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JohnBriggs12

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Everything posted by JohnBriggs12

  1. JohnBriggs12
    I was a little concerned but being old school as I am, I see Sabathia as an old school pitcher. How many times did Steve Carlton throw 130 pitches when he went 16 consecutive years with double digit complete game totals? I'm certain it was quite common. How about Nolan Ryan? He was known to have reached 160 pitches and he pitched until his late 40's Sabathia threw 256 innings last year between the regular season and playoffs. The guy's a horse. Some guys thrive on huge workloads. Not every pitcher is the same.
  2. JohnBriggs12
    I love Huff too. Everything I've seen is that he's better defensively than his reputation. But he's putting up near MVP type numbers and even though he's a FA after next year, I think Baltimore would want a lot in return for him. He'd be a great July 09 pickup.
  3. JohnBriggs12
    I was a Fond du Lac St. Mary Springs Ledger, class of 1970. Our nickname, Ledgers, comes from the fact that the school is located on "the ledge" just east of Fondy. Our colors were (and still are) Royal Blue and White. Of course Springs is famous for having one of the winningest (if not The winningest) high school football coaches of all time with numerous state titles (most were WISAA), Bob Hyland, who came to the school in fall of 1971 and is still coaching. The most famous alums are rabies survivor Jeanna Giese, and Chicago radio icon Jonathon Brandmeier.
  4. JohnBriggs12
    While this is the obvious throw away line, I think this article does shed light on the fact that Attanasio is extremely wealthy and we shouldn't completely rule out the possibility that at least one of those guys is back. It's a longshot sure, but only his accountant knows for sure what is possible.
  5. JohnBriggs12
    Heard over the weekend that AJ Burnett is almost certain to opt out for FA. That won't affect Sabathia, but as the supply of guys on the next level increases, the salaries should decrease.
  6. JohnBriggs12
    Everyone has time to follow a team. Everyone. Umpires in general have to detach themselves from current team affiliations. If they can't do that, they don't belong in the profession. Their loyalty is to each other and to the game itself not teams or individuals. Maybe in the days where they were divided by leagues, a Bruce Froemming or a Dutch Rennert who were NL umps and Wisconsin natives could "follow" the Brewers to a certain extent (though both were adults before the Brewers came into existance), but not in these days of major league umps doing both leagues.
  7. JohnBriggs12
    According to Rotoworld, the LA Times is reporting that the Dodgers may opt to buy out (for $2 million) Brad Penny's $9.25 million contract after he experienced more shoulder inflamation. I'm not sure the Dodgers aren't so much concerned with Penny's shoulder as they are marshalling their resources to be big players for Sabathia and or Sheets this offseason. Penny might become a cheap gamble that the Brewers might want to look at.
  8. JohnBriggs12
    Al, Jenkins isn't free. He still has $8 million guaranteed after this year. While I'm sure the Phillies would love to unload him for a bag of balls, any team dealing for him would want even out the dollars. Face it, Carlos Villanueva is doing (quite well I might add) the job they paid Riske handsomely this offseason to do. Not that Riske's been terrible but he's not in a role worth his contract (he's owed at least $9 million after this season), and dealing him would offset Jenkins entire contract.
  9. JohnBriggs12
    The Cameron situation is an interesting one. Way back when he was signed my problem with it was that he was too much like Hall offensively in that he struck out a lot and didn't him much for average and was right handed. That fact has come home to roost now with Yost even playing the very limited Counsell over Hall to break up the right hand dominated middle of the order. I don't think it would be wise to retain Cameron unless you deal Hall. I'd even revisit the idea of Hall in CF at least in a platoon situation with an actual real lefthanded threat (sorry but Counsell's not it).
  10. JohnBriggs12
    I don't see how the two goals are incompatible. The goal for every team is winning the World Series. That's winning the World Series, not getting to it. As great as 1982 was, the Brewers are not waving a World Championship banner from 1982. The Cardinals are and for those of us that were around at that time, that kind of sticks in our craw. To achieve that goal, first you have to secure a playoff berth so that's your focus until that is attained. Once attained your focus becomes winning the first playoff series and not as stated "winning as many games as possible" during the regular season. So once the playoffs are secured (either via winning the division or the WC), you try to set your rotation to your advantage for the first playoff series. Only after you are done do you determine your level of satisfaction. Personally if you are satisfied just getting to the playoffs, you are not much of a competitor. The Brewers got Sabathia not just to get to the playoffs, but to give them a shot at winning them.
  11. JohnBriggs12
    Because before this season nobody on here would even ask that question. As Hall has said, look at his splits vs. righthanders prior to this season (.262/.310/.461). It's not that big of a stretch to consider his lack of success this year as a statistical anomoly and even though his numbers don't look good, he still has 8 HR and 26 RBI in 213 AB's compared to Counsell's 1 HR and 11 RBI in 176 ABs. Fortunately it hasn't cost them and I think to some extent putting Counsell between Hart and Cameron does give the pitcher a different look and that mitigates some of Counsell's weakness as a run producer. Still in all, I think it behooves them to have Hall at least have the opportunity to get hot, because a hot Hall is far, far superior to a hot Counsell.
  12. JohnBriggs12
    The deal that makes sense this offseason is Hall and Weeks for Roberts and Mora. From the O's perspective, they get younger at both positions with players they control over multiple seasons. From the Brewer perspective, they get better production at both positions in the short term with 2 expiring contracts at positions they are positioned to fill internally by 2010 when Escobar will force Hardy to 2B and Gamel will take over 3B. The potential "fly in the ointment" is Mora's no trade clause. But guys have waived those before.
  13. JohnBriggs12
    A lefthanded bat that I'm sure could be had this offseason: Geoff Jenkins. Don't laugh, it's still possible that a return to the familiar surroundings would be enough to squeeze one more decent year out of Geoff platooning with Kapler with Hart moving to CF. Riske hasn't given the Brewers much and his contract is somewhat of a burden. The Phils might be interested in a Riske for Jenkins swap.
  14. JohnBriggs12
    As long as their lead over the Cardinals remains 4-5 games, I don't see the point in maninpulating the rotation right now for 2 games with them nor do I believe it makes much sense to be looking ahead 6 weeks. If the playoffs are secured before the final series against the Cubs, you could start DiFelice for all I care just as long as they have the rotation in alignment for the playoffs. You don't want to have to use Sabathia or Sheets the final couple of days if you're already in even if a division title is attainable.
  15. JohnBriggs12
    Nix has had a decent (.887 OPS) season at Nashville so he'd be the logical choice. Had Gamel not cooled off, he would have been my choice. Have to wonder if they checked to see if any veterans were out there that had cleared waivers. I do think there more likely to use Nix in OF than they were Branyan. I wouldn't be surprised if he's in the lineup for afternoon game Thursday. Don't think this bodes well for Gwynn nor apparently is Gibbons impressing much.
  16. JohnBriggs12
    How do you know next year's rotation won't allow them to "compete for a playoff spot"?? Have you looked in your crystal ball and come up with the names in next year's rotation? Did you forget about Gallardo? What about other FA's and trades? You can't assume that just because Sheets and Sabathia are elsewhere that Melvin's going to chuck 2009. That isn't going to happen. I think the Twins are the perfect example. Melvin has plenty of options in the FA market or to deal to get starting pitching. Besides "competing for playoff spot" is the bare minimum fans can expect and they owe the fans that are coming out in record numbers a team that competes for playoffs. As for Blalock, the issue is his health. He's had recurring issues with his shoulder. Now if he's indeed healthy enough to help the Brewers in 09, then I'm sure the Rangers will know this and pick up his relatively modest $6.2 million option. If they don't pick up that option, it's a sure sign they don't think he can stay healthy.
  17. JohnBriggs12
    He's not employed because he's considered a bad clubhouse guy who if on your roster a whole season will cause issues. Next year he'll be 42 so if he wasn't on Brewer list this year, I doubt he will after sitting a year at that age.
  18. JohnBriggs12
    No offense to Mark, because I like the guy, but I hope with the stage our franchise is at right now, that we have a better option for a 5th starter then Mark DiFelice. I agree. DiFelice should be no better than 8th on the starter depth chart next spring behind in no particular order Gallardo, Parra, Suppan, Bush, Villanueva, McClung, (a FA or trade acquisition), then DiFelice. He showed weakness against lefthanded hitters in his earlier Brewer stint. That says situational reliever to me.
  19. JohnBriggs12
    I've had Directv since 2002 with HD service since February of this year. I've never given a thought to cable. It takes a pretty severe storm to knock out the signal (never for more than 20 minutes, usually less than 5). A heavy wet snow can also knock out the signal if it accumulates on the dish. Fortunately I can reach my dish with a broom so I just brush it off. Most of the time, if I lose the signal, I just switch over to my old antenna and watch over the air digital channels in HD until it comes back. Back when I had cable, I remember losing service once or twice a year, having to call and then wait hours for service to be restored.
  20. JohnBriggs12
    He still has a 95 mph fastball though, and he could gain some valuable experience in low leverage situations for the Big League Club. I am in favor of Pena getting the call on Sept 1st. Until Pena has success against AAA hitters, there's no reason he should take those innings away from Dillard, DiFelice or even Mota. There just aren't enough "low leverage" situations to go around with a 15 or 16 man staff in a pennant race.
  21. JohnBriggs12
    Or they could find a corner OF and move Hart to CF. The FA crop is thin in lefthanded 3rd basemen. The OF crop is thin too unless you want to take a chance on an older guy like Edmonds (CF) or Ibanez. The downside is Edmonds doesn't cover the ground he used to and this hot streak with the Cubs might be a mirage. I like Ibanez' stick myself. The downside is he's played mostly LF in recent years and would they have to move both Braun and Hart to accomodate him.
  22. JohnBriggs12
    Pena hasn't earned it period. Iribarren hasn't either and with Durham around, there's no real role for him. They need another outfielder and it's between Gwynn and Gibbons but they won't bring both up. Dillon figures to return. Dillard's overall Nashville numbers should be rewarded. Stetter is a no-brainer. DiFelice is another likely guy. They will need to add a 3rd catcher for flexibility, and they're likely to go with Rottino based on experience unless they pick up a David Ross off the scrapheap. Best bets: Stetter, DiFelice, Dillard, Dillon, Gibbons, Rottino Possible: Gwynn, Gamel, Escobar Longshots: Nelson, Salome
  23. JohnBriggs12
    Villanueva is a sleeper for the closer's role at some point. Guys like Hoffman, the Joneses, Todd and Doug and a few others have proven you don't need an overpowering fastball to pitch the 9th inning. Down the line in the system, keep an eye on Rob Wooten who figures to be rising very, very fast.
  24. JohnBriggs12
    Balfour fanned 68 hitters in 43 1/3 innings between Huntsville and Nashville. Those numbers are outstanding. Yost had used Spurling in high leverage situations last year too. The pen just wasn't very deep. Considering his minor league success, his stuff (96-97), they pulled the plug on him awfully fast. At least they got something for him, though right now I'd rather have Balfour.
  25. JohnBriggs12
    One option in CF remains Hall. That would allow a spot for either Gamel at 3B, or Escobar at SS (with Hardy to 3B). Or they could move Hart over to CF, and either insert Gamel in RF or go get a lefthanded corner bat like Ibanez that balances out the lineup.
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