Finally! My MLB Network Works!

Since my move at the end of December and now being a Time Warner Cable customer and not a Charter Cable customer I have not had the pleasure of viewing the new MLB Network. I was so excited to do so since back in October when I heard about the launch of the channel. For some reason the channel was not coming through our digital cable box at the house, I finally called and they decided they had to send a technician out. Well not only did they send one, it was a TWO technician job. Basically it was a "signal" problem the nice gentlemen from Time Warner told me. The splitters that were in the house (this is my future mother in-laws house, my fiancee and I are staying with her temporarily until our wedding in May and we get our own house) were bad and they simplified things threw in a new splitter, a few cables and then everything worked!

My impressions of the network thus far are positive. I have enjoyed the classic games that I have seen and really like the Prime 9 series show. I saw Prime 9 on centerfielders and all-time HR's. They had a little to much Red Sox stuff on this weekend. A lot of various shows that focused on Red Sox history and such, but it's better then a bunch of Cubs or Yankees shows I guess.

I'm really looking forward tomorrow to seeing my first episode of "Hot Stove" their live show that airs each weeknight from 6 to 7. Hopefully they will have some Brewers news to report. Also tomorrow they are going to have some Hall of Fame induction selection show on in the afternoon that I believe will re-run at night.

So all in all, I love it like I thought I would. And I also look forward to seeing much more of Hazel Mae, who gives me a weird feeling. Like when I used to climb the rope in gym class.

As Time Goes By.....

It is of my personal opinion that the more time that goes by with Ben Sheets un-signed and that the Brewers don't sign a different free agent starting pitcher the more likely it is that Sheets returns to Milwaukee on a 1 year deal. Possibly with incentives or an option for a 2nd year. I just get a hunch that as more time goes on with no teams really interested in Ben that he and the Brewers can come to a mutual deal. I have no doubt that if Sheets did not have a past of injuries he would have been one of the first free agents off the board this offseason and would have gotten a nice multiple year contract.

The Brewers Have Their 2009 Closer And He Is The All-Time Saves Leader

It became official today (pending a physical of course) but the Brewers have signed the all-time saves leader and future HOF Trevor Hoffman (554 saves) to a 1 year deal worth $6 mill with another $1.5 mill in incentives. I think it's a great deal for the Brewers. They fill their closer needs with the best ever. Sure he has just turned 41 but had been very good still the last few years. I expect good things from Hoffman in 09'. I think he will be better then Gagne or Torres was in 08'. It came down to the Dodgers or the Brewers for Hoffman and he chose to leave the west coast where he calls home and played in San Diego for 16 years to come to the heart of the Midwest. Bottom line, the Brewers made the bigger push. Manager Ken Macha, trainer Roger Caplinger and players Mike Cameron and Jason Kendall all contacted Hoffman about coming to Milwaukee. Just awesome, the Brewers will have a presser once Hoffman passes the physical which should not be a problem. I heard in various interviews on the radio today with baseball media that Hoffman keeps himself in top physical condition, a work out freak.

I can't wait the first time I'm at Miller Park this season and I get to hear AC/DC's "Hells Bells" as Hoffman the future HOF walks out of the bullpen in a Brewers uniform to shut down another team. It is going to be fantastic. Now Doug Melvin if you wouldn't mind, go sign a starting pitcher like Ben Sheets, Jon Garland or Braden Looper. Thanks Doug, we appreciate it.

Hoffman And Brewers "Close"

According to MLB.com the Brewers and all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman are very "close" on a deal. According to the source it is very close to happening. Hopefully it will be official sometime today.

And I Thought The T206 Honus Wagner Was The Most Rare Baseball Card

Seen this story over at Deadspin.com, my absolute favorite sports blog. A women out in Fresno, California named Bernice Gallego (no relation to former Athletic Mike, as far as I know) may have found the first baseball card ever produced. It is a card of the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings. The card could be worth 6 figures, and she once had it on eBay for $10. Wow.

AC/DC Could Be Blaring Through Speakers At Miller Park In 2009

Yup, "Hells Bells" by AC/DC could be a song you hear quite often at Brewers home games in 2009, specifically when the Brewers have leads going into the top of the 9th. The all-time saves leader in MLB Trevor Hoffman is now a serious target for Doug Melvin and the Crew. Melvin had talks today with Hoffman's agent Rick Thurman who told the Journal Sentinel that the interest is mutual between the Brewers and Hoffman. Hoffman is 41 so the age factor is there, he is probably seeking a 2 year deal for around $7-$9 mill per year. The Dodgers are also said to have had serious talks with Thurman about Hoffman. But it is said that Hoffman wants to close, something he would not do in LA because of Jonathan Broxton, that should give the Brewers a small edge.

Personally I hope we get the deal done. Closer is a need for the club and Hoffman although 41 still seems to have gas in the tank. He converted 30 of 34 save chances in 2008, had an ERA of 3.77, WHIP of 1.037 and 46 K's to only 9 BB's in 45.3 innings pitched. I don't think signing a 41 year old who just came off a good season to a two year deal would be to risky. Cant be anymore risky then signing Eric Gagne to a 1 year $10 mill contract, could it? Talks between Thurman and Melvin should continue tomorrow, hopefully a deal will be struck shortly after.

I'm Back! And The Brewers Still Have Not Done Shit.

Well the holidays are over and my move is complete. So we are finally updating VFBC. First off I have decided to no longer post follow ups to the reader polls. Mostly because I'm lazy and because I'm sure people can see the results and don't need me to explain them. I will probably leave it up for 2 days after the poll closes so people can see the final results, then I will put up a new poll. Sound good? Yeah I thought so to.

Well the Brewers still very quiet on the hot stove front. I think sometime this week or next we will see Melvin make some moves, just my gut feeling. With Randy Johnson now signed with the Giants we can take him off our wish list. The Brewers have recently been linked to Derek Lowe as a "mystery" team, whatever that is. I like Lowe a lot and would love to sign him, but I don't think we have the money to throw at him. If he could be had for 3 years $42-$45 mill I would pull the trigger on that in a heartbeat. But it sounds like Lowe is looking for around $16 mill a season and is a Boras client that coupled with his age not sure he is quite worth that kind of money. He is very good, durable and eats innings though. I would now put him behind Ben Sheets as my top two choices for a starting pitcher. Problem is both of those seem like long shots. Because of that I would say some more realistic choices for the Brewers to add to the rotation would be John Smoltz, Jon Garland or Braden Looper. I wouldn't have a problem with either of those three.

As for a closer, I really like Brandon Lyon and to a lesser extent Takashi Saito. Both could be had fairly cheap. The thing with Saito is his injured elbow, that is a concern so he would have to get checked out. But Lyon would be an awesome power arm closer and it would allow us to not have to worry about using Carlos Villanueva or Seth McClung in that role. I really hope Melvin considers one of these two and gets them soon before another team finally steps up and signs them.

Happy Holidays From VFBC

Just wanted to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday from your friends at VFBC. The next few weeks are going to be hectic with the holidays and I am moving all at the same time. So I do not think I will be able to post even if something big comes up, but when I get settled in I will put up Reader Poll #6 and review Reader Poll #5. Although I don't anticipate the Brewers doing anything until the new year anyway. But if they do, here is my holiday wish list to Doug Melvin.

Doug,
Please sign one of the following pitchers in the near future to shore up our rotation. They are in order of who I want most to least.

1. Ben Sheets
2. Randy Johnson
3. John Smoltz
4. Randy Wolf
5. Jon Garland

If you can't sign any of the above pitchers for the starting rotation, please consider signing Brian Fuentes to be our closer.

I have been a good boy this year Doug and would really appreciate some kind of signing or trade that can get us a #1 or #2 starter to go with Yovani or a proven closer for the pen.