ILuvDaBush

My biggest question is how you put Heckathorn above Braddock. Also, he seems very bear-ish on Salome while quite bull-ish on Lucroy. And Arnett at #3 while the next pitcher doesn't fall until #7, Odorizzi. I don't think our recent draftee has put himself so far ahead of the rest of the pack. And while I definitely like that he gave Scooter a token acknowledgement at #21, I wish he would have put Brooks Hall there instead, especially considering it seems like he values big-bodied pitchers with big fastballs. I still think it's a phenomenal piece, much better than most prospect evaluators. His book is an annual Bible for amateur prospectors everywhere.

When I said that Lackey is going to be considered the "bargain of the winter" now, I meant it because of Beltre's defense. And while I'll agree that Bradley and Hermida aren't CF-quality, I do still believe JD Drew can play a serviceable CF (though with their team, they will never be forced into such a predicament).

They have to be the favorites for 2010 now. I predict Dice-K has a huge "bounceback" year. I also predict the prognosticators all heap praise upon Theo for getting the "bargain of the winter" in Lackey. Look at Jack Z's approach and now Theo's. Three outfielders, all capable of playing CF-quality defense. Corner infielders of the highest of defensive quality (like Adrian Beltre '09 and Adrian Beltre '10). I just wonder if Scutaro was the best defensive shortstop available. I also have to wonder what is going to become of Mike Lowell's dead plowhorse carcass. He could platoon at DH with Big Papi while accumulating enough value to unload upon some unsuspecting agrarian sort. Definitely 2010 WS favorites.

Last year's over-achievers: 1. Casey at Bat 2. Mark DiFelice 3. Craig Counsell 4. Mitch Stetter 5. Todd Coffey 5a. Felipe Lopez Our bullpen could implode as quickly as Jorge Julio, but we are covered with Hawkins and Gamel in the equation. Counsell '09/DiFelice will undoubtedly be missed, but with Wolf going deeper into games, we have upgraded Looper/Bullpen Option A implicitly. And Prince and Braun are just now entering their primes. Predicting their curves is foolish. Prince could well develop into one of the greatest power hitters of the last hundred years. Youngest ever to hit 50HR.

Why don't we throw a lottery-protected #1 to Houston? I doubt we'll escape the lottery any time soon.

The only problem about parking at Bay Park Square Mall is that the off ramp to get there and all the traffic will definitely hinder your ability. If you're coming from the north, you are probably coming in on 41, so I would actually recommend hopping off on Lineville and parking at the Pro Bowl/Suamico Ale House. Big parking lot. conveniently located off the highway, and it should allow for easy meet up (as opposed to the congestion of Ashwaubenon on a Packer day). Your friends from the north should probably be coming on 43 and if instead of taking 41S, they take 41N one exit, that's Lineville (and there is also a park and ride at the exit as well).

Put me on the mailing list for round 2.

If the XYZ Rolen Affair taught us anything. it's that "decent return" becomes "major haul" when dealing within the division. But if they would do a cost neutral Soup for Harang deal, I would jump at the offer, while even tossing them a 15-20 prospect (Caleb Gindl comes to mind, as does Evan Anundsen-a sinkerballer at Great American...what a unique thought).

I don't see them as being interested in Salome. Jesus Montero is a higher ceilign version of him. What's the difference between Clay Buccholz and Phil Hughes? About 5 bank accounts, 3 ounces and two vehicles. Oh wait, that's the difference between Jeremy and Phil. But seriously, the Yanks have held onto Phil Hughes like we hold onto our Branyan man-love. I'd love to see him in the Brew Crew blue but I don't see how Hughes can be had for anything in our system short of Alcides (Jeter won't be at short forever).

I think most ballots will begin with these top three. As in most of my tiers, I go with ceiling. 1. 2B Brett Lawrie - The highest ceiling middle infield bat in the minors. Like Rogers Hornsby-type ceiling. 2. SS Alcides Escobar - Alcides is going to be the best friend of every hurler on the staff this year. Love his glove but continue to look the gift horse that is his bat in the mouth. 3. 3B Mat Gamel - LOVE the bat, even like the glove. Question the makeup after he doesn't start everyday in the majors and his bat becomes a noodle. Still prefer him to McGehee. Our former first rounders with the million dollar arms. 4. RHP Jeremy Jeffress - Limitless upside. I've forgiven the transgressions. He's no different than most young gents, except he has one of the best arms of the past decade. But no different besides that one slight exception. Much like the next gent... 5. RHP Mark Rogers - Has lost some time due to injury (or in Jeffress' case, immaturity) but still has a very high ceiling. I still think he could become a better SP than Homer. The Cinderella Southpaw. 6. LHP Zach Braddock - Unbelievable numbers. Well...I mean we IMAGINED he could do it but really? Ultimate question is where he fits in long term. I see him as a SP, and because of the dearth of LHP within the org. as a whole, he gets an extra bump or two. Our catcher duel. Both of the following players arrived with reputable bats and questionable ability to remain behind the dish. I'm of the opinion that there is a minute difference in value between the two, but that's of course because I value Salome's bat more. 7. C Jon Lucroy - Had a good year in AA (though not as good as the previous holder of the C position for Huntsville) and then a fantastic AFL (which got him bumped above Angel). Plays the position adequately with little question about long term position. 8. C Angel Salome - If this were fantasy baseball rankings, he would probably be in the top-5. I continue to hold out hope that Milwaukee's brass will come to its senses and let the bat play (which they won't as evidenced by Gamel getting Macha's in-game coffee everyday). Kirby Puckett's body with Eric Davis's skillset. 9. OF Kentrail Davis - I like ceilings and am actually surprised that he doesn't rank a peg or two higher. Has 20/20-30/30 potential. A few questions about his ultimate long term position not withstanding, phenomenal prospect. And then the hope and future of pitching in Milwaukee... 10. RHP Wily Peralta - Fantastic fastball, but inconsistent secondary stuff has yet to develop. 11. RHP Cody Scarpetta - Cold weather pitcher with outstanding stuff/peripherals but has yet to transfer full dominance to professional game. Prefer his stuff to... 12. RHP Jake Odorizzi - Cold weather pitcher with outstanding stuff/peripherals but has yet to transfer full dominance to professional game. Expected more of him this year. Still expect great things this coming year. 13. RHP Eric Arnett - Cold weather pitcher with outstanding stuff/peripherals but has yet to transfer full dominance to professional game. Higher ceiling than some of those in front of him, but prefer their bodies of work to his. Could still rank ten spots higher...4 spots lower. And the men who protect these pitchers... 14. CF Lorenzo Cain - Still consider him the future in center, but he's close to being Lucroy'ed by... 15. CF Logan Schafer - Great numbers in a notoriously bad hitter's park and league. Plays a great CF and has the makings of a REAL baseball player. Love the skillset and hope most of Milwaukee's fans will as well, since I have more of an expectation for him to see Milwaukee than anyone else on this list who finished their season below AA. 16. 3B Taylor Green - He missed out on a valuable opportunity to silence the critics who questioned his power. I still hold out hope, and could see him becoming a consistent version of McGehee (who I expect to be soon called Aberration '09). 17. RF Caleb Gindl - I know about the numbers and the league. But his maturity with that "ceiling" of 5'9"... About to be put to the AA test. The rest of the arms. 18. RHP Amaury Rivas - Love the numbers. Like the repertoire and moxy. 19. RHP Brooks Hall - My man-love affair from this past year's draft. I see a lot of Phil Hughes in this kid, which is a major compliment. 20. RHP Evan Anundsen - Continues to post great numbers with a low 80's sinker. Who does he think he is, Derek Lowe? Hope he regains some velocity and becomes a Trevor Cahill or Brandon Webb. 21. RHP Kyle Heckathorn - The only mulligan pick of the draft. I understand he has the fastball but unlike the guy who is #5, I see Heckathorn's ceiling as an unattainable Jon Broxton. More likely, if he dyed his hair red, he could pass for Son of Clung.

What about Gamel/Lucroy for Buccholz/Reddick or Fife? Ramirez is less apt to stick at catcher than Angel. I still prefer Angel to Lucroy and if we want quality, it will take another quality player. Reddick fits the plan if we intend to trade Hart. Fife is an underrated arm drafted last year out of college that could move quickly. Would I do it? Probably, but I don't think Lucroy is a special talent like Angel. As for the preference of Reddick or Fife, most would choose Reddick everyday but I have a firm affinity for Fife. And as for Buccholz, he would give us the best 25-or-younger combination in the NL. But the question becomes, can the kid hit?

All this debate about whether Morrow is ever going to be a competent starter because of the combination of rapid ascension and off-the-field (non-character) player issues reminds me of another talented gent there was talk of being available 2-3 years ago. He ascended quickly to the majors, had an amazing arm, was unspectacular in his initial tastes of the majors and because of the off-the-field problems, he was relegated to being a bullpen swingman. AL Cy Young winner Zack Greinke. Given how poorly he's been managed by the Mariners, I could see him flourishing in a new organization. But I would be very reluctant to trade Gamel, considering he is the full-time fallback option if McGehee was a one-year wonder. I would imagine building a package around Hart and adding three of our more interesting arms would be kosher for both sides. We have a mini-abundance (is that an oxymoron?) of young pitchers, many of whom were tabbed by Jack Z. Scarpetta/Peralta/Braddock would be my untouchables, along with hopefully Rogers/Jeffress. But that still leaves Odorizzi/Anundsen/Rivas/Butler/Aguilar/Periard/Nieves. Hart + Odorizzi/Nieves or Anundsen/Rivas The Mariners could certainly use some pitching prospects after their recent Cliff Lee trade. Jack knows our system so he should be interested in a few of our arms. But for Gamel? I think I would have to pass.

What type of contract could a FA Milton Bradley expect this offseason?

It would appear that Melvin takes pride in the ability to make the team "play for pay" if you will. I doubt he's going to be giving anyone outside of Prince an extention in the near future. I continue to hold out hope for Bush, but what's concerning is that there hasn't been much lip service paid at all to locking up Yo. I understand he's still three years from FA, but it does make me worry that perhaps Yo isn't as valued as our Terrible Two.

I'm actually the polar opposite in reference to Mathership. If he does end up failing, I will feel terrible for him. As you have said, losing your job and livelihood because of a purposeless law or rule would really depress me. Then again, Jeffress is by far my fave pitching prospect of the Brews. Highest ceiling arm I can remember. The Neugz and Sheets (who is definitely the closest) were phenomenal and I always gushed about Rogers' (whose ceiling is higher than Yo's) and George of the Rose's ceilings, but Jeffress could become Doc Gooden or Pedro. So if he does flame out and light a J, I will rue that day.

And that's exactly what I'm saying. I think very high of his character because while his civil disobedience was hurting no one explicitly (himself included), the fact that the repercussions implicit with said actions were hurting him. Thus, when everything was said and done and his career was at a crossroads, he made no excuses and simply set his goals sans the devil's lettuce. Unfortunately, that's one less thing he has in common with Tiny Tim Lincecum.

Prince and Counsell vs. Parra and Capps. Tag Team Steel Cage Match. Be there.

Let's be honest here, E-Jax's pinnacle of value was his 21st birthday (doesn't it sound like he had some trust fund?). Nevertheless, I think we have to be winners. We robbed the 'stros (a team in our division) of their fallback option for late-inning domination (whether he is still a dominator is yet to be determined) and we robbed the Dodgy Fellows (the early favorite for a division title, also in our leaue) of their steadiest pitcher of last year. Our pitching staff is improved on paper (who knows if they can survive without their bff, the cage fighter who calls the games). And speaking of which, and I cannot stress this enough, we did not sign Jason "I'm gonna punch you in the mouth if I don't see my name on the lineup card" Kendall. We supplemented the loss of power from Cameron to Gomez with the uptick in power from Kendall to Zaun. We replaced the Pitching Machine with a Mr. Wolf (over/under on Pulp Fiction references next year: 56) and added a proven late-inning commodity in Hawkins (who has had a hatred of our border rivals since he arrived there-"I'll take your money and for this, I will hate you more. Love the guy for this!). My only regret is that we didn't try this approach last winter.

I'm glad that he's focusing on his career as well. It speaks volumes to his character and maturation process that he finally sees it as a detriment to his ability to get to the majors. However, honestly, I am truly indifferent about his usage once he gets to the majors. There's never been any documented history of him making poor choices as a direct result of his usage. The only documented ill choice was the usage itself knowing he was subject to the testing. As Henry David Thoreau once opined, "Unjust Laws Exist." Contemplate that statement for a second. Laws conterintuitive to justice exist. Illegal laws exist. Would we be as quick to chastise him if there were laws in place about interracial dating and fraternizing and he overtly thumbed his nose at such laws? I know this isn't the place for this debate, so I will end this statement here and again wish the good sir Jeffress the greatest of luck in his endeavor towards the majors. I have a vested interest in seeing him succeed after all the praise I've long heaped upon his shoulders (I still remember a Fangraphs.com article esposing about the quality of Jeffress' season in '08 and how it was better than any other RHP prospect's in the minors). The good gent has all the talent in the world and would seem to be of the highest quality of character, poor choices withstanding. He has taken ownership of his situation and has never made excuses. Good luck, good sir Jeffress.

I've long been enamored with Chuck Lofgren. His mother was diagnosed with cancer and he ended up going through depression (cough GREINKE cough) being away from her at such a young age. Nevertheless she recovered, as did his prospect status somewhat. And as for the assertion that if we offer him back, it will most likely be because he bombed enormously, does anyone really think he's going to be pitching high-leverage situations immediately? We just splurged on a Latroy Hawkins and Claudio Vargas, and we still employ Mitch Stetter and Todd Coffey. I have long believed that the young southpaw has needed a change of scenery (much like Adam Miller does; kid's cursed) and can't be more excited for him that it is with my favorite team. The young gent also should get a good tutorial from Wolf and, perhaps, Narveson. In conclusion, very astute minimal risk-high reward move that was completely unexpected. He definitely has the highest ceiling of any Rule 5 pick this year (considering his lofty prospect rating two years ago). Good Luck, Chuck.

I'm actually of the opinion that since he didn't pitch in '09, he could be worth more than Harden. Harden bombed so badly in Chicago last year that they didn't even offer him arbitration (which even if he would have accepted, would have netted him the contract the Rangers ultimately tendered him, though more up front with nothing in the incentives). Sheets, the last season he toed the rubber, was the NL starter for the All-Star Game. That said, I really hope I don't have to endure Sheets AND Cameron in Cubby Blue next year.

Well no offense but last year's team value is a bit different than this year's team value. Maybe I'm simply overthinking this but the contracts of Ersan and Brandon Jennings should definitely enliven the state-wide basketball itch (if it hasn't already). And while I could see Milwaukee Bucks basketball being sold, I don't see how they could seriously move one of the more storied franchises in basketball. That would be like moving the Minnesota Lakers. Not happening...unless Mike Jordan gets involved again.

That alone endears him to me. "Stick it to the 'stros Mr. Wolf." As opposed to the obligatory, "Dave Duncan pulled some strings and my ERA flourished. BTW-Do not look behind the curtain," which is the mantra of Jeff Suppan's contract (contracts have mantras like agents have mojos).

And we nab....D-Lowe? This is going to get ugly.

I'll take The Ivory Coast v Ghana everyday. Brazil v Germany would probably be a dream matchup but you have to give it to the Brazilians. Portugal v Australia's socceroos, give me the FIFA player of the Year. And N. Korea v. Serbia are both dark-horses to various degrees (though Serbia does boast some hybrid soccerpitch warriors). What's amazing about Group G is that the best TEAM in the world, the best PLAYER, or the best Foundation (The Coast's midfield is going to give the Brazilians fits) won't even make the knockout stage. Now THAT'S a Group of Death.