TooLiveBrew

Martini Mike's in Milwaukee, iirc (from the original 'Party Pics' thread) EDIT: Do we really need a separate thread from the original party pics thread? Seems to just be to shill BCR.

Good point, doa -- thanks. I think in terms of 'true talent' (or whatever you call it for defense), though, Hudson is clearly a much better option on defense than Weeks.

This year Orlando Hudson had a RF of 4.82 and a ZR of .790. That is well below the numbers that Weeks put up this year. And if you watch the two play on at least a semi-regular basis, you are shown how unreliable defensive metrics are at this point. Hudson is a better defender than Weeks, probably by far. I am big into the sabermetric & statistical side of analyzing the game (though I'm very far from being well-versed), and I think that -- as of now -- all the defensive stats do is create confusion. At times, Rickie is unfairly bashed here without recognition that his athletic ability & the ground he can cover is extremely valuable at 2B (see: any 'Durham is way better on D!' comment). However, when the stats start showing things like 'Rickie was better than Orlando Hudson', that's a big red flag imo. Hudson certainly is a bit overrated on D, but he's definitely better than Weeks. Given he only has a year left on his deal and makes a lot of cash ($12M), Beltre probably will not cost much in terms of players, as few teams will be willing to pay him, he is likely to only have a suitor or two. $12M for Beltre in a non-pitcher's park is a very good price. I think there will be plenty of suitors... or at least enough to drive up the asking price.

However, it is difficult to count on that, although given the relative youth of the lineup I am more optimistic of them being able to turn things around. No, being an average offense isn't necessarily a bad thing, but playoff teams usually aren't average on either side of the ball. Historically, being well above-avg. in either pitching or hitting, while being roughly average in the other category (in terms of OPS+), is 'good enough' to get a team into the postseason. There have been quite a few playoff teams that featured an OPS+ split somewhere in the neighborhood of 110-115/100-105. The fact that the Brewers are largely comprised of players entering their prime-aged seasons is reason enough for me to feel like the majority of the offense should be left as is. To expect guys like Weeks & Hart to get worse instead of better imho is playing the wrong side of that bet. I think it's a good bet that Fielder/Braun/Hardy will have good seasons again in '09, and if Weeks & Hart can't improve upon their 2008 overall numbers, then imo our problems are bigger than just finding a different bat or two.

Any thoughts on the pros and cons of a straight up Weeks for Robinson Cano deal? Cano had a bad year, but it wasn't awful and he'd definitely improve the infield defense. A change of scenery might be good for both of them. Cano hitting left handed might help balance the lineup too. Cano is a very solid fielder, and I'm not sure where the notion comes from that he's anything less than well above-average. He has good range, soft hands, a strong (enough) & very accurate arm, with a nice quick release when he needs to hustle the turn on a DP. The problem with adding Cano over Weeks is that, while we'd be adding another LHB, Cano has drawn just 99 BBs in 2,362 career PA. Robinson actually had a very good second half (.307/.333/.482/.815) after an horrific first half (.246/.285/.358/.643). In addition, Cano, while a LHB, actually performed far better against LHP (.794 OPS) than RHP (.683) this year -- though his career splits are more traditional (v. RHP - .818; v. LHP - .766). If the Yanks indeed made Cano available for Weeks (I highly doubt it), I think it would be worth investigating. Pairing him with J.J. (& perhaps eventually Escobar) would be a thing of beauty in terms of IF defense. I believe next year would be the last year of a contract for Adrian Beltre and the Mariners are likely shopping him around. His road splits are very good and getting out of Safeco should help him. Any interest? I am a HUGE Beltre fan, and after watching him play for about a season & a half, I can say with confidence that you won't find a better defensive 3B in the league. He makes plays a 3B just has no business making, and makes the routine ones too. Beltre would be a fantastic addition for this team. There has been some interest in Beltre in random threads in the trade forum. While he isn't the ideal acquisition (hits LHPs better, doesn't carry the highest OBP), he would be a very nice stopgap at 3B, and is definitely one of my favorite options that should be available that I hope the Brewers target. I think a good comparison for what kind of production to expect if Beltre is added would be Cameron's 2008 -- but with fewer BBs & slightly fewer Ks. When you add in the caliber of defense Beltre provides, I think he'd be a no-brainer addition. However, that would be the case for many contending teams. The Mariners should be very active in shopping him this offseason, so his price likely wouldn't be cheap... and neither would be the price to extend him beyond 2009.

What I don't like about Weeks at the top of the lineup is that he appears to not go up with his best approach. Instead, his approach appears to be, 'work the pitcher deep in the count, and draw lots of BBs.' I think Rickie has done an admirable job in filling the leadoff role for the Crew for some time now, but I have come to believe he is miscast there. I would love to see a high(er) OBP bat added for the leadoff role in 2009, and allow Rickie to move down in the order to the #3/5/6/7 spot(s). Without the charge (whether it's been from the coaching staff/front office, Weeks himself, or both) of 'being a leadoff hitter', I think he could really flourish. The BBs will still be there, and could reasonably grow if Rickie can more consistently drive the ball like he has at times this season. When Rickie actually gets into baseballs, oftentimes they really 'stay hit'. He's hit some of the hardest shots on this team all season long, and honestly has had more than his share of bad luck with mashing liners right at defenders. Weeks is one of the Brewers hitters about whom I'm least concerned heading into the future.

I have to blame Sveum right now. I know we don't have any good options to sit Hart out a game but I don't know how he continues to bat 6th in the order. I apologize for being a broken record, but a Nelson/Hart platoon in RF for this series would have made me gain some faith in Sveum. Through game 2, there has been literally no point in having Brad on the 25-man for the postseason. Apparently TGJ will be getting PH appearances ahead of Nelson, and I would have rather just had Dillon added instead if Sveum is burning TGJ before Nelson in fear that Manuel would bring out Romero or another LOOGY. In my ideal world, Dillon would have made the roster ahead of TGJ... but apparently the slim chance that you might need a PR outweighs the high-leverage PAs that it seems Gwynn will now get. I also agree that batting Hart 6th at this point is just insane. A guy who's slumped as badly and as long as Corey has... and that vows he 'isn't just going to take a walk' has no business batting 6th on a team playing in the postseason. I guarantee you that Nelson can at worst provide what Corey is bringing to the table right now v. RHP, and I think it's a pretty safe bet that Brad would comfortably outproduce the scuffling Hart.

I know we can't ignore Weeks first half, but considering where he was at the half I think it is amazing he came close to his projection. I agree logan... pretty good second half at the plate. CF is the only place he could play in the OF. Weeks arm is comparable to Pierre's arm. This is just untrue. The positive aspect of Rickie's throwing arm is its strength -- the accuracy is where the problems arise. I'm confident he could very capably man LF, but then he'd really have to be hitting to justify staying on the field. CF makes the most sense offensively for Rickie (operating under the assumption that he *is* moved from 2B), but defensively I think he'd be at least as rough as Hall was. I like the idea (operating under the assumption that Rickie can carry a BA/OBP split around .260/.375) of Braun to CF Thanks for doing that work & sharing the results, Ennder. I agree that on balance, PECOTA once again did a solid job. Imo the projection on Fielder was very good... and seeing the 'expected' lines for Hall & Hart make me want to bang my head against a wall.

No way should an under .250 hitter, with no power, who's only slightly above average defensively and in his mid 30s be starting 150 games. There's plenty to rip Kendall on, but to call him only slightly above average defensively this season is borderline delusional. The guy was absolutely stellar defensively, though I agree that his CS% will likely drop next season -- if for no other reason than that people are aware you can't just run on him at will anymore. Oh, and I fully agree that him not getting more time off was insane. Just one of the many reasons I'm glad Yost is gone (not that Sveum was any better in getting Jason rest).

it's hard to ignore the fact that Sheets does not win often enough. He puts up decent number for sure, except in the win column. You can argue run support, bad luck, whatever, but this has gone on his whole career. Oh man, not this again. W-L record to analyze pitchers is like using W-L to analyze a QB -- a total waste of time.

Very cool read. He's not a bad writer, to boot. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif "It was cool that the fans were there because getting to the postseason is a big deal for us, but those people have been through 26 years. Now they can be proud of their hometown team, proud of Milwaukee. That means as much to us players as anything else. I had grown men coming up to me, crying, and telling me what it meant to them and their family. That put it in perspective a lot."

I'm wondering if weeks is in centerfield next year and the brewers save money by not picking cameron's option Since I don't think 2009 is a 'go for it' season for the Crew, I'd like to see Braun to CF & Weeks to LF. I just don't think Rickie has the time to learn CF at an acceptable (read: non-Bill Hall) level.

I had a whole post, quoting several others, but lost it... must be karma getting back to me for waiting so dang long to post in this thread. As soon as Ryan Braun's shot left the bat, I jumped up off my couch with my hands on my head. The tears just came -- I had to remind myself that things were not yet sealed up, but for some reason, I just 'knew'. When Helms hit the solo shot, followed by Uggla's, it was like a wave of relaxation across my whole body; a surreal feeling that I doubt I'll ever have again. As others (Peavey & naivin to name two) have said, I'm so happy for Bill Schroeder. He's been my rock (yes, cheesy pun intended) during some horrible, awful teams/seasons. I only wish he could call the playoff games with BA. And I'll echo TWR to the classiest Cubs fan I 'know' on teh interwebz. Your insights on this board have been a very welcome addition. I have a lot of family members that are Cubs fans (both sides of the fam are rooted in IL -- Pop & Mom are firmly WI sports fans, though), and for them & you, I wish the Cubs the best. Also, I want the Cubs to lose. :P OMG WE'RE GOING TO THE PLAYOFFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, or embed the video here? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif "Levens through a hole big enough to drive a truck to the Super Bowl!". Oh man! That's too funny... I thought of that exact same call when listening to Uek's Braun HR call. Legendary moments in Wisconsin sports history. Holy crap, did the Brewers actually make the playoffs?! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif!

"We were a little concerned with Branyan's health, though he looked fine today in (batting practice)," Sveum said in a press release after the Brewers worked out at Citizens Bank Park. "Nelly is a combination; he's played the most outfield of anybody else right now of those guys." That part really stood out to me, and has me hopeful that Nelson's role will extend beyond just a smattering of PH appearances. Now, it could very well just be Sveum finding something nice to say about Nelson & nothing more, but I will continue to hope that some AB v. RHP will go to Nelson as opposed to all going to the scuffling Corey Hart -- who I agree 'will be fine', but is about as far from 'fine' as one could be right now.

Glad that you won't name names -- sorry to pry; I was just curious. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

If I had to guess, SF, I'd think the team would have rented out a bar as opposed to just the whole team going to an 'open' spot. I wish This might be an exceedingly stupid question, so it fits that I'd ask it -- where did you get the pictures?

Brian, were you at the party?

Too Live Brew - Hart has been atrocious lately, and I can only hope you are wrong (not that your idea isn't the smart move based on Corey's recent play but more hoping that Corey actually starts hitting like he did pre-September). Oh, I really hope Hart busts out too. My opinion of what's best for the team in the playoffs is independent of how I regard Corey Hart as a hitter. I don't think the second half of 2008 has been an accurate portrayal of Corey's ability, nor do I think it should be trusted very much in evaluating him going forward. I've long felt that Hart's lack of OBP/BB skill is a concern, but I never would have guessed he could be this ugly at the plate for so long.

And unless Corey is banged up, Nelson was added as a PH, not as a RF option. The playoffs are not the place to trot a rookie out. The playoffs are not a place to trot out a guy performing like Corey Hart. I hope RF is a Nelson/Hart platoon.

DFA logan! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/devil.gif

I agree with this assessment - and further strengthens my argument on why we should put Hart atop the order. I could not disagree more. Giving the highest number of PA to your worst hitter... when the games mean the most, no less? Scary.

The last 14 days saw a .524 OPS from Cameron (.858 OPS for last 7 days). Moving guys around in the lineup doesn't make them hotter or colder imo. I like Hall at #2 because Sveum only did that against LHP (iirc).

Working link to Haudricourt JS article "Sveum ends small talk" "If we don't hit home runs, we don't score," general manager Doug Melvin admitted during the team's wild clubhouse celebration Sunday after clinching the National League wild-card berth. "What about singles teams? If they don't hit singles, they don't score. We hit home runs. End of being a small-ball team. We're not a small-ball team."

Pacific Timezone dweller here. I have no DVR (dangit!), and will frustratedly have to keep up with the games from work. My dad is coming to visit this weekend, so I already used two vacation days for Friday & Monday during his visit -- the timing is funny. Though it will be awesome to watch the Brewers play postseason baseball with Dad! I was an infant when he & my mom rode their bikes to County Stadium for the '82 WS.