TooLiveBrew

But even if the BoSox added Wilson, would he really get in the way of potentially/theoretically adding Hardy? Seems like in that situation you add Hardy first, and figure out what to do with Lowrie (if indeed BOS would 'give up' on him) & Wilson later.

This thread is hilarious. I almost did a spit-take after 4 or 5 responses. Really glad to hear you're getting a Springer, vaccinator. Awesome breed. I vote you name it "Alex Sanchez", so if/when you have to smack it, you don't feel as bad.

*Preface/Disclaimer: I have never seen Alcides Escobar in person, whether playing a game, or just walking on the street/standing around.* Was anyone else struck with how similar to Escobar (in terms of physique/build) CWS's Alexei Ramirez is? I kept just seeing Escobar each time Ramirez dug into the batter's box. First, I'd like those who have seen Alcides in person to weigh in if they agree/disagree with that physical comparison. Fwiw, Ramirez is listed at 6'3, 185 at baseballreference.com. I don't think they do a good job of keeping height/weight listings current, though. He looked like he'd have a hard time hitting 180 lbs. dripping wet by my crude guesstimate. Second, I'd like to just point to Ramirez as someone that defies expectations in terms of HR hitting and a wiry frame. I realize he's struggled this season, but Ramirez tallied 21 HR last season in just over 500 PA in 2008. As purely a physical observation, I think he's a nice Exhibit A counter-example of 'why should anyone expect a wiry athlete to develop any HR power?' -- which is definitely something I've been guilty of holding against Escobar. When you stop to break down a 20-HR season you realize it's 'only' averaging 3 or 4 HR per month, and I don't think that's something that Escobar won't necessarily be able to do in the future. Now, who knows, perhaps those more familiar with both players will be able to provide ample evidence that Escobar doesn't compare favorably to Ramirez beyond the physical (iirc Ramirez is also regarded as an elite defender at SS). However, seeing Ramirez in the flesh (well, on TV) this past weekend was a bit like getting a glimpse into the future of what Escobar's physique will allow him to become. Ramirez seems to be a contact-fueled offensive player, with exceptional athleticism & defensive abilities. Escobar actually appears to be a better basestealer.

0 for 28 does though The whole point of the discussion on Hardy is that simply looking at 0-28 only tells you one thing... that Hardy has slumped to the tune of 0-28. Not why, or how, or anything else useful going forward. If you want to start declaring that 0-28 tells us something more than 'He's 0-28', please do extrapolate. Honestly I'm sure you could make a nice long list of HoF ballplayers that endured 0-28 stretches. You could probably even make a long list of HoF guys that went through more than one 0-28 stretch.

While Hardy has struggled this season at the plate, he is still very good defensively and just seems like he would fit in well with the BoSox. With Escobar, they'd be getting more of an unknown quantity, and the trade would look pretty terrible for them if he does indeed struggle at the big league level. Great points, Invader. Sorry, I meant more from the Brewers' p.o.v. it would be hard to trade J.J.... for precisely the reasons you cited why it'd be risky for BOS to bring back Escobar.

Yeah, that's terrible logic -- that one good swing doesn't sum things up! This one bad one does! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif For the record my intent was not to give a be-all, end-all example. I just think that swing to CF is the best example in recent memory. I definitely stand by the assertion that J.J. is, and will be, fine at the plate. His general approach at the plate is at worst (imo) about 2d or 3d-best on the team (Prince & Gamel are the two that I think might be better).

The ball he hit to CF yesterday is a great example. I honestly (fwiw) don't even worry about Hardy. I think he's going to be just fine.

I agree on Melvin needing to shift gears. However, I think if ever there were a time for CLE to sell Lee, it's now. You can't draw up a scenario in which he has more value imho.

Here are the comments from Buchholz: Do you feel like you've done all you can do and you should be headed to Boston? CB: I was sort of in the same position last year. Not as much or as good as I'm doing right now. But all the way up through the system in the minor leagues there wasn't that big of a hill that I had to climb. I'm not saying or trying to say that I'm better than anybody else, but it wasn't until I got to the big league is whenever I faced as far as when problems arose. I feel like I'm more equipped with everything that I have right now as far as the pitches and the mental aspect and (being) physically healthy to be up there and help that team. If not (the Red Sox) then I want to be in the big leagues and I do want to go somewhere where I'll be able to play and pitch every fifth day. Is it frustrating at all mentally where you feel like you're ready and you can succeed? CB: Yeah. I've had talks with my agent for the past month-and-a-half, two months and it's been just basically the same thing. There's nowhere to go and it's sort of a logjam up there. They're doing whatever they feel is right up there (in Boston) for the team to win. Whenever they come to a problem it seems like they come up with a way to fix it without me being in the picture. It is what it is. It's frustrating at times, but I'm going out and every fifth day here trying to help this team win and trying to get better every time I go out. That certainly makes him sound as available & amenable to a trade as a player ever has been. I can't say I blame him -- at 24, he's losing money with each day he isn't pitching in the bigs. A .355 BABIP last season sure didn't make his life any easier. I guess to me, the trouble with trading for Buchholz is that it (imho) would all but require moving Escobar. I really don't want to lose Alcides (would prefer to find a deal for J.J. in the offseason), and I don't think it would make much sense to move Hardy mid-season unless the F.O. thinks Alcides is 100% ready for the bigs... and I know Melvin basically said as much in a recent comment to the press.

As strange as it sounds, Manny really is a 'young 26'. His arm development just isn't where a healthier pitcher's would be at this age. I completely agree that he was overworked a bit last season, but I'm not sure whether or not that has had any impact on his command this season.

Just wanted to point out (in the hopes his good mojo can continue)... Corey Hart's last 7 days: .368/.381/.842/1.223 -- all with a very 'normal' BABIP of .313 Keep up the good work, Corey! Welcome 'back'!

The Angels really are becoming a bit of a mess. The AL West might be wide open in coming seasons. Horrible contracts for both Matthews Jr & Hunter, didn't/couldn't re-sign Teixeira after trading for him. Obviously this is not in-depth analysis http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

Do you really want [TH] to track down DM on every little internet rumor so we can have a daily blog of denials? The thing is, this wasn't an "internet rumor". It was a valid tip that first got reported on the internet. You really can't hold it against anyone that Peavy & Halladay both got injured. TH just takes extra, spiteful joy in claiming that it was all always nonsense. That's why we didn't hear it from him!

"A player shall be considered a rookie unless, during a previous season or seasons, he has (a) exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the major leagues; or (b) accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a major league club or clubs during the period of a 25-player limit (excluding time in the military service)." He was well below the 130-AB threshold heading into 2009, so the only question is service-time. Time spent on the big-league roster after its expansion to 40 men in September does not count towards that 45-day tally. From what I can tell, yes, he is still considered a rookie.

Don't forget about Peter Gammons picking Bobby Crosby to win the AL MVP two years ago...that one's my personal favorite. I remember that. But honestly, how hard is it to remember a pick that bad? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif And H-Yid, I really have to disagree on the Astros.

Yeah, Gamel hasn't exactly been lighting the world on fire yet. That said, Bill Hall is just terrible at the plate right now. To me, this ends any question of who should be getting everyday playing time. On top of that, Gamel has handled LHP well to this point in his career. I could stomach Hall coming in as a defensive replacement (even though I think Gamel needs regular PT for his defense as much as his offense) if it was bc Gamel was getting the 'everyday' starting status.

Who would that be? Right now Mike Rivera is a better option at the plate, and he's in-house. I really don't think it would be hard to upgrade over Kendall, but the team & Melvin are just in love with the guy. His defense no longer is able to cancel out his weak offense. Sure, he's better back there than Rivera, but right now... Rivera O+D > Kendall O+D

TH is a joke. He's an average beat writer with a terrible attitude, and a ridiculous sense of entitlement because the JS has been lazy enough to turn him into 'The Brewers Beat Writer', instead of being proactive & seeking to improve over mediocrity. I'm not not licking toads. Awesome http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif My biggest concern is TH's condescending attitude is rubbing off on Witrado, based on the arrogance he's shown in his live chats. It's frustrating to submit a few well-thought-out questions to the live chats, only to see them pick out the questions asking if J.J. Hardy is married and other dumb questions that they can laugh at and reply sarcastically. Sadly, the Brewers JS coverage as a whole is a joke to me at this point.

Eric Young's pick to win the Central as of June 11, 2009: The Houston Astros Eduardo Perez's pick to click as of June 11, 2009: The Cincinnati Reds. Eduardo Perez has come across as a real knucklehead before (imo). I hadn't seen any of (what I'm sure is) EY's fine 'work' just yet. That said, I recall Kruk picking PIT for some honor a year ago, and then coming out & saying he was told to make a controversial pick by the ESPN producer(s). He got really panned for it, so I trust that his answer as to why he made his choice is honest. Well, that, and ESPN sucks.

Braun's plate coverage is amazing. It seems to be a gift & a curse, though, as it seems (haven't checked the data) he could do a much better job at limiting his OOZ swing %. That HR was ridiculous. Soriano-esque HR swing.

Can you activate a player in the offseason if you're assuming he'll be healthy by Opening Day?

Anywho, I'll leave you with this. I got pretty excited reading through this thread myself because I can tell you that Bedard and Lee were not names mentioned to me either. That's a strong indicator that the organization is indeed inquiring about frontline starters. I think it's clear for anyone doing the math in this thread who the one guy is, and I'll tell you the name of the fallback I heard hasn't even been mentioned in this thread. Thanks, Richie (bobskube, BtA, etc., as well) The fact that Bedard & Lee are not names you're hearing pop up is just so exciting... goosebumps-caliber exciting. Not sure who the other SP would be, though. I can't agree that ARZ would want to send Haren or even Webb since the D-Backs have a nice core of young offensive talent, and both Webb & Haren aren't breaking the bank with their contracts. One thing I'm wondering recently (& I may be way off-base... not sure about DL rules) is if maybe Rickie Weeks could be part of an offer from the Brewers. He's shown an ability in recent history to fully recover from the injury he has now, he's a solution at 2B, and will still be reasonably cheap. He's obviously not able to help the Brewers (or anyone else) right now, but should be healthy & ready to go in 2010 (at least a bit into the season in terms of being full strength). Now, my love for Weeks is very blatant, so clearly I'm not hoping for this. But in some ways (big IF... is IF he can be traded while injured/on the DL), it would make a lot of sense to trade Weeks.

Ugh, if I've learned anything from Rolen-gate & Sabathia-gate, it's to resume your normal life & not wear out the F5 button! But seriously, let's get some more news here

In order, I'm hoping for: 1. Ruth 1A. Lee, 2. Peavy, 3. Buchholz, 4. Webb, 5. Bedard, 6. Jose Lopez The benefit with Ruth is that he can pitch and hit. So you always have him to pinch-hit, and make the occasional spot-start at 1B/RF/LF http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

From Richie's post #19 in this thread, I think when he's using "starter", it's interchageable with "starting pitcher". You just don't see the phrase "frontline starter" used to refer to anything but pitching imho.