TooLiveBrew

I love how at the 2:22 remaining mark on the song/vid, the singer(s) sneak in a little "suck" Cubs fans *suck* drinking...

Hopefully Melvin's idea of an ideal platoon-mate to match with Gross is a guy who posts a line of .314/.343/.558/.901 against LHP in a year where many proclaimed that he wasn't good. OBP? No. Proven production against LHP? Yes. I'm all for an upgrade to a guy that can hit both lefties and righties as our LFer, but with the price it'd entail (whether in FA or via trade), I question whether or not the answer for LF is already on the 25-man roster. Logan makes a good point that with Dillon around, we likely already have that 'professional hitter' bat off the bench.

Even though I'm an admitted Yankee fan, I have to agree with bkbc on that one. Or, as my gf (lifelong diehard Yankee fan) put it - "He's just like him - bad in-game management, doesn't know how to handle a bullpen - he's good in the clubhouse, oooooh...we'd be getting Yost part 2!" Plus, Torre's making $7 mil. this year. Yost in 2007? $825k. I don't think Torre's necessarily going to get $7+ mil. anywhere else, but he sure ain't comin' to Milwaukee for $2-3 mil., and as covered already, he's pretty much a lateral move, logistics-wise.

Since recovering from being down 2-0 in a 5-game series is incredibly unlikely, I think bjkrautk's on to something with his 'LaRussa in pinstripes' notion.

Rodriguez's Close and Late (defined as: "results in the 7th inning or later with the batting team either ahead by one run, tied, or with the potential tying run at least on deck") 2007 line reads as follows - .293/.418/.520/.938 Runner(s) on base + 2 outs - .292/.399/.577/.976Runner(s) in scoring position + 2 outs - .302/.429/.512/.941 GSP, much love for ya, but it seems kinda clear that - in this arena - any analysis you provide is heavily tainted by your large distaste for A-Rod/NYY. No qualms with that, but I agree with those who point out that he's merely human, and has had success in the playoffs before, but is in a stretch where he hasn't done well at all. If you would not sign him as a GM based on that fact, fine. I'm pretty sure that Ted Williams, the Babe, et al had stretches in the postseason where they struggled, too. If this turns into a run of 100-ish (or 75-ish, heck I'd be willing to go as low as 50-60 just for argument's sake) ABs for Rodriguez, the notion will have some relevance for me - but that's just me.

Battler + Gamer + Scrapper + Works the count = Professional Hitter

Golly I love this! The only problem is that now my most satisfying 2007 playoff moment is in the past. But I'll take that problem! Watching the Cubs' fans cheer with smiles and back-slaps aplenty right before DeRosa topped that 3-1 pitch into the DP perfectly summarized why they "suffer" so much more than other fans. It was so certain they were gonna take the lead! Look at the slogan - "It's Gonna Happen" - setting yourself up for disappointment from the get-go. Entitled Arrogance has not been rewarded, and I am thankful.

b255 please check your messages.

Corey Hart is not moving from RF.

But Mom! I went straight to where I thought the ball would land! http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/laugh.gif http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/happy.gif

BTW TooliveBrew...It certainly gives someone like me who likes Ned something to think about. Glad to hear it, Buc. Disagreement doesn't have to necessitate subjectivity. http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/smile.gif

http://www.bbspot.com/Images/News_Features/2004/08/darth_vader.jpg You don't know the power of the dark side... There is no escape - don't make me destroy you

Looks like Brady's routes in CF a la Billy from "Family Circus" were just a little too much for SD to take http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/wink.gif

Just saw it tonight, loved it! So is the anti-Jewish-slur in question the same one from a certain J.D. Salinger short story? Classic S.P. in action tonight. The ending was an all-time favorite!

I agree. While the 'short leash' situation may seem to some (since I admittedly don't like Yost) that it's one I'd relish, I am with DJ43 100% in that I don't want to see this approach. Like he said, what else does Melvin have to learn about Ned? I go back to my post about this being an employment-insurance umbrella for Doug, as I really see no other motivation for it. If it's Doug saying, 'I really like Ned and want him to do well, but won't be afraid to pull the plug in my contract year,' fine - even though that still reeks of self-preservation (not that I can/could blame any GM). Any way you slice it, the 'let's see how Ned does' approach is flawed. If you doubt his relevance, cut the cord sooner rather than later. The longer you wait, the worse the outcome will likely be.

BECAUSE WE HAAAAAAYTE HIIIMMMM!!! http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/mad.gif Just kidding, sorry. http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/smile.gif He then explained that they tried to at the trade deadline, but the Reds didn't want to because they were afraid that the Brewers would re-sign Dunn and he would be in the division. He said that they offered a really big package. *shivers* (in a really bad way, and in a really, really good way!) Holy moly that is crazy news. Thanks for the tidbit! 3TOv2.0! (at least we tried!)

Very classy letter by Mark Attanasio. I personally appreciate stuff like that. Echoed.

It's really, really hard to try to employ minor league managerial records to portray qualification/lack thereof for a mangerial position. The job down there is player development way before wins & losses. While I certainly won't take away the success of any minor league skipper, it should be taken with a grain of salt, as both he (generic managerial candidate) and other minor league managers are not necessarily playing every game to win it. As a general rule, it's very hard to use a manager's record to gauge his ability. Unless you have a guy who's in one position, with a very similar talent level for many years, there are just too many variables. Look at Joe Torre - long tenure, nice W-L record, championships, etc., and many Yankees fans complain about his mishandling of the bullpen and pitchers. He doesn't have the strategic nuance of pitchers hitting to worry about, so how do you really judge him? Is he a "good" manager since he is continually provided with players that other teams simply cannot afford to sign - or is he "average," or "bad"? Bobby Cox is a strong example of a proven manager that is likely correctly labeled as "good," but that's largely because he's maintained success over a decade, with varying talent levels. However, when his talent has dropped off (2006), he had a losing team. Managers are largely incorrectly labeled poor or good - when in reality the players are what dictates W-L record. Where Yost differs in my eyes is that he's very poor at managing in the game. He does many other things well, but that's simply not one of them. I can agree to toss out the "Closer only in the 9th/8th with 2 outs with the lead" rule, since it seems that every manager does that. Look at the basics, and the way Yost out-thinks himself, saving guys for hypothetical matchups that usually never occur, instead of reacting to or creating a situation in the moment. I don't believe that there exists a reliable metric or measure for evaluating a manager, so I then look at the way in which he has the most direct impact on the team - creating matchups (including putting together lineups). There are many other aspects of the job (which are important too), but on a team with the talent to win, and players established at their positions, imho the in-game adjustments are the most important.

"A couple of high-priced pieces of Milwaukee's bullpen have reached free agency - Francisco Cordero and Scott Linebrink. According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Brewers will make an aggressive offer to Cordero and hope to retain Linebrink as well. My hunch is that both players leave for greener pastures. Cordero seems likely to earn at least a four-year, $40MM deal. That's elite closer territory. Linebrink should be compensated in the three years, $15-18MM range. While backloading is possible, the Brewers would be looking at adding $15MM per year on average to keep this pair. My back of the napkin math says the Crew has around $60MM committed for '08. Only Ben Sheets will make more than $10MM. The Brewers' Opening Day '07 payroll was about $71MM, so there is room in the budget for both Cordero and Linebrink. The team's core players are very good and very cheap. The time to strike in free agency is now, so I actually endorse some pricier bullpen/rotation signings to get the team over the hump next year. I might go after Cordero but let Linebrink go. The Brewers could take payroll to a mere $80MM and have the best team in the NL Central." That's from Tim Dierkes, the author of MLBTradeRumors.com. Not necessarily anything we didn't already know/haven't already discussed, but it's especially encouraging to hear that last line - from an admitted and avid Cubs fan, no less. I really kind of agree with him on signing Cordero (if he's willing to ink) and letting Linebrink walk, but 2008 may likely produce a Brewers squad without either one.

"I had four or five different goals in mind. Breaking the attendance record was one of them. Playing meaningful games deep into September was another. And playing winning baseball for the first time in 15 years. That's a huge hurdle to get over. We were hoping to do it all in one year but we missed it by two games." Yost's comments are a joke. Each part of that excerpt applies directly to internet & newspaper banter from the last week or so of the season. A goal is not intangible - "Playing meaningful games deep into September" What? Totally malleable, and can fit nearly any way the season could have finished. "Breaking the attendance record" - apparently Ned now also works in the marketing and ticket sales divisions of the Milwaukee Brewers. No way this was a goal - nor can it be - for an MLB manager. Not in his control. Perhaps the "winning baseball" one really was a goal, I can concede that - seems only fair to do so. But the other two smack of desparation and rhetorical spin efforts. Poor form, Ned. Your goal was the playoffs this year - you said it, Melvin said it, and when you didn't deliver, you went back with the white-out to see if anyone remembered. Insulting, but given the way you've interacted with the fans this year, no surprise. Lemme guess, another goal was "Sell tons of player t-shirts, brats, and beer." We're smarter than you credit us, Ned.

Those are three stellar pitching matchups. Good gravy I can't wait for tomorrow night!

This isn't just an INF stat, but I caught this at mlbtraderumors.com (via an article on the Marlins): In 2007, the Brewers were 13th of 16 in the NL in DEF_EFF (defensive efficiency, which = 1-BABIP...or as Baseball Prospectus puts it, "the rate at which balls put into play are converted into outs by a team's defense"). They were 25th of 30 MLB teams. I'd imagine this stat has quite a bit to do with luck, but the placement/rank reinforces what we already know about this squad's poor defense. One side note - we were 23rd of 30 in the ROE stat ("Reached on Error: when a batter reaches first base as a direct result of a fielding error.", BP), & 12th of 16 in the NL. Again, confirming what we know. The defense needs to improve in 2008 if it is to be a playoff season.

a mer-cedes benz a co-lor TV a niiiight on the town...

sadly at this point I think I agree that it's almost unavoidable for things to devolved into YOAHST SOLVDD. With the shifts, it really does seem like a 'damned if you do & damned if you don't' situation, as the choice to put on a shift or not put one on can be the difference btw. a hit/out, run/no run, etc. Until there is more reliable data on shifting's effect, I don't know how we can ever reasonably discuss it. That said, it seems like unless you face a dead-pull hitter (Giambi, Dunn, Glaus(?)), a shift is an unnecessary over-analysis/reaction. I think the phrase "Keep it simple, stupid!" applies well (though I understand it can get complex).

that's an interesting issue, logan, and a question that seemingly only someone from our coaching staff (or a scout with extensive work on the Crew, or an intelligent fan who goes to nearly every game and payed attn. to this) could answer. I'd have to default my guess that, no, you don't 'piggyback' fielders to compensate for subpar teammates next to them, but really that's just a guess/assumption. Another guess (just guess) of mine is that the balls back up the middle this year are more likely to be caused by the shifting left or right of the infielders more than specific quirks in alignment to attempt to make up for poor corner fielding. In that vein I agree with Ennder's thought, though I don't think that's something that should create/necessitate a "YOST SUKZ!" back-and-forth, just objective observation. Many managers/coaches employ shifting, and I think the jury is still out on whether or not it's really all that effective as a general strategy, since iirc it's fairly new.