TooLiveBrew

I feel like I've probably heard the same thing then. I don't expect this to be resolved any time soon, but at this point I'm 50/50 on whether or not I think the suspension will be upheld.

(B) the positive test likely would have been thrown out in the initial meeting between Braun and MLB after the test If Brendan Katin's case is any example, we shouldn't expect MLB to be in any kind of hurry to admit any wrongdoing, or even to just exonerate Braun.

It never fails to crack me up just HOW much Doug Melvin loves when he gets a laugh. I've noticed his reactions to well-received jokes before during his visits in the TV broadcast booth. Check out how childishly-proud he reacts when A-Ram laughs at DM's so-so "Bora Bora" joke about 10 seconds in.

I don't think there's much to back up speculation about Pujols's age being fudged. This is a guy who played H.S. ball in the U.S., & was a 13th round pick. It's not like he was some sure-fire MLB star who came over from the D.R. or Cuba & entered right into his MLB career. I guess, if 15-yo (or whatever the assertion is of his 'real' age) Albert Pujols was visionary enough to recognize that fudging his age would someday make him millions of dollars, more power to him - and I sincerely doubt that was the case. Otherwise it just kinda seems like 'birther' stuff to claim he's not the age he's understood to be.

C - Maldonado 1B/2B/3B - Green SS/2B - Farris (?)... gulp, Yuni? OF Gomez OF/1B Brad Hawpe/Luke Scott Schafer at Nashville as the next OF in line. But the Brewers might have to go with him if the budget's already maxed out.

.846 .827 .850 .923 .839 .884 .912 Those are Gamel's year-by-year OPS numbers as a minor leaguer. The one thing known for sure about him is that he can hit. I agree, The Truth - It's time to let him start doing that at the big-league level.

I agree. I can either pretend each season is $12M, or enjoy the fact that Ramirez wanted to sign with the Brewers badly enough that he agreed to play for $6M this season. In either case it's not a bad deal.

And you'll lose a lot of offense playing Gomez everyday against righties. What is your alternative plan? Green at 1B & Gamel in LF? I wouldn't mind that. For what it's worth I don't think many had a big problem with Green at 2B since he played quite a bit of it in the minors. So for example, I'm not convinced Gamel necessarily could play a much better LF than Kotsay, since he's played there a very small handful of times in his career, compared to hundreds or thousands of reps for guys like Kotsay/Gomez/etc. And I love Gamel, I really do. But it's not just having the physical ability to play the OF, it's the technical skills too. I think the defensive difference between Gamel and any of Gomez/Plush/Schafer is greater than the offensive difference when you compare the trio I mentioned to Taylor Green. Green's a better hitter than Gomez & Schafer... probably Morgan, too, but not by much just yet. But I also know for sure that any of those OFs (not Kotsay) are way, way better in the outfield than Gamel would be, & I think that run prevention is the single most important factor in winning. So unless the offensive advantage in going with Green is huge, I'd rather go with defense.

But since some didn't recall that or haven't seen it, he should automatically be excluded from the conversation I guess. Or maybe people think he wouldn't be a good option to put out there when you can just play Morgan or Schafer there, with Gamel still at 1B.

Understood, but Parra will most likely be making less than $1.75M & he will also probably be able to give you more than 30-40 IP.

You don't recall correctly. He's played 3 games in the majors at left field. Honestly I'd expect myself to remember Gamel playing the OF in the big leagues. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/frown.gif I think he's also gotten some innings here and there in the minors and ST but I can't be sure of that. Now this is what I was aware of, him getting reps in non-MLB action.

Wow, that definitely sounds fortunate.

I hadn't heard anything about Melvin wanting Green to learn 1B -- can you share where you saw that? I am putting stock in how Gindl has flown under the radar while exceeding expectations at a very young age at every level. Yeah, he's certainly done nothing but hit. Contrary to what the tone of my post may have suggested, I'm actually very much a Gindl fandl/supporterdl. I just found it interesting that you question Green's legitimacy so often because he's 'only' succeeded so much, yet you pimp Gindl lots. Given their positions (aka positional adjustment), I think they profile as roughly identically-valuable hitters. If Gindl has any advantage at the plate, imo it's cancelled out by Green's ability to play IF positions. Both should be big parts of the Brewers in the very near future. I also don't expect our backup 1b/2b/3b to pay very much. Hmm. I actually expect a guy who can back up Ramirez & Weeks to have a chance at seeing lots of PAs, since both are (relatively speaking) such injury risks. Not to mention that Green's lefty bat could be used efficiently to give off days against RHP.

I'm concerned too about the lack of power. Check out the Luke Scott thread in the Transactions forum, that topic's kinda being discussed there.

Iirc, Gamel has never played LF & has played like one game in RF. I don't see how he's a viable option for LF. My guess is the Brewers go with either Plush (w. Gomez in CF fulltime) or Schafer.

Even just Lee for K-Rod is probably a bad deal for the Brewers. Lee's offense has seriously slipped, especially when you consider that Minute Maid Park is one of the best hitters parks in the league. Sorry if I wasn't clear yet - I want nothing to do with Lee in 2012. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

Lack of talent on the bench was the fatal flaw last season, not experience. Gomez/Kotsay/Counsell had plenty of experience.

I do wonder if it'd equal things out well enough to trade K-Rod & Hart to Houston for him. http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g179/zoeycat123/DoNotWant.gif Corey Hart has so much more value than Lee... or payroll flexibility. So much more.

I have to say I find your 100% faith in Caleb Gindl (whose only real SLG last season came on the road... aka in the western-state PCL stadiums) confusing when you say Taylor Green still has so much to prove. Fwiw, I like both players but wouldn't want either to have to carry significant starting duty in 2012. I'd rather see Gindl repeat AAA & display his power at home as well as on the road... than burn up service time likely struggling mightily against MLB pitching for the 50 games Braun may miss.

I'd rather go with Punto, too, especially since Sea Bass is a RHB.

As ramssuperbowl99 outlined in his 2012 payroll thread, the spots the Brewers appear to have open are: 1) a SS backup, 2) another IF backup, & 3) an OF backup. Spot #1 will most likely be filled via free agency. Spot #2 seems like all but a lock for Taylor Green. Spot #3 could be filled by Logan Schafer, but Spot #3 is the last remaining place the Brewers will have on their roster for that corner player (meaning 1B/3B/LF/RF) who can be your power source off the bench as a pinch-hitter & sub. While I'm in favor of Schafer being a part of the '12 team, I'll have to refine that & say that I want him to start off in Nashville & be the first OF up in case of injury or trade. I don't think the Brewers should risk not having a power bat on the bench again this season. It won't hurt Schafer at all (imo) to at least start 2012 by repeating AAA -- it'd only be his second season there. Here's a quick & dirty list of some free agents that could fill that role. Some have been mentioned already, including Scott. I didn't include some possibilities since I assume they'd be too expensive (Cuddyer/Kubel, for example) Russell BranyanBrad Hawpe ($6M team option/$1M buyout for '12; I can't see the Pads exercising that option)Johnny Damon (has had his power suppressed by two extreme pitchers parks the past two seasons)Johnny GomesScott HairstonWily Mo PeñaLuke Scott Not exactly a long list, & really given the lack of good choices, I wouldn't mind Scott. Damon could fill in for many of the 50 games Braun could miss due to suspension & would be my first pick from those dudes -- the only question would be cost & whether or not he'd be interested in the Brewers.

I believe he was awarded a 4th option year by MLB EDIT: McCalvy tweet from 11/15/11 -- Scarpetta/Rogers awarded 4th options.

RP - ? ($400k) RP - ? ($400k) I think these two spots will be manned by Fiers, Parra, Braddock, & Kintzler over the course of the season. Wow. Big number here. Maybe it's corny to say, but this is something fans should feel really proud about. The support, especially financial, has really freed up the Brewers to not have to keep an undersized payroll.

Wow, I forgot you nailed that 1-2 combo, Jim. Slick moves!

Agreed -- all the best to Casey & his crew. Decent buy-low guy for the Bucs.