joepepsi

Why bother to get Dunn when you have a right handed version of him (La Porta) playing in AA?

It's an interesting thought. Though stuff like this never happens, it's still fun to play around with. If Melvin was offered that trade, I'm not really sure if he'd laugh it off or accept it in a second. I'm sure that the Blue Jays would much rather have CV or Parra though. Halladay is such a horse. He'd be an awesome addition to any team. Well the idea is the Brewers need to dump Suppan to ease the payroll and the Blue Jays play along, then deal him in July. But yeah, they probably would rather have Parra or Villy, and I do that too, if I were Doug. It's not an unreasonable proposal, though it would be very tough to give up Hart.

I can see some tinkering with the lineup, but I doubt it will change things much. However, I think it's clear the all righty lineup is hurting them. There have to be more lefties in the lineup. If that means one of the "stars" sits down once in a while, or, be still my heart, is traded, then so be it.

I think Ned has to start playing his bench and let the starters know their job isn't guaranteed.

I think he has until June 15th. If the offense picks up before that his job is safe. If not, and he's fired, the season will essentially be over and you can expect a revamping of the team over the winter.

I can't help thinking this is as bad as it's going to get. However, if they aren't playing better by June 1, I believe Ned will be fired. If there's one thing he's guilty of this year, it seems to be undermanaging. He's using the same lineup every day, hoping this will be the day they break out. Meanwhile the bench players are rotting. It might be better to send a message to these kids, that no major league job is guaranteed; you have to earn your playing time every day. While I realize the bullpen is in danger of being overworked, I think he's also guilty of leaving his starters out there to fail. After Bush gave up the 2 run blast, he should have been lifted. I'd like to see Yost manage to win today's game a little bit more and worry about tomorrow's when tomorrow comes.

Last night was embarrassing against Olsen and Florida. Two innings they led off with a walk and no outs. In rapid fire each time, the next three batters hacked away, swinging at everything and made quick outs. Olsen wasn't near the plate most of the time, but team of lovable losers kept flailing away at everything. Olsen, high and away; Brewer Batter, flail and K. It's not so much the pitching. The bullpen is actually pretty good, except for Gagne. It's all about the pitching.

Why not do something drastic? Hart, Weeks, and Suppan for Aaron Hill and Roy Halladay. Halladay is owed $30 million for 2010 and 2011 + whatever he's getting this year. The Blue Jays need some serious re-working and it's time they question whether spending millions for Halladay is worth it just to finish around .500 again. They actually have a pretty good rotation and bullpen, so I wouldn't be surprised if offers are entertained for Halladay or for BJ Ryan.

I've thought all along if the team sputtered and coughed out of the gate Yost would be gone by mid-June and they'd throw in the towel. Hopefully that doesn't happen.

I'd like to see less concern with a designated closer and more concern with using whichever pitcher is doing his job and matches well with the competition.

In the last couple weeks Hardy, Hall, Braun, Hart, Braun, and Fielder have all raised their batting average about 20-30 points. So I guess I'd tell them to keep up their current approach, be patient and the hits will start coming. For Weeks, I'd say lay off those breaking balls and be content with taking your walks. Way back before the 1992 season Brady Anderson was a 28 year old failed talent, who in about 1000 major league at bats was hitting around .220. Before the season started Johnny Oates told Brady he didn't care about his batting average, just wanted him to bat leadoff every day, get on base however he could and score 100 runs that year. It was Brady's breakout year, 21 homers, 80 rbi's, 100 runs scored, 53 stolen bases, .271/.373/.449. I always thought Rickie would be some freakishly wonderful combination of Rickey Henderson and Gary Sheffield, but maybe he's really more Brady Anderson, mediocre average, excellent on base, solid slugging base stealer. That's not so bad. So my advice to Rickie is Be Like Brady.

Nice post JJ Hardy7

The Cardinals have played 21 games at home and 11 on the road. Their home ERA is about 2 runs less than on the road. Let's see how well they do once they hit the road.

Well, I didn't expect the hitting to be soooo bad, so it's difficult for me to answer the original question given the current state of the offense. I expected 90+ wins with Gallardo and a healthy Sheets, and a more balanced, experienced offense. Now, I just don't know. I'm not much into clubhouse character or Veteran Gamer or any of that kind of stuff, but one big thing the Brewers are missing is a veteran bat. Other than the Diamondbacks or Marlins, there are no other teams where the lineup is built around talent this young. The Cubs offense is based on 3 veterans, Soriano, Lee, and Ramirez. The Red Sox have quite a few talented kids on the roster, but the team is still centered around Manny and Big Papi. While the Rockies are relatively young, most of their key hitters had a handful of seasons as major league regulars entering last season. As much as it would pain me to see it happen, they may have to trade some of the core youngsters for a veteran or two this offseason, if they don't make the playoffs this year. That said, I still expect this team to improve as the year goes on, provided the coaching staff doesn't go into panic mode like they seemed to last year. I'm not sure about Villy, but Parra could be really good by August; almost a complete replacement for Gallardo. The offense should come back stronger in the heat of summer after the early season struggles. Gagne aside, I still think the bullpen is better than last year. So, I guess I this year playing out in total opposite to 2007. They're going to spend Spring learning to adjust to adversity, then really hit their stride sometime in mid-June. They are on a 83.5 win pace right now, and seem to be at a significant low point. Facing this kind of adversity and still on pace for last year's win total signals to me they are a good team. Quite possibly a VERY good team, even without Gallardo. The offense has improved over the last week or so. If Parra matures and Sheets stays healthy, the other 3 only need be average to make them playoff contenders. I think they'll be around 90 wins and in the playoffs. It's a more balanced team than last year, but one still trying to find it's way.

Wow, this is a great point! Right now I am desperate for a 5 game winning streak. A stretch where the entire rotation turns in quality starts and the hitters mash the ball. Hart and Braun have raised their averages noticeably in the last two weeks. Less noticeable is Hardy, Hall, and Prince have also improved. Hardy and Hall were around .200 a couple weeks ago. So, the early signs are there.....a breakout could be just around the corner. Then, maybe, Gagne would never have to pitch again!

Hmmm, according brewers.mlb.com: This doesn't mention anything about placing him on irrevocable waivers in order to DFA him.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a game or two against righties where Counsell starts at 2nd, and Gwynn bats leadoff and plays CF, with Cameron or someone else DH'ing.

Earl Weaver's Second Law: If you don't make any promises to your players you won't have to break them. "Your role is to warmup when I tell you and come in the game and pitch when I tell you."

How's come they're on the road so much this Spring? MLB trying to give the Cubs a boost so they can be the feel good story of 2008? I say 17-12, tied with Cubs for 1st. St. Louis drops to 3rd. Reds call up Jay Bruce and Homer Bailey in mid May, ending the month just a game behind the Cards.

If someone claims him off waivers, they pick up his contract as well, right? I doubt any team will claim him. More likely, they will wait to see if he declines the assignment and declares himself a free agent.

Suppan's ERA age 27 season: 5.32 Bush's ERA age 27 season: 5.12 Of course this doesn't "prove" anything. Except that average pitchers who can stay healthy are capable of being valuable major league starters for many seasons.

I always liked Brady. A good free pickup by Doug. Brady has no reason to hang his head. A hard nose scrappy guy who made it all the way to Major League Starter one season, and had a handful of decent seasons as a spare outfielder. Who wouldn't trade in their fiance for a chance to do the same? Good for you, Brady. You worked your way up, took your talented as far as it could take you, and knew when it was time to hang it up. Hope you invested well; you'll have some great stories for the grandkids sometime down the line.

Git 'er Done!

I think this is what's going on. Bush will be back up shortly after his minimum required 10 day stint is up. They want him to keep pitching every 5 days for now, while they evaluate Sheets' progress. If Sheets goes on the DL, Bush is ready to step into the rotation. If Sheets is healthy, Bush comes back in a couple weeks as the long man out of the pen, after they decide who to designate for assignment. If neither McClung or TBow pitch themselves off the team in the next two weeks, then Stetter will probably be sent back down until they can dump TBow.

I have no idea how to correct a player's swing and am proud to admit it!