TwinsBrewersWorldSeries

should be 2-0 right now.......... gotta hate running into outs

i'm going to say 0-6... just because that means ANY wins are gravy http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif On a positive note, i predict a 12 game winning streak immediately following a Billy Hall trade

get rid of Yost........ rid of him NOW

IF we trade prince this offseason (whoever we're trading with will have Prince under their control for atleast 3 seasons). Hopefully he rebounds in the later half of the season and ends up around .280/.350/.550 40 HR/110 RBI.... if so, i'd imagine we would be able to get an absolute HAUL in prospects for him. Assuming Sheeter stays healthy this year, and assuming LaPorta would be ready to step into 1B next season (if not the OF).... the Brewers should sign Sheets using Prince's $$$$, and target 1/2 really good arms with Prince as trade bait. I'm not sure the Yankees make great trading partners, especially since they seem to have "gotten it" about needing to develop their own (less expensive) players.... but they are heading into their new ballpark, will have a huge surge in revenue, and probably want to make an offseason splash. They can sign away (for FA pitchers, probably going to lose patience with Joba and Hughes anyways). Anyways we could steal BOTH Joba/Hughes, or a similar package from another team in exchange for Fielder. We'd still be a year away... but Braun, Hart, LaPorta, Gamel, Hardy would be a pretty good core by 2010... and a rotation of Sheets, Yo, Joba, Hughes, Villy/Parra would be lights out.......

I'm sure some will read the thread title and wonder if I intended to make it blue. At first glance, one would think that that Florida Marlins are one of the worst franchines in sports, especially considering that they often play first place baseball in front of home crowds smaller than 10,000. However, after reading the Hanley Ramirez article about him signing a 6 year $70 million dollar deal, it occurred to me just how much "talent" has made its way through Florida in their first 15 years of existance. Sure, their stadium stinks, the weather stinks, the ownership stinks, but in order to stockpile and continue to reload the type of talent they've had, they surely have had some decent GMs. You could argue that they "bought their WS rings", but in many ways they built up a team, traded for a few missing pieces, and then traded away the team to load up for another run. I'm sure many thought they were throwing the white flag after their trade with Detroit this past winter, but i think in actuality that they essentially are well positioned for another title run in the next 3-4 years. Does the franchise deserve it (or does the fan-base deserve it)? No, not really. But the fact is they are MUCH better at reloading/rebuilding than Milwaukee. Does that have to do with the weather? The low/no income tax in Florida? Miami beach? Like it or not, they have 2 WS titles in the past 15 years, we have zero. They are in first place, our 2-5 starters haven't won a game since hte first week of April. What gives?

EDIT: I realize Arizona has the best record in baseball, and isn't going to trade one of the 5 best pitchers in baseball, however, to take that next step, this is the type of player we need to target either in July or the offseason. I would in a heartbeat give up a combo of Fielder/Parra if it ever meant the return of this type of player... http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/webbbr01.shtml#TRANS I noted that he is now 7-0 on the year, and at this pace is a strong bet for 20 wins, maybe even 25 wins, and after looking over his stats, I was stunned to see how remarkably consistent and durable he is. After looking over his 5+ year splits, I'm not sure there is another picther in baseball that I'd rather have. Clearly, the D-Backs will not let him go any time soon. He's signed through 2009 with an option for 2010. Making $5.5M this year, $6.5M next, and $8.5M in 2010, the guy is an absolute steal. The D-Backs were forunate to buy out two years of his free agency (2009 and 2010) at a very modest salary. He'll be 31 at the end of his deal, but I imagine that if there is ever a pitcher to give a 7 year $200 million dollar deal, its Brandon Webb. Now if only Ben Sheets were this consistent! Was this simply a "diamond in the rough" when he was drafted 8th round in 2000, or was his amazing run of 5+ years completely unexpected?

Well..... we had the Cleveland Indians of Milwaukee so anything is possible

i might further add.... if we are consistenty over .500 for the next 4-5 years, the next TV contract (for us) is going to be MASSIVE compared to the current contract. Especially if the Bucks continue to struggle, and the Packers slip "post Favre". Yes, its a financial risk, but Mark A might be able to increase the value of the TV contract by 20-25 million PER YEAR if he plays this right, and by around "year 10" of his ownership, the team could have easily doubled in value. We're aren't throwing $$$ at mediocre free agents here. These are players we've controlled for several years. We know their injury history, their potential, and after years of being at the bottom, they are the best of the best from their respective draft classes. If we aren't going to take a chance on THESE players, when are we ever going to find players worth taking a chance on. Assume Year 2011-2012 Braun $15M Hardy $8M Hart $12M Weeks $10M Hall $8M Yo $12M Villy/Para $8M each thats $83M for 8 players.... how exactly are we going to afford the rest of the team if we don't make atleast some of the contracts economical? i know that not everyone will pan out, and simply put, we can't keep everyone, but we can definitely keep more players if we do this Arizona/Colorado style, than if we go "fielder style" on all 8-9 of our "premium players"

to me, its isn't about the extra year. its just about not spending 90% of our payroll on those 4 or 5 players when they are in year six. If each of these players continues their current pace, they are ALL going to make $10M+ by their sixth year of free agency. The only way we can afford them all (or most of them), if they are signed long term at a reasonable rate. Reality is, we are going to sink or swim with this group. We've been building this group for over five years, and if they don't pan out, or win us a ring, we're going to have to reload again and start over. Might as well try and lock up the group together for 4-5 years, so we have more than one shot.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3334498 Apparently Arizona offered essentially the same contract that the Rockies did this offseason to Troy Tulowitzki. This is really locking in the market for Ryan Braun should we decide to extend him in the coming months. I know MA has made an offer to Ryan, and i'm guessing its pretty close to these two deals. I guess teams are gambling after only one "breakout year", but as has been alluded to in other threads, its all about sharing risk. If a player hits .280 with 40+ HR and 100 RBI, they might make a jump to $10M/per by year three, but that is a big if. $5M per sounds about right, with an option for a free agent year. Hell, if I was MA/DM, this is exactly the contract that i'd offer Weeks, Hart, Hardy, and Braun. $20M for the foursome will be an absolute steal in a few years, and i'm sure most, if not all of them would take the offer (not sure how long Weeks is signed for since he signed a major league deal after being drafted). Noticeably, i haven't listed Fielder, who is unlikely to sign any deal anyways, so i'm content to pay him $10M per the next two years, and then trade him for the mothership of prospects so we can keep 2008 Cy Young Winner Ben Sheets

<<< 16 million for 2-3 years might be in their budget, but 16 million for 6-7 years probably isn't, or if it is, it definitely means Fielder is leaving. >>> I said it earlier, and i'll say it again. I'd rather have Sheets than Fielder. Prince is a nice player, but simply put, #1 pitchers are much tougher to find than great 1st basemen (especially if LaPorta turns out to be decent). I know the argument is that we can't pay Sheets AND Fielder big money once Hart, Hardy, Weeks, Braun (and later Villy/Parra/Yo) start making money, but i think that 2-3 years downt the road, we'll be priced out of Fielder anyways (and Matt should be ready). As was noted earlier, outside of Sheets and Suppan, our starting rotation should be dirt cheap the next 2-3 years. If we make an economical use out of our bullpen, we should be able to afford to pay Ben $16-18M. If Ben is willing to sign a 4 year deal ($64M to $72M range), i think we'd be stupid not to do it.

Personally, i think Sheets is more important to the Brewers (over the next five years) than Fielder. What we're facing is testing Mark A's resolve to be a winner. In the short term, he (Mark A) might need to absorb a slight loss financially to afford a winning team, but this will only make the Brewers that more marketable when the new TV/Radio deal is negotiated. I really believe that we can become the Oakland A's of the late 90s early 2000s, and maybe get over the hump by keeping our team intact. It might require a payroll of $110-120M, but i really believe we can keep nearly everyone worth keeping in the fold on that budget. Without Sheets, we maybe can still be competitive, or challenge for a division title, but to win in the playoffs, we need a Sheets. A pitcher of his calibur will cost equal, if not more on the market, and we simply do not have the goods to trade for a Sheets without significantly weakening some other part of the team. 4 Years at $15M per with a team option for a 5th year at $20M should get it done. It could be a "franchise crippling contract", but the fact is, we will never be closer than we are now to reaching/winning a world series. If we don't resign sheets, the window is closed, and it doesn't matter who we are paying.... Given his injury history, i think 5 years $80 million gets it done.

We did an amazing job (atleast for the first couple months of the season) in winning series... it was like 10 of the first 11 IIRC, but simply put 3-0 is much better than 2-1. We are going to have some tough series against great teams this year, and we need to finish off the bad teams when we start a series 2-0. Hopefully the offense can get atleast a couple runs for Big Ben today

oops... i see another Bush thread down lower on the page... feel free to locky if the mods feel the threads are too similar. FTJ- who do you see being bumped from the rotation when Yo is back?

I really like Bush, and think that he can eventually put it together, but with Ben, Jeff, Manny, and Villy all throwing outstanding in their first start, is there pressure for Bush to pitch well in his next start before Yo comes back? Someone will have to go to the pen, or be sent down to AAA when Yo is ready to go. I realize limiting Parra's innings could be a factor, perhaps with Yo as well this season, and given our injury history, we'll certainly need depth, but I just hope Bush doesn't press too much in his next start. I remember our rotation have an amazing start to the season last year, and IIRC, somewhat of a downer in May. Parra definitely showing the promise that we saw early in his minor league career, and it looks like he could be a very good player for us for the years to come.

Bill Hill ?? When did the Clintons become Brewer Fans? ok ok bad bad.. but thats the first thing i thought of..... Jamie's Brewerfan Shutdown thread got me as well...

Sorry if GBPH Anyone have any additional information on how/when we can purchase tickets to the KC-MIL spring training games at MP. I had heard somewhere that it would be $10 (any seat) for the game Thanks much!

Can't say I did see this coming. I wonder if Indiana will fire him immediately or wait? If our program had a coach like that at Wisconsin, i'd be demanding that he/she be immediately fired. Glad we have class acts in BR and BB. Amazing how a "clean" and prominent program can go downhill so quickly. Then again... they did hire "trash" two years ago. When are colleges going to learn that once a dirty coach, always a dirty coach, or is the pressure to win really gotten that bad?

As a Twins fan... this deal makes me want to puke

Great deals for the Twins. Hunter is in his prime, but won't be anywhere close to worth the money when his contract ends with the Angels. Carlos was average and replacable. If our young pitching starts the season well i think we can do some things... As for Santana... a new stadium, we have the dough.... No better way to stick it to Boston and NY than to sign Santana long term. If the season starts well, offer Santana 5 years, $125 million, and he'll take it.

Anyone have any thoughts for the season? I've found that I think Bo Ryan does his best coaching when alot isn't expected out of a team. I think he is GREAT at taking a mediocre team and making them Conference Champion Calibur, but has not been able to take a Conference Champion Calibur team to a National Champion Calibur team. I think most people are predicting 18-20 wins for the Badgers and anywhere from 8-10 Big Ten Wins. I think most would be satisfied with a 20-10 (9-7) regular season and an NCAA bid, but given the heights of the program the past decade expectations will be high, even in a rebuilding year. I don't think we'll see a return to Bennett ball, but I think the defensive intensity will be very high this year. I actually prefer a Badgers team without big name "hyped players" and rather enjoy seeing 12 kids work their butt off to play well as a team. Call it the Patrick Ewing effect, but i think the Badgers maybe could go 22-8 (11-5) and surprise quite a few this season. Jason Bohannon is going to be a special player, and this is the last hurrah for Brian "Water Buffalo" Butch ON WISCONSIN (Edited to add tags)

Hey guys, thanks for the feedback... got swamped for a few days with the final setting of the levy & budget. We talked things through a bit earlier this week, and it looks like we're back on decent terms for the time being (although I am more forgiving than others). Technically, I am his direct supervisor, though I usually let another administrator set his daily schedule. I find that I get along with just about anybody, but people get under my skin when they stop being team players and hang their colleagues out to dry. Honestly, i think the guy could make alot more money in private business, but doesn't understand the benefits (both health insurance and other intangables) that make the public sector a great place to work. Basically, the tech director (in my district or a similar district) - Maintains the District Servers/Databases - Maintains the district software packages/labs - Sets up or oversees the set-up of new equiptment - Coordinates a team of 5-6 "technology staff" - Maintains the technology needs of a district with 300+ employees, approx 1500 students, and approx 300 computers I'd say that an experienced tech director in a smaller size of average district probably makes in the neighborhood of $60-70K (more in a larger district), with full health insurance (schools plan), pension, dental etc etc... 12 sick days, 3-4 weeks of vacation I want to salvage this, since replacing an administrator is a pain in the arse, but i also gotta realize that good chemistry in a leadership team is essential. Ultimately, the decision rests with the school board (short of a major problem developing), but we do alot of peer review in the district, and one could argue that my position could replace that person under the right circumstances. Administrators sign either a 1 or 2 year contract (that is periodically renewed) and its non-union, so there really isn't an issue of someone is "non-renewed"

The DH is to blame for the AL winning the last 2,543,678,980 All Star Games in a row. Maybe Barry Bonds is to blame. In all seriousness, i don't know that the DH has a major impact though the AL has won 6 of the past 10. That said, if you take out the Yankees 3 year run, its 3-3 in the past six. 2006: St Louis (NL) 2005: Chicago (AL) 2004: Boston (AL) 2003: Florida (NL) 2002: Anaheim (AL) 2001: Arizona (NL) 2000: New York (AL) 1999: New York (AL) 1998: New York (AL( 1997: Florida (NL)

I have a technology director working for me that is one of the 10 minutes late, leaves 10 minutes early guys. He is a salaried employee, yet never works more than a 40 hour week. He does not stay on task well, he does not react well to his supervisors, and he doesn't follow my instructions. I for the most part have a "hand off approach", but when I have a critical system problem with my office, I expect things to be fixed immediately, or the whole organization is in jeapordy. I have (from a time related/urgency related/timeline related) the most essential positition within the district but he never-the-less does not understand that makes certain tasks higher priorities than others. Of my administrative team, he is the only "non-team player", is never seen in evenings/weekends, and often complains about salary. He gets full benefits (pays zero for a family health plan) He works a 220 day contract (8 weeks paid vacation) He gets a damn good retirement plan I'm trying to determine if he's just a bad apple, and I should get rid of him, or if he just really is underpaid, and I need to find more financial resources to make him a more content employee. As a rule, when budget allows, I like to reward the people that work hard, are team players, go the extra mile, and never complain about their salary. They are probably think they are worth more, and work darn hard to show me they are worth more, and are smart enough to understand that i'm not an idiot and will reward the people that work hard. So, to recap. Technology Director (for a school), works 220 days/year excellent benefits, excellent retirement, looking for someone with say 5 years experience. What is that going to cost me? (Keep in mind that i'm in a smaller town and not in a metro area). Masters degree not needed, but a 4 year degree is a must. Maybe Brian or some of the IT guys could give me a "ballpark" of what I should expect to pay out in salary.

So now can we trade Ned Yost and Bill Hall to St Louis for Tony LaRussa and Albert Pujols? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/tongue.gif Bummer, can't say i'm thrilled to have Tony still managing against us.