Milwaukee Brewers: Bud Selig checking for updates on trade deadline plans
By Tim Haberin
With the Milwaukee Brewers still in first place, fans are eager to see what they’ll do before the trade deadline – including former commissioner Bud Selig.
Before serving as Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Bud Selig owned the Milwaukee Brewers for over two decades. Even throughout his 23-year tenure as baseball’s head honcho, he retained strong ties to his hometown club. Now two years into retirement, it seems Selig can let himself be a fan again.
Currently in first place in the NL Central, the Brewers find themselves in the unexpected position of potential buyers with two weeks to go until the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Fans in Milwaukee are wondering what the team might do to give itself a second-half push. Selig is a bit more well-connected than most fans, however.
According to Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, the former commissioner calls him often to ask about the team and its trade deadline plans. While Selig isn’t particularly well-versed in the various farm systems around the league, he’s eager to get the inside scoop on what direction the organization is headed. Per ESPN.com:
"“With [Selig] it’s more, he wants to be on the inside knowing what we’re doing, what are we thinking,” Attanasio said. “So he wouldn’t know the prospects. ‘Is that guy the Cubs traded [away] really that good?'”"
The fact that 82-year-old Bud Selig is regularly checking for updates gives you an idea of the rather exciting spot the Brewers are in right now. Many had written this season off as a rebuilding campaign. After 89 losses last year (and 94 the year before that), few could have blamed them. Yet Craig Counsell‘s squad has continued to defy expectations in 2017, and they have remained on top of their division even when it seemed they would surely fade.
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The reigning champion Chicago Cubs aren’t going down without a fight, however. Last week’s Jose Quintana trade – with the possibility of additional moves to come before July 31 – put the Brewers and the rest of the NL Central on notice: The Cubs are getting serious about defending their crown.
Attanasio mentions that the Brewers were involved in discussions for Quintana before their rivals landed him for a package of four prospects. Conventional wisdom says Milwaukee will continue scouring the starting pitching market. Oakland A’s ace Sonny Gray is still out there and expected to be moved. Or the Brewers could pursue a less costly, mid-tier option.
For what it’s worth, Attanasio notes that general manager David Stearns is not likely to force a big trade just for the sake of responding to the Cubs. The goal to build a sustainable, long-term winner isn’t going out the window just for a chance to win in 2017.
"“Maybe it’s the confidence I have in David and the group, the process we’ve put in place,” Attanasio said. “I’m surprised how [he’s not affected by the Cubs’ deal]. We have to do the right thing here.”"
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As for Selig, he’s got his own big date coming up soon. He’ll be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York on Sunday, July 30, just a day before the trade deadline. Maybe he’ll have time to give the Brewers brass another call before he hits the stage.