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JohnBriggs12

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Everything posted by JohnBriggs12

  1. JohnBriggs12
    If he's impressive enough this spring, maybe you start the year with him, but I don't think they can afford to "hide" him an entire season and only use him in non pressure situations. This isn't the 2003 Brewers that were coming off a 106 loss season that basically did that with Matt Ford. How did that work out anyway? Ford never pitched another big league inning. If he succeeds and shows he can contribute and not just take a roster spot, fine. If not, wish him well and offer him back to Pittsburgh or try and work out a trade. Duke has a June 1st opt out. That should allow some time to see if Wang can handle pitching in front of 30,000 people or not without damaging the team's chances. If he can't, well, it was worth the gamble I suppose.
  2. JohnBriggs12
    Based on what? A handful of spring training games? While I agree with your assessment of Overbay generally (at best old Lyle might be able to put together a month or two of decent play), I think Francisco's woeful production over the last 6 weeks on 2013 sealed his fate and they are just hoping a hot couple of weeks in Arizona might produce some value back for Fat Juan. Francisco is one of those guys whose good stretches while quite amazing, don't last very long and who's bad stretches that are really bad, last considerably longer. Then there's that defense, well actually lack of defense. There will be other options besides Overbay available as teams reduce their rosters. Smoak or Carp likely could be had for not much return.
  3. JohnBriggs12
    If you believed everything being written about players this time of year, you'd be convinced every team is coming north with 35 players, not 25. The Brewers on one hand have been publicly marveling about Francisco's awesome power this spring. But they still went out this winter and looked at virtually every other option available at first base, eventually bringing in a flawed guy like Reynolds and the aging Overbay. If that's not a lack of confidence in Francisco, I don't know what is. So Rosenthal is speculating on a landing spot for "Fan"cisco. It gets people talking. That's his job when it comes down to it.
  4. JohnBriggs12
    Castellanos played 130 games in LF at AAA last year and only 27 at 3B. But really his offensive numbers above A ball have been fairly ordinary, so there is a need there for a fall back guy. If the Brewers can parlay a hot week or two in Arizona for anything back for Francisco, then Melvin's a genius. I'm certainly no fan of Francisco or Overbay at this stage for that matter, but at least Overbay knows how to play the position.
  5. JohnBriggs12
    I would assume Murphy still has options? Not sure about Romine. Both were 2nd rounders, and even though the Brewers don't seem to have a pressing need, either would strengthen the position in the system. It wouldn't necessarily mean they'd replace Maldonado this year. That being said I still think the idea of a 3 team deal with either Seattle or the White Sox, who have a real need at catcher, is a realistic scenario.
  6. JohnBriggs12
    Garza's under contract through 2017 with a vesting option for 2018. Do the Brewers really want to lock themselves in with Gallardo on a deal that overlaps the Garza contract or is that money better spent buying out option years and one or two FA years of the guy on the staff with the real upside, Peralta? Gallardo's had a nice string of years, but if he's tied to a QO, his price goes down just as it has with Jimenez and Ervin Santana. So there's a chance that he accepts a QO for at least one year, or if not, he brings a draft pick back. Either way, they avoid long term commitment for multiple pitchers over 30.
  7. JohnBriggs12
    I think the real interesting question is when Braun puts up another MVP worthy season which I suspect he could, how many voters will leave him off their ballots entirely? The point being he won't have to give up the one he won. He may well be denied one or two more he deserves based on his production.
  8. JohnBriggs12
    If he's good this year you pay him $13 million for 2015. If he's good in 2015, extend him a qualifying offer. With draft compensation tied to him, his market price will be diminished, and in anticipation of that he could take the QO. I don't see him getting to the level were draft compensation wouldn't be an issue for teams interested in him. So why guarantee him that or more now?
  9. JohnBriggs12
    If you assume the Dodgers would deal Van Slyke for Weeks, it would depend on how much of Weeks' deal LA is willing to pick up. Van Syke is nearing 28, but his minor league numbers the last couple seasons are very intriguing.
  10. JohnBriggs12
    I'm not sure I'd pick up his $13 million option for 2015. At least we'll have this year's performance to base that on. I think their focus should be on extending Peralta, and perhaps Estrada assuming both perform well this season. There's a pretty significant risk that from 30 on, Gallardo's career path matches someone like Aaron Harang. Gallardo is a guy who you might benefit from giving a qualifying offer to after 2015. Maybe he'll take it, so you have him for another year, perhaps at a slightly inflated amount. If he doesn't he'll have draft pick compensation tied to him. But no long term commitment.
  11. JohnBriggs12
    Giambi didn't give his back. Bonds didn't give any of his back either. Sosa still has his. Clemens hasn't given back any Cy Youngs. I don't think people care all that much.
  12. JohnBriggs12
    Until a couple of these younger guys now getting the long term deals start breaking down and/or their production falls off, I see the trend continuing. You have to be careful though on who you give these deals too. Not all work out (cough,Weeks, cough)
  13. JohnBriggs12
    Amen. I know Weeks has struggled for 1 1/2 of the past two seasons but if this were the return, I would rather play Rickie and see if he can recapture any of his previous abilities. Weeks has struggled in 2 of his last 2 1/2 seasons, the lone exception was the 2nd half of 2012. He was bad after the 2011 All Star game as well: .229/.347/.386. In 2012, Keppinger hit .325/.367/.439 in 418 plate appearances, including .376/.439/.806 vs. LHP. How is that not considerably better than the Weeks of 2012-2013? For whatever reason Keppinger struggled last year with Chicago. My guess is he put pressure on himself to live up to what for him was a big contract, and for the first time he was in a big market. I'm not like most on here and think it's critical to platoon Gennett. Not with all the RH thunder in the lineup. But if you're going to do it, get a guy that's accustomed to a diminished role (Weeks is not), and has a record of success that's a little more recent, and has good career splits vs. LHP, and oh save $4 million or so.
  14. JohnBriggs12
    He shouldn't worry about it unless Ovie (my guess) actually makes the team.
  15. JohnBriggs12
    Welcome to the real world. It's supply and demand. There's a much larger supply of guys willing to sacrifice in pursuit of their dream than there are jobs available in the minor leagues. If it's too much of a hardship for them, somebody else will take their spot. Many minor league teams operate on a shoe string as it is. True some additional funds from the parent clubs might be in order, but they'll likely try and diminish signing bonuses to compensate and that won't sit well with agents.
  16. JohnBriggs12
    Ok here's a deal that should satisfy the naysayers that insist Gennett should only play sparingly vs. LHP. Three way deal involving Brewers, White Sox, and Yankees. Brewers get Jeff Keppinger. Yankees get Weeks via the White Sox. White Sox get Francisco Cervelli. Keppinger is coming off a bad year and is persona-non-grata in Chicago with 2 years and $8 million owing on his deal. Keppinger vs LHP career wise is .318/.362/.467, so assuming some rebound in familiar NL Central, he'd be a nice fit as platoon partner at 2B and insurance at 3B. Downside is Brewers would owe Keppinger $4 million in each of next two seasons, a lot for a utility guy, but less than they'd have to pay Weeks for one year. If Keppinger were to bounce back, he'd give Brewers additional option in post Ramirez 3B derby in 2015. White Sox would get much needed help at catcher position where they are particularly weak. Depending on how much of Weeks' salary they'd have to pay to ship him to NY, they still would be relieved of an $8 million obligation for Keppinger so their additional expense if any would be minimal. Yankees would get former All Star at a position of need at a presumed bargain rate.
  17. JohnBriggs12
    The major league and farm system should be looked at as one organization. While they may not have much in the way of prospects on the farm at some positions such as SS and 2B, both are now being manned on the major league level by guys who haven't yet reached their 24th birthdays. As for catcher, relative to most organizations, they are also very well positioned with 2 relatively young catchers at the major league level each under control for 4 more seasons. Their minor league system isn't devoid of talent there either. Coulter has a way to go defensively, but Houle was an 8th round pick out of HS with plenty of potential. He held his own at 19. Berberet had a 43% CS rate for Appleton last year. I'd like to see a big time bat at 1B and a solid 3B prospect. Maybe Rogers can be that guy at 1B. There's time to still draft and develop the lower level guys everywhere else.
  18. JohnBriggs12
    When I was 12 years old, our team lost a game when our runner (the tying run in the bottom of the final inning) was sat upon by the opposing catcher before the ball got to him. I had scored on the play and was standing right near home plate and witnessed the entire thing. The catcher was standing up in the baseline, and our player tried sliding up underneath him but came up just bit short. So the catcher just sat on him so he couldn't move, waited for the throw then tagged him, and the umpire called him out. I completely lost it arguing (sometimes good sportsmanship goes out the window) with the umpire that the catcher couldn't sit on a runner waiting for the ball. Heck I was a catcher myself that year so I had an idea of what could and couldn't be done. Finally my mom grabbed me because we had to drive to Milwaukee to pick up my older brother who had just gotten out of the Army. I steamed the entire way. The year was 1965 and funny, but that one has stuck with me ever since it was just so bizarre.
  19. JohnBriggs12
    I wouldn't rule out Peralta being one of those 2 just yet. There are not many guys out there that throw harder. When he's on, he's a very tough customer. He's been compared to a young Bartolo Colon.
  20. JohnBriggs12
    I think they'll find a way to get Rogers AB's and the most likely place with Morris around is LF. I'm sure he'll also see time at 1B. I've heard all the arguments, but in my mind, no Gindl on the major league roster puts a bit too much pressure on Davis. I'd have Gindl make a couple starts a week in Milwaukee in LF. Yeah Herrera could make the roster over Bianchi and give them that extra OF which would allow Schafer to do the same job. But I think they like Bianchi's defense enough to keep him since he's out of options.
  21. JohnBriggs12
    While it's a tough division, every team in it is flawed to some extent. The Orioles positioned themselves to be right in the mix. Kudos to them. They've drafted high up for years and didn't have a lot to show for it. They saw an opportunity they couldn't pass up.
  22. JohnBriggs12
    You generally let veterans of Ramirez' stature get ready at their own pace regardless. The revelation of the colon polyp just seems strange. Have to wonder if team is just trying to quell talk about his physical condition in the event he goes on the trading block in July and putting the blame on his delayed process on something other than his knees.
  23. JohnBriggs12
    Rotation: Lohse, Gallardo, Garza, Peralta, Estrada Pen: Henderson, K-Rod, Kintzler, Smith, Thornburg, Duke, Blazek OF: Davis, Gomez, Braun, Gindl, Schafer IF: Ramirez, Segura, Gennett, Reynolds, Bianchi, Overbay C: Lucroy, Maldonado DL: Gorzelanny
  24. JohnBriggs12
    Since Weeks appeared in the All Star Game 2 1/2 seasons ago, he's posted numbers of .221/.322/.382. That's in nearly 1,200 PA. Gennett did fine overall with no platoon partner. With such a RH dominated lineup, there's no real need to rest Gennett against every lefty. Bianchi is a decent utility player. A manager is going to want to give his utility guy some starts to keep him sharp. It makes sense that some of those will be against lefties at 2B. Cutting Weeks makes room for Caleb Gindl. Gindl as a lefty bat has more value, occasionally subbing for Davis in LF and getting another much needed lefty bat in the lineup occasionally than having Weeks on the bench 75% of the time and being the 8th best RH bat against lefty pitching the other 25%. Gindl also give Roenicke the flexibility to use Schafer as a late inning defensive replacement for Davis or Gindl, whoever started in LF. With only 4 OF on the roster, Roenicke's hands are tied in that regard. If Weeks could play 3B and 1B, in addition to 2B, then he'd spare them the need to keep Francisco or Overbay as reserves assuming Reynolds gets penciled in at 1B. But Weeks plays one position. That's why if he's not good enough to start, they are hoping to trade him but ultimately might be better off cutting them if they can't.
  25. JohnBriggs12
    Six years for any pitcher is taking a big risk, even for one who's 27. For a lower revenue club like the Reds, it's an even bigger risk. Still at today's market Bailey doesn't have to win Cy Youngs to justify $17.5 million. If he's a solid #2 for at least 4 of those 6 years, they are probably getting production in line with the expense. An argument could be made that Bailey's last couple years were comparable to the two years prior to Greinke's big deal. In that sense, he's a bargain. It behooves teams like the Reds and Brewers to have a constant flow of young starting pitching filling at least 2 of the rotation spots.
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