JohnBriggs12

so I think $85MM could be low, especially since Attanasio said the Brewers payroll this year (after Hairston and K-Rod) was around $95MM. I don't see much wiggle room myself, if I did the numbers right. We would be close to $90M before shortstop costs. I would assume that Melvin would want to start the year around $90M and have room to trade for dollars if the Brewers are in it. $35.7M for starting pitching (all the same) $10.0M for relievers (assume a couple of free agent grizzled vet(s)) $10.0M Weeks, $9.0 Hart, $8.5M Braun (inc. prorated signing bonus), $2.8MMcGehee, $6M Gomez+Morgan+Hairston, $2.2M Lucroy+Gamel+Green+backupIF+backupC $4.0M KRod buyout $1.6M Sept and injury callups It's going to cost them more like $38 million for the same 5 starters that they paid roughly $33 million to this year. They really need to get the total for starting pitching back down to $30 million. Marcum figures to get a $3 million raise and Gallardo gets $2.25 million more. That's why I believe it's a certainty that one starter gets traded. That guy won't be Gallardo. It could be any of the other 3. Greinke is not the same guy he was for the Royals two years ago. He just isn't and it doesn't make sense to sign a guy long term for upwards of $15 million per year who's turning into Carl Pavano. Paying something over $16 million for the combo of Wolf and Marcum seems extreme to me also especially given the $13.5 going to ZG.

Just the term "manager" as opposed to coach implies less control of what goes on. A knowledgeable baseball fan could "manage" a baseball game probably as well as an experienced major league manager. Much of the manager's job is like that of a manager in any business. It's setting an atmosphere conducive to getting the most out of those working for you.

I am very much looking to read his memoirs. I heard him on an interview several years ago hint he had some inside, never been revealed stuff, on what happened in the final years of the Braves in Milwaukee. For those that don't know, Bud and his group were essentially hired by the Braves ownership to run the team the final year in Milwaukee, because none of the owners dared step foot inside the state much less County Stadium that year. I have a lot of suspicions about those days that involve certain people in the game, namely Walter O'Malley and Phil Wrigley, pulling strings behind the Braves leaving town and later blackballing Milwaukee for an expansion franchise because it had the audacity to fight baseball in court and I can't wait to get Bud's take on it.

The real El Caballo is actually pretty nifty around 1B and he still has a knack for driving in runs, never having fewer than 89 since 2002. But this thread isn't exactly original. I suggested Lee as a possibility in the thread on 1st basemen. Astros would have to pick up half his salary (which I think they would do) and would have to accept minimal return.

It's hard to see the Cubs involved because even if they got Prince, they still don't have starting pitching so that's where their focus is going to be. Now if say it were a year from now and Fielder were available, the Cubs would be all over him. Now barring a huge deal elsewhere, Boras may want the Cubs involved and be willing to wait a year. In that case, Fielder could accept arby from the Brewers and delay his FA until next year. Nobody mentions this as a possible strategy, but it's not out of the question.

From the All Star break on including the postseason, Betancourt hit .276/.294/.439 with 9 HR and 44 RBI in 294 ABs. They would have been hard pressed to land that production in a trade. The screaming of many fans was due to the echo chamber effect helped in part by some loud media voices. Loud voices shouted about his lack of range before he ever played a game. Fans who otherwise wouldn't be paying attention see a play where he doesn't get to a ball or makes a token effort knowing he won't get to it, and it's "Ah Ha". They totally ignore his good fielding qualities, his perfect feeds to 2B on double play balls, his quick release turning double plays, and his relatively strong arm. This from the same fandom that once had a SS who made 37 error in one season (Jose Valentin). The problem Betancourt has is it's easy to see his shortcomings especially if you are looking for them, his lack of patience at the plate his occasional appearance of lackadaisical effort defensively But it's easy to overlook his attributes too. He will knock in some runs. He's got decent power for the position and he'll generally hit for a decent average. Look his lack of patience is obvious, but where he bats in the lineup, it's also not nearly as big an issue if he batted near the top of the order. Betancourt never has been an All Star caliber player and likely won't be. His lack of patience limits where you can put him in the lineup. So yes, it's worth exploring upgrading there. But if you allow for the fact that the first half of 2011 he was adjusting to a new league, it's reasonable to expect him to hit .270/.290/.400 with 15 HR and 70-75 RBI next year. For that reason, he'll be a starting shortstop somewhere as he has been for the past half dozen seasons. There's some guys out there that are clear upgrades, but not as many as some think.

When did I ever compare Peralta to Green? I was using Green as an example of how this organization feels about young talent that could help the big league squad. They tend to shy away from using them if they don't have to. Peralta is going to have to dominate AAA and force their hand. No, Peralta was in consideration as the #5 starter this spring until he didn't perform and the job was given to Narveson. I fully expect Peralta to get a chance again this coming spring. You didn't have to compare him as using Green as an example of the Brewers using rookies or not using a rookie is dependent on the player. No, Peralta was in competition for the temporary spot due to Greinke's injury. Eventually Estrada beat him out. Narveson went to ST last year with the 5th spot locked up.

Peralta has logged 100 more minor league innings than Gallardo had before his first callup. I fully expect a starter will be traded as 2 of them are under control one more year and the other has an expensive option for 2013. Peralta will have first shot at that spot. But he won't be the only one competing. Estrada, Fiers, and De la Cruz will also be competing to fill that spot and I think they'll bring in one more veteran low level FA type too.

One of two things happened to McGehee this year. One is he was his own worst enemy and kept putting more and more pressure on himself and what would have been a year that was a little off his first two became a terrible one. The second was that he really wasn't as good as his first two seasons indicated. I think the consensus with the Brewer brass is the former and he'll be given another opportunity next year. But unlike this year, he will at least be challenged for his job in the spring. At worst he likely makes the team as a corner utility guy sort of comparable to the role Wes Helms had his entire career with the exception of 2003 when he was primary 3B for the Brewers. If he's still struggling in whatever role two months into the season, he'll just be released. I don't think we should lose sleep worrying over it. If he returns to form of 2009, he'll be a contender for comeback player of the year. If he doesn't he'll be gone, and the 3B job will go to someone else, be it Green or a guy they bring in. He's a genuinely good guy, and I'd like to seem him do well and put this year behind him. Whether he does or not we'll find out.

While Marcum's playoff meltdown was stunning, to me even more disturbing was Greinke's performance. While obviously not as ghastly bad as Marcum, Greinke showed no signs he was anywhere near the dominant pitcher that won the 09 AL Cy Young. Greinke was so unimpressive, that it's caused me to do a 180 and say no way should they extend him at least not for anything near what's been talked about. With Marcum's trade value having plummeted and sorely in need of a couple months of return to his early 2011 form, I'd explore dealing Greinke while he may have some teams interested enough to give some quality back. Certainly the case that you couldn't possibly pay Fielder because you need that cash for Greinke, to me is completely flawed. Greinke isn't a guy I'd give a big long term contract to.

Rickie Weeks and Corey Hart are reasonably good at making baseballs go far. I think it's really important that the Brewers don't break the bank for Fielder, and instead go for a much more balanced lineup. Hart and Weeks are very good hitters, Green projects to be at least average. Maybe somebody like Carlos Pena could fill in at first if Gamel isn't going to be in the plans. Weeks and Hart are good hitters. Fielder is an elite hitter. Balanced lineups get you balanced teams, half wins, half losses. Elite hitters in the middle of your lineup get you into the postseason with middle of the pack pitching. The Cubs had a balanced lineup this year. Where did that get them?

Trade Greinke. He's nowhere near the dominant pitcher he was in 09. His career path looks more like Kevin Millwood than John Schmoltz. He'll likely be a decent innings eater going forward but his days of posting sub 3 ERA's are finished. In fact he'll struggle to get much below 4. He's going to want far more than he's worth. You won't get what the Brewers paid for him but he should be able to bring you a solid young major league ready or near ready arm.

Please don't extend Kevin Millwood er I mean Zach Greinke. Fielder at the right price would be fine with me. He's not going to be easy to replace and this team isn't exactly an offensive juggernaut.

The postseason taught us that they better hold off on signing Greinke to any long term deal and maybe think of locking up Axford instead. Marcum has killed his trade value, but Wolf might have enhanced his. They better be ready to give young pitchers like Peralta and Fiers good long looks in the spring too. They also might be wise to try and bring back Saito for one more year. Hart's days in the OF appear numbered as he's lost most of his speed. Maybe 1B should be where he goes. But he's not a leadoff hitter and he's going to have to hit somewhere in the middle and learn to like it.

Weeks' upside is such that you really can't sit him. He can give you a bomb at any time. It's frustrating watching him when he swings through pitches, but he has the ability to turn around the best stuff in the game. There aren't many guys in baseball for whom that can be said. As has been pointed out, the options aren't very appealing either. It's one thing going from a struggling Hart to a Kotsay. Its another going from a Weeks to a Counsell.

Sign Jason Kubel and Reed Johnson and platoon them in RF. If you want a cheaper and very good defensive option, just sign Johnson and platoon him with Morgan. Then platoon Schafer with Gomez in CF.. Assuming for a second they did land Reyes, imagine the speed they'd have up and down the lineup with Reyes, Gomez, Schafer, Braun, and Morgan in the mix. That's not even counting a hopefully healthy Weeks.

OK, I'll bite 1. Morgan RF 2. Weeks 2B 3. Fielder 1B 4. Braun LF 5. Hairston 3B 6. Betancourt SS 7. Gomez CF 8. Kottaras C 9. Wolf P I'd have the same guys but I'd stick with Weeks in the 5 spot and Hairston 2nd and I'd have Kottaras 7th and Gomez 8th. Weeks has failed to get the big hit in the 5 hole, but Hairston is a table setter, not a 5 hitter. At some point Weeks has to get a big hit in this series if they are going to survive. Having Morgan and Gomez both in the OF can only help Wolf. The last thing they need are more balls that should be caught going for extra bases.

Pitch selection? What? Obviously the results have been different.Marcum has been throwing significantly fewer changeups and breaking pitches recently than he has throughout the season. I think is change up % has been cut in half. He's not keeping anyone off balance with his offspeed pitches...and a guy who's fastball tops out where Marcum's does can't really afford to have hitters sitting on it.Nobody knows this more than Marcum. It's not the pitch selection. That's a symptom not a cause. It's command that's escaped him. Pitchers that rely on their change need command of their fastball to get into favorable counts. Marcum is either missing off the plate with his fastball and getting behind or leaving it over the plate to get hammered. His change is effective when it's below the knees. When he's behind in the count, 2-0, 3-1, hitters that are zoned in are not going to chase it. So he's trying to paint in that situation and he's missing.

Kid? That comment shows how under the radar the Nats really are. Michael Morse was one of the premier sluggers in the NL last year. He hit .303/.360/.550 with 31 HR and 95 RBI, and he's absolutely torched the Brewers. He's the reason they aren't interested in Fielder. They moved Morse to 1B full time. He's no kid either. He turns 30 in March. Briggs, I am talking shortstops here. I forget the kids name that they like enough to dangle Desmond. I realize how good Morse was this year. Sorry, I misinterpreted your post. Anyway I agree. Everything I've read about the Nats involves OF and pitching.

I always wondered if he was from Fond du Lac because the name always sounded so familiar. But even though he and I were the same age and I also grew up there, I don't recall ever crossing paths with him in my youth. I may have, but I just don't remember. My sympathies to his family. He left us far too soon.

Kid? That comment shows how under the radar the Nats really are. Michael Morse was one of the premier sluggers in the NL last year. He hit .303/.360/.550 with 31 HR and 95 RBI, and he's absolutely torched the Brewers. He's the reason they aren't interested in Fielder. They moved Morse to 1B full time. He's no kid either. He turns 30 in March.

Nobody is complaining about Kotsay being in the lineup, or even hitting second. They're literally all complaining about him being in center field. I wish you'd address that if you're going to defend Roenicke so vehemently.Correct. Hart was 0 for 4 and didn't hit a ball (even foul) hard all night, and misplayed a fly ball into a double. If you feel the need to get Kotsay in there, that's where you put him. We don't know that Morgan or Gomez wouldn't have had even more offensive impact than Kotsay because neither was in there. Roenicke telling us they wouldn't doesn't make it so. We do know that either Morgan or Gomez easily catch the ball Kotsay dove for and missed, and quite possibly, Gomez even runs down the Pujols double too. We also know that Morgan or Gomez couldn't possibly have done worse at the plate than what Hart did.

I completely agree with the consensus that Kotsay had no business in CF. You want Kotsay in the lineup? Start him in RF instead of Hart who looks lost both at the plate and in the field. Yo is not a ground ball pitcher. Oh he'll get some, but mostly, he's a strikeout, flyball guy. He needs good outfield defense. They'd have been better off with Braun in CF. Kotsay's solo HR didn't make up for not getting to a ball virtually every CF in the league catches with ease. LaRussa is running rings around Roenicke in this series. It would be almost laughable if it weren't so agnozing to Brewer fans who waited so long to get in this position.

rawbecht, That ball that Morgan didn't get was crushed. The ball Pujols hit out was such a bad pitch that virtually every guy in their lineup would have gotten the same result. He's fortunate it stayed in the park. Had he gone 6 innings, he probably would have allowed 10 runs.

In the 35 games combined that Marcum has started the Brewers have a 16-19 record. In the 28 games Narveson has started, the Brewers have a 16-12 record. It's hard to make the argument that a guy with an 8.11 ERA in his last 30 innings is better than anyone. Narveson last started on Sept. 25. That would be 3 weeks between starts. He should be able to go 80 pitches easily. He's made 3 relief appearances in the playoff in blowout losses, and all 3 hits he's allowed are HR but he has fanned 8 in 4 1/3. So his stuff is still good and likely in the spots he was in, he wasn't pitching around guys like he might starting a game. Another plus is he turns around Berkman, a much weaker hitter from the right side.