StearnsFTW

I get your points but would only agree if it was a straight up trade. Him as the #1 guy combined with some lower level in the minors guys and you're onto something. MKE also does have a glaring need at 1B so to us that's not an issue. I honestly think if healthy, Schwarber is the potentially the best bat the Cubs have, better than either Rizzo or Bryant. He'd likely be more productive from 2018-21 than would Braun, and could bring a tremendous return if traded a year before he hits FA. It's also possible he'll be back in time to contribute in 2017, or that the Brewers could lock him up longer. Two big questions are: can he play 1B? Gamel was hurt playing there remember too. Second is will he fully recover to the point it won't affect him. I'd hate seeing the all time Brewer leader in many hitting categories being a major piece of Cub championships though. Going to be tough enough for Brewer fans the next few years with Cub fans taking over Miller Park. I certainly wouldn't want some guy in A ball as the centerpiece. I'd want one of their core. If Schwarber is ever even close to as good as Rizzo has been the last 2+ years, I'll be amazed. Rizzo is a fantastic player. And I think Bryant will be a monster. I'm not really a huge Schwarber fan either. Can't hide him anywhere. He's a DH.

Well you kind of do since they are the ones that spend the money to watch the baseball games and the only reason it exists. If your fans are going to hate your new shiny player with a passion that really isn't something you want. You also run the risk if Braun doesn't live up to expectations. That would be one ugly situation. And while players do switch teams and go to their rivals that almost always happens in Free Agency not by trade. They also usually are not former PED users that lied and are so strongly hated. The hate Cub's fans have for Ryan Braun is up there for worst in sports. So if you are a GM sitting at your desk considering this kind of move these things can play a role. The negative attention it would bring the organization would be pretty substantial. You also aren't likely to have fans go out and buy a bunch of his merchandise so that doesn't make matters any better. The Cubs would be pretty ill-advised to make such a move. They would be better off going with a different option and avoiding the risk and circus Braun brings to the table. You listed some good reasons earlier why this trade would be very difficult, I just don't think fan reaction is one of them. ARam was hated by Brewer fans with a passion. The minute he put on a Brewer uniform, he got standing ovations. Garza was hated, but everyone was excited when the Brewers signed him. Could go on and on. Most Cubs fans don't even really "hate" Braun, they just have fun with the chants and everything. You don't think Scrub fans, of all people, wouldn't be buying his jerseys when he hits his first HR as a Cub? We all know they would bandwagon in a heartbeart. This is the most accurate post in the thread. FTR, I think there's a less than 1% chance this deal would ever happen, but none of it is because of how Cubs' fans would react.

I assume it would make you more likely to be released though.

Agree. I'd rather have Anderson.

11 games in. 11. There is no way to determine what the answer may or not be in 11 games.

It happened. When Ron Wolf first came to Green Bay, one of the first things he tried to do was change the color schematic to Notre Dame colors. That didn't go over well. personally i think it would have been an improvement, but i admit you don't mess with history Agree. Packers uniforms are really ugly, but you can't change em.

I was born in 1971 and I'm not a fan. Giving it more though, I really do think it's the colors more than the logo, particularly that bright blue. I don't know. I never was a fan and I still dislike it quite a bit. Squarely in the minority obviously.

I think I'm the only person that really dislikes that logo. And the colors.

I too hope he does well, but there really isn't any reason to think he will.

This would be so awesome if it was true. Except maybe if you're a Phillies fan. I really wish there was some way to prove it true. While not technically proof, it was Ruben Amaro, so it was likely.

They were planning on catching him for every Hammel start as far as I know. Which is a shame because it would've been hilarious.

On that note, I find your handle to be hilarious. I picture you having typed in 'cubssuck' and 'cubsblow' and thinking, 'No, just not strong enough' and then typing 'cubsdie' and thinking 'perfect.' I can neither confirm nor deny the plausibility of your theory. Also, Babe Ruth? More like a left-handed Steve Balboni.

The biggest factor for me is the health of the pitcher. I think it was the right decision for that reason. He'd never thrown 100 pitches, he was pretty obviously tired and he's coming off kinda recent TJ. The win is secondary, although relevant, to me.

Definitely hurts the Cubs. Feel bad for Schwarber, but screw the Cubs and their fans.

Yeah, I'm on this side of the argument as well. I think there are specific instances where I think it makes sense for taxpayers to HELP foot the bill. I'm never in favor of taxpayers footing the whole bill. Except for the Brewers.

Many great jobs? How many everyday taxpayers funding hundreds of millions in tax dollars land a great job at a stadium or basketball arena? This isn't some auto or whatever plant with say 500 to 1000 people or more getting good pay and benefits on a full time job. Most people working inside a stadium or basketball arena are selling concessions, collecting money in the parking lot, scanning tickets, an usher, etc at relatively low pay. They are also even less than a typical part time job. Outside of extra playoff games, it's only 81 games in baseball, 41 in basketball, and 10 in football including two preseason games. Plus, most of the time when states or cities try to lure away a business, it's via some tax breaks, not spending 500 million dollars building them a state of the art new facility, and better jobs come with it than seasonal part time jobs pouring beer and scanning tickets. I fully get that there is also some emotional aspect to sports teams and the sports fans in those cities/states which gets factored in. It just really bothers me at the gall of so many of these very rich sports owners today and their swimming in billions leagues when they ask for new stadiums or arenas, especially given the financial times which so many citizens and cities face. So incredibly tone deaf. Even worse when they try holding a city hostage over a building which isn't falling apart, it's just not making them enough millions compared to fellow owners who more recently blackmailed the city they play in. Jealousy sets in and they think, i want my new free toy also. Out comes the blackmail gun. Rinse and repeat. I won't speak for him, but he may have meant many great jobs during construction. I agree in general though, that taxpayers should not pay for ballparks/stadiums. At least not completely.

This was my first thought . Pretty extravagant story though. Could've just gone with "he tripped over his dog". That one usually works.

Same. It's possible most of their best players will be gone. They might be playing .450-.470 ball at the deadline, but could be playing .340-.360 ball after. Gun to my head, I'd say 82 or more, but it's really close for me.

Thanks for posting. Great read.

I just actually read it. My God does he come off like an idiot. Swear a little more, Goose. It really adds credibility.

The athletes today (including the pitchers) are so much better, that the comparison isn't even there. The game is vastly superior now, in my opinion, just because of the ungodly athleticism displayed. Not to mention the influx of players from Latin America and Asia has really bumped the talent level.

http://i.imgur.com/91sn32Q.jpg?fb

NM. I figured it out.

Seems like a guy who should maybe give Japan a try. At any rate, he is not a MLB player. I wouldn't want him.