Well, we knew things were bad ... but ... the Brewers will slash their 2003 $40 million payroll to just $30 million for next season (and try to hold it there for a few years). Lack of new investors and less money from low attendance may seal the deal. The future looks grim.
Instead of getting rid of either Sexson or Jenkins, they will probably get rid of both.

On top of that, club president Ulice Payne, who has built up a ton of goodwill and even hope in M'waukee over the past year, may be out.

Time for the Selig family to totally divest itself -- find new ownership. Or maybe Milwaukee just can't support a franchise??
Milw. Journal columnist Dale Hoffman: "This team started out with a great owner. Now it needs another one."

If MLB ever gets the idea to contract some teams, perhaps here's as good a place as any to start. Of course, as long as Bud is in power it won't happen.

This is totally unfair to the good people of Milwaukee. They foot the bill for the new stadium with the thought that the team will build the best team possible & management (oh, Mr Selig, that's you...) sells off its greatest assets. Part of the "luxury tax" agreement was that small-market teams would reinvest in their teams--the product on the field. The Brewers have failed.

~Adam

The Brewers beat the Angels in the 1982 playoffs by coming from behind to win, so f**k 'em, let 'em implode! Bastards!!!!!

Of course, back to reality, this is bad news. Milwaukee has always been a pretty good baseball town but it's no different than anywhere else: if the team sucks, people won't show up. And why would fans show up if the team is putting up a white surrender flag even before the 2004 season starts? Spring training is supposed to be a time of hope--no matter how misplaced--not dread.

My father was a scout for the Brewers...until his contract was not renewed for next year. It isn't just players being let go, front office people as well. That stadium, I don't think, sold out one time this past season. Too bad.

Yes! I remember that game and series very well. Some teams have glory years and glory days. That was the Brewers' glory day ...

Yeah -- if they let Ulice Payne go -- it'll be awful. And for the record, Miller Park sold out four times (count 'em ) -- opening day, and then the last three were against the Cubbies in September when Chicago was in the midst of the pennant race -- and thousands of fans drove up to M'waukee from south of the border.

Do the Brewers have anyone from the farm system that can help right away? Was there anyone they called up in September that seemed to have potential? If they're only going to work with a $30 million payroll, that might be the only way to go.

Interesting discussion with baseball economist Andrew Zimbalist, author of "May the Best Team Win: Baseball Economics and Public Policy."

"... Zimbalist approved of revenue sharing in principle, 'although he is concerned that no minimum payroll is stipulated in the revenue-sharing formula; instead of using the funds to augment their payrolls, revenue-receiving clubs might simply pocket the money, which would defeat the whole reason for revenue sharing.'

How prescient was that? The Brewers are doing well with revenue sharing, better than well - league estimates say their shared monies this year will increase more than those of any other team. The Brewers' payroll, meanwhile, is plunging."

Economist Has Brewers' Number

Build the farm system first! The only way Milwaukee will survive is to put the money into the minor league farm clubs. Sexson is a fan favorite and I would hate to see him go, especially to the Cubs. The truth is Sexson will leave the team next year. With Sexson the Brewers can only hope to improve to 80 wins at best and than he will be gone.
Many of the Milwaukee fans need to step back and look at the whole organization. A farm system destroyed by Sal Bando. A history of highly paid free agents with no results and a stadium collapse, the Brewers for once are doing something right.
Cut the payroll and pay off a debt and sink money into the farm system.
There are some quality players on the AA and A clubs. At least two first baseman who can replace Richie Sexson. It will take at least one more year for these players to move up to the majors. I dont know if Brewers fans will wait and maybe the time has run out on a Milwaukee baseball team, at least one owned by the Seligs. If Milwaukee is going to be a successful organization it is going to be because of players who are at Huntsville and Beloit.