Never Outhustled

Theres no way I replace jenkins with a guy having a bad year when were entering the part of the season when jenkins historically has dominated. Its better to just go with the guy we already have. So Otsuka would be 1, but who is the other 1? Turnbow is bad, and is showing hints of another collapse. He has allowed almost all inherited runners to score, yet his teammates have been almost perfect in stranding his leftovers, yet his ERA is still a pedestrian 3.71. This team needs to concentrate all its resources on a contender caliber setup man.

I find it interesting that so many say Weeks is struggling so badly, yet his OPS while playing injured is just 63 points lower than Hardy's, who is actually healthy. Weeks will never have a sub 330 OBA like Phillips or Hardy, which will always give him an advantage over those players.

I wasn't huge on his prospect status in the past, but this doesn't drop him at all in my eyes. It shows he is willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. Minor leaguers are tested more than major leaguers, so its not like he built up his prospect status while taking performance enhancers the whole time.

1. Weeks 2. Hart 3. Braun 4. Fielder 5. Hardy 6. Menchkins 7. Estrada/Miller 8. Gwynnanino

I think it will definately help getting him out of the 8 hole, and getting him back to the leadoff spot. Pitchers don't want to risk walks leading off the games, which means less breaking balls. Rickie can still hit the fastball. His speed is a major asset on the bases, and leading off minimizes his inability to hit with RISP. Also, leadoff is a good spot for a strikeout guy, despite the tired, old cliche. The only negative to Ks is they don't advance baserunners, and theres fewer runners on for the leadoffman. Strikeouts have no corelation to OBA.

I've posted Benoit as a trade target in years past, because he has a terrific arm, and is out of options. I'd love to add him now. He's having a great year, and would be even better if curved his stats for switching leagues and pitching in Miller Park instead of the Ballpark in Arlington. Texas wasted most of his career trying to make him a starter, he fits much better out of the pen. He would likely be our 2nd best reliever.

The goal of any lineup is to maximize runs scored. We know that the teams with the highest OPS score the most runs. Therefore, you try to put togother a lineup that gives the most ABs to its highest OPS hitters. Hart, Braun, and Fielder are, and will likely continue to be, the highest OPS performers, and have to be in the top 4 spots in the lineup. For every spot in the lineup you drop a player, it costs him 20 ABs for the season.If you were to drop Braun from 3rd to 5th like you have in your lineup, you'd be giving Braun 40 less ABs for the season. That would be like benching him for 10 games. I think you'd agree that that would not be ideal. Adding a leadoff type would decrease the teams ability to score runs, as most leadoff types have average to low OPS, and lower than what we could could put in LF. I'd like to flip Braun and Fielder, because batting in front of Fielder has minimized Brauns basestealing ability.

Plus, Griffey wouldn't necessarily be a huge upgrade. He might help, but that's not enough to justify the kind of offer we're talking about -- and you don't make trades to "make a statement." A trade wins you games or it doesn't. I agree. We've held on to Jenkins for years because of his 2nd half surges. Now isn't the time to give up all the trade chips to push him aside. I'd still be trying to shake loose a top starting pitcher, and a top late inning guy.

It is a worthwhile idea. He would be a valuable reliever. Despite his struggles, he is still murder against lefties. He just can't seem to do anything against righties. Have they just figured out his funky delivery, or is it something else? I would think a Mike Maddux cutter would give him a valuable weapon against righties. It would probably never happen, but its still worth monitoring the situation. Florida is a team that would covet Gwynn.

Actually, Nathan is signed for 2008 for $6 million. Thats a bargain, and drives his price up. I'm interested, but I dont think we have a match. The Twins need a legit hitter.

The reason I don't get too worked up about Bonds steroid use and how it effects records is because of the never talked about massive steroid abuse by pitchers.

Actually, it could go alot longer than that without rest. It really won't go away until a guy gets some time off. When did Obermueller lose 8 MPH off his fastball after a 130 pitch start? I didn't just pick a random 6 games to take off his stats, and I didn't just chalk them up to an off day. The radar guns didn't have off days. His stuff was missing. Theres a reason every manager who is still employed adhires to pitch counts. If you don't, the results are disasterous.

Morris is pretty good overall, but I wouldn't want him for the playoff push, as he been even worse than Cappy down the stretch the last 3 years.

Thanks for the update. It sounds pretty similar to the injury Aquino had. What did it take him to start pitching again, 3 weeks?

If he was overrated last year, how do you explain this year? If you subtract the 6 starts he had during his deadarm period his season ERA is 2.63. I think its pretty easy to erase the deadarm stretch because I'm pretty sure Ned Yost wouldn't let him throw 130 pitches in a start. He is back to throwing 94, after topping out at 86 during the deadarm stint. It sounds stupid that the Reds didn't give him a week off earlier, but I guess thats why Johnny Narron is unemployed now. If you curve Arroyo's Boston years for league and park effects, he's been better than Capuano every year, and its only been close in 2005. The kicker here is Arroyo is red hot now when we need him, while Capuano is historically a poor 2nd half pitcher. The difference between them for the remainder of the season would likely be a 2 ERA or more. My offer probably is a bit low, but I think its a stronger offer than what your offering. Escobar is a 20 year old AA SS with MLB defensive skills, and was just picked for th Futures Game. I highly doubt Gillespie will ever be picked to play in that, and he presently is a struggling 23 year old A+ LF. Escobar fills a need for Cinci, who seems to covet strong defensive SS's, where as there pretty set in the OF, with the present group plus Uber-prospect Jay Bruce. Fermaint hasn't hit in A+, I doubt he could bring a MLB reliever with a 3.02 ERA, having a 2nd quality season in 3 years. (Spurling had a 3.44 ERA in 70 Innings in 2005.) To sweeten my deal, I'd let Cinci have there pick from our present AAA bullpen righthanders. Cinci needs more bullpen depth, so I think they'd like the oppurtunity to pick 1 from Bray, Aquino, Sarafate, Salas, and Dillard.

The Boston Globe is reporting that the Reds are considering dealing Bronson Arroyo. He was outstanding last year, and was off to a great start this year. Then on May 16th, he was allowed to throw 129 pitches in a start. Predictably, he was horrible for his next 6 starts, his ERA rose from 2.64 to 5.24. The Reds finally gave him a few extra days rest, and now he's back to dealing. He has given up just 2 runs in 20 innings this month. Arroyo is one of the most underrated pitchers in the game, and could be a difference maker for the Brewers. He's signed thru 2010. The Brewers have as much to offer the Reds as anyone, and Arroyo could be who Melvin was talking to Krivisky about when the Griffey rumor started. Get it done Doug. My offer: Chris Capuano, Chris Spurling, Alcides Escobar for Bronson Arroyo PTBNL This deal allows Spurling to be close to his family, and Escobar gives the Reds a possible longterm answer at SS that they don't have now. Including Capuano helps even out salary, and rids the Brewers of a pitcher who is historically a poor 2nd half performer. This deal could also be expanded to include Dave Weathers.

Both will be on the September roster, Rottino as the 3rd catcher, Dillon as a righty stick. Dillon will be recalled before that if we have an injury to Hart, Fielder, Braun, Jenkins, or Mench.

I agree with Molitorfan on this one, Melvin won't let Dillon walk away for nothing. The track record Melvin built was when the Brewers we not competing for the playoffs. Dillon is 1 injury away from playing a significant role on this team. Also, the players Melvin let walk in the past were not on the 40 man roster. I believe Melvin added Dillon to the 40 man roster possibly because another team wanted him, but Melvin wanted to show Dillon we're committed to him here. His addition to the 40 happened right after the White Sox, who had already been hit with a number of injuries, lost Crede. That might not be a coincidence.

You really think teams are breaking down the door for Vargas? His value has increased slightly, but not dramatically, from when he was cut by Washington. Mike Maroth was traded a few weeks ago for a PTBNL. Multiple teams are after Lofton.

I agree. Pretty confusing why the Cubs gave Hill all the ABs instead of Bowen. I wonder if Bowen will get regular playing time in Oakland, or if the job will go right to Kurt Suzuki?

Suppan off to a good start in the 2nd half. It was almost predictable. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

I did. J DLR and Vargas are pretty similar, and J DLR netted us Graffanino. Vargas is more proven than J DLR was at the time, but is less cost efective, and has less upside.

I'd love to see the Brewers add a 2nd top pitcher, and the guy I'm zeroing in on is Erik Bedard. He was real good last year, and has been dominant this year, averaging 10.9 K/9. Why could he be had? -Baltimore is out of the race -They actually have a decent stable of young starting pitching with the emergence of Brian Burres and Garrot Mock to go with Adam Loewen. -They need to do something about there offense. They're old, just 12th in the AL in runs, and have almost no position player prospects. -Bedard is looking at a huge raise being arby eligible for the 3rd time this next offseason. The package? I think his value would be similar to Hudson and Mulders when they were dealt a few years ago at similar ages and contract situations -They need a young CF, and there owner, Peter Angelos, would likely be enamored with a name guy like Gwynn -Manny Parra -Deal Capuano for a top young position player or position player prospect.We're heard of a Bush for Saltalamacchia rumor, why not Cappy for him? Cappy to LA for Matt Kemp? Cappy to seattle for Adam Jones?The position player would then be dealt to Baltimore of course.

If Gwynn was enough for Otsuka as reportedly he was, than the deal can be Lofton and Otsuka for Gwynn and Vargas, with no prospects added. Vargas is a starting pitcher, and they carry very good value right now. Lofton hasn't been worth a ton the other times he was dealt at the deadline, and isn't now. Also, the Brewers would be taking on a decent amount of salary in this deal.

The Rangers win in 11 today, yet no Otsuka. If he's healthy, I'd think he would have pitched today. Very fishy