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JohnBriggs12

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Everything posted by JohnBriggs12

  1. JohnBriggs12
    The one and only time I ever spoke to Bud Selig was in 1981 when I called the Brewers office to complain about the switch to WISN because it's weak signal did not even go into northern suburbs of Chicago. Believe it or not, whoever answered the phone after hearing my complaint asked me if I wanted to speak directly to Bud. Lo and behold, within a minute or two, I was talking to the owner of the Brewers. Bud was very understanding and I think he realized it was a mistake to go to such a weak flagship. After the two year contract ran out with WISN, they went back to WTMJ. I think the Brewers realize that it doesn't hurt them one bit to be able to penetrate a market with 7 million people including a lot of transplants with Wisconsin ties.
  2. JohnBriggs12
    Different leagues have different rules on players. For instance the Northern League groups players by experience level. Each team is limited on how many guys they can carry from each level. I believe they are also required to carry several guys with no affiliated experience. You'd be surprised how many pretty decent college players don't get drafted at all and end up in indy leagues. I live not too far from Schaumburg, and recall seing former Brewer Jack Voight playing for them in 2000. Indy leagues are great. 30 years ago they didn't exist. I knew a guy back then who was around 20 or 21. He played in "semi-pro" leagues around Chicago but was really too good for them. One spring he went to Florida looking to catch on with a minor league club. He got plenty of teams to look at him, but one scout told him he had AA potential, but they were only interested in guys with major league potential. He would have been perfect for an indy league.
  3. JohnBriggs12
    You have it just the opposite. If his name was John Smith, there wouldn't be the venom towards him by some there is here. He would be seen as what he is, a low power, more speed good defensive OF, with the potential to hit for a decent average. There have been hundreds of thsoe guys in MLB over the decades who've made nice careers, many of whom were starters at some time or another. He's a good defender and a natural CF. He's not a great base stealer but he has well above average speed. The two biggest knocks on him are lack of power and a relatively low OBP. Yet the last time he was a full time player, he had respectable .360/.396 at Nashville, better than his numbers in lower minors. His major league numbers are insignificant because they are small sample and compiled over sporadic ABs. He is absolutely the logical choice to fill in. Not only will he give you much better defense than having Gross in right and Hart in center, by having him get 100 or so consistent major league AB's the Brewers will have a much better read on his potential than they do now. As for his power lacking, that is the last thing that this team is lacking.
  4. JohnBriggs12
    All these guys that pick teams spend all their time talking to each other. If they spent as much time actually analyzing teams, there's no way they'd all come to the same conclusion. What amazes me is the love for the Reds. Do the Reds have some nice young players? Sure, but last I checked, Dunn was still in LF, Griffey was still in RF, Hatteberg was still at 1B and Ross was still their number 1 catcher. Matt Belisle and Josh Fogg are their 3 and 4 starters, and 40 something Kent Mercker and 38 year old David Weathers were still being counted on to get to Cordero. That doesn't say up and coming to me. I've been often questioned for negativity, but a lot of my concerns were addressed this past week with sound decisions on the rotation. I thing the Brewers have as good a shot at winning this division as anyone and better than most. Keys as always are Sheets' health, and getting solid performances from the likes of Torres, Mota and Riske so they don't have to rely on Turnbow.
  5. JohnBriggs12
    He signed a non-guaranteed contract to be a platoon partner for a month. I doubt there were other experienced guys out there willing to do that. Barring an injury, I don't expect him to be around long.
  6. JohnBriggs12
    What difference does it make that Soriano is a bad fielder (he did have 41 OF assists the last 2 years) too? He's got $118 million left on his contract so they're not going to play Murton over him under any circumstance. Anyway as bad as Soriano is, Murton is worse. Murton is a complete butcher any where you put him. Murton has no place to play in Chicago.
  7. JohnBriggs12
    I take the Brewers rotation if Sheets stays healthy all year. If he can, he can equal Zambrano's production. I think Gallardo will be much better than Lilly. Lilly is basically a .500 career pitcher who benefitted last year because NL hitters weren't familiar with him. It was also the only year he exceeded 200 innings and he wore down late. I expect him to continue to slide. I also not sold on Hill. There's a reason it took him until age 27 to establish himself. His big pitch is that big curveball and his command can go at any time. I don't think people realize how good Villanueva is. I expect him to have a better year than Hill. He's already got more poise and he's 4 years younger. Bush, Suppan, Marquis, Lieber all fall into basically the same category. The wild cards are Parra and Dempster. Parra has the stuff to be really good. I think Dempster might just be a guy.
  8. JohnBriggs12
    Some guys are better suited for the AL and Murton is one of them. He has a solid bat but not quite enough power to be an everyday LF for most teams and that's his only position.
  9. JohnBriggs12
    Neither team wants to expose the other to pitchers they will see next week. I would expect a parade of minor leaguers on the hill for both teams.
  10. JohnBriggs12
    "We got rid of Vargas..to keep McClung." Not really as it turns out. They got rid of Vargas when they did to save 75% of his $3.6 million contract. I'm betting they try getting McClung through waivers in 2 weeks when Gallardo is activated. I wouldn't be against signing a guy like De La Rosa to a minor league deal, but that's about it. He's never found the consistent command to be a major league pitcher.
  11. JohnBriggs12
    There are many, many guys capable of putting up numbers as good as Suppan in any given year. But very few who do it with the long term consistency of Suppan. He's won in double figures 9 times in the past 10 seasons. The other year he won 9. Plus, over the last 4 seasons, he is 21-11 in August and September with an ERA about a run less than his total over that time. In short, it's consistency and proven track record in pennant races that sets him apart. Is that worth $42 million over 4 years? Probably not. But it was to the Brewers who lacked those qualities in their other starters. It might prove to be a bad move, but it may still work out. Let's remember, spring numbers are meaningless for guys assured of spots like Suppan.
  12. JohnBriggs12
    Have you ever heard Jim Powell call Rivera "affable"? I have. I think that implies he's good natured, and liked by his teammates. He's been at Nashville for parts of 3 seasons where he's caught Villanueva, Gallardo, Parra (Rivera caught Parra's perfect game), and McClung. All of those guys had great success at Nashville. In fact, the last several seasons, Nashville has led the league by a wide margin in ERA. Sure they've had some good arms down there but the catcher deserves some credit.
  13. JohnBriggs12
    I've been saying all along that Rivera could not be counted out. If Kendall stays healthy, Rivera will probably only start once a week at most, but he's the kind of guy who'll accept that role, work well with the young pitchers and be a good influence in the clubhouse. I'm really happy for him. He accepted the chance to stay in Brewer system when he was waived last spring after performing well in the 2nd half of 06 and having a good spring in 07. His loyalty has paid off.
  14. JohnBriggs12
    Think of the chances that the first series will be at least 1/3 rescheduled. That could help. Back in the day they use to postpone games due to cold, but you don't see that anymore. They don't want to schedule doubleheaders when they've sold 35,000 tickets. Unless there is snow on the ground or steady rain, they'll play. That snowstorm headed to Milwaukee this week is supposed to miss Chicago for the most part. As for Suppan and Bush vs. Cubs. Bush should be fine if it's a cold day with wind blowing in. He'll be able to get away with his usual bugaboo of grooving a couple down the heart of the plate. I also like Suppan's experience for pitching in adverse conditions.
  15. JohnBriggs12
    The commitment to the young pitchers in the rotation clearly works in Rivera's favor as the backup. He's caught these guys in the minors when they were successful. They obviously have a nice connection. That in my mind overides whatever edge Munson would give with the bat.
  16. JohnBriggs12
    Sheets has to stay healthy every year. Neither of the guys, Vargas or Capuano, are adequate replacements for Sheets. Teams that lose their ace don't have backup aces waiting their turn, they have 5th starter types at best and that's just what the Brewers had.
  17. JohnBriggs12
    Hate those Rodents, Obviously they overvalued those guys at the winter meetings and again when they offered both arbitration. Opposing GM's can count. They knew the Brewers would be in numbers bind around now, and they waited. But don't worry, it's a lot easier finding guys like Vargas than guys like Sheets, Gallardo, Villanueva or Parra. Those guys just aren't available.
  18. JohnBriggs12
    I think it was Vargas' choice to accept a minor league assignment or become a free agent. Since he most certainly would opt for free agency, the Brewers probably didn't even bother asking.
  19. JohnBriggs12
    Look, the fact is they still have 6 major league starters and Villanueva and Parra belong in Milwaukee, not Nashville. There will be guys coming available all over baseball this week that they can sign to bolster the Nashville rotation and restore some lost starter depth. But as I've said all along the team with the best starting pitchers usually wins, not the one with the most starting pitchers.
  20. JohnBriggs12
    I'd be shocked if Vargas doesn't land in the NL Central. If I were ranking teams by likliehood of who gets him it would be: 1. Astros 2. Cardinals 3. Reds 4. Pirates Cubs won't have any interest but the rest will.
  21. JohnBriggs12
    There's going to be pitchers released all over in the next few days. I would expect the Brewers will pick one or two up to start in AAA. Not to rub it in, but I've said all along the market for Vargas and Capuano was low level minor league non prospects at best. They will save some money depending on what he gets from team that picks him up and I'm sure the Reds are on the phone with him now. My only objection is if the Reds or Cardinals sign him. He could help those two.
  22. JohnBriggs12
    Hello starting pitcher quality! Boy, I spent the last half hour moaning how ridiculous it was for Villanueva not to be in rotation. I take it back. I think I posted about a week ago one solution was to release either Vargas or Capuano (if they could not be traded). Let's hope Vargas gets claimed and they can save his entire salary.
  23. JohnBriggs12
    "Put yourself in Orioles shoes" We were there in 2002. They'll lose 110 with Roberts and 112 without him. Franchise has to stockpile guys young enough to be around when they have a chance to turn things around. Roberts doesn't fall in that category.
  24. JohnBriggs12
    What difference does it make how highly or not highly regarded our young starters are? There's not going to be more than one at a time in the rotation while we see mediocre veterans like Vargas, Bush and Suppan cost the Brewers another postseason berth.
  25. JohnBriggs12
    Let's compare the Cub long reliever with McClung. Cubs have Jon Lieber, a proven major league starting pitcher. Excellent control. 129 lifetime wins. Hasn't had a season with an ERA over 5 since Bill Clinton's first term. Brewers have the poster child for lack of command. He's Turnbow only more consistently bad. Meanwhile headed to minors after losing his starting rotation spot by posting a 1.99 ERA last September is one Carlos Villanueva. If the players union can file a grievance for Bonds, shouldn't they file one on Villanueva's behalf. Would love to see Miller Park filled with signs saying "Where's Villy?"
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