once and enjoyed it. For my money, I like the 200 level.
@brewcrewball Does Mat Gamel leave the Winter Meetings with a new team?
— Rickie Weeks Collect (@RW23Collector) December 3, 2012
Kyle: I think Gamel's value will be at its highest next spring, if he can show he's healthy and hit a little in camp.
@brewcrewball best internal option for future closer role?
— Fire Ron Roenicke (@FireRonRoenicke) December 3, 2012
Kyle: This may seem out of left field, but I think it might be Mark Rogers. He's got the stuff for it.
@brewcrewball If the Brewers add no one outside of replacement-level bullpen arms, what would you predict their record to be?
— Paul Noonan (@BadgerNoonan) December 3, 2012
Kyle: 78-80 wins, off the top of my head. They're really only a couple of pieces away, but that bullpen would still be rough.
.@brewcrewball Finally ... Which prospect(s) do you think will have the biggest impact in 2013?
— Justin Jabs (@justinjabs) December 3, 2012
Kyle: Logan Schafer has a chance to make an impact, as does Wily Peralta. Going to be tough for anyone else to crack roster.
@brewcrewball what would be the ideal signing for the brewers? (Including $ and years).
— Nathan Otten (@Nathan_Otten) December 3, 2012
Kyle: Everyone seems to be scared of Haren's health, buying low may be an option. 2 years, vesting opt for 2015, major incentives.
@brewcrewball What type of UTIL do you want to go after?I hear OF w/bat a lot, but seems like we've OF covered.3B seems more of a need to me
— Derek Harvey (@SecondHandStore) December 3, 2012
Kyle: I'd love to see them find a power bat. Would add a big time dimension to a soft-hitting bench at present.
@secondhandstore @brewcrewball Follow up question: Is Eric Chavez a realistic target for Crew if they seek INF, or will he be too expensive?
— Derek Harvey (@SecondHandStore) December 3, 2012
Kyle: He's probably worth more to an AL team that can play him @ DH.
@brewcrewball Can you see the Brewers going after Dan Haren?
— Lewis Dobie (@LewtheLegend) December 3, 2012
Kyle: I told an earlier tweeter that I'd like to see it. I think he's a strong buy low candidate based on his health.
@brewcrewball Which LH reliever would you like the Brewers to sign, which do you expect them to sign?
— Tim Young (@timcyoung) December 3, 2012
Kyle: A) Someone available on a short team deal, maybe Randy Choate. B) An expensive, shiny hood ornament.
@brewcrewball Who is the real Mike Fiers? #Brewers
— Dan (@WiscoSportsNut) December 3, 2012
Kyle: The middle road. He won't dominate all the time like he did at his peak, but his control isn't as bad as it was in Sept.
@brewcrewball Who will be the top prospect going into next year?
— Jerry Eldred (@jheldred) December 3, 2012
Kyle: Wily Peralta is still RoY-eligible, so I feel like it has to be him.
@brewcrewball Well I was assuming he breaks camp with the club. Besides him, I mean.
— Jerry Eldred (@jheldred) December 3, 2012
Kyle: Logan Schafer, then? I think it's going to be really hard for a prospect to crack this roster barring injuries.
@brewcrewball Who is the highest profile free agent you see the Brewers signing, if any?
— Tom Mielke (@mclandad) December 3, 2012
Kyle: It's too early to put a name on it, but I do think they'll sign a veteran starter. Not Greinke, but someone from the next tier.
@brewcrewball Do you see Hunter Morris making an impact in 2013....or more so in 2014?
— Charles LaMarche (@charleslamarche) December 3, 2012
Kyle: Morris needs to hit again next year in AAA before I'm ready to project a Brewer ETA for him. 2012 was a career year.
@brewcrewball How concerned are you about the lack of any power from the left side in our lineup.
— Dan (@WiscoSportsNut) December 3, 2012
Kyle: Not concerned. Despite some rough games this team led the NL in runs scored and returns in tact.
@brewcrewball What would you ask Vin Scully?
— Kevan Feyzi (@kevanfeyzi) December 3, 2012
Kyle: What's your routine to stay in a rhythm and never have a bad day for 50+ years? How do you avoid burning out?
Thanks to everyone who sent in questions, and be sure to follow us @BrewCrewBall to take part in our next Twitter lunch?