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JohnBriggs12

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Everything posted by JohnBriggs12

  1. JohnBriggs12
    No, he said it on WTMJ this morning at around 7:20. My guess that's it's Estrada is based on 2 things. One, Parra is not stretched out, and they might need a guy to go multiple innings today. Also that Macha wouldn't have mentioned it if were Braddock because they'd have to clear a roster spot for Braddock. The other reason I think it's Estrada is that if he's not needed today, I think they'd give him a start Thursday to give Narveson an extra day's rest. Macha also said something to the effect, if the guy they are bringing up pitches well, he will figure in. The way he said that, it sounded like he meant the rotation.
  2. JohnBriggs12
    Macha said another pitcher would be added today but that it hasn't been announced. I'm guessing it's Estrada.
  3. JohnBriggs12
    You're right Ajay. The real problem now is that the pattern doesn't change and opposing hitters are on to it. The strategy against Gallardo is to run up his pitch count and its working. Hitters know that when he gets to 2 strikes, he tries to put you away with his curveball in the dirt. They are taking that pitch. He either needs to throw that pitch in the zone, or use his fastball. Either way, he has to get the hitters guessing more. The overall problem with this staff is that they lack sink on their fastballs. A lot of people were down on Pineiro (oh he's just a product of Duncan) and Garland (he's another Suppan) as FA possibilities this offseason, but they are exactly the kind of sinkerball, pitch to contact guys the Brewers staff is lacking.
  4. JohnBriggs12
    Gomez' absence has been felt. Edmonds' inability to cover much ground in CF is painfully evident. With this pitching staff, that's critical. Offensively, Gomez has been all right.
  5. JohnBriggs12
    You are not going to get much in return for Zaun if you are looking for a pitcher. You are looking at someone like Dillard at best in return for Zaun. So trading for a positional player may actually give you more value than trading for a pitcher. I'm sorry but you are expecting way to much if you are thinking you are going to get anything of value in terms of pitching for Zaun.Did you miss that I included Parra in the proposal? Granted he's not worth much either, but given Maddux is in Texas and that they have a need for a catcher, you do have some leverage. I also wouldn't be opposed to tossing in a marginal prospect either.
  6. JohnBriggs12
    Are you serious? You have to ask? Take your pick: Suppan or Vargas. Personally, I'd toss off both. Another possible move would be to move Butler to the 60 man DL though I don't know the status of his return. It's possible he's expected back sooner. There should be no issues with the 40 man. Not only do they have candidates to remove now, they likely will have more in coming weeks (Riske). Riske has 3 more weeks to show he deserves to be back or he'll be gone.
  7. JohnBriggs12
    Right. Saltalamacchia is suffering from the inability to throw the ball back to the pitcher. Supposedly, they'd inquired about Pierzynski so you know they are willing to deal.
  8. JohnBriggs12
    Bad choice. Manny Parra has been bad since the break in 08. Since then, he's thrown 220 1/3 innings, allowed a whopping 283 hits and 106 walks for a pathetic WHIP of 1.77. Let me correct myself, that's worse than pathetic. Furthermore, he's not stretched out, so he's not going to able to go much beyond 80-85 pitches, which they way he works, is around 4 innings tops. On the other hand, the Brewers had the alternative to bring up Kameron Loe. Loe has averaged 6 1/3 innings per start in Nashville. That's into the 7th inning. When was the last time a Brewer starter got into the 7th? His major league totals are equal to or slightly better overall than Parra's pitching in the AL in a hitters park. Manny Parra is part of the problem. He's not a solution.
  9. JohnBriggs12
    I see an opportunity here. The Rangers are loaded with young pitching. They are also desperate for a veteran catcher. I believe the Brewers could get by with Kottaras and Lucroy. Why not package Zaun and Parra (history with Maddux) for one of their excess young pitchers? They probably wouldn't part with a Holland or a Tommy Hunter but they might surrender a Michael Kirkman (4-0, 2.56 ERA at AAA) or a Guillermo Moscoso. They might even be willing to part with 30 year old Colby Lewis to make room in their rotation for Hunter if the Brewers sweetened the offer a bit.
  10. JohnBriggs12
    It's not the managers fault when the GM builds a team with little or no roster flexibility. True part of that is the absurd multi-year contracts that are common to the game. But very few managers dare "think outside the box". Macha is a conventional manager stuck with a pitching staff where nobody is capable of getting quick outs. Macha doesn't get out managed the way Yost used to. He just doesn't have the right parts to match the guy in the other dugout. Heck, as simple a thing as balancing the bench with a right handed bat was completely ignored in the off season. So Charlie Manuel and others have no problem setting up great match ups for their pen. That's one reason the Brewers haven't one a single game they've trailed in after the 6th inning.
  11. JohnBriggs12
    We all like nice and tidy explanations but there are many reasons why the Brewers have done so much better on the road than at home. Offensively, it's the whole team: Home: .743 OPS, 4.41 runs/game Away: .850, 6.42 runs/game Are you suggesting that Weeks' poor offensive showinng has caused other batters to perform poorly as well? And what about this: Home: 5.98 ERA Away: 4.41 ERA It's not the whole team offensively. It's 2 guys, Weeks and Braun. Everyone's else's splits are pretty comparable home and away. But those guys get more plate appearances and when they hit, the team scores and when they don't they struggle to score enough.. Fielder and Hart have actually been better at home. Now because Braun has been so dominant on the road, it's a little easier to accept.his struggles at home. Statistically, the pitching's been better on the road, but the parks have something to do with that. But if the team were scoring more at home, especially early, it would take some pressure off a pitching staff that needs it.
  12. JohnBriggs12
    Weeks home splits: .186/.329/.271 Weeks road splits: .318/.396/.518 Offensively, it all starts with Weeks. When he's hitting and getting on base they score runs. When he's not, they don't. Here's a startling stat about Weeks. He's 10 for 18 when he puts the first pitch in play. He's 7 for 16 on 1-0 counts. Once he has 2 strikes on him, he's a putrid 10 for 77. Behind in count in general, he's a horrific 4 for 42. I don't have the numbers, but if I had to guess, I'd say Weeks has been less aggressive at home and taking more pitches to his and the teams detriment. Weeks should not be in a spot in the lineup where common wisdom is to take pitches and work counts. Yes, he draws some walks doing that but he sacrifices way to much of his offensive firepower.
  13. JohnBriggs12
    Macha finally stuck Escobar in the 2 hole last night and he got on twice including a walk in 4 appearances. Hopefully it's not the last time.
  14. JohnBriggs12
    Actually Kameron Loe has a lower ERA than Estrada, and major league career numbers very similar to Parra pitching exclusively in the AL in a hitters paradise. Plus until today when Nashville was rained out, his spot in the rotation was mirroring Davis. But Estrada is on the 40 man and Loe isn't. If they added Loe, they could move Butler to the 60 man I suppose or just waive Suppan or Vargas (does it really matter?) They are going to start Bush tonight on normal rest and they could go with Gallardo tomorrow on normal rest. Tuesday is where they'll need a new guy. Estrada's not available until Wednesday. Personally, I'd rather they get a look at Loe than give Parra his umpteenth opportunity. Loe's only a year older.
  15. JohnBriggs12
    The Rays can't afford Fielder even for 3/4 of this season. Every team out there would know they would have to deal him again, and his price would go way down. Rays still don't draw except against Yankees and Red Sox. They cut Burrell to make room for Hank Blalock, who was raking in AAA.
  16. JohnBriggs12
    Bush is leading the NL in HR allowed (8). He's on pace to give up around 40. This is nothing new. His problem is he doesn't get enough movement on it and when he misses in the middle of the zone, it gets crushed whether it's 85 or 90. I never feel comfortable with a 1 or 2 run lead with Bush pitching even when he's put up zeroes. He can give up the long ball at any moment. He's a FA after this year. He'd be one of the first I'd look to deal if they are out of it at the deadline.
  17. JohnBriggs12
    Parra has worse career numbers than Kameron Loe in almost exactly the same amount of major league innings. Why does anyone think he's any more deserving of roster spot than Loe who's only a year older? Parra might be marginally better than Davis at this point, but that's not saying much. He'll be 28 in October. I just don't see any upside. Melvin's in trouble. He hired/fired Yost. He hired Macha. He signed Suppan. He signed Hall. He signed Hawkins. He signed Riske. He signed Davis. He signed Hoffman. What more evidence of ineptitude do you need? If I'm Attanasio and things don't dramatically turn around by June 1, I'd fire Melvin, Macha, Randolph and Peterson. I'd name Ash as interim GM, then I'd bring in Don Money to manage, Bosio as pitching coach, move Sveum up to bench coach and find a hitting coach somewhere.
  18. JohnBriggs12
    His HR rate is ridiculous. In a close game, with Bush on the mound, the game often turns with one bad pitch. He's serviceable as a back end guy, but he's also FA after this year. Do you really want him back?
  19. JohnBriggs12
    I think the reason Melvin has failed so miserably to construct a decent pitching staff is that for whatever reason, he doesn't like sinker-ball pitchers. The only guy on the current staff that throws a decent sinker is Coffey, and no doubt Melvin likes the 94-95 mph more than he likes the sink. Most of the Brewer staff feature straight arrow fastballs or "cutters", either of which that when left over the plate tend to cut hands of fans sitting in the bleachers. This type of pitcher has to set up the hitter to get him out. That often takes 5 or more varied pitches and command of all of them every time out. The Brewers need a change of philosophy in the type of pitchers they acquire. For the 3-5 starter spots, they'd be much better served with sinker/slider types who might not strike out a ton and give up some hits, but who can go after hitters by pounding the zone with movement and getting quicker outs. I haven't seen Amaury Rivas pitch. But his stats seem to reflect those of a sinker/slider type the Brewers could use. We can only hope Melvin or his successor doesn't hold that against him. Kameron Loe is another possibility. He's had an excellent GB ratio over his career. Pitching in Texas where the infield can get baked it may have hurt him, but the Brewers should be giving strong consideration to giving him a shot.
  20. JohnBriggs12
    Melvin made 3 brutally bad decisions this offseason and several smaller ones. He committed $11 million to two relievers who are a combined 79 years old. Now if he had $11 million to spend on his pen, you'd think he could have done a lot better. He also committed roughly $8.5 million total to Davis and Bush. They'd have been better using that money on one quality starter, than 2 guys that are at best 4th starters and at worst, terrible or just signing Bush but using the money paid to soft tossing, sleep inducing Davis who takes 7-8 pitches to get a hitter out even when going good, instead going for a guy who gets quick outs by pitching to contact, like a Jon Garland. Those errors are so blatant that they should cost Melvin his job. They might have already sold 2 million tickets, but with tickets in some cases going well below face in the secondary markets, they aren't going to be selling a lot more.
  21. JohnBriggs12
    Well, not only did I mention I liked Penny and Ducscherer, but I also mentioned I liked Scott Olsen who briefly was a FA after the Nats non tendered him and before they signed him to a cheap incentive laded deal. Olsen's 2-1 with a 3.51 ERA.
  22. JohnBriggs12
    "he was fine until his back flared up". There's so many lines I could use but I'll resist. I'm sure you could take dozens of ex players in their 40's and with a month of getting ready they could perform quite well for a few weeks. But their bodies would start breaking down sooner rather than later. Look "backs flaring up" and other such maladies are what happens to old players. That his long fly balls to the opposite field are being caught on the track isn't a good sign either. A couple or three years ago, those are gone.
  23. JohnBriggs12
    I don't think anyone foresaw Figgins hitting 100 points under his career average or Casey Kotchman hitting 70 points below his. Everyone knew the middle of their order wasn't imposing, but they figured Ichiro and Figgins would be on base enough that they'd manufacture some runs. I wouldn't count them out if and when Figgins gets hot to go along with Ichiro. King Felix hasn't got it going like he can. Lee's been Lee in his 2 starts and they are getting unexpected quality starts from Doug Fister and Jason Vargas.
  24. JohnBriggs12
    I think they knew all along that Gomez would have to be DL'd. They just waited so Stern could get some AB's because he had just got off the DL himself. I don't believe Stern has options, so when it's time for him to go back down, he'll have to clear waivers and he won't be tying up the 40th roster spot. Another possibility, albeit somewhat remote, is that they'd just let Edmonds go and keep Stern. Frankly, that might be my choice. Edmonds is 3 for 23 with 12 K's this month and looking every bit a guy nearing his 40th birthday.
  25. JohnBriggs12
    I take back my post. I was switching between the game and 24 so I missed that too. I hope it was intentional. I would have preferred they throw at Hanson myself though.
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