WisBusiness: Brewers’ GM optimistic about next season

By Rebecca Kontowicz
WisBusiness.com

Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin says several improvements are coming to Miller Park this season and that he’s confident the team will have a successful year in 2008.

During the Milwaukee Rotary Club’s weekly luncheon meeting Wednesday, Melvin said improvements will include a renovation of the .300 Club, an upscale restaurant at the park which will now be called the “The Metavante Club,” and a new sports memorabilia store to be located outside of the stadium.

“We’re always looking to improve the ballpark,” Melvin said.

Melvin expressed confidence in his young team and said he is looking forward to a successful season.

“We haven’t reached the ultimate goal of beating the post season; we hope that happens this year, but we have made great strides through the help of some of our young players,” Melvin said.

The former Yankee praised Brewers manager Ned Yost for sticking with young players, like infielders J.J. Hardy and Rickie Weeks, who have become stars since their careers began in major-league baseball. Melvin spoke highly of new bench coach Ted Simmons, who played catcher for Milwaukee’s 1982 World Series team. He was hired in the off-season.

He also had positive words for owner Mark Attanasio in supporting efforts to completely rebuild the Brewers program and add to the payroll as the team got better.

The general manager said that the current team roster is the club Brewers fans can expect to see for the next three to four years. However, despite his enthusiasm, Melvin does admit it may be hard to hang onto some young players. Losing closer Francisco Cordero to the Cincinnati Reds after offering four years and $42 million last November made this quite evident, he said.

“One of the tough decisions we have here over the next two years, is paying these young players to keep them here for a long time,” said Melvin.