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Talkin’ Baseball And Brewers
Attanasio says Brewers can be buyers
Posted by:
ggiesen on
June 26, 2009 at
3:56PM CST
By COLIN FLY Associated Press MILWAUKEE — Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio suggested Thursday that Milwaukee may be active in the upcoming trade market and take on more salary if needed. "We still have flexibility, we’re a buyer, not a seller," Attanasio told The Associated Press. General manager Doug Melvin has declined to address rumors with about a month to go before the July 31 trade deadline, only saying it was nearly impossible he’d consider dealing top prospects Mat Gamel and Alcides Escobar. But Attanasio said Melvin has spoken to several clubs in the past three weeks. It’s thought that the Brewers are most interested in acquiring a starting pitcher for their thin rotation after Manny Parra was demoted to Triple-A Nashville and Dave Bush was placed on the disabled list this week after being hit by a line drive. But Attanasio also mentioned bolstering the infield after second baseman Rickie Weeks (wrist) had season-ending surgery. Milwaukee has used a platoon of 38-year-old veteran Craig Counsell and Casey McGehee in Weeks’ absence. "We knew when Rickie went down we would need a little bit of help because he meant so much to our team. But, one of the things that’s worked so well in baseball that (Commissioner) Bud Selig’s put in with the wild card is just about everybody but two or three teams are in it," Attanasio said. The Brewers are often mentioned in trade rumors because of their deep farm system and Melvin’s deal last July to acquire pitcher CC Sabathia for four prospects. Sabathia, now with the Yankees, helped propel Milwaukee to its first postseason appearance in 26 years. That’s helped the Brewers stay competitive financially despite the economic downturn, something Attanasio is keenly aware of as an investment banker. With a payroll of more than $80 million this season, Milwaukee is averaging more than 37,000 fans per game through 33 games, keeping the franchise on pace to draw 3 million fans for the second straight season. "We’ve got such phenomenal fan support that we’ve managed to be OK," Attanasio said. "I think it’s because it’s fun and so when people decide what they’re going to reduce out of their lives, this will probably be one of the last things they take away." Attanasio spoke after he and his wife, Debbie, were honored in Milwaukee as COA Youth and Family Center’s 2009 Parents of the Year for the work they’ve done with school-aged children through Brewers charities. "We’re really delighted with the support we got," Attanasio said. "Especially in a tough time like this, we feel it’s very special."
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