Doug Melvin is thinking about an interesting strategy for the winter meetings.

Melvin said one tactic might be to sit back and see which teams dive into the top-tier free-agent market for players such as Carlos Beltran and Adrian Beltre, and then investigate if those teams are looking to free up money to pay for their new players by trading established players on their rosters. That could solve the position-player issue.

Let teams overspend, then Milwaukee could act as a safety valve. Not an aggressive strategy, but one that might be okay. Especially if the Brewers are aiming for next year.

Melvin thinks he might be able to address the offense via trade and the pitching through free agency. He figures the cream of the Brewers' minor league crop - offensive-minded players such as Prince Fielder and Rickie Weeks - is still a year away. But J.J. Hardy, who is playing in Mexico this winter, will be given every chance to win the job at shortstop during spring training.

I don't know if they both need another year. Weeks and Fielder both have good OBAs in the minor leagues. If they come out hitting like gangbusters this spring, bring them up. It will be exciting for the fans, and a sign that the two will have long, productive careers.

By the way, why is Prince Fielder trying to steal bases? It pretty obvious he's not good at it (16 for 28 in his career). Why risk an injury of a future star player and decrease your run production at the same time?

Update: It's Doug, not Bob Melvin.