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JohnBriggs12

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Everything posted by JohnBriggs12

  1. JohnBriggs12
    The best lefty reliever available in FA is J.P. Howell, who's not a pure loogy, but he does get lefties out (.200 BAA vs. lefthanded hitters). There's other guys that could be available in trades, Matt Thornton being one, as Donnie Veal was outstanding down the stretch. Thornton makes $5.5 million, the going rate for a quality lefty arm. Either way, they need an upgrade over Parra for sure.
  2. JohnBriggs12
    161 games to 139 is the deciding factor for me as well. Trout had zero value for 23 games. I gave the edge last year to Fielder over Braun based on Braun missing a dozen or so games. Not many consider that but it's something to factor in.
  3. JohnBriggs12
    Shields has put up ace quality numbers the last 2 seasons. He's a bargain at 21 million over 2 years. Rays will want pitching back but they also have a need at 1B. The Brewers have enough numbers in young pitching to afford to let one or two go. I'm not sure the Rays would consider Gamel all that attractive though and they could hold out for Morris. That being said, this team is pretty solid and a rotation fronted by Gallardo and Shields is pretty formidable. Dealing Morris would enhance Hart's bargaining position for sure, but I still think he'd be within budget.
  4. JohnBriggs12
    Yes please stop the "trade Braun" stuff. Baseball is a game that flourishes in part because it gets handed down from generation to generation. Some of us are old enough to remember Eddie Mathews and Hank Aaron in their primes in Milwaukee. We kind of had that ripped from us in the mid 60's, but Aaron's return as a Brewer 10 years later was special. Robin Yount sparked a new generation of fans that revere him to this day. Molitor isn't nearly as revered. Ryan Braun is this generation's equivalent. His value as the face of the franchise far exceeds what he'd bring back in a trade. Keep him. Enjoy watching him. It'll be over fast enough and he'll be heading to Cooperstown, and all of you will forever be telling your grand kids about the great Ryan Braun.
  5. JohnBriggs12
    If the thought is they need to balance the youth with some veteran experience in the rotation, Shields does make a lot of sense. I don't think he'll come all that cheap though based on what the Brewers gave up for first Marcum and then Greinke. Rogers and Gamel are both out of options and not really all that young and thus expendable from a Brewer perspective considering they'd get a known quantity starter back. Perhaps the Brewers were more inclined to shut Rogers down in the midst of his pitching well to preserve trade value more than preserve his arm. While I've posted I can live with the relative inexperienced staff, Shields does make sense.
  6. JohnBriggs12
    Whoever bats 7th in this lineup is frequently going to hit with men on. Gomez hasn't had the respect of opposing pitchers to this point, but he's getting there. It will be in their interest to pitch carefully to a guy who can hurt them with the 8th and 9th hitters following. Either they'll continue challenging him (and getting hurt) or they'll start walking him more. That's why I don't worry about walk totals in this case. Gomez brings power, speed and an energy that helps this team.
  7. JohnBriggs12
    I don't like the one game playoff. But I didn't like the divisional playoffs either. Baseball's gotten too far away from it's roots. Thirty teams is such an unbalanced number. I'd eliminate the divisions all together and go with 2 15 team leagues. Play each team in your own league 10 times per year. Play 22 games vs. 5 teams in the other league. The top 4 in each league make the playoffs with the top 2 getting home field in first round. If some years, there's no drama in September, so be it. That's been true for much of baseball history and it doesn't make the game any less appealing.
  8. JohnBriggs12
    The Brewers were 2-9 in Randy Wolf's last 11 starts. In 4 of those 9 losses, they scored 6 runs. They were reluctant to pull Wolf from the rotation despite the fact he carried an ERA over 5 virtually all season and as it turns out, they had young guys capable of replacing him. If they were to sign a middling veteran FA to a multi year deal, they are stuck with him, at the expense of any number of promising young starters in their system. If the guy performs, fine. If he turns into Suppan or the 2012 version of Wolf, it's costly. Other than the top level FA, which are out of their price range, if they feel they need a vet, the focus should be on a guy who'll take a short term deal, be able to start or relieve, and be a guy they can move to make room for a young guy.
  9. JohnBriggs12
    The question about "having 4 young guys in the rotation" is based on a false premise. Estrada is 29 (turns 30) next year and has 32 major league starts. Fiers is 27 and like Estrada is older than Gallardo. He's got 22 starts. Rogers will be 27 on opening day next year. The only one of the group that's still "young" by baseball standards is Peralta, and he's not a kid. Yes they are relatively inexperienced with 66 major league starts between them but consider Oakland's 2012 staff. They had 4 guys combine for 90 starts this year that came into this season with 14 major league starts between them. One was a first round pick. Two were middle round draft picks. One was a 29 year old that was never drafted.
  10. JohnBriggs12
    "If ONLY he walked more" Well his splits suggest he did try to be a little more patient in the 2 hole (1 walk every 16.8 PA) than he did hitting 7th (1 walk every 52.3 PA). He also hit a lot better in the 7 hole: .320/.346/.567. Lesson? Let Carlos be Carlos. Walks in the 7th spot aren't that important. Gomez has a power/speed combo that few have. He's not ever going to walk much. Even if he does become more patient, teams do not want to walk him as it's like giving up a double. As to Invader3K's point about Schafer, I'm sure he earned the 4th OF spot with his play. They'll find him plenty of AB's.
  11. JohnBriggs12
    Until I saw Rogers and Peralta perform, I'd have been on board with Sanchez but not now. Of course its no guarantee that every pitcher works out. It's likely one or two won't but now is the time for both Rogers and Peralta to be given the chance and Fiers and Estrada did nothing to not be in the picture at the start of next year. They'll have Narveson in reserve too. He can start the year on rehab in Nashville. They'll also have Thornburg and Burgos starting there and Nelson, Jungmann, and Bucci starting in Huntsville. It's not like there's no depth in the high minors now like there has been in the past. Okay you'll say won't they need veteran leadership? Perhaps, but what's to stop them from a midseason acquisition? They clearly have the depth in the system now to go out and get someone and the payroll room to take on a contract for the short term. Bottom line is I think they'll look for a guy who can start but who's willing to relieve to give them a little added depth. Now if a true number 1 or number 2 shows interest, that's a remote possibility true. But I wouldn't hold back guys for an Anibal Sanchez on a long term deal.
  12. JohnBriggs12
    I'd put Jim Slaton ahead of Sheets. Slaton won 117 games and had 69 complete games as a Brewer, much of that time while the team was still basically an expansion team and his ERA of 3.86 was accomplished in the AL East of the 70's that had powerhouse Boston, Yankees and Orioles and the designated hitter. Not only that, as a FA, Slaton chose to return to the Brewers after one year in Detroit.
  13. JohnBriggs12
    Stinson is not exactly a strikeout pitcher, and if he struggles, they'll probably throw Livan in there. It's going to be tough. Veras has strikeout stuff and he's rested. Give him 3 innings and they have a chance. He might walk a half dozen trying to strike everyone out, but it might work.
  14. JohnBriggs12
    My excitement is tempered over the fact that they played in the same division with not one but two 100+ loss teams and one of those teams won't be on the schedule next year.
  15. JohnBriggs12
    There is an article hinting the Pirates may non-tender Jeff Karstens. OK. ok, I realize this guy has been public enemy #1 in the past, but I like combativeness and when healthy he's been pretty good (1.207 and 1.147 WHIPS the past 2 seasons). If the Brewers are looking for a nice value on an under the radar vet, they could do worse.
  16. JohnBriggs12
    I wouldn't bring him back. His last 6 weeks of good work doesn't erase the first 20 in my mind. He did prove that he's not done, and worth a shot for some team, but I just can see a couple tough outings early next year becoming a "here we go again" scenario. I can see them bringing him back though. He's clearly a favorite of Roenicke. Henderson and Kintzler showed enough that they don't need wholesale changes. The need a guy to replace K-Rod, and they need a quality lefty like a J.P. Howell. That's where I'd concentrate my resources. Let K-Rod, Loe and Parra go elsewhere and be someone else's problem.
  17. JohnBriggs12
    The reliever I'd go after hard in FA is J.P. Howell. He rebounded from a bad 2011 with a solid year. He's been exceptional in the 2nd half. He's lefthanded (a dire need in the bullpen) and he turns 30 in April. He's more than a loogy too. He won't come that cheap, but they have money to spend in the pen just by non tendering Loe and Parra.
  18. JohnBriggs12
    Aoki's skill set as a leadoff hitter is the closest thing they've had to Molitor since he left. Teams can't defend him. He fights off good pitches. He steals bases at an 80% clip. Need a bunt? Check. Need him to work a walk? Check. Need him to turn on one? Check. Batting 2 spots ahead of Braun is a lethal combination.
  19. JohnBriggs12
    He's signed next year for $1.25 million and Brewers have a no-brainer option for 2014 for $1.5 million. Talk about a bargain! He's fine in RF. Brewers have Gomez and Schafer (who's looked really good) for CF. If you move Aoki to CF, you weaken 2 positions. Some have hinted at Gamel in RF, but why? This team leads the league in runs scored without Gamel. Barring a trade, there's no reason to feel you have to open a spot for him.
  20. JohnBriggs12
    He's struggled a bit over his last 4-5 starts. Guys do that. His overall numbers are still good. He goes into next year with a rotation spot (the number is meaningless) that's his to lose. They have other guys capable if he loses it, and he still has minor league options if he does. I don't see the big deal. He's logged a lot of innings and his command went away a bit. He didn't start the year all that great at AAA, and then found it. He's earned the benefit of the doubt.
  21. JohnBriggs12
    Ho-hum. Usage was rampant. That's really not news anymore is it?
  22. JohnBriggs12
    I think a lot of us feel that way. Part of it is that it's so unexpected that it's a bonus. For me it's exciting because we see what this team can be when it's functioning on all cylinders and there's no reason to think it can't be carried over into next year. Last year, things were somewhat bittersweet knowing Fielder, who was a beloved player and a huge part of that team, was all but gone after the season. In particular, the fact that the team they are trying to overcome is the Cardinals makes it special too if they can pull it off. Last year, they had the Cards dead and buried and look what happened. It would only be justice if they can turn the tables on them
  23. JohnBriggs12
    Let's hope Sveum can rally his troops and take a couple from the Cards. I can't believe I'm saying this but: Go Cubs Go.
  24. JohnBriggs12
    The Brewers SS are 13 out of 16 NL teams in OPS. They have a total of 61 RBIs but 15 of those were Gonzalez. So those guys may have combined for 60 but only 46 when playing SS. Losing Gonzalez hurt quite a bit But they also found out that Bianchi can play a little and it focused them on getting a SS of the present and future in the Greinke deal, which were both positives.
  25. JohnBriggs12
    Or if Narveson and Marcum hadn't gotten hurt, Estrada would have spent the year in the pen and Fiers would be getting mop up innings after spending all of the year at Nashville and if Grienke hadn't been traded and Wolf finally released, we'd have no idea that both Rogers and Peralta would have inside tracks to rotation spots in 2013. Or if Mrs. Lucroy hadn't dropped something under the bed in a hotel, Maldonado would have honed his craft at Nashville in hopes he'd get a look in spring for a backup job. Or if the D-Backs didn't think highly enough of Cody Ransom to claim him back, Jeff Bianchi would not have an inside track on at worst a utility job for next year. Finally if the bullpen implosion wouldn't have been so pervasive, perhaps Brandon Kintzler would have just been forgotten about and Jim Henderson would have just been that veteran minor league reliever who had a nice season. The list goes on and on doesn't it? Playoffs or no, 2012 will go down as the year the Brewers were exposed as underestimating their own talent and by the same token overestimating some of the veteran talent that was here.
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