Your Official Milwaukee Brewers Thread

[Cannonball]

Don't grin too early. They're still behind one run and Narveson is on the mound.

[MyKenk]

Macha fell asleep, forgot that Narveson hadn't gotten anyone out. Whoops.

[Cannonball]

Narveson is a worthless hunk of junk. Time to get rid of him. Replace with whom? Anyone. How about Ben Hendrickson?

[MyKenk]

Hendrickson did just get cut yesterday...

[MyKenk]

but to answer your question, we'll bring Swindle back up.

[Cohete009]

Hardy is still playing why?

What a piece of pooh.

[MyKenk]

Because he's better than the alternatives, same reason Kendall's still playing.

Although, seeing a few more Counsell/McGehee/Gamel games wouldn't be a bad thing.

[Cohete009]

Melvin has already said Escobar is doing better than they expected.

He will be here soon.

[MyKenk]

That's trade-bait talk.

[MyKenk]

Who do you want at the big-league level: Gamel or Escobar? Because you can't have both. Yet.

[Bubba Colbert]

This team smells like dead fish.

I'm starting to face the fact that we are not a very good team this year.

:toth:

[MyKenk]

Yeah, you sure did that! Nicely done.

[MyKenk]

Reason Mike Burns MUST stay in the rotation:

Brewers PR boss Mike Vassallo channeled his inner "Simpsons" fan and suggested to the scoreboard crew that they use audio of Mr. Montgomery Burns for every strikeout by new starter Mike Burns.

Burns just struck out Joe Mauer to end the top of the first inning, and they pulled it off.

Say it with me: "Excellent." (http://www.fortunecity.com/lavendar/sidjames/210/xcllnt.wav)

Love it. I hope he strikes out 20.

[MyKenk]

http://cdn1.sbnation.com/fan_shot_images/57346/50spl_090626_brewers.jpg

Prince-ified.

[Ultimate Anyone?]

Great game, Brew Crew! :tup: Now let's keep this up!

(I finally made it back to Miller Park for the first time in 3 years - it'd been much too long.)

[MyKenk]

Note to Doug Melvin:

If you trade for Felipe Lopez, I will fill Miller Park with sewage and light it on fire.

If you trade for Doug Davis, I will simply light it on fire.

Consider yourself warned.

[Cohete009]

What if the Crew trades JJ "inning over" Hardy for Doug Davis?

The crew would be getting a steal.

[MyKenk]

What if the Crew trades JJ "inning over" Hardy for Doug Davis?

The crew would be getting a steal.

:lol:

It'd only be a steal if the D-backs paid DD's salary, and if Escobar mysteriously became a major league caliber hitter.

Neither of which is likely. But, if possible, do it. We need another overpaid #5 starter, right?

[MyKenk]

Hardy's batting .255 over the last 2 weeks. Not out of the slump yet, but getting closer.

[Cannonball]

Brew Crew ain't going to make it with McClung and Burns in the starting rotation. Basically, we got Gallardo and nothing.

[MyKenk]

Yep. Plus there's jack shit on the market, so, we're pretty much stuck

[Cohete009]

Every blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while :shrug:

[MyKenk]

Yep.

[MyKenk]

So JJ's been finding a lot of nuts this last week, is what you're saying?

[Cohete009]

We should trade JJ right now. He is at his highest trade value at this exact point in time.

[MyKenk]

I feel the same way about Escobar. :shrug:

[MyKenk]

And besides, try getting value for Hardy. Gimme 2 AAA starters with decent upside, I might consider it.

[MyKenk]

Tyler Maas on Jeffress:


I hate to kick a guy when he’s down. But I find it can be easy when a young man, by way of his immense athletic talent, inks a contract that gives him a $1.55M signing bonus to play a game… and promptly and repeatedly dismantles his career a puff at a time. Milwaukee’s “top” pitching prospect and 2006 first round pick, Jeremy Jeffress, is that young man.

Now dealing with a 100-game suspension for his second positive test for a “substance of abuse” (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/49267777.html), Jeffress is but a bong hit from a lifetime ban from baseball and already seen as a lost cause by some of the Brewers faithful. He previously admitted marijuana was the cause of his first suspension (50 games), and it’s thought to be the reason for this latest one too. He’s like the less-clever Pete Rose of unproven minor leaguers.

So what does this mean for Jeremy Jeffress? I don’t have the answers to that, but I have until a month into next season to make unfound conjectures to what it means.

He probably likes jam bands, and will spend the duration of his HIGH-atus sitting on his ass and losing himself in the all-too-shitty “music” stylings of the String Cheese Incident while playing video games or discussing such poignant social commentary as things he’s smoked from. If not, he’ll probably try to help the 100 games pass by partaking in non-baseball hobbies. Realizing he can’t smoke weed, he’ll abandon the notion of having a hobby and, instead, dwell on the fact he can’t play baseball because he smoked weed. Then he’ll think about weed. Insert a few Hot Pockets into the rotation here and there as well.

In actuality, Jeffress plans to enter a treatment program - as if knowing millions upon millions of dollars and the prospect of immeasurable fame await him if he can lay off the schwag until the offseason. But he’s said to regret his actions, and not just because he’s been a colossal bust so far in his 3-year derailment road through the minors.“Jeremy is destroyed by this. He knows what he did is wrong and is incredibly remorseful. We’re hoping people support him during this difficult time.”
- Jeffress’ agent, Joshua Kusnick
Does he actually feel ‘destroyed’ and ‘remorseful’ or was it mostly that he was caught? After 150 games lost to the spliff and seemingly no progress made both on and off the mound, I’d figure it to be a bit of both. And why marijuana, Jeffress? With $1.55M-plus in the bank, wouldn’t other, more expensive drugs become more appealing? That’s like Jim Leyland smoking Santa Fe cigarettes or Dmitri Young eating lettuce. Why low-ball it?

I’d think if you had the money to spend, yet lacked the wherewithal to realize the professional and health risks tied to drug use, you opt to shoot a combination of black tar heroin, moon dust and Pepsi Clear into your nutsack before stealing a rickshaw to pull to Uguguay? I know I sure as shit would.

But I suppose it’s now up to this once-promising pitcher to determine his own parting shot for if… when… he’s dealt that lifetime ban. I hope he proves me wrong, but judging by history, it seems doubtful.

[Cohete009]

Lets package Jeffress and Hardy for cash considerations.

[MyKenk]

I still think we should cut Jeffress. Let him get his inevitable lifetime ban with some other team.

and I have nothing further to say w.r.t. Hardy. At least not to you.

:toast:

[MyKenk]

14654

[Cohete009]

And your point is?

[MyKenk]

He's streaky. That's my only point.

[Cohete009]

Streaky is not MVP like.

[MyKenk]

Nope, there are no legitimate MVP candidates on the Milwaukee Brewers. ROY, maybe, not MVP.

[ldancer911]

Streaky is not MVP like.

If the Brewers can easily replace JJ with an MVP candiate (without giving out all their talent) I will fully support that trade. That being said I dont mind JJ that much.

[Warrior04]

Day Baseball!

I don't see any rosters yet, but this is all that matters:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 YO!!

[MyKenk]

Best part:

The mets are giving sheffield and wright the day off. So, No Beltran, Reyes, Wright, Sheffield, Delgado, etc.

The Mets JV team against the best day-game pitcher in the sport?

Mark it.

[Cohete009]

Our guys can't hit in day games. Too shady and sunny or something.

[Warrior04]

BREWERS
2B Craig Counsell
SS JJ Hardy
LF Ryan Braun
1B Prince Fielder
RF Corey Hart
3B Mat Gamel
C Jason Kendall
CF Jody Gerut
RHP Yovani Gallardo

[LifeAct]

Best part:

The mets are giving sheffield and wright the day off. So, No Beltran, Reyes, Wright, Sheffield, Delgado, etc.

The Mets JV team against the best day-game pitcher in the sport?

Mark it.

David Wright will be starting

[MyKenk]

Mets B-Team + Wright.

Thought he was getting the day off.

:shrug:

[LifeAct]

Mets B-Team + Wright.

Thought he was getting the day off.

:shrug:

He was supposed to, but he went 3-4 with a HR yesterday.

[Cohete009]

Inning Over Hardy. Pathetic.

[Ultimate Anyone?]

Day Baseball!

I don't see any rosters yet, but this is all that matters:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 YO!!

Very true! :tup:

Our guys can't hit in day games. Too shady and sunny or something.

Also very true... :tdown:

[Patience]

Our guys can't hit in day games. Too shady and sunny or something.

got to admit you are right.

Too bad we didn't rest Wright

Anyone watch the game? from the computer feed I saw two game delays and eith the strike zone was off or the umpire really stunk it up

Also, did Fielder really try to steal 3rd?

[LifeAct]

Also, did Fielder really try to steal 3rd?

Fielder was on second and the batter tried to bunt. Schneider threw down to second and Fielder broke for third. Whoever covered second threw to third to get the out.

[ldancer911]

Inning Over Hardy. Pathetic.

He did so much worse then everyone else :shake:

[MyKenk]

Worst loss of the year. Easily.

[MyKenk]

Jose Pena to the Crew for only 400K!

:party:

[Bubba Colbert]

Even Braun knows the brew crew is stale suds with no pitching...

Brewers slugger Ryan Braun put away his bat, sat at his locker inside the visitors clubhouse at Wrigley Field and started tapping on an old telegraph machine.

Beep, beeeep, beep.

"S.O.S.," Braun might have been thinking. "Send pitching now. Maybe get CC again, or if he's not available, someone like this Ted Lilly(notes) guy."

Apparently tired of his club sending the likes of Mike Burns(notes) and Seth McClung(notes) out to the mound to start ballgames, Braun used the media to send general manager Doug Melvin a message.

"Their starting pitching is a lot better than ours," Braun said after the Cubs took three of four games in the series, including Sunday's 8-2 victory. "They threw the ball a lot better than our starters did. They certainly swung the bats better than we did. Clearly they were the better team. It's nice to get the one win but they clearly outplayed us and outperformed us all series."

[MyKenk]

Everyone knew that already. We need pitching, a second basemen, and a catcher.

:shrug:

[Cohete009]

Shortstop.

[MyKenk]

We have 2 shortstops.

[MyKenk]

Hey, you. Mark Burns? I’m sorry, Mike Burns. Listen Mark, I want to talk to you about your pitching. It’s not good. I’m just going to come right out and tell you right now that if Dave Bush comes back from the DL, I am sending you down to the minors. We’re also looking into some trades right now and if we find the right fit, we will demote you. Just wanted to let you know.

Same goes for you too Seth. We probably won’t release you or send you to the minors, but you’re definitely out of the rotation. I won’t have it. I might actually decide to trade you if you keep this up. Just so you know, nothing personal. I just find you to be a terrible pitcher and don’t really like you as a person. Nothing personal though.

Hey Mr. Mustache, are you going to make a freakin’ trade or what? Do I have to do everything for myself around here? Get me some help. We can’t spot every team four run leads. Seriously, how hard is your job? Pick up the phone and do something.

Prince, put that down. Don’t eat that. Dammit man, we’re All-Stars. Eat like one. I don’t care if it’s a veggie burger, Krispy Kremes are not buns (http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2008/09/04/artery-jamming-krispy-kreme-bacon-burgers/).

What are you looking at Corey? Why don’t you get a freakin’ haircut and shave your face? You’re a Milwaukee Brewer, not a Milwaukee Meth Cook.

Yo A-Dub, cool shirt (http://www.millerparkdrunk.com/fans/to-all-da-haterz/). With that being said, learn how to write would you? You misspelled home run last week. I don’t need that.

‘Oh look at me, I’m Casey McGehee. I’m getting all these hits, but I can’t even play the field.’ Come on, man. Even I can play third base better than you.

Speaking of third base, where’s Bill Hall? He better be in the batting cage so help me God.

Hey Jeff Suppan just wanted to congratulate you on pitching so well for the first time in your life. Great work.

You guys know what would be cool to have on our team? A pitcher that hits like a pitcher (http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=993&position=C) batting 8th. Oh wait we already have that. His name is Jason Kendall. Nevermind.

Macha take Willie with you and go get my dry cleaning. It’s the least you could do to help this team.

Braun out.

[Ubiquitous Red Cup]

you guys' uniforms are fugly

[MyKenk]

ok?

[Ubiquitous Red Cup]

just putting that out there - uniforms aside, Go Brewers!

[Bubba Colbert]

It wouldn't surprise me if the brew crew got swepted by the Cards and Dodgers and go into the all star break in 4th place.

[dlwktb]

MyKenk... can I call Wainwright an ace yet?

[MyKenk]

It wouldn't surprise me if the brew crew got swepted by the Cards and Dodgers and go into the all star break in 4th place.
We'd still be ahead of the Cubs :shrug:
MyKenk... can I call Wainwright an ace yet?
Nope. Anyone can shut out the Brewers at will ;)

[MyKenk]

Anyone want to watch a video with some Brewers/Reds/Former Brewers, a bunch of douchebags, the occasional hottie, and a bunch of hideous shirts?

Presenting: The Remetee Launch Party @ Decibel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBaTB9i5YTQ&feature=player_embedded).

I didn't watch it with sound, that would have made it more intolerably douchy than it already was.

Courtesy of Right Field Bleachers, things to look for:



The video is put out by “DbTV.” I’m sure it stands for Decibel, but judging by some of the people at the event, the Db could have easily stood for douchebag…
Braun wearing a collared shirt underneath one of the hideous Remetee t-shirts.
Bill Hall not striking out for once… but this time it’s with the ladies.
J.J. Hardy in a random photo looking like he’s modeling for the clothing line.
Mike Rivera looking uncomfortable and lost.
Jorge Julio making an appearance days before his Brewer career came to an end.
Mike Cameron’s horrible dance moves.
I know the Reds were in town, but who invited Chris Dickerson?
The fact that Braun could have slept with every woman in the video and most of the men too…

[BuckyBadger]

Bill Hall not striking out for once… but this time it’s with the ladies.



My wife has met Billy Hall twice in person. Apparently he cleans up well. :-D

[Ultimate Anyone?]

Parra's looking good so far... can we hope that he's back?

[MyKenk]

Shhh.

[dlwktb]

Piniero groundball out = Piniero groundball out + 3.

[MyKenk]

Stupid brewers.

[dlwktb]

$5 says the Cardinals knock Manny Parra out of the game this inning.

[MyKenk]

Fools bet.

[MyKenk]

Ah, strike zone is disappearing...

[dlwktb]

Good thing no one took me up on that.

[MyKenk]

Pinero 1 over the minimum faced.

:shake:

[dlwktb]

Brewer relievers ERA today: INF.

[MyKenk]

This is because, in the top of the 7th, I said I was more confident in the bullpen than Parra still.

Sorry guys.

[erosewater]

Cards 8th:
Single
Triple
Walk
Double
Home run
Single

to be continued....

[Ultimate Anyone?]

:hsmack:

[Ultimate Anyone?]

Well, at least we made Piniero throw 100 pitches this game. *sigh*

[dlwktb]

Well, at least we made Bizzaro Piniero throw 100 pitches this game. *sigh*

IFYP.

[MyKenk]

http://twitter.com/kileymcd/status/2554843718

[Ultimate Anyone?]

So just for fun, come up with a semi-reasonable trade that gets Roy Halladay in a Brewer uniform.

[MyKenk]

I'm more interested in Alex Rios, personally, but, to play your game:

Brewers Get Halladay
Blue Jays Get: Alcides Escobar, Jonathan LuCroy, Taylor Green, Evan Anduson, and Cody Scarpetta.

More fun:
Brewers Get Halladay & Rios
Blue Jays Get: Alcides Escobar, Jonathan LuCroy, Taylor Green, Evan Anduson, Cody Scarpetta, Lorenzo Cain & Christopher Cody

[dlwktb]

Would the Brewers have the cash to pay Halladay's salary?

[MyKenk]

Yes.

[MyKenk]

Would the brewers be WILLING to pay Halladay's salary?

Not sure.

[Ultimate Anyone?]

So it is possible, in a kinda, sorta way. (They surprised me with Sabathia last year, so I was thinking Halladay wouldn't be impossible....)

[MyKenk]

Halladay would cost more, though.

[dlwktb]

Would the brewers be WILLING to pay Halladay's salary?

Not sure.

Yeah. I think that was the question I meant to ask.

[dlwktb]

Halladay would cost more, though.

Both in dollars and players.

[MyKenk]

Both in dollars and players.
Right.

[MyKenk]

Why have I never heard Manny called "SubParra" before?

:lol:

[Warrior04]

I am honestly not worried about a post-HR Derby slump for Prince. The swing he had in the Derby was exactly the same as his pre-Derby swing and post-Derby swing.

Is there anything to this, or is it just a "reversion to the mean"? That is, a player who is "hot" gets selected for the Derby then reverts back to his norm which, relative to his "hot" start, seems like a slump.

[Warrior04]

Also...bump from pg 3.

[gadzookz]

Would the brewers be WILLING to pay Halladay's salary?

Not sure.
Wouldn't the bigger roadblock be Rios salary through 2014?

[Cannonball]

Seth McClung is dung.

[ldancer911]

is it just a "reversion to the mean"? That is, a player who is "hot" gets selected for the Derby then reverts back to his norm which, relative to his "hot" start, seems like a slump.

:iatp: Don't most players just swing for a few HRs at the end of batting practice anyway? I dont see why doing this a little longer is going to "mess up" their swing.

[Cannonball]

Seth McClung is dung.

McDung is not major league material.

[MyKenk]

Brewers filled the 2B hole, now they have the SP hole and the high-lev reliever role. McClung and Car-Vil aren't cutting it right now.

Thank god Gamel got sent down.

[Bubba Colbert]

Brewers filled the 2B hole, now they have the SP hole and the high-lev reliever role. McClung and Car-Vil aren't cutting it right now.

Thank god Gamel got sent down.

Didn't brewers also fall below the chubbies who are now in the 2nd hole.

I don't see you finishing ahead of St Louis or Chicago, but then you knew that didn't you.

[MyKenk]

Everyone's entitled to their opinion. No one in the division is doing all that great so far this year.

:shrug:

[Bubba Colbert]

Everyone's entitled to their opinion. No one in the division is doing all that great so far this year.

:shrug:

You've got two teams ahead of you in the division with more talent and the wild card doesn't look to be coming from your division. You've allowed more runs than you've scored. But there's always next year.

[MyKenk]

You've got two teams ahead of you in the division with more talent and the wild card doesn't look to be coming from your division. You've allowed more runs than you've scored. But there's always next year.

There were 2 teams in the division with more talent than us last year to.

And plenty of teams with more talent than the Rays last year.

Talent <> wins.

[Cannonball]

It's going to be tough for the Crew, no doubt about it. Especially if Braun doesn't come out of his slump.

No CC last year = no playoffs.

No CC this year. Don't see anyone else picking up the slack.

[MyKenk]

It's going to be tough for the Crew, no doubt about it. Especially if Braun doesn't come out of his slump.

No CC last year = no playoffs.

No CC this year. Don't see anyone else picking up the slack.

The teams ahead of them are also weaker than they were last year, but I agree, it's an uphill battle.

Still not ready to give up though.

:santa:

[yankeetripper]

The teams ahead of them are also weaker than they were last year, but I agree, it's an uphill battle.

Still not ready to give up though.

:santa:

I still think Chicago wins the Central. Unless Harden gets hurt (always a posibility with him) he'll be better than the 1st half and I think their pitching 1 -5 is the deepest, especially when the get Dempster back. I also think their offense is better than what it has shown so far.

Milwaukee just doesn't seem to have the SP for a second half run. Not unless good Parra returns to the rotation and even then they might be a starter short.

[MyKenk]

The Brewers will be getting another starter before the deadline, so... :shrug:

[Bubba Colbert]

It's going to be tough for the Crew, no doubt about it. Especially if Braun doesn't come out of his slump.

No CC last year = no playoffs.

No CC this year. Don't see anyone else picking up the slack.

Sabathia was the difference maker last year, plus you had Sheets. Even if you pick someone else up, he won't be as good as CC.

[MyKenk]

Yes, but Sheets was useless for most of the 2nd half, as per usual.

[MyKenk]

This year we have Gallardo, who is >= Sheets.

[Bubba Colbert]

Yes, but Sheets was useless for most of the 2nd half, as per usual.

Sheets was not worthless last year. Sept 6, 2008 complete game shut out vs Peavy, won game 1-0.

Aug 9th another complete game shut out.

He was ok, not great, but ok.

[yankeetripper]

Gallardo = Stud - but he's going into uncharted territory on IP
Suppan - league average starter, at best
Looper - crap
Parra - crap
Burns - ? - probably crap

Hard to make the playoffs when 60% of your rotation is crap. Not saying it can't be done but it is tough.

[MyKenk]

Sheets was not worthless last year. Sept 6, 2008 complete game shut out vs Peavy, won game 1-0.

Aug 9th another complete game shut out.

He was ok, not great, but ok.
Most of the second half, I think I said.

[MyKenk]

Gallardo = Stud - but he's going into uncharted territory on IP
Suppan - league average starter, at best
Looper - crap
Parra - crap
Burns - ? - probably crap

Hard to make the playoffs when 60% of your rotation is crap. Not saying it can't be done but it is tough.

You're right on Gallardo, but Parra is solid, assuming he's figured things out, which it looks like he has (small sample size, but he'll be a solid #2 or 3 real soon).

Looper is better than Suppan, although they're both about league average.

We're missing Dave Bush real real bad. Which is why I'm assuming we'll make a move to at least get a little depth in the rotation. Probably nothing major, but, gotta do something to shore up the #5 slot. I'm pretty okay with 1-4 right now.

[Bubba Colbert]

Most of the second half, I think I said.

Well I guess any starter is mostly useless on days that he doesn't start so by your definition all starters are mostly useless.

Sheets had some quality starts and wins in the 2nd half; and in games he started you won about as many as you lost. That isn't mostly useless as far as starters go. Sure he had elbow problems, but he had some good games too.

Fans like you are pathetic. Sheets is a good ball player who battled injuries but gave his all to YOUR team, and you dismiss his contributions like he was stinky turd.

[MyKenk]

Fans like you are pathetic. Sheets is a good ball player who battled injuries but gave his all to YOUR team, and you dismiss his contributions like he was stinky turd.

He's a good ball player, but he had a terrible work ethic, didn't do any training in the offseason, did nothing to keep himself in good playing shape, and went down with injuries when he was most needed, every year, without fail.

I'm not dismissing his contributions, and yeah, I'd rather have him as my #3 starter this year over Suppan/Looper, but he's not worth the money, and doesn't put forth the effort that I'd like to see my team put forth.

[yankeetripper]

We're missing Dave Bush real real bad.
When you are longing for a pitcher with a 5.5 ERA to help your staff, you know you are in trouble.

Sheets threw 75 IP of 3.50 ERA ball in the 2nd half. It wasn't as good as his great 1st half but hardly useless. The Crew didn't bring their bats too often when he picthed however as I think he had a losing record in each of July, August, September.

[MyKenk]

When you are longing for a pitcher with a 5.5 ERA to help your staff, you know you are in trouble.

Eh, he only throws about 6 innings a game, and we've got a solid bullpen (at least we did until it vanished a couple weeks ago), so 5.5 isn't really all that bad in the #5 slot.

[MyKenk]

Fe-Lo got lost, apparently, and isn't in Pittsburgh yet.

not that we need him

17-0, much?

[Bubba Colbert]

When you are longing for a pitcher with a 5.5 ERA to help your staff, you know you are in trouble.

Sheets threw 75 IP of 3.50 ERA ball in the 2nd half. It wasn't as good as his great 1st half but hardly useless. The Crew didn't bring their bats too often when he picthed however as I think he had a losing record in each of July, August, September.

Brewer fans consider Sheets worthless. Wow. I guess they deserve to be brewer fans.

[MyKenk]

Brewer fans consider Sheets worthless. Wow. I guess they deserve to be brewer fans.
Not "worthless," just not worth it.

[Cannonball]

What's the latest on Benny anyway? During the offseason I heard somewhere there was an outside shot he might be OK by the end of this season, but I'm guessing that ain't going to happen.

He was never worthless. I admit I do not miss his constant injuries. At this point, if/when he does get healthy, I find it hard to imagine that he'll get signed to anything other than an incentive deal somewhere. A team would be crazy to pay him big bucks now.

[yankeetripper]

What's the latest on Benny anyway? During the offseason I heard somewhere there was an outside shot he might be OK by the end of this season, but I'm guessing that ain't going to happen.

He was never worthless. I admit I do not miss his constant injuries. At this point, if/when he does get healthy, I find it hard to imagine that he'll get signed to anything other than an incentive deal somewhere. A team would be crazy to pay him big bucks now.

Two days ago I read it was "unlikely" he'd be ready this year and was working at being 100% for spring 2010. There is still a slim chance he might help someone in September but that isn't looking realistic. A pitcher who had a similar procedure done apparently had an 18 month rehab.

[Warrior04]

I think the point Mykenk is trying to make is that Sheets isn't worth the 5-year $90 million contract he was trying to get last season, especially to a team that can take on AT MOST a $100 million payroll. He's not trying to prove Sheets is worthless, just that the money is better spent elsewhere.

[Bubba Colbert]

Well that's not what he said, so nice spin control. He said he was mostly worthless.

[ldancer911]

Well that's not what he said, so nice spin control. He said he was mostly worthless useless in the second half of last season.

IFYP...I think.

I would say he was pretty worthless for about half his career. If your injured and can't pitch you aren't really worth a whole lot.

[MyKenk]

Not "worthless," just not worth it.

Well that's not what he said, so nice spin control. He said he was mostly worthless.
Yep.

[dlwktb]

Yes, but Sheets was useless for most of the 2nd half, as per usual.

Yep.

[MyKenk]

K, so 2nd half might have been a little much. can we change that to September/October? Thnx Guyz!

[MyKenk]

Brewer Fans, answer question: Is the Wisconsin State Journal a fake newspaper/website, like the onion?

[Slainte]

I think it's for realz.
I'm fascinated why you're asking the question.

Nevermind, I think I found it...

Baggot: Peavy or Halladay? I'd take Jake
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/column/baggot/459006

[MyKenk]

You got it.

:shake:

[Bubba Colbert]

When you are longing for a pitcher with a 5.5 ERA to help your staff, you know you are in trouble.

Sheets threw 75 IP of 3.50 ERA ball in the 2nd half. It wasn't as good as his great 1st half but hardly useless. The Crew didn't bring their bats too often when he picthed however as I think he had a losing record in each of July, August, September.

Yes, but Sheets was useless for most of the 2nd half, as per usual.

Mykenk is mostly clueless.

[Bubba Colbert]

Brewers are now tied for 4th place with the Astros. :lol:

[MyKenk]

So, you chose to ignore when I corrected myself to say September.

Fair enough, you can make anyone look pretty stupid if you pick out quotes in a vacuum.

:yawn:

[MyKenk]

Brewers are now tied for 4th place with the Astros. :lol:
Yep, they sure are.

[Bubba Colbert]

Sheets was not worthless last year. Sept 6, 2008 complete game shut out vs Peavy, won game 1-0.

Aug 9th another complete game shut out.

He was ok, not great, but ok.

So, you chose to ignore when I corrected myself to say September.

Fair enough, you can make anyone look pretty stupid if you pick out quotes in a vacuum.

:yawn:

Even your corrected version was lacking. Complete game shut out wins in September vs Peavy are not worthless. That win probably allowed you to make the playoffs.

[MyKenk]

Even your corrected version was lacking. Complete game shut out wins in September vs Peavy are not worthless. That win probably allowed you to make the playoffs.
:roll: So, you picked the smallest possible sample size.

Maybe if he didn't throw 2 starts under 3 innings, and didn't get himself hurt, we would have gone further into the playoffs.

Maybe we would have won the games he would have pitched had he not been fragile.

We'll never know.

Sure, he had 1 good game in a month. Real valuable.

[Bubba Colbert]

:roll: So, you picked the smallest possible sample size.

Maybe if he didn't throw 2 starts under 3 innings, and didn't get himself hurt, we would have gone further into the playoffs.

Maybe we would have won the games he would have pitched had he not been fragile.

We'll never know.

Sure, he had 1 good game in a month. Real valuable.

You are the one who is trying to narrow the sample size. First you said second half, but that sample size wasn't small enough to fit your conclusion, so you narrowed to the month of September. I merely pointed out that he had an exceptionally good game in your already small window. A game that enabled you to make the playoffs.

And he didn't choose to get himself hurt. You cry about him not doing more in the offseason, like that would keep him healthy. How many innings has he pitched for the Brewers? Probably a lot more than most pitchers who often have injuries after a few years and don't last as long as SHeets. His old body needs some time to rest given all the wear and tear from years of throwing flame balls. It's a shame that so called fans like you treat a player like SHeets like worthless mostly useless garbage after all he did for the Brewers. The real tragedy is that Sheets didn't go to a winning franchise and make more money and find some fans who could have appreciated his talent instead of squandering that talent in a hole like Milwaukee.

[MyKenk]

Brewers are now tied for 4th place with the Astros. :lol:

Brewers are now tied for 2nd place. :lol:

[MountainHawk]

Brewers are now tied for 2nd place. :lol:
We'll try to help out with the Cardinals this weekend. :)

[Cohete009]

By process of elimination, someone has to win the central.

Why not the crew? :D

[Cannonball]

You are the one who is trying to narrow the sample size. First you said second half, but that sample size wasn't small enough to fit your conclusion, so you narrowed to the month of September. I merely pointed out that he had an exceptionally good game in your already small window. A game that enabled you to make the playoffs.

And he didn't choose to get himself hurt. You cry about him not doing more in the offseason, like that would keep him healthy. How many innings has he pitched for the Brewers? Probably a lot more than most pitchers who often have injuries after a few years and don't last as long as SHeets. His old body needs some time to rest given all the wear and tear from years of throwing flame balls. It's a shame that so called fans like you treat a player like SHeets like worthless mostly useless garbage after all he did for the Brewers. The real tragedy is that Sheets didn't go to a winning franchise and make more money and find some fans who could have appreciated his talent instead of squandering that talent in a hole like Milwaukee.

OK, we get it. You've got a heavy crush on Sheets and don't like to see him questioned. Fine. Everyone lay off Ben, lest Bubba blow his cool.

[Cannonball]

And to think...we got Suppan for another year after this. Yippee!!!!

[MyKenk]

:shrug: 4.5ish ERA, pretty much what we expected, right?

[Cannonball]

Yeah, I know. It's true. But just when I thought maybe he might have left his single-A pitching games behind him, he comes along and gives up 4 HRs to Pittsburgh in the 1st 3 innings.

[yankeetripper]

Doumit with 2 bombs :party: Sorry, just traded for him the other day.

Who the hell is Garrett Jones and how does he have 9 HRs already?!?!

[Cannonball]

Can Soupie make it out of the 4th? I say, no.

[Cannonball]

I honestly posted that before I saw McDung in the game.

McDung = conceding the loss.

[MyKenk]

Yep.

[MyKenk]

Maybe not.

[Slainte]

Maybe.

[MyKenk]

Yep.

[Slainte]

Maybe not.

[MyKenk]

Yup.

[MyKenk]

Season's not going too well. Time to resort to mocking cubs fans:

http://failblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/fail-owned-hat-fail.jpg?w=500&h=667

[dlwktb]

:lol:

[MyKenk]

http://totallylookslike.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/jason-kendall.jpg

[Commander Keen]

Trade rumblings with the Mariners. Interesting that the Brewers haven't announced Dillard as Tuesdays starter. I can almost guarantee somethings going down.

[Cohete009]

Hardy for Washburn+minor leaguer+cash?

[trondogss]

http://totallylookslike.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/jason-kendall.jpgI think he looks like Turtle from Entourage:

http://www.thecinemasource.com/moviesdb/images/Entourage_Season_4_DVD-8-Jerry_Ferrara.jpg

[MyKenk]

Hardy for Washburn+minor leaguer+cash?
:lol:

If it's hardy for Washburn, it'll be straight up.

[Cohete009]

We need rumor updates, k thks.

[MyKenk]

MyKenk Rumor: Hardy + Salome for Morrow + Washburn.

[MyKenk]

M's might want Car-Vil.

If we can replace Car-Vil with Bra-Mor, I'll be pleased.

Also, Burns sent to AAA, the RJ express up and in uniform against the gnats tonight.

[Cohete009]

Exciting.

[MyKenk]

Not really. If it doesn't go down today, my bet is it doesn't go down at all.

[Cohete009]

Please dont trade Escobar for Washburn k thks.

[MyKenk]

Escobar for Morrow + Washburn would be okay, IMO.

[MyKenk]

:guitar: :band2:

Josie's on a vacation far away
Come around and talk it over
So many things that I wanna say
You know I like my girls a little bit older
I just wanna use your love tonight
I don't wanna lose your love tonight

[MyKenk]

Bill Hall to AAA.

:tfh:

[MyKenk]

Suppan to DL.

2 roster spots opened up real quicklike.

[Ultimate Anyone?]

Bill Hall to AAA.

:tfh:

Wow! I didn't think that'd happen for a long time (not that I disagree with said move...).

[Warrior04]

He's gonna have to play 2B or DH at AAA. 3B and SS are filled.

I hope he gets it straightened out in a hurry. Its too bad he didn't go down sooner when he was asked. He could have been traded and been starting somewhere by now.

[yankeetripper]

I didn't know he had options. Did they outright him? No one in their right mind would claim that horrible contract he has.

[MyKenk]

He's gonna have to play 2B or DH at AAA. 3B and SS are filled.

I hope he gets it straightened out in a hurry. Its too bad he didn't go down sooner when he was asked. He could have been traded and been starting somewhere by now.

Probably DH, his glove is solid.

[MyKenk]

I didn't know he had options. Did they outright him? No one in their right mind would claim that horrible contract he has.

I didn't either. I read that he "agreed" to go to AAA, so I'm not sure what the logistics actually were.

[MyKenk]

Hurricane Warning in San Diego.

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/01r2dNVfbcfBM/610x.jpg

:bump:

[MyKenk]

Dodgers send P Claudio Vargas to MIL for C Vinny Rottino ...

[Cannonball]

Whoa boy, this could get ugly.

[MyKenk]

Just what this team needed. Mota knows what he's doing, helping his old team out like this.

[Warrior04]

There's no way the first one on Manny was intentional. There's a reason Chris Smith wasn't on a major league roster at the beginning of the year. He's just not that good.

That's why he's never come in to pitch when they Brewers have had a lead this year.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?n1=smithch08&t=p&year=2009

[MyKenk]

http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/6/grill0304rj7.jpg

[Cannonball]

Boy oh boy, it sure will be great when Bush and Suppan return from their injuries to get Burns and Villanueva out of the rotation!

It's come to this...hoping for the likes of Bush and Suppan to return.

And we got Suppan for one more year!

There was a good article in last Sunday's Wisconsin State Journal about the inability of the Brew Crew to raise a good squad of home-grown pitchers. Lots of injuries among their top pitching draft picks.

So expect more of the same in years to come.

Boo hoo hoo.

[MyKenk]

That's not the only problem. Not only are our top pitching draft picks getting hurt, we don't have like the 10+ rounders panning out ever.

My guess is that Bush won't pitch again until September, if at all. He's had set back after set back, and remember, they didn't think that he'd have to go on the DL at all because of this (late June/early July).

And, until Suppan's major stinker in his last start, he was statistically the 2nd best Brewers pitcher. Still had an ERA+ under 100, but was higher than Parra, Looper, and Bush. Doesn't say much for the pitching staff, but what can you do.

This team needs to go out and sign a couple mid-to-back of the rotation starters this offseason, and unfortunately, that means not being able to resign Cameron, so we'll need to fill a hole in center as well.

The way I see it, for next season, the crew needs:

1) Stop Gap Catcher
2) 2-3 starting pitchers
3) Center Fielder
4) Closer?

Now, Hoffman's said that if he pitches next year, he wants to do it in Milwaukee, for whatever that's worth.

I think the best course of action:

1) Trade Hardy, Villenueva, & Weathers (sign & trade) for some starting pitching
2) Resign the cheaper of Felipe Lopez & Mike Cameron
3) If Lopez is retained, move Weeks to center.
4) Escobar at short, obv.
5) Find a catcher somewhere, or resign Kendall for a year


Oh, and as an aside, can you name one team that has a good squad of "home-grown" pitchers? I think Parra & Gallardo are a pretty damn good home-grown 1&2 combo.

[Cannonball]

Oh, and as an aside, can you name one team that has a good squad of "home-grown" pitchers?

Pirates!!!

:lol:

[Cannonball]

I agree they're going to have to make some trades to get some pitching. Gallardo and Parra alone won't cut it. Especially when the team goes into a hitting slumber whenever Gallardo pitches.

Looper is a serviceable back-of-rotation guy. So is Bush. We'll see about Bush. I also doubt we'll see him again this year.

You're right that Suppan seems worse than he really is. He just has these amazingly bad starts that overshadow his all-too-rare good ones, like when he blanked St Louis early in the season.

Sometimes I think it would be better to start what's-his-name over Kendall at catcher.

[MyKenk]

Bill Castro Fired, JJ Hardy to AAA.

[MyKenk]

http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0805/mlb.no.hitters.by.team/images/mariners-chris-bosio%282%29.jpg

[MyKenk]

MyKenk's analysis:

JJ Hardy isn't the guy on the trading block this offseason. Alcides Escobar is.

Logic: If Doug Melvin thinks he can get anything for Hardy after this move, he's sorely mistaken. I'm not saying it's not the right move to make to compete for this year, but you just sent Hardy's trade value plummeting. I think teams would be willing to look past a bad year, but if your own team doesn't believe in you enough to use you even part time, why should that same team demand a decent return from another ball club.

We're showcasing Escobar right now, that's gotta be the only reason for this.

Unless JJ plays some 2B in AAA... :tfh:

[Cohete009]

Your Mr. MVP is now again, AAA Hardy.

Go go Alcides go!! Sweet stats so far this year in AAA, anything over .230 is an improvement at short ICO.

[MyKenk]

Bill Hall is gone.

For good this time, hopefully.

[MyKenk]

Your Mr. MVP is now again, AAA Hardy.

Go go Alcides go!! Sweet stats so far this year in AAA, anything over .230 is an improvement at short ICO.
Can't dump everyone that's having a down year, and we're blowing escobar's service time for an unwinnable season. What's the point? Just lost a year of control.

[MyKenk]

The Brewers (http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/teams/MIL) optioned J.J. Hardy (http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/players/837/J_J_Hardy) to Nashville. We don't really know all of the details about this yet, so maybe it's a two-week Rickie Weeks (http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/players/836/Rickie_Weeks) type situation to try to get him on track, but it's pretty rash and definitely an overreaction.

Everything I said back here (http:///)about Hardy still applies. He's having a down year but not nearly as down as his baseball card numbers suggest, because he has gotten terribly unlucky on balls in play. The league on average drops about 30% of balls in play for a hit, and Hardy was only getting about 25% to fall. Part of the blame goes to him for not hitting the ball as hard as he has in the past, but that's just unsustainable for a hitter. Had they kept him in the majors I would have fully expected him to hit something like his .261/.325/.438 ZiPS rest-of-season projection.

Let's not lose sight of the fact that Hardy is a really valuable player even when he's hitting terribly. He's been worth about 8 runs above an average shortstop this year and his ability to play short gives his value another boost. He's been roughly average this year overall, and that's about 2 wins above a replacement player over the course of the year-- something teams are willing to pay $8 million dollars for. Hardy is not a bad player. In 2007 and 2008 he was easily an all-star caliber player worth between 4 and 5 wins to the Brewers, and even in a down year like this he's far from worthless.

I have no problem with "shaking things up", but I'm a bit concerned about how this will affect Hardy's trade value. I'd like to think teams are able to evaluate a player like Hardy without reading too much into his poor offensive numbers this year, but if sending him to AAA significantly lowers the return the Brewers get for Hardy, then it's a bad decision.

Finally, as much as I like Escobar, there's one problem-- he probably won't be an upgrade over Hardy for the rest of this season. Escobar has a lot more value to the Brewers than Hardy does because of his upside and cost, but for the rest of this year their production is a wash at best and probably favors Hardy. Escobar's MLE is just about the same as Hardy's line in the majors this season, and though I'd bet Escobar would outperform that, I think Hardy would easily beat his line to date as well. Escobar is considered an excellent defender but Hardy is probably in the top 5 in the majors at short and easily is in the top 10.

Doug Melvin felt the need to shake things up and that's fine, but I'm not so sure this is an upgrade for the rest of the year and now they're burning Escobar's service time while using up the limited time they control Hardy while sticking him in the minors. Not a shrewd use of valuable assets. I'm not fully against sending him down, but I don't really think it's a great idea, either.

:iatp:

[MyKenk]

Chorizo optioned to AAA for more seasoning.

[MyKenk]

Unless... we've already traded Hardy...

[MyKenk]

http://smokejumping.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/chicken-little-sky-falling.jpg

[MyKenk]

Further rambling. If I was JJ Hardy, I'd be pretty pissed right now.

[Cohete009]

Maybe it will light a fire under him and he will start playing better. he can't play any worse, can he? :shrug:

[MyKenk]

Maybe it will light a fire under him and he will start playing better. he can't play any worse, can he? :shrug:
Yes, he can. Hopefully you're right, hopefully he'll get the FT job back in a couple weeks, just rake in September and October, and get that trade value back up.

Right now, he gets us nothing. a middle reliever upside AA starter maybe.

[yankeetripper]

Yes, he can. Hopefully you're right, hopefully he'll get the FT job back in a couple weeks, just rake in September and October, and get that trade value back up.

Right now, he gets us nothing. a middle reliever upside AA starter maybe.

meh, I hope Escobar goes on a tear, I just picked him up on flier in one of my leagues.

[Cohete009]

meh, I hope Escobar goes on a tear, I just picked him up on flier in one of my leagues.

:iatp:

[MyKenk]

I'd love for Hardy to see some PT @ 3rd or 2nd in AAA. probably not gonna happen tho.

[DW Simpson]

Further rambling. If I was JJ Hardy, I'd be pretty pissed right now.That's a bizarre move. Dude's on a 4-game hitting streak, too.

[MyKenk]

That's a bizarre move. Dude's on a 4-game hitting streak, too.
Now that I look at it, it's not as evil a mood as I thought it was earlier.
This assumes he comes up with September call ups. If he doesn't, he might have contract issues.

[T-roy Boy]

Loooooong 7th inning last night with the 4 different pichers. Geezus! New Piching coach sure made his mark

[Cohete009]

T-roy, you know nothing about baseball.

Stay outa here and go run or something k thks.

[Cannonball]

Be nice!

[MyKenk]

Ned Yost is the guest manager today, apparently.

[MyKenk]

2B Felipe Lopez
3B Craig Counsell
LF Ryan Braun
1B Prince Fielder
CF Mike Cameron
RF Jody Gerut
C Mike Rivera
LHP Manny Parra
SS Alcides Escobar

[Slainte]

Ned Yost is the guest manager today, apparently.

RN

[Ultimate Anyone?]

Can we get a few more games like this? Please?? (9-0 already!)

[yankeetripper]

Can we get a few more games like this? Please?? (9-0 already!)

:popcorn:

[MyKenk]

:shake: Stupid team.

[yankeetripper]

:shake: Stupid team.

Closer has been good. The rest of the pen, not so much.

[MyKenk]

The rest of the pen was doing great until about mid july, when we started needing them 5+ innings/game.

[yankeetripper]

The rest of the pen was doing great until about mid july, when we started needing them 5+ innings/game.

That's what happens when you have one good starter.

[MyKenk]

Yep. And zero offense.

[MyKenk]

Brewer Fans: Who do you want to see close games next year?

[Cannonball]

Brewer Fans: Who do you want to see close games next year?

Goose Gossage.

[MyKenk]

:troll:

[MyKenk]

Brett Lawrie promoted to AA (skipping high-A, FTR), 2 days before I go up to see the T-Rats play again. Damn progress.

[MyKenk]

EXCLUSIVE: Gorman Thomas to attempt comeback with Cubs (http://www.millerparkdrunk.com/baseball/exclusive-gorman-thomas-to-attempt-comeback-with-cubs/)

August 18th, 2009
In an interview with a small town Illinois newspaper Gorman Thomas said that he would "like to play again." When asked why now, 23 years after retiring, he wanted to come back Gorman said that he'd "like to help the Cubbies finally get that World Series."

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry declined to comment, but did admit that there was interest.

UPDATE: Gorman tells ESPN's Buster Olney that his quotes were taken out of context and he is enjoying retirement.

UPDATE 2: When asked why he would come back with the Cubs and not the Brewers Gorman said that he felt that Brewers management had wronged him and that Dale Sveum still owes him money from a poker game. He doesn't plan a comeback at this time, but admits playing for the Cubs "would be fun" and that "Wrigleyville seems awesome, lots of bars."

UPDATE 3: Reports are in that Gorman Thomas is in a helicopter over Chicago taking a physical and after he passes they will land the helicopter and he will sign a one year deal.

UPDATE 4: Gorman Thomas opted not to sign at the last minute citing air sickness and will stay retired. "It was the hardest decision I've ever not made. I hit .187 in my last season, who am I kidding? I still want my money Dale."

UPDATE 5: Reports out of Chicago have Gorman Thomas driving down I-94. He recently tweeted "on my way to wrigley field" so it appears a signing is imminent.

UPDATE 6: Gorman calls on his cellphone to report that his tweet was misread and he was actually on his way to "Wrigley Fold", a popular dry cleaning shop in Wrigleyville. Why he gets his dry cleaning done in Wrigleyville I cannot answer.

UPDATE 7: Just received this text from Gorman, "I'm back. Not." Followed by this one "Just kidding. Really, I'm not."

UPDATE 8: He's back. It's official.

http://www.millerparkdrunk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/gormancubs.jpg (http://www.millerparkdrunk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/gormancubs.jpg)

UPDATE 9: Gorman has retired again. World doesn't care.

[MyKenk]

Find the good news: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_08_19_brrrok_dodrok_1

[Slainte]

Capuano?

:lol: at Stormin' Gorman.

[MyKenk]

Yep, first game action since Sept 2007.

[MyKenk]

Then again, from May 13th - Sept 28th 2007, the Brewers were 0-22 in games Cappy appeared in. :lol:

[Slainte]

That means they're due for a win! I mean, 23 in a row, what are the odds? There's no way they can lose the next game.

.

[MyKenk]

Good to see Billy Hall still doing his thing, being the official post-run greeter of the dugout.

http://cdn2.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/82544/145066_mariners_tigers_baseball.jpg

[Warrior04]

In one of Hall's first interviews in Seattle, he was saying how he'll be a good fit with the Mariners because he's so versatile. If he would have accepted and embraced his role as a super-sub he would probably still be a Brewer, playing at least 3 days a week but somewhere different every day. However, he had it in his mind that he wanted to be a full-time starter and pressed too much to produce.

(In fact, right now he'd probably be the starting RF until Hart gets back.)

[MyKenk]

In one of Hall's first interviews in Seattle, he was saying how he'll be a good fit with the Mariners because he's so versatile. If he would have accepted and embraced his role as a super-sub he would probably still be a Brewer, playing at least 3 days a week but somewhere different every day. However, he had it in his mind that he wanted to be a full-time starter and pressed too much to produce.

(In fact, right now he'd probably be the starting RF until Hart gets back.)
I disagree. He played himself out of the every day 3B role to start the year, and when you've already got 2 super-subs that are performing better than you, it's hard to get any playing time.

[Warrior04]

He played himself out of the 3B job, but he was pressing after that.

"It's OK to try hard, but I was pressing way too much on a daily basis," he added. "I was trying to hit 10 home runs at once."

Hall Ready to Begin New Chapter (http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090820&content_id=6515772&vkey=news_sea&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea)

[MyKenk]

Suppan's back tonight! :party:

The fact that I'm actually happy about that? :sad:

[MyKenk]

Team Strikes Pitches expStr Diff Diff%
ATL 11,446 18,127 11,198 248 1.0%
AZD 11,765 18,551 11,555 210 0.8%
TEX 11,300 18,242 11,107 193 0.7%
CIN 11,349 18,312 11,165 184 0.6%
LAA 11,003 17,979 10,863 140 0.4%
PHI 11,472 18,303 11,343 129 0.3%
HOU 11,585 18,480 11,467 118 0.3%
CLE 11,455 18,319 11,353 102 0.2%
WAS 11,163 18,117 11,063 100 0.2%
SFG 11,288 17,951 11,206 82 0.1%
BAL 11,586 18,569 11,512 74 0.0%
PIT 10,659 17,243 10,606 53 -0.1%
NYY 11,552 18,715 11,495 57 -0.1%
STL 11,023 17,298 10,971 52 -0.1%
KNS 11,229 18,306 11,174 55 -0.1%
TOR 11,039 17,656 10,989 50 -0.1%
BOS 11,857 18,806 11,806 51 -0.1%
TBR 11,409 18,032 11,369 40 -0.1%
CWS 11,207 17,944 11,170 37 -0.2%
FLA 11,481 18,543 11,454 27 -0.2%
MIN 11,533 17,956 11,507 26 -0.2%
SDP 11,829 19,002 11,805 24 -0.2%
LAD 11,818 18,829 11,797 21 -0.3%
DET 11,374 18,270 11,357 17 -0.3%
COL 10,980 17,503 10,966 14 -0.3%
SEA 11,385 18,418 11,372 13 -0.3%
NYM 11,360 18,423 11,372 -12 -0.4%
OAK 11,478 18,485 11,499 -21 -0.5%
CHC 11,471 18,444 11,505 -34 -0.5%
MKE 11,144 18,200 11,192 -48 -0.6%

[Slainte]

Anyone else look at that and wonder wtf team "MAR" is? Took me a while -- it was :oyh:

[MyKenk]

:duh:

[Warrior04]

+1

[MyKenk]

For reference:

Pitches * Zone% = total # of pitches in the zone
Pitches - (pitches * Zone%) = total # of pitches out of the zone
Total # of pitches out of the zone * O-Swing% = total # of swings on pitches out of the zone
Total # of O-swings + Total # of pitches in the zone = Expected # of strikes
Strikes - expStrikes = Difference
Difference / Pitches = Difference%

[Cannonball]

Someone take this POS team and put it out of its pathetic, sniveling misery.

[Cannonball]

One of the Madison sports writers suggest trading Fielder to an AL team for the equivalent in pitching.

I don't know...trading Fielder is trading away a helluva lot of runs. But how else are we going to get pitching?

[Cohete009]

But how else are we going to get pitching?

Maybe have some of our past #1 draft prospects actually pan out?

[MyKenk]

We can't trade Fielder now. There's no team out there that can give us equal value for him. Unless someone's willing to give up 2 quality major league starters, and a couple of top prospects, it wouldn't be a fair trade. You don't trade the non-Pujols MVP and expect to get the "equivalent" back, it's impossible.

We can get pitching by trading McGehee, Hart, Hardy, Villenueva, and a couple of our never-gonna-be-a-brewer AAA starters, like Chase Wright & Nick Green. There's also FA, with a somewhat sizeable amount of $ coming off the books.

Unlike last year, there's gonna be a lot of holes for DM to fill this offseason. Next years team should look a hell of a lot different.

[MyKenk]

Maybe have some of our past #1 draft prospects actually pan out?

We're close.

Barring setbacks, I see Jones & Rogers competing for a starting job next year. Both will be @ AAA at least.

Barring setbacks is the key though, of course.

[Cannonball]

We can't trade Fielder now. There's no team out there that can give us equal value for him. Unless someone's willing to give up 2 quality major league starters, and a couple of top prospects, it wouldn't be a fair trade. You don't trade the non-Pujols MVP and expect to get the "equivalent" back, it's impossible.

I think that's what the writer was getting at. Fielder for a slew of players. Even then I'd hate to see him go. He's one of the few Brewers who shows his passion for the game.

[MyKenk]

Yeah, I don't see him going anywhere until the deadline next year, and that's only if he's having another awesome year and is set to make a ginormous amount of $ in abritration (which he will anyway, so he's probably gone either way).

[MyKenk]

http://www.nashvillesounds.com/images/news/celebration083109.jpg

[MyKenk]

FSN Wisconsin wants to know if Prince is an MVP candidate.

MyKenk wants to know if FSN Wisconsin is on crack :lolup:

[Bubba Colbert]

Brewers are now tied for 2nd place. :lol:

So how is your predicted playoff run turning out?

[MyKenk]

:rofl:

Tom Haudricourt Still Hates You. (http://quevedobuffet.blogspot.com/2009/09/tom-haudricourt-still-hates-you.html)

Poor Tom Haudricourt was forced into another online chat with the mouth-breathing masses of the JSOnline commentariat yesterday. And, as a service to Tom, I'm once again going to present the answers he wishes he could've written.

(And, really, everybody needs to try this at some point. It's so much cheaper than therapy. Take all that pent-up anger, drop a few "****s" and a handful of "skeet moppers," and -- poof. Anger gone.)

Let's go!

Q: Glenn, Kenosha - Assuming his knee heals properly, do you think the Brewers would consider trying McGehee at catcher next season? It would thin the logjam at third and put another potent bat where there hasn"t been one this season.

A: Typically, when I do these chats with you uninformed buttplugs, I like to start off with a question that's moderately dumb, just to warm myself up. I don't want to start with the really, really, brain-numbingly dumb stuff, since answering those questions makes me want to lay down in traffic. Today, though, I'm making an exception -- I'm starting off with a really ****ing dumb question, a question so dumb that, if it's idiocy could be expressed as a picture, that that picture would simply be a short bus.

You're actually proposing that the Brewers attempt to convert Casey McGehee into a major-league ready catcher in one off-season? You know he's a third baseman, right? He didn't come through the minors as a catcher; he just caught every once in a while -- most recently, 17 games for the AAA Iowa Cubs in '08. Not exactly a budding Carlton Fisk, there.

I want you to think long and hard -- when's the last time someone who didn't come up as a catcher and then played a whole season in the majors at a position other than catcher converted to catching in a single off-season? Think long. Think hard. Go think long and hard over there in the corner, and stay there 'til you come up with an answer. I'll move on to other questions. Q: 38yearbrewerfan, neenah - Tom, we are 11 games under .500 since May 19th. What do you as a professional sports writer attribute that too, surely it can't be all Ricky Weeks' injury.

A: Bad gas. Seriously, that's it. Since May 19th, everybody's been battling some kind of GI problem, and the clubhouse smells like an overflowing septic. It's awful. Nobody can concentrate. Hence: 11 under in that stretch.

Or: it's the ****ing pitching. It's been the ****ing pitching all year long. The shitty start? The ****ing pitching sucked. The hot stretch from the end of April to June? The ****ing pitching got better. Since then? The ****ing pitching got worse again. The end. Good night. **** off.

Q: Brent, Fort Wayne, IN - I'm going to throw two names out there that could be a fit for our rotation next year that we could potentially get for a package involving JJ Hardy. I would be interested to hear your opinion to find out if this is the type of player you think we could get. The players are Brian Bannister of the Royals and Jeremy Guthrie of the Orioles.

A: Jesus, 007, did we really need the intrigue at the beginning of the question? You're acting like you're guarding some kind of State secret here: "I have an envelope. Inside this envelope are two names. Those names correspond to two starting pitchers. Those starting pitchers play for baseball teams. Those baseball teams ... might be willing to part with these pitchers for other baseball players ... players from the Milwaukee Brewers."

Q: Justink8996 - From what you have heard the organization is going to look outside of Kendall at catcher next year right? Like Jeff Mathis, or Chris Snyder? Maybe Bengi Molina if San Fran goes with Posey. People can say what they want about Johnny Estrada but the offense hasn't been the same since 07' when their wasnt a gaping hole in the 7 8 9.

A: I'm glad to hear that people "can say what they want about Johnny Estrada," 'cuz I've got plenty to share. Let's start with: he's a shitty baseball player who's a clubhouse cancer to boot. In fact, he's such a shitty baseball player / clubhouse cancer that the Mets, immediately after trading for him, didn't offer him arbitration and let him walk. And then he got cut by the Washington Nationals in the middle of the season, and he's never been heard from since. That about covers it. Thanks for letting me say what I wanted to about Johnny Estrada.

Q: daedbird - Beyond tapping a waek free agent market, or trading a franchise player away like Fielder, is there another option for the Brewers to get another arm in the starting pitching lineup?

A: Kidnapping? Cloning? Get Jeff Suppan a surrogate, like in that new Bruce Willis movie?

I speak of trading with Melvin's hometown Blue Jays for Roy Halladay.

Who the **** are you, Chaucer? Who the **** says: "I speak of" anymore?

The Crew has Brett Lawrie, the pride of the white north. Could a deal involving Lawrie, Hardy, and Salome get it done for him, or would that be too much to pay? Also, how much could the free market change IF some top arms opt out of contracts after being traded (Peavy, Lee, Garland)?

Lemme get this straight: you're wondering if a kid who spent most of his time this year at A-ball, a shortstop who had a terrible year (and who the Brewers have all but put on eBay after dicking with his service time in August), and a catching prospect who struggled at AAA are too much to offer for Roy Halladay? I'm gonna go out on a limb: I think the Jays might be looking for a bit more, especially since there's no pitching prospect the Brewers can offer.

(An aside: according to Baseball Reference, Salome's only 5'7". And he weighs 200 pounds. Tubby little ****er, that Angel.)

Q: Thomas F Pokrandt, Saint Francis, WI - What are the payrolls of the St. Louis Cardinals & the Milwaukee Brewers? What are the populations of metro areas of the two cities mentioned above?

A:Hey, ******* -- it's called Google.

Q: Justin, WI born, NJ raised - Hey Tom, thanks for the Capuano update a little while back. Chatted with him during BP a couple of times in years past, seems like a really decent guy, is that true?

A: Seems that way, doesn't it, Justin? Seems like a real clean-cut, respectful fellow, one that a young lady would be proud to introduce to her folks, right? Doesn't seem like the type of guy who you'd see in the clubhouse after the game and you'd say, 'Hey, Cap, good outing tonight, can I get a couple of quotes for the paper?', and he'd say, 'Sure, T-Haud, happy to help. But let me get changed and showered up; maybe we can grab a bite to eat somewhere.' And you'd say 'Sure, Cap, sounds good,' and so the two of you head over to the IHOP that's just up the road from Miller Park, and maybe you have the Chocolate Chip Pancakes with a side of bacon (since it's been a long day, and all, and you'll make time to go to the gym tomorrow), and maybe Cappy gets something healthier, like an omelette made with egg whites or some shit like that, and you're just about to enjoy your pancakes when these two young ladies walk over to the table and say, 'Hey, aren't you Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Chris Capuano?'

And maybe Cappy's a bit modest, and says: 'Nah, I just look like him,' but you're excited because, hey, there's two young ladies at the table, and one of them -- can't tell which -- smells like cinnamon (just a little bit, nothing overpowering -- it's nice, not like she smells like an oversized piece of Big Red), so you say: 'No, that's him! It's him! It's really him! And I'm Tom Haudricourt. I write for the paper.' And the girls smile and ask why you're wasting your time at an IHOP, and you mumble something about: 'I really like pancakes, and it's cheap,' and they laugh a little bit, though it seems forced, and that kind of pisses you off, 'cuz you thought it was sort of charming, especially when you were mentally complimenting the one lady on how she smelled of cinnamon but didn't overdo it -- but, whatever.

So, you look up at them, not knowing what else to say, and then Cappy says: 'So: do you girls know anywhere where we could finish these 'cakes that's a little more private?' And now you're sweating a little bit -- what're we talking about here? You might be a married man, and the guy who's writing this fictional piece about your night with Chris Capuano might be too lazy to look up that particular piece of information. Anyway, there's no way in hell that line is going to work, right? But maybe, after a pause, the girls say: 'Well, we live not too far from here ... I suppose we could go there,' and then they look at each other and giggle and then look back at Cappy and smile and holy shit if you're a professional journalist can you use your real name if you write a letter to Penthouse?

So, you leave the IHOP and pile into your Celica and goddammit if you haven't left the ****ing Supertramp tape in there and had to deal with the awkward looks when ****ing "Breakfast in America" came on when you turned on the car, but that's OK. You're with Chris Capuano and two hot girls. Everything's good. Everything's awesome.

So, you get back to the girls' apartment, and they offer you and Cap a Michelob, and, even though you wouldn't feed that shit to your dog, you want to be a good guest, and that one still smells of sweet cinnamon, and Cap said 'I'd love a Michelob' already, and now if you don't say you'd love a Michelob, too, you're going to look like a dick, so, sure, you say, I'll take a Lobe. And you choke down a few swallows and talk to the girls a little bit about the game that night, and working for the paper, and spending so much time on the road and how lonely it gets when it's just a man and his notepad and his scorebook.

And then maybe Cap says: 'So, do you guys know where we can get any X?'

And, whoa ****, what the hell are we talking about now? This is getting out of hand. But the girls look at each other and they do that giggling thing again, and maybe one of them says: 'It's funny you should ask. We keep some for just such an occasion.' And now you're freaking out -- after all, you've still got a game story to file, and it's getting close to deadline -- but you read something on the Internet once about how people just want to give each other backrubs and have sex and do wild shit when they're on ecstasy, so ... well ...

Then, the next thing you know, Cap is standing over you, slapping you in the face -- and he's slapping you in the face really hard. And he seems pissed. '****, dude,' he's saying. 'What the **** did you do to that chick?' And you realize you're laying on a bed, and you're down to your skivvies, and something smells a lot like blood -- Christ, it stinks like a raw steak in here. You shake your head to clear the cobwebs, and as you're looking to your left ...

OH MY GOD THAT'S A DEAD CHICK. That's totally a dead chick. Oh my God, where did all that blood come from? And how did you end up covered in it?

Oh no. Oh, Christ, you're going to be the story in the paper the next day, and your editor always says: 'Just report the story, don't become part of the story," and now you're going up the river and all those folks are going to do double-takes because they recognize your face from the photo of you that accompanies the Sunday "Notes" column, and everybody's going to say: 'Wow, that Haudricourt really turned out to be a psychopath, didn't he? I always thought he was off,' and -- oh, no. It turns your stomach to even think about this one -- they're going to give the beat to Witrado, the doucheclown who thinks it's a good idea for the team to trade one of the best under-30 hitters in the game when they still control his rights for next season plus the one after that.

This is more than you can bear, and the smell of the blood is making you nauseous, and Cappy is pacing back and forth saying: 'I knew that old man shouldn't be doing drugs,' and the other girl is in the corner rocking back and forth, and now Cappy's saying that they have to call the cops soon -- all this, just because you wanted a couple quotes for the paper.

And then, just after you've pulled your pants back on, and while you begin to quietly sob, the Dead Chick leaps to her feet and says: 'GOTCHA, YOU OLD ****!' And now Cappy's laughing like a ******* -- the ****er's doubled over, and he's laughing so hard that he's almost retching. And the other girl -- the one who had been in the corner, rocking back and forth -- is laughing, too, and she's slapping Cap on the back so he doesn't choke to death, and the formerly Dead One starts wiping the blood off of her and she's having a good laugh, too.

Now you're confused, and righteously pissed. 'Hey, shitheads, what the **** is going on here?' you scream. 'What the **** was this all about?'

Cappy does his best to get his breath back, and he wipes the tears from his eyes, and he says: 'Oh, don't get all pissy Tom. These are my friends, Amanda and Sarah. We're just having a laugh. It's the old "you got stoned and murdered a chick" routine. We put a little something in your Michelob, and you passed out for a couple minutes. I've done this to all the guys from the Journal. Garry Howard actually ran out of here, buck naked, when we pulled it on him. He wasn't seen for three days, and when I finally found him -- man, was he pissed. He didn't talk to me for a week. And you don't want to know what happened when we tried this with Wolfley -- lemme just say: we had Amanda all deaded up over here, and Wolfley was still trying to get with Sarah. The guy's a maniac.'

You're enraged, on the point of tears. You gather your clothes, and wipe off the fake "blood" as best you can, and glare at Capuano: 'You're a real *******,' you say. 'I hope you tear up your arm again.'

So, Justin who was born in WI but raised in NJ: yeah, he's a real decent guy, that Chris Capuano.

[Cohete009]

So do u believe in Escobar yet? :D

[Cohete009]

Cohete was right again, as usual.

[dlwktb]

:lol: Wow... That story just about killed me.