thebruce44

More than that. I'm sure there are condos in MKE still going for $225 and up.

Are you driving down or taking the train? Parking is always going to be an issue. Where are you staying? I would suggest checking out Michigan Ave for shopping, and all the stuff on the lake front in the NW loop. The museums are there and Navy Pier is nearby. If you want to go to the top of a tall building, the Hancock is there too and I think more enjoyable than the Sears, though I haven't been there since they put in the new glass boxes. You guys could also find a rooftop for a couple of drinks. Nothing like enjoying the city that way. The river architecture cruises are also supposed to be interesting too and fairly inexpensive. You can get on those from Navy Pier, Mich Ave, or Wacker and Adams where the Sears Tower and Union Station are. Let me know if you have any other questions or are looking for more specifics.

I am lucky that 2 identical condos in my building have sold so I have a pretty good idea on the price. I think the MLS listing on Realitor and Redfin is what gets people in the door these days. Paperwork, thats my main concern too so I would have to find the right lawyer. I am just wondering if people go with a Realtor because they don't examine all of their options and its just what you used to do to sell your house. Anyway, I haven't decided either way. I was just hoping other people's experience in selling with or without a Realtor could help paint a better picture.

I figured I would be $5500 to $6000 ahead compared to a 2.5% commission to a selling agent. That would include paying for a MLS listing fee and a closing attorney.

No, I am actually near Chicago. Why did you decide to go with an agent? How has your experience been so far? Have they done stuff that you couldn't have done on your own?

I want to sell my condo. I originally purchased it brand new in the summer of 2007, right as things started to go bad. Luckily, I was able to negotiate the price down a bit from what others in my building had paid as it was becoming obvious the market was going downhill. Of course, I didn't realize how bad it was going to get, but point being, I don't think my place has lost nearly as much value as the area I would be moving to. Still, I don't really feel like sharing 3% of the sale with a selling broker. Has anyone gone with a flat fee based brokerage? They charge you around $300, give you a yard sign with their company name on it (so it looks a little more legit than FSBO), and then put your listing/pictures on the MLS (which includes how much commission the buyer broker will get so they don't boycott your house like they might with a FSBO). The number on the listing goes directly to your cell phone, so people call to schedule showings and I would just make sure I am not there but their broker is. If they don't have a broker, I will just hang out in the kitchen and make sure they don't steal anything. With websites like Redfin and Realtor.com, I really don't see what selling brokers do exactly (and to a lesser extent buyer brokers). If/When my condo sells and I become a prospective buyer, I will just go on Redfin and pick out 15 or so places I want to see. I don't need an agent to pick places out for me like it was 5 years ago. I know how to price it as 2 other identical condos in my building have recently sold. Once its on the MLS prospective buyers can find me and their selling agent can let them in with a lock box and show them around. I can clean it up and stage it myself. I'm in my late 20s but I have been negotiating big purchases for years so no fears there. What am I missing? Paperwork? Can't a lawyer help me with that for a small fee? Any advise or experience? Has anyone gone this route or do they have something great to say about their experience with a selling broker?

Bill James's spectrum, as Logan pointed out.

The generally accepted defensive spectrum is as follows: C|SS|2b|CF|3B|RF|LF|1B|DH You could probably make a case for CF being ahead of 2B though.

I appreciate the reports on him. True or not, I don't really care that much. He strikes me as a Braun-like player confidence wise. While that may rub some people the wrong way, I like it.

and the only thing most fans know about Mat Gamel is that he struck out a lot when he was in the majors last year.I know, that just kills me. The guy comes up, is jerked around, and still manages to post 3B average numbers in his first jump to the majors but people somehow write him off.

You make that sound like a bad thing. They love him on WSSP.Yea, I was under the impression that was a "term of endearment." I think the bandwagon fans love McGehee since they might not know he is producing well over him minors numbers and probably love the fact that we picked him up from the Cubs.

In my opinion, comparing players by using their value over peers is the most accurate way to compare them. If Ruth played now and had the advantage of a weight room, creatine, and whatever else players are sneaking through the tests these days who knows how good he would be. I doubt he was out homer every team in the league as there is probably some diminishing return, but I have to think his numbers would still be astronomical.

I think we have developed or rather stumbled onto quite a few guys who have gotten hot recently. Maybe thats why we disagree on the Hawkins signing. It seems like whoever we sign for whatever roll eventually gets replaced with a nobody who pitches well for a year or two. I just feel like we all should have seen this coming from a mile away.

Didn't he lead off Mike Cameron? That was one of his big changes and personally I didn't disagree with it. I see JohnBriggs still hasn't answered my question so I will assume he realized he was massivly exagerating.

I continue to be amazed with the utter contempt many keep expressing for Casey McGehee. Here you have a great guy and model citizen Those qualities have nothing to do with if he should be traded or not. Oh he's blocking a better player they'll say? He's not blocking anyone. He beat out Gamel in 2009, and he'd likely beat him out again. Doubtful. If both players are healthy I think Gamel is better and will continue to get better. McGehee has likely peaked. He is a better fielder than Gamel. That's not saying a lot, but it's the truth. Please don't state your opinion as fact. Right now I would expect Gamel to at least be as good as McGehee. Going forward he will continue to improve. Thats my opinion, not the truth though. I'm not disparaging Gamel, but the reality is that Gamel struggled against AAA pitching until July this year. He was injured. Now he is healthy and raking, just like he has done at all his other minor league stops. What else do you want from him?

Logan, I am curious where you have heard these rumors about Lawrie. Not that I don't believe you, I just can't remember hearing about them in the past.

Curious how you arrived at the conclusion that Sveum bailed them out in 2008.

I guess my point is that bullpen pitchers tend to be much more volatile than starters or position players (especially when they are older). Melvin knows this as it has repeatedly happened to this team while the track record for finding nobodies who pitch in for a year or two has been surprisingly good. I have no problem expecting to get contract value in return for position players or even starting pitchers. With this knowledge in mind though, I just don't see the upside to signing an older reliever. Again, lots of risk and very little to gain. Young reliever from AAA...no risk and lots to gain. Just my opinion though.

I thought rising fastballs had less vertical movement, hence they appear to rise to the batter as they near the plate when they should be moving downward.

I am confused why his 2seamer moves more than his splitter. I thought that wasn't typically the case. I kinda question that chart since his 4 seamer has more vertical movement than his 2 seamer. There is a lot on there that doesn't make much sense.

While I love Ted Williams, he probably wasn't even the best player of his decade due to his defense. He even admitted such.

I wouldn't consider Listach a Brewer great. If he was "great" that really says something about the franchise. Heck, Bill Hall did more for this team than Listache ever did.

I understand what you are saying, but in a situation like our bullpen this last offseason, value over contract is exactly what should be measured. We hardly had any payroll to spare, had young cheap guys available, and have been consistently bitten by FA bullpen signings while picking up a scrap heap guy almost yearly. With all of this information available, how could you not evaluate Hawkin's signing based on a value over contract?

Tell that to Doug Davis. His career literally started upon learning a cut fastball. I believe he picked it up pretty quickly too.

Oh man! That stuff is the BEST! But, its a very specific taste and very acquired, and can see why people wouldn't be all about having never had it. That further makes me think the Redbreast 12 would really be the route to go. Thats what my friend who suggested it said. And the guy at the liquor store when we bought it. It was just too much for me, but I have no doubt its good stuff. My friend still has a little left. He will let company have it, and will have a glass now and then, but its not something you drink on just a regular Friday when you are pregaming to go out for sure.