Hot stove rumblings for the Brewers

I just want to pass along some of the rumors I’ve heard involving Brewers’ players:
Bill Hall to the Giants for Noah Lowry and Dave Roberts. I think this would be a good trade for the Brewers. It would give us another solid middle of the rotation pitcher and a solid, veteran leader in the outfield that has a knack for getting on base and stealing them as well.
Bill Hall and Manny Parra to the White Sox for Jon Garland. I think this would be way too much to give up for Garland and I wouldn’t make the deal anyway. Garland is a ground-ball pitcher and with the Brewers’ defensive woes, that doesn’t make for a good mix.
Alcides Escobar to the Rangers for Hank Blalock. Quite interesting here. Escobar is a top infield prospect and acquiring Blalock would move Ryan Braun to the outfield where most people want him anyway.
Tony Gwynn to the Rangers for Joaquin Benoit. I go back and forth on this trade. I’m in the camp that would like to see Gwynn given a shot to play every day in center and move Bill Hall to left. On the other hand, I think Benoit could be a potential replacement for Francisco Cordero. He just signed a new 2-year deal with the Rangers for about $ 3 million a year. Not bad for someone with potentially dominant stuff.
The next one is a big complicated, so bear with me. Bill Hall and Manny Parra to the Orioles for Erik Bedard, Ben Sheets to the Red Sox for Coco Crisp and prospects to Milwaukee and Baltimore. I can’t imagine the Brewers giving up all that talent in one off-season. Bedard in Milwaukee would be spectacular as he is the best left-hander in baseball not named Johan Santana.
The Elias rankings were released and Francisco Cordero and Scott Linebrink were both classified as Type A free agents. That means if the sign with certain teams, the Brewers could basically receive 2 draft picks back for each. From a personal standpoint, I’d love to see the Brewers go after Kenny Lofton and Eric Gagne. Both are Type B free agents. Getting those two plus possibly any draft picks received for Cordero and Linebrink would be a great winter for me.
What are your thoughts? Heard any other rumors: crazy or logical? Leave me a note and let me know what you’ve heard.
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