Did that headline grab your attention? Cool.

According to Jsonline, discussions between Weeks and the Brewers regarding a multi-year deal have come to a standstill. Rickie was one of the top three offensive threats on the team last year, along with Hart and McGehee. He hit 23 dingers, 83 ribbies and notched 112 runs scored, not too bad for a guy with his first really healthy season. And that is the problem, his first real productive season. He started 2009 on fire too, only to fuck his wrist up and miss the rest of the season. Now, the question isn't whether or not Weeks has the talent to get paid, it's whether or not he is going to stay healthy enough to make it worth the contract he is looking for.

Here are the figures the two sides are looking at. Weeks is asking for a  hell of a raise, he made 2.75 million last year and is asking for 7.2 million, while the Crew is offering 4.85 million. While his production was pretty awesome last year, maybe the best leadoff hitter in the league, I think he's asking for a lot. Four and a half million dollars is a hell of a raise for one great year of work. Personally, I've grown a lot in my line of work over the last couple of years and like most Americans, I've been without a raise at both of my reviews. So suck it up and make a counter offer of 5.5 and go into spring training with a positive attitude and play your ass off.

I think that is wishful thinking on my part, because it's not how it's going to play out. Rickie just saw how Prince got paid (signed his last contract as a Brewer for 15.5 million this year) and would like his piece of the pie. I think Rickie feels like he's being slighted here, just like he was snubbed in the voting for last year's All Star Game. And sadly, he will hold a grudge and walk at the end of the year. It's too bad, but we can't get all of our young studs to sign club friendly contracts ala Braun. Now, will this send panic into Brewer nation, seeing as how we just sent our second baseman of the future to the great white north? I hope not, Lawrie was a douche and needed to go anyways. Personally, if I was in Rickie's position, I would see how the club wants me around after that trade and sign a nice two or three year deal. Might as well stick around as long as Hart, Marcum, and Grienke will be here.

How much of this is Weeks seeing Prince will be gone after this year, and not wanting to stick around? They are boys. How much of this is Gord Ash's comments that Weeks isn't the caliber player Uggla is? I'm guessing it didn't help. What happened to keeping it out of the media? Wishful thinking. Where does that leave Brewers fans? Are you knocked down from your high, knowing that both Prince and Weeks will most likely be gone going into 2012 or doesn't it matter. Hopefully Weeks and Prince both have great years and sign at the end of it, but as history has shown, it's not likely.

Here's to some draft picks.
Ronald

A side note, I changed up the name of the podcast to "The Beer Pen", in honor of our favorite spot to sit when we go to Milwaukee. You should still be able to find it on Itunes by searching brewcrew365. We should be recording a new one this weekend, so stay tuned. Thank you for your support, and tell a friend, we rely on word of mouth to get around, just like my neighbor's slutty wife.