PHOENIX – I'm waiting for my flight back to Milwaukee later today but was able to catch Brewers general manager Doug Melvin's press conference to discuss the Francisco Rodriguez trade on MLB Network.

What I took from the situation:

Going for it ... again: Melvin was asked about the "all-in" philosophy under which the team appears to be operating this season, after the trades for Shaun Marcum and Zack Greinke and in this, Prince Fielder's likely final season in Milwaukee.

It's a phrase that has been thrown around a lot the last few months and many seem to think that with Fielder's departure all but certain, this is the Brewers last chance at a championship for the foreseeable future.

I've always disagreed with that theory. The Brewers have Greinke and Marcum under contract through 2012 (Marcum has one year left of arbitration; Greinke's deal expires after next season) and when you add in Ryan Braun, Corey Hart, Rickie Weeks and Yovani Gallardo, the core of this team is locked into place for the next few years.

Melvin doesn't look at 2011 as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"I know there's been a lot made of all-in, but we have our entire starting rotation back next year," Melvin said. "I'd like to be all-in every year. That's the way we'd like to look at it.

"Every year, you have to manage your roster. It's hard to build a team and think that, 'Let's wait and go after it, four years, five years from now.' We've done that. We've gotten this opportunity to bring players in. At some point, you take it a year at a time, but I'm hoping we're all in next year, too."

Two closers: Melvin said he spoke with both John Axford and Rodriguez, assuring both players that one isn't being favored over the other. Axford will remain the closer but Rodriguez, who saved 23 games for the Mets this season, will get the opportunity to close out games, too.

The decision on how and when to use the two will be left up to manager Ron Roenicke.

"I'm not going to get involved with the roles at this time," Melvin said. "When you're a championship club, you need to have everybody pulling together."

He likened the current situation to when the Brewers acquired Nyjer Morgan from the Nationals near the end of spring training when the team already had Carlos Gomez on the roster, slated to start in center field.

"That worked out pretty well," Melvin said. "My expectation is – with all our players – with 10 weeks left in the season for everybody to accept their roles when they're asked to go out there and perform, because it is going to take everybody pulling on the same rope."

Rodriguez recently switched agents, choosing to hire noted hard-liner Scott Boras, who told New York reporters that Rodriguez wasn't open to filling the set-up role.

"Closers don't make good set-up men," Boras said, suggesting Rodriguez might be displeased with his role in Milwaukee.

Melvin said he didn't see those comments but did read that Rodriguez was willing to go to a team that had a chance to win. That Rodriguez has a previous relationship with Roenicke (he was a coach with the Angels while Rodriguez was there) might help the situation.

"When you're a veteran that wants to win, there's a lot of people who you've probably had relationships with," Melvin said. "I think it obviously would at least help. Ron's at least familiar with him."

I agree with Melvin – and just about anybody else from the Brewers' camp who has spoken on record – in that you can never have enough quality ballplayers on the roster. These things always sort themselves out. The way I see it, Axford has the job and will keep the job. But should he falter or the team need him on several consecutive days, the team now has a second shut-down option to get the final three outs.

The money: Rodriguez's contract status helps illustrate just how he might be used in Milwaukee. He has a $17.5 million option for next season which could be bought out for $3.5 million (which one can assume equals the cash sent to Milwaukee as part of the deal).

Should Rodriguez finish 55 games this season (and he's already at 24), the buyout disappears and the option becomes guaranteed, leaving Melvin and the Brewers on the hook for 2012.

Despite having a formidable core returning in 2012, the Brewers will still have some glaring needs at first base, shortstop and perhaps even third, if Casey McGehee doesn't turn things around in the next 10 weeks. It would be hard to believe that the Brewers would consider committing $17.5 million to a 30-year-old closer when they already have Axford in the fold.

What's next: There were plenty of people up in arms last night because Melvin went out and acquired a reliever when the team still has a glaring need a shortstop and, though not yet a need, a worrisome situation at third base.

On the surface, trading for a closer is a bit of a head-scratcher, but this isn't a video game; you can only complete the deals you're offered or the ones others agree to. If something comes along that works for Melvin, or if somebody bites on what he hypothetically offers, don't be shocked to see another move as the July 31 deadline approaches.

"You always look at trying to improve your ball club," Melvin said. "If anything comes up, I'm available to listen."

I'm still hoping to hear back from Axford and Roenicke before taking to the skies. If I do, I'll be sure to pass their comments along.