TuesdaysWithRillo

Stay classy, Cubs fans. I wouldn't expect anything more from them.

I'd expect Escobar to put up similar offensive numbers to Elvis Andrus of the Rangers while playing at the same calibur of defense as well. Escobar could also steal 15+ bases in the remaining part of the season because of his speed. Andrus is 1.9 wins above replacement this year. Hardy has a 1.5 WAR. Escobar could provide more value from this point forward than Hardy would.

That should help the CF problem in the White Sox. I'm not sure they're going to like the move 3 years from now though.

As absolute as that sounds, I say why not? The European basketball leagues are at the same level as the Japanese baseball leagues in terms of a comparison to their American counterpart leagues. It would only make sense to have MLB teams draft the rights to a Japanese player and then work out the buyout/contract details in a slotted range later.

The NBA is a different animal, because you only need one impact player to be competitive. That may be true, but no team with one impact player has ever won a championship. Jordan never did without Pippen. Kobe never did without Shaq or Gasol/Odom. Magic never won without Kareem... and the list goes on. If the MLB put in the same salary rules/structure that the NBA had, the Brewers would be a more competitive team right now. I'm not sure there is an argument against that statement.

"And the NBA has one of the most unbalanced leagues imaginable." And guess what.. The league is not unbalanced because one team has more spending power than the other like the MLB is. It is unbalanced because some of the GM's run their teams a lot more efficiently than the others do. Have you checked in on how the New York Knicks are doing lately? I believe they are the NBA's largest market.

I think the NBA salary structure is one to look at as opposed to the NFL. They do have the world wide draft. They do have a salary cap with a luxury tax. They also have a rookie salary cap that the NFL does not have. Teams in small cities like San Antonio have put together dynasties. This is why I'm a huge NBA fan. David Stern has set up the economics and policy nicely despite the weird public perception.

I can't comment on how good this deal was until we find out who the PBTNL was, but initially it looks good because Weathers is a guy who can get outs in the late innings. We'll see what the cost was though.

Rogers is pitching in the AFL so apparently the Brewers are trying to make up for lost time and have him ready for 2011 if possible.

Very nice read, Mass. I got a chance to talk to Mike Jones at spring training and he was in good spirits and looked very focused. Boy would it be nice to see him in Milwaukee next year. Although the dream rotation of Jeffress, Gallardo, Parra, Jones, and Rogers didn't turn out, I believe another dream rotation is coming towards 2012. I agree with this, but I am confident that most of the pitchers will succeed next year in AA. I can understand your skepticism because some people want to see the proof of success at a higher level. Next year will be and exciting and very critical year for the Brewers farm system and we will all have a close eye on the Hunstville Stars if the Brewers do indeed remain there. EDIT: Not sure why the font is so goofy, but that will be the last time I use Google Chrome to post on bf.net.

I don't think a change of philosophy is needed in drafting or player development for the Brewers. I think they've just had some bad luck with injuries and that will turn around once the 2011 season comes around because we have too many good arms to not at least have a couple of them be ready to perform every 5 days in Milwaukee in 2 years. We could have a sick rotation come 2012. 2010 candidates in the minor league system: Opening Day: Josh Butler - if he has a strong spring. Mike Jones - ditto, but probably a long shot Chris Cody - only has #4-5 type upside but could eat innings Dillard - Probably a reliever though. Midseason: Periard - If he stays healthy and dominates AAA Donovan Hand - If the Brewers get killed by injuries and AAA performance is strong. We could see something like this although trades might change the picture: Gallardo Parra Bush Suppan Butler/Jones/Cody 2011 candidates: Opening Day Periard - Should arrive by then. Rogers - If he pitches 100 innings plus in 2010. Anundsen - If he keeps doing what he's doing Rivas - If he keeps getting minor league hitters out Braddock - long shot. he'll probably be a reliever. Jeffress - If he can stay off the riefer. Frederickson - Probably won't pass up the top 5. Midseason Scarpetta - If he learns some control Peralta - If he keeps lighting it up 2011 could look something like this: Gallardo Parra Butler Jones Jeffress/Anundsen/Periard I could go on to 2012, but I think you guys are seeing what is going on here. We have a finite amount of spots in the rotation opening up and a surplus of pitchers that are probably going to be ready. All we need is to hit it big on a few of these guys and then we can start complaining about how thin we are with our hitting prospects in 2 years. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

Is that 3 pitchers now on the DL in the Cubs rotation? Last time I checked, Dempster, Lily, and now Zambrano have all hit the DL. Perhaps the door has cracked open a bit for the Brewers to make a run at the division?

I have Rogers farther ahead of Braddock at this point because the Brewers haven't had to mess with him going to the pen yet (not that they could have anyways because he's been hurt so much) and he's put together a healthy year so far. Rogers is in position to be in our 2011 rotation as a midseason callup if he can pitch a solid 2010. I don't see Braddock as a candidate at this point to be in our 2011 rotation. I do see him up to Milwaukee as early as 2010 as a reliever though.

WIBadgers, I have a pretty strong disagreement with your top 10. In no way do I think that Zach Braddock is our top pitching prospect. He hasn't proven he can stay healthy and even when they baby him down in Huntsville he still lands himself on the DL. I don't think he has the durability to be an SP and has closer type upside in his future. Now, if Braddock can prove me wrong in 2010 with a healthy year as a starting pitcher logging over 100 innings, then I'll change my mind.

I got a good laugh from endaround's most recent post. One thing I might add about stealing bases: I'm glad we don't do it very often. The risk of losing a baserunner almost never is worth the extra base unless the success rate of the basestealer is close to perfect. Ken Macha was taught not to steal by Billy Beane, I'm sure.

I'll take a stab at the top 10 assuming that Casey and Gamel are ineligible due to MLB PA's. 1. Escobar - Another solid month at the plate in Nashville. His bat will play in the Bigs at SS. 2. Lawrie - Nothing special going on in Appleton with Brett, but learning a new position and still hitting solidly. 3. Lucroy - Hit well in July. Could be in Milwaukee to open 2010. 4. Peralta - No doubt in my mind that he is our top pitching prospect right now. Can't wait to see him in Appleton in a few weeks. 5. Arnett - Had a rough start in Helena, but just getting acquainted to pro ball. 6. Odorizzi - Finally getting a shot to pitch for Helena and is showing his stuff. 7. Cain - At least he's back on the field, but needs to start hitting better to prove Melvin that he doesn't need to throw big money at Cameron in the offseason. 8. Scarpetta - I have him penciled in the 2011 starting rotation. 9. Rogers - I might just pencil in Rogers in the 2011 rotation if he can keep up the good health. 10. Salome - Remains in the top 10 because of his stellar 2008, but it's been a year to forget for Angel. Honorable Mention - Braddock, Gindl, Anundson, Butler, Periard.

UPDATE: LINK Just wondering if there was a Power 50 coming out for July? Thanks guys for your effort on previous Power 50's. I truly enjoy reading them and am looking forward to see who dropped and who rose after the month of July has passed.

I agree completely, Invader3K. I don't expect the team to contend too much until they can develop the fine lower level pitching prospects like Peralta, Odorizzi, Frederickson, Periard, and the list goes on. We could catch lightning in a bottle next year on some players and approach 90 wins, but lets face it, the best chance for this team to be in the playoffs lies in 2011 after dead money like Hall and Suppan come off the payroll and more of our young pitching can develop. Signing Prince Fielder to a long term deal would be the icing on the cake to my argument, but not sure if that's going to happen so a trade for another blue chip player(s) could be a nice consolation.

It looks like John Briggs is unhappy that we didn't sell Mat Gamel for Jerrod Washburn. That's my interpretation of his notion which I strongly disagree with. Gamel will be fine. When will people stop judging players shortly after their major league debuts? Patience is key as a GM of a Major League baseball team.

Why not move Gamel to RF in Nashville for a crash course and call up up in 2 weeks? That'd be my solution to the Hart problem if I were Melvin.

That list is about as attractive as Roger Federer's wife. I'd rather let Lucroy/Salome battle it out in camp for a spot and give Rivera the other spot. I'd also try to divide the playing time to 50/50 between Rivera and Lucroy/Salome. If I were Melvin, I'd also explore the trade market to see if a catcher is available for cheap. Oh please help me if Jason Kendall is on our 2010 roster.

This just doesn't make sense to give Burns another start. I'd rather try and catch lightning in a bottle with a pitcher that other teams have less of a scouting report on like Chris Cody. I'm not sure how the Brewers can value Burns as our 5th best healthy starting pitcher right now in our system. If that's their opinion, I flat out disagree with it.

[insert Irrational cut at Doug Melvin here] I am glad that Melvin didn't make any moves because I trust in him based on his track record and assume that if there were no good deals out there where we wouldn't have to overpay greatly for a player that probably wouldn't get us to the playoffs anyways. As far as selling, I'm glad we didn't do that either because I'd still like for this team to compete in 2010. We can make the trades we need to make in the offseason as most of our surplus is offensive value and the general rule is that hitters are more valuable and get a greater return in the offseason as opposed to right before the trading deadline.

Not to mention Frederickson and newly aquired Heckathon. I'm still pretty high on Periard as well. This team could have some nice young pitching come 2011 and 2012.

Just about every team has dead money on their payroll, and a simple solution to the issue would be to imitate the NFL's policy: If you don't perform, you get cut and your base salary is gone.