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JohnBriggs12

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Everything posted by JohnBriggs12

  1. JohnBriggs12
    There's been so much discussion/angst/worry that McGehee will show considerable regression this year. Personally, I think he'll be fine. But there's another guy in the division that is the exact same age as McGehee and also came out of nowhere to contend for the NL ROY award last year. He is being counted on even more heavily than McGehee is this year. That guy is Randy Wells of the Cubs. His numbers last year (12-10, 3.05 ERA) were totally out of line with his minor league numbers. This is a guy with a 4.28 AAA ERA and it's not like he got to AAA as a particularly young player. He was nearly 24 when he first appeared in AAA. This is a 38th round pick. Cub fans, God bless em, all assume Wells will be the same guy in 2010 he was in 2009. Isn't it much more likely that Wells ERA will be closer to 4.50 if not higher?
  2. JohnBriggs12
    Haudricourt in today's blog: "Escobar is making a strong push to claim the number 2 spot in the order out of camp." Rightfully so. Toolivebrew, you still think Escobar "should be nowhere near the top of the order"?
  3. JohnBriggs12
    At first glance, the deal seems way "out there", but if you analyze it, maybe not. The Cardinals might have an easier time paying a Holliday/Howard combo than a Holliday/Pujols one, especially with Howard being a St. Louis native. Pujols is the better overall hitter of course, but the Cardinals are heavily weighted with right handed bats and the Phils are decidedly left handed. That deal would balance out both lineups. It's hard to think of a comparable deal in the history of the game. Colavito for Kuenn caused quite a stir back in the day. That was the reigning AL HR king for the reigning AL batting champ. But that pales in comparison.
  4. JohnBriggs12
    Certainly not if it means losing 2 of the other 3. There's just so many variables. There just aren't many bullpen spots to park guys. Maybe 1 at the most. What would any of those guys bring in a deal? If the other 3 are clearly outperforming Suppan, he should be released. After all what's the point? The money has to be spent anyway. It's seeming logical to have Narveson or Parra as the 2nd lefty in the pen, and go with a rotation of Gallardo, Wolf, Davis, Bush and Parra or Narveson. That would leave a bullpen of Narveson or Parra, Stetter, Hoffman, Coffey, Vargas, Hawkins and Villanueva. Maybe if Stetter doesn't come around, you might think about optioning him if you wanted to go with a Braddock or a Schoeneweis.
  5. JohnBriggs12
    It just could be that TH has picked up a vibe that one spot is between Bush and Parra and the loser in that battle will be gone. That's entirely possible. In fact that's likely. Somebody competing for a spot now is not going to be in the organization on opening day. His assumption that Suppan's in the 5th spot is probably based on the fact that the 5th spot is between Suppan and Narveson, and he's assuming Suppan has an edge because they can slip Narveson into a long relief role initially, thus at least giving Suppan a few starts to see if he can justify his spot. Even if Suppan starts as number 5, there's no guaranty he'll be there in mid May. As for loss of depth, there's still depth guys on the market. Need an arm? Looper, Washburn, Smoltz, Pedro are still out there.
  6. JohnBriggs12
    Mass, Isn't it likely the Brewers intend to assign Iribarren to Nashville if he clears waivers and still keep him in camp as a non-roster guy a little longer? They may be thinking that they have a better chance at getting him through now rather than later. Cory Provus made the point during yesterday's broadcast that Don Money (very astute baseball man in my opinion) is a huge fan of Iribarren.
  7. JohnBriggs12
    Great proposal if you also brought back baseball's reserve clause too. Now that would bring back the pre 1966 era essentially (pre draft), with less expense for all the scouts they had to pay back then. Obviously, not going to happen.
  8. JohnBriggs12
    Villanueva as starter in the majors: 27 starts, 149 2/3 innings, 163 hits, 82 runs, 80 ER, 54 BB, 99 K, 6-12 record, 4.81 ERA, 1.45 WHIP Parra as starter in the majors: 58 starts, 308 innings, 360 hits, 200 runs, 179 ER. 157 BB. 263 K, 21-19 record, 5.23 ERA, 1.679 WHIP In roughly twice the number of starts and innings, Parra's put up worse career numbers as a starter than Villanueva. Villanueva is a year younger.
  9. JohnBriggs12
    I completely agree. Most likely all of them will end up starting a few games throughout the season. Too much starting pitching is never a problem. I'd like to see Parra and Narveson round out the rotation. Narveson probably deserves it after his strong finish last season and a clean start thus far to the pre-season. I can't say Parra deserves to, but if the Brewers are going to make some big noise this year they need him to reach his potential (although I'm not so sure what that is anymore). I'm not concerned about all the lefties either. Righty or lefty you stick your best guys out there. Who says a replacement would come from AAA? The fact is most teams don't have sure fire replacements at AAA either at least not to start the season. AAA starting staffs aren't loaded with prospects. The prospects are usually at AA at least early on and two of the top ones for the Brewers (Rogers and Rivas) who will be starting at AA are already on the 40 man. The Brewers are likely to have one guy in the bullpen that could start in an emergency or take over for an injured starter. They also not only have Capuano, but John Halama as well on minor league deals, and both of those guys have had success in the major leagues. If Villanueva does get optioned out, he too could go back to starting.
  10. JohnBriggs12
    I don't know if it's for show, but Macha has been raving about Narveson all spring. Something Macha said late last year on his weekly WTMJ appearance has stuck with me. I don't quite remember how he phrased it but he was asked something along the lines whether the poor performances by the starters would mean changes next year and he said basically "you answered you're own question". As of now the only guy who's been jettisoned off that rotation is Looper. Macha gives me the impression that he couldn't care less that a guy "came through the Brewer system" as in the case of Parra, or even that he's had a level of success prior to Macha's arrival as in the case of Bush. Narveson is the only guy competing that hasn't pitched poorly since Macha arrived. Bush, Suppan and Parra certainly have and you can come up with excuses for each but it's reality. I think on this board, people like to pull for the home grown guys so there's sentiment toward Parra from many and because Bush is such a likable guy who's occasionally pitched very well, people pull for him. Macha isn't the sentimental type though, but he's not the only one determining the roster either. We certainly all would like to be flies on the wall when Melvin, Macha, and Peterson sit down with a week to go in spring training to discuss the situation.
  11. JohnBriggs12
    Even if he wasn't given a shot, there just isn't room for Iribarren on the club in the near future. As a middle infielder, he was behind Escobar, McGehee, Gamel, Weeks, Counsell, and likely Inglett as well. This is probably best for Iribarren and the organization. As for Lofgren...I won't lose any sleep over his departure. I'm just hoping Schochoenweissss doesn't make the team. Hopefully his strong spring performance doesn't take precedence over his years of dismal MLB performance. Gamel has options and is ticketed for Nashville, so that he's ahead of Iribarren on the list is irrelevant.. Inglett has more major league experience and some major league success but not more talent based on comparable minor league numbers he had at Iribarren's age. It's not a huge deal but I still foresee Iribarren having every bit the career of Inglett.
  12. JohnBriggs12
    Iribarren was never given a shot.
  13. JohnBriggs12
    Jim Edmonds
  14. JohnBriggs12
    Even that wouldn't make sense. The Twins have some young starters but most are just guys. The Brewers would want to get something back that would help them this year. Unless they expanded it to say Coffey and Hart for Cuddyer I don't see it happening. It's not like the Twins are short of experience or arms in their pen so they aren't desperate enough to deal a key guy. One other intriguing guy the Twins have is Jose Morales. Any place but Minnesota, a catcher who's hit .311, .315, and .336 at AAA the last 3 years and hit over .300 in a stint with Twins last year would be a big time prospect, despite not a lot of power. He's certainly ready to hit in the big leagues and has been for a while.
  15. JohnBriggs12
    Don't worry, Melvin will bring him back next spring after his one year "retirement".
  16. JohnBriggs12
    I'm still a Bill Hall fan. He's a class guy who got a lot of big hits at big times for the Brewers. He made himself into a dangerous hitter, but has lost it the last couple years. It happens. I'll be very happy if he finds that sweet stroke again.
  17. JohnBriggs12
    Sure you could. Not saying they will, but Nathan himself had one career save when he replaced Eddie Guardado in 2004 after Guardado had 41 saves the year before. I'm sure there was a huge concern then on how they were going to replace "Everyday Eddie". They have a veteran group of relievers. It wouldn't shock me in the least if one of those guys stepped up like Saloman Torres did for the Brewers in 08.
  18. JohnBriggs12
    I agree with Milltownhooker. Somebody's likely to be moved barring injury. Your "room for everyone" is full of assumptions. Do you really think the Brewers would break camp with 3 lefties in the pen to go along with the 4 righties (Coffey, Vargas, Hawkins and Hoffman) that appear solid, if 2 of those lefties don't have much if any major league bullpen experience. You also can't assume that Narveson and the other guy demoted to the pen will by May 1st or so, will be stretched out enough to step in an start and throw 90 pitches. You are also assuming that a veteran like Scott Schoeneweis won't win a spot. He very well could. Also to be considered that the minute a guy is demoted to the pen, he loses value in the market. Of course Suppan's value might be limited to one or two equally bad contracts like a Jose Guillen type anyway. It's true the Brewers (and every other team for that matter) would like 3-4 guys at AAA available and capable of starting. But with the Brewer group, none of the 4 competing for the last 2 spots has an option. Hopefully, that's Capuano, Halama, and maybe even Villanueva if he were starting at AAA could help out.
  19. JohnBriggs12
    Paulus88 is on to something. Parra did better with Rivera too because Rivera called more fastballs than Kendall especially the first time through the order. Parra's fastball was up and over the plate yesterday though, and he needs to work on keeping it down or getting it in. As to the competition, it's really hard to get a read on it yet. I think Parra's actually going to have to really shine because he's got both the most trade value and the most vivid bad imagery in Macha's head from last year. If he has an outing or two that reminds Macha of a bad one from last year, then I think they'll try to move him. The other thing going against Parra is he's left handed. If I had to bet, I'd say Suppan and Bush make the rotation. Parra is traded. Narveson is the long man in bullpen. Hoffman, Coffey, Hawkins, Vargas and Stetter are bullpen locks and the final spot is between Villanueva and Schoeneweis. If either Bush or especially Suppan falters in the first 6 weeks, I look for a quick move to Narveson as a replacement. Other than Parra being traded, the next most likely scenario is they just dump Suppan altogether. Anything could happen though.
  20. JohnBriggs12
    Luckily for the Twins, assuming Neshek is back healthy, they probably had the deepest bullpen in baseball. Neshek, Condrey, Guerrier, Crain, Rauch and Mijares isn't a bad pen at all, Nathan or no Nathan. Any one of those guys could close. I would expect those six plus Duensing as the long man/2nd lefty to fill out the pen.
  21. JohnBriggs12
    By the AB's he's getting and where he's hitting in the lineup, it's his job to lose. Personally, I'm with logan3825. I just don't like the idea. I'd much rather see a RH bat in his spot or at least younger guy like Oeltjen or Iribarren. But those guys aren't getting starts this spring and Edmonds and career minor leaguer Stern are. Doesn't make sense to me and neither does not giving Lucroy a better look than he's gotten so far. Hopefully things will change.
  22. JohnBriggs12
    MNBrew, I can't disagree with you more about Slaton. The guy won a 117 games in a Brewer uniform and was a pillar on some bad teams, logging tons of innings. He also had 19 complete game shutouts as a Brewer. Compare that to Bosio's 9, Sorenson's 7 and Wegman's 4. He was at least on par with Bosio and well ahead of Sorenson and Wegman. Sorenson had one really good year in 1978 and one good year in 1979. In 1980, he got hit hard to the tune of a .311 BAA. That may have been the most misleading 3.68 ERA of all time. Some of you guys remember the Jim Slaton of the 1980's when he was converted into mostly a reliever. Why do I say that? Because none of you guys has given Bill Travers a mention either and he belongs in the discussion too. My team: 1B Fielder 2B Gantner SS Yount 3B Cirillo RF Jenkins CF Thomas LF Braun C Surhoff DH Molitor SP Higuera SP Slaton SP Sheets SP Bosio SP Haas RP Plesac RP Castro RP Crim RP Henry RP Eddie Rodriguez
  23. JohnBriggs12
    Chicago media is reporting that the Cubs "fear the worst" on Guzman. Bullpen depth was a glaring weakness for the Cubs with Guzman healthy. Remember they let Gregg (FA) and Heilman (traded) go. If he's lost for the year, they'll be hard pressed to find an adequate replacement (maybe David Weathers?). He was being counted on as an 8th inning guy. Guzman was very tough on the Brewers hitters last year. They went 1 for 14 with 6 K's. It's hard to see the Cubs as serious contenders with the bullpen as presently constituted.
  24. JohnBriggs12
    there's a distinction to be made between just 3 20 year old and a couple of the games elite prospects, the latter of which Fielder would command. Depends on how you define "elite". Every year there's what, 50 names at least in the minors of guys somebody is going to consider elite. At most, 5 of those will have HOF careers (like Fielder has the makings of already), and many more won't have much impact at all. The rest will end up being average to good big leaguers. Now if you assume that one of the 20 or so teams that has more than one of those 50 is going to give up 2 of those guys and also has the financial ability to handle a $175 million contract, that's a pretty big assumption. In reality you'd have to expand the definition of "elite" to more like 150 minor leaguers to assume you're getting 2 "elite" guys for Fielder. To me that's too watered down to interest me. I'd rather take the shot at signing him, and if he doesn't, get 2 more of his prime years, then take the salary relief and the draft picks.
  25. JohnBriggs12
    Here's what bothers me. The celebration was Fielder making fun of himself and his size. Maybe because the Giants are from SF, where earthquakes have history, that they were sensitive to Fielder setting off a "quake" by jumping on home plate and thought it was specifically aimed at San Francisco? But come on, it was done in the Brewer's home stadium to entertain Brewer fans when the Giants should have been off the field anyway.
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