Tbadder

I think it makes sense to delay Harden. The pitching match ups no matter what are going to be exciting. I really can't imagine this series as anything but 2-2. I'm only worried about Bush and the amount of rest he got.

And I think that Hall is playing a little too much as Yost is trying to catch lightning in a bottle. I think you've got a good idea here, but I doubt it happens. I feel more comfortable with Branyan out there than Hall.

You gotta love that when it happens. I woulda paid to see that.

I really don't get the being upset about pulling out the jerseys. It's not directed anywhere. Is it symbolic of something? Hmmmm.

I'll tell you what I'm not a fan of--stupid athletes. I don't care how "big" the moment is. It's the end of July, and say what you will, and believe what you believe, but giving the other team, a good team, material for the locker room board. To give a good team extra motivation--you will be punished, how much and if it matters is yet to be determined. It might amount to nothing; it might amount to disaster. There isn't a man I hate more in baseball than LaRussa, but he's vengeful and intelligent. The idea that someone like him can't take advantage of a young, inexperienced team is naive at best. Now, do I think that the season will hinge on this--not really. The Cards will get blasted in New York this weekend and it could be over for them, the life sapped out of them, by the middle of August. But why take the chance Ryan? Why? You can't see the replay? It's not as much of an accomplishment? I learned the hard way myself. When I was a sophomore in high school I was playing basketball against John Andersen (Michigan, Green Bay, TV celeb). He was really slow and he couldn't jump at all. I took advantage of him all game, embarrassed him in front of a huge crowd. I never reacted. I put my head down and did my job. Near the end I thought I'd sow my wild oats. I deked him right, went baseline to the other side of the rim and monster reverse dunked on him. He looked up and the ball came down in his face. I bike pedalled back on defense smiling the whole way. He called for the ball down low and the block, faked one way and swang his elbow around the other way, caught me right in the mouth. Well, blood was everywhere and three teeth were missing, and it wasn't worth it for a moment of needless stupidity.

Everyone in baseball knows that the Cards have a right to plunk Braun and Hall. I'm sure that LaRussa will not forget, and if Yost/The Crew get in a tit for tat response the Brewers will pay. Tony screwed us last year by baiting our team, and he'd love nothing more than to get us again. Very, very stupid Ryan.

How about the the entire current St. Louis starting staff? Who decided to make Looper and Wellmeyer starters? I don't know who becomes a free agent next year, but at 12.5 million for a guy like Soup I'd rather take some chances on conversions etc. The price for Soup is just too much and the money would be better spent elsewhere when the marketplace acts dopey. It looks like McClung's conversion will be complete by next year. I'd rather have 125 to 175 innings of him and drop a big contract on Hart or Fielder, than pay Soup his 12.5 mill. And gas prices? Don't even go there. I have a 50mpg hybrid after owning an 18mpg Oldsmobile. I'm still paying less in gas that when it was 2 dollars a gallon. There's always ways to get around a marketplace that overinflated. Peace Dan

Throw my name in the pot, and thanks as always no matter the outcome. Are you "buying a stairway to heaven"?

In my job I'm paid to think out loud. To try and come up with all the possiblities, no matter how weird they sometimes are. That bleeds over onto this board often, I say things to try them out, to gather opinons I wouldn't have thought of, etc. Well, I know that can be annoying, and I know that sometimes I've been labelled or not taken as seriously because of that, but despite that people here really do treat others with respect. If things do go wrong and get a little (and I emphasize little) tit for tat, it's because of the shear amount of knowledge and passion represented here. This is not just a great board; it's a great resource for anyone interested in increasing his or her baseball IQ. I love this place and never miss a day.

Yeah, you're right. I think I'll change mine to Rausch.

Marmol

What kind of everyday player can I get for 12.5 million? How many young kids can I get for 12.5 million to work 200 innings in a AAA shuttle? I know 200 innings is valuable; I really don't disagree, but I'd spend my money elsewhere. At 12.5 for Suppan, I'd rather up the stakes and pay Sheets 18 million or CC 22 million. Or find two McClungs and pay them 4 to 6 million. The market is outta whack. And in this case the market is wrong. There are better bargains out there to be had. So while I respect what you guys are saying I'll stick to my guns on this one.

I can totally see your point Logan. I just remember him being sent down last year and coming up red hot. Maybe the same type of thing happens. I do agree. He is a high effort guy generally, but maybe (and this is supposition) it'll allow him to focus better. just speculating.

I'm thinking that this shows that maybe the baby Brewers are maturing. I'm hopeful. The only really bad bump in the road I see is the first 4 against St. Louis. Otherwise, I can see .500 or better the last 28. St. Louis 1-3 Atlanta 2-1 Cincy 1-2 Padres 2-1 Dodgers 1-2 St. Louis 1-1 Pittsburgh 2-1 Philly 2-2 Cubs 1-2 Cincy 2-1

This is one of those quiet moves that CAN pay big dividends. It might not be anything other than meh, but then again what if he gives a super hot 2 weeks near the end of the season ala Branyan or Kaplar. An excellent move Dougie! P.S. It might light a fire under Rickie.

Why would they be nervous. They are the best team in the NL Central even as banged up as they are. Both the Cards and Brewers are going to vault over them? If they're confident and patient they'll have no problem. On the other hand...

God that seems pretty one sided if true. the Crew must not think Angel can play catcher at all. On the other hand if it is Angel, I bet Lucroy isn't the PTBNL in the CC trade. If he is it's doubly senseless. And their PTBNL better be a pretty good pitching prospect.

Right now? At this point? Yes, I would make Cleveland send LaPorta to KC and we'd get Soria in return. No brainer really.

Just announced on ESPN. No details, other than for 3 minor leaguers.

New York City fans are gonna tear this guy apart. Too bad really.

I thought Pena was having problems all season finding the strike zone? I also assumed that once he figured that out he'd be called up. If the Brewers are doing this please, I repeat please, let it be Mota and not Stetter.

Do you have something personally against Braun, that he is a D for effort and an F for other things yet Fielder gets a B and a C. Braun has a better OPS, is not near the butcher in the field and while Fielder does work more, just over double the times, Braun has more home runs, RBI's, strikeout per at bat are similar and Braun has been much better with RISP. This is where walks are valued too much. Yes Braun would be a lot better if he walked more but to give him an F just does not make sense. While Prince is two full letter grades ahead of him in both rankings yet doing worse at the plate and in the field. I'd give Braun a B for execution, nice transition to the outfield, good power--but the F I gave him is for wasting his talent (although I realize that wasn't made explicit). Braun has a chance to be an Albert P. type hitter, a once or twice in a generation player, but his plate discipline is bad, and it's getting so obvious that it's almost laughable. Get two strikes and throw the ball into another zipcode and he's gonna swing. When is he gonna learn? When is he gonna be professional enough, intelligent enough, when is he gonna care enough to lay off of that pitch consistently and then start punishing pitchers who have to come back to his zone? Does he watch tape? I'm serious, he should embarrassed at times. I know that all good hitters are going to look bad on two strike pitches out of the zone and in the dirt sometimes, but to do it so consistently is a tragedy to me. Now if he doesn't have the physical ability, or the mental acuity to be a better player, then I'm just wrong and so be it. My expectations were that he would have a ..300 to 310/.375 to .400 line, but he's not giving himself a chance. He's wasting his talent and hurting his team in the sense that he is not fulfilling anywhere near his potential.

Again, this bullpen has a ton of potential I think. With McClung and Villy able to give three innings at a time if necessary. If they were used truly in long relief (sorry for repeating--three innings at a time when needed) then bullpen use would be down for the other pitchers, which I think would make them better down the stretch, fresher, etc. if we nuke Mota for DeFelice or Dillard we would also marginally improve. The tweaking can be done with the current roster. I'd have Melvin concentrate on Durham right now.

I think there are only a few grades that matter. Melvin A for effort, B for execution Yost B for effort, C for stupid players dragging his grade down Braun D for effort, F for hitting his head against the wall, tragically mindless approach at the plate has turned him into a .275 hitter (my prediction for end of the year average) when his talent says .310, lousy OBP, instead of elite he's merely good, I just shake my head Fielder B for effort, C for lack of improvement in the field, slovenly ways, I can't believe this guy eats in between outs on the field, he's pig and he's gonna eat himself outta the league, has trouble bending, can't hit the low ball because of it, but the guy has a brain and a heart at the plate late in the game, tries to hang in there and get his pitch unlike Braun who can't wait to get back to the bench Weeks B for effort, D for execution, I love how this guy tries so hard, extra fielding, constant work, he just doesn't have it, too much potential to give up on (you just know if they trade him he'll breakout and embarrass everyone except Utley) I give him one more year Hart B for talent, A- for effort, the best player on the Brewers, B+ for execution, if he really works on his defense and makes himself into a centerfielder the addition of Gamel could give Milwaukee the best outfield in baseball, love this guy Gagne No Grade for effort, D- for execution, I just feel sorry for this guy, he knows how truly bad he is, his career while not in jeopardy is in effect over, fans will make him into a caricature wherever he ends up, a failed experiment, but if it woulda worked guys we would be looking at a possible 7 first round/sandwich picks next year, too bad, I'm really sad about this one Sheets C for effort, A- for execution, making a contract run, boy oh boy, was I wrong about this guy's make up, reports that he sticks to himself, and hasn't really been a team player is disturbing and unfortunate, I'd love it if what I've heard isn't true and that I've got it all wrong, lately he's reverting to a thrower and not a pitcher, when is he gonna get serious a perfect that change up (which would make him absolutely devastatingly good instead of merely an All-Star)

I'm hoping that by Friday, Braun learns not to swing at the o-2 pitch 12 inches off the plate. Think man think!