Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin will not likely have free
agent first baseman Prince Fielder back next season. Yet Melvin will still have to find away to improve or at least maintain a team that won 96 games and won the National League Central Division last season.
AUDIO: Doug Melvin says they accomplished a lot last season :14
Melvin said in a perfect world, he’d have everybody back next season. But he knows that’s not likely to happen.
Melvin said there’s no question the Brewers need to improve defensively, but at what cost to the offense do they improve?
AUDIO: Doug Melvin on looking to improve the defense :17
Melvin deferred most of the questions about Prince Fielder and potential negotiations with the soon-to-be-free agent because his staff is still in the process of evaluating the season. One thing is certain according to Melvin, they probably need to give minor leaguer Mat Gamel an opportunity.
AUDIO: Melvin said Mat Gamel deserves a chance :20
Melvin said he’d like to resign utility man Jerry Hairston Jr., after Hairston came to the Brewers in the second half and played well.
Milwaukee’s season came to an end in the National League Championship Series when they fell to St. Louis.