Tbadder

Cameron for Kennedy and Igawa and Cabrera. We get rid of Cam and a bad contract (which sn't that bad considering production, but one that will give us plenty of mid-season felxibility), they get rid of a bad contract as well. We get picthing depth (maybe Kennedy is even a no. 4/5 pitcher). We do lose a number 2 pick probably, so I'd ask for another mid-level prospect. I might throw in Hall if they'd bite.

I miss Barry Bonds. Now way he does this.

I think the Adam Dunn observation is great. Whenever he strikes it feels like he's accomplished something, but when Corey goes down it just seems weak, a matter of being overmatched.

Macha is a plain spoken guy. That's both a strength and a weakness, but more strength in the end in my book. If indeed the follow up to criticism is a positive approach with a struggling player then I think a lot of good will come of it. For now, I think we need to give him the benefit of the doubt. It's also my impression that Villy is mentally tough on the mound, so why couldn't he take a little criticism from the boss?

For me, I really pull for Rickie. Maybe it's just me, but it seems like he's always working, always trying, always listening to coaching. Sure there's some things I got a beef about with him (that bat waggle drives me nuts) but overall I see improvement (despite backtracking somewhat offensively last year); I see desire. I see a good teammate. Now, I realize those are all observations (so be it) but when he gets on base it's so obvious that he reeks havoc with the other team. Go Rickie Go!

What a sad, sad state of affairs. discipline, respect, team, come from the way people do their jobs--not from how they look. How one looks is merely social convention (which is neither good nor bad) or the expression of people with power to make others do their will. The first lessons that anyone learns in this life is that you can't judge a book by it's cover. Unfortunately many, if not most, don't believe this. Now if the way one looks interfers with the way someone does their job, then by all means rules have to be set. If I work hard, help others succeed, sacrifice for the greater good, then what I look like should be of little consequence. The 28 inch rule is ridiculous unless it can be truly proved to make me a better hitter, fielder, catcher, runner, or thrower. It might. But lets see data, otherwise it's just some guy who likes to exert power because he can or because he "thinks" it builds something it doesn't. Adults, when treated like adults, will respond. And those that don't will be fired anyways and it will have to do with performance and not the color of their hair or the kind of tie they wear. Sheer silliness.

Oh I realize how good Higuera was. When it was 3-2, you just knew the hammer was coming and there wasn't a thing a hitter could do. It was a thing of beauty.

I think Brewer fans have every right to be timid when it comes to pitching prospects. Last night on MLB Network they recognized Teddy Higuera as the organization best all-time pitcher! Teddy Higuera? You gotta be kidding me. He's the best we've produced since 1970? Isn't that a little sickening? Heck, I don't even believe in Parra, why get starry-eyed about Jeffress? I was really big on Gallardo, but now he's one injury away from forming a pattern ala Benny. So yeah, I feel completely gunshy about any pitching on the prospect radar. I think once the Brewers produce a real wave of pitchers, four, five, six of 'em just like Rickie, JJ, Corey, Braun, and Prince then we can find the confidence to believe.

I think that Wright and Green will get starts this year. I think McClung stays in the pen. I'd love to see Suppan in the pen. There's the place where we need an innings eater once a week!

Not interested, but what a bunch of nice guys around here. Without being weird, this really is the best site going.

This seems to be a long range versus short range argument. It's true the Brewers will never be able to keep all their best players, so intelligent decision making is of prime importance. After reading this thread I've become convinced otherwise. JJ seems to be the guy to lock up, along with Gallardo. Fielder has to go and Hart too, and depending on what Rickie does this year, probably him too (he'll be taking away Escobar's only other viable starting position). That makes Escobar a 2nd baseman or trade bait, and that's dangerous, because his value is so undetermined. If he's as good as billed defensively and he keeps improving offensively at the same rate we could be giving him away. The Crew cannot afford to be wrong about him. And although we currently have a mid-market salary that can't last. A small market can't afford that level of support long term, unless it becomes a tax haven for the rich (this is an ironic, sardonic, joke obviously in Milwaukee, Wisconsin). Soooooo...I guess right now I'd wait. Whoever suggested that Escobar stay two years at AAA is probably on to something. That'll give us time to jettison other players and see what we get in return. Once that return is ascertained then Escobar can be inserted or otherwise. Long term the Crew has so many holes it's ridiculous. We obviously need a catcher, a 1st baseman, a 3rd baseman, a centerfielder, a rightfielder, and probably a 2nd baseman after this year (though I'm still holding out hope). Hardy and Braun and Gallardo really do appear to be the only five year solutions. Now you might say that we'll simply plug in Gamel, Jeffress, Cain etc. but to my mind their status is far more uncertain than Escobar's.

The answer here is quite simple. The Brewers can't afford Hardy. If a team has a replacement player who is in the same stratosphere, they have the use the money to fill real holes (places where they don't have near replacement value).

Right now I'd say we should move Weeks after this year with the thought of putting Escobar at second. Escobar's extreme range should help out Fielder tremendously. I like Hardy plenty, but I'm betting when all is said and done Escobar will be the best defensive shortstop in the history of the Milwaukee Brewers. For an organization that struggles turning out pitching prospects, players who play elite defensive should considered premium players. Unfortunately, the Brewers are exactly the kind of team that has to continually trade 26 to 29 year old players who are hitting their prime because of financial constraints. That said, I'd rather have Hardy go via the trade because he's gonna be a very, very rich young man. Weeks will always be affordable.

Okay, ask me how I like Melvin, and usually I'll gush. But I think he has bliners on when it comes to DiFelice. We need guys in the bullpen who can log multiple innings, and guys like Julio are not going to get it done. I'm also pro-Nelson and believe that the Brewers have to do a better job at giving their marginal prospects a shot. I like McGehee over Lamb because of defense, but realize we might be forced to keep Lamb for other reasons.

So A-rod is gonna have surgery that will clear up most of the problem. Then after the season he'll have another surgery to finish it. Sounds risky. Love it. Can't have enough of that "win now attitude!" Go Yankees!

It reminded me of an old adage my college basketball coach used to spout: they only thing wrong with basketball is the fans. It is so easy for some fans to be crueler than cruel, and although I don't think that's the reason Odom is dead, it does reveal an ugly streak we are all prone to. I hope his mom and dad aren't living. Tragic.

It reminded me of an old adage my college basketball coach used to spout: they only thing wrong with basketball is the fans. It is so easy for some fans to be crueler than cruel, and although I don't think that's the reason Odom is dead, it does reveal an ugly streak we are all prone to. I hope his mom and dad aren't living. Tragic.

I would literally pee myself if Hall was traded to the Yanks. I just can't imagine they'd be that dumb though. Unless Hall for Igawa (bad contract for bad contract) and something else.

Found this trolling around and thought it was interesting. Of course Hall and Suppan are on the list. http://www.springtraining09.com/features/the-44-worst-contracts-in-base.php#below

I think the problem with believing in Salome (count me as skeptical) is that too many of the high profile Brewer prospects have no position--Angel, Gamel, Lawrie, and formerly Braun. When Braun had his extraordinary rookie season it was a shock to many of us that nearly all his value was lost because his glove wasn't even minor league ready, much less major league ready. Now, luckily we found a good fit for Braun, but it behooves a team to turn out a diversity of players not just 1st basemen, leftfielders, and Dhs. In addition Angel's body type makes him an anomaly. Can't help it, it just does. Hopefully he turns out to be the next Toy Cannon or the next Kirby Puckett, but that just seems too much to hope for at the moment. For sure the Brewers have to give him a shot. They gotta find out if he's the real deal, but my expectations are tempered. On the other hand I think Escobar is rated too low. And I wonder if that kind of thinking isn't also a product of Brewer organizational weakness. We just don't turn out many elite defenders, so is this exception gilding my point of view? probably. But I still like him better than 19.

Yeah, a Chone Figgins who jacks 25 dingers a year and hits .342! Anything but catcher--please.

Overall I love it! Wish they would show more games before 1960.

Great news about Lawrie working at second. If he's that athletic I think he can be moved to 3rd eventually. I'd like to see Lorenzo in AAA this year. I'm betting he tears it up in Huntsville. Too bad about Nelson, woulda liked to see him get a shot, but cest la vie.

I really believe this could be the best thing for the Brewers. I felt a "premature call up" coming on, and positively dreaded him breaking with the team after spring training. He needs a full year in AAA after last years finish/minor controversey. Lets not rush people.

I think they'll go with Gwynn. They'll let him play himself out of the majors, and halfway through the season pick up a real bat. Who that will be I don't know. Some grizzled veteran to provide a spark.