MARCH 31, 2017
Hope springs eternal.
At least that was the mood of the press conference when it was announced that Jonathan Mong would be the new GM of the Milwaukee Brewers. Team owners and fans are really enthused about the signing and are looking forward to the upcoming season.
"I'm very honored to be working for the fans of Milwaukee. We have several questions to resolve, and a wholesale team assessment to perform, along with time constraints to consider," Jonathan Mong told reporters at the press conference. "Baseball is a year-round job these days, and I'm fortunate to be working with the Brewers ownership."
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Jonathan turned to the now-assistant GM, David Stearns.
"Hey, I understand if you aren't willing to continue on as an assistant," he said.
"No, I think we're good. Glad to work with you," David responded.
"Well, what do you think? What's the most pressing thing on our plate?" Jonathan continued. "You're more senior, so I'll rely on you for some advice."
"I think it's time to follow the leads of Seattle, San Diego, and others to return to old designs. It throws some character into the team that we don't really have at the moment."
And so they did.
"So we've done that, what now?"
"I'd bolster the pitching and the outfield, then trade up for a catcher."
Jonathan's phone blared. It was Mike Rizzo.
"Hey, Jonathan. Welcome to Milwaukee."
"Hey, Mike. Thanks for the call. While you're on the line, I'd like to offer you something."
"Yeah?"
"Jimmy Nelson for Stephen Strasburg."
"It's close, but no. You gotta do a little more than that."
"Jimmy Nelson and Eric Thames for Stephen Strasburg."
"Jonathan, what are you doing?" David asked.
"I got this, David."
"Done."
"Could you also... pay his salary by any chance?"
"No."
"90%."
"No."
"80%."
"Deal."
Jonathan put the phone down.
"Wow. I don't see any way we don't win that trade, Jonathan. Congratulations!" David exclaimed.
"I'm not done." He picked up the phone and dialed again.
"Andrew Friedman, who is this?"
"Hi Andrew, it's Jonathan Mong, the new GM of the Milwaukee Brewers."
"Congratulations on the new job, Jonathan, and is there anything I can do for you?"
"I was calling about Bellinger, actually. Could I interest you with Jacob Barnes?"
"Jacob Barnes and Zach Davies."
"Done." Andrew hung up.
"What the..." David mused.
"Let's keep going. Put Miami on the line."
David called the Marlins.
"Michael Hill, Miami Marlins."
"Hi Michael, this is Jonathan Mong, the Brewers' new GM. I would like to inquire about trading for Christian Yelich?"
"Who would you give me in return?"
"Keon Broxton and Trent Clark, but you pay Yelich's salary."
"That's not fair at all, we're not getting much in return!" David exclaimed.
"I like that trade," said Michael.
"My assistant here doesn't, though," Jonathan said. "How about Braxton Garrett too?"
"I would need a lot more in this trade," said Michael. "How about adding Luis Ortiz on your side?"
Jonathan looked over at David.
"That seems fair," he nodded.
"Done." Jonathan hung up.
"Are you done yet?"
"No. I'm going to talk to the Pirates now...Hi Neal, this is Jonathan Mong, could I interest you in Jett Bandy for Francisco Cervelli?"
"Yeah, I like that. Done." He hung up.
"
Now I'm finished," Jonathan remarked to David.
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APRIL 1, 2017
Jonathan got off of the team jet in Seattle and took a car to Bellevue. There was something here, he knew it. He stopped at the address and rang the bell.
"Who is it?" called a voice.
"It's Jonathan Mong. I'm the general manager for the Milwaukee Brewers."
"Come on in!"
Tim Lincecum had been out of baseball after pitching to a 9.16 ERA in just 9 games with the Angels in 2016. But now Jonathan wanted to take a flyer on him.
"We think you're special, Tim, no bones about it."
"Thanks, Jonathan."
"We'd like to offer you a minor league deal."
"I'll consider it."