ILuvDaBush

I'd rather try on Harang. With Rick Peterson in fold, he would be the better target IMHO. Arroyo would be like Soup part deux. Two former Red Sox retreads who are on one year expensive contracts.

Jennings defense is characterized as being a savvy thief in the lanes, but he's too small presently to have a lot of value as an "on-ball" defender. In the Pistons game, Scott Skiles was pre-occupied with Jennings giving up 50lb. to Rod Stuckey. However, as anyone who watched that can game attest, Jennings didn't back down from any contact and was a willing blue collar defender (as evidenced by his rebound numbers, as well). Deron-CP3. Rose-Jennings.

And the law of supply and demand would dictate that Cameron has an even higher implicit value in this market, given the dearth of premium defenders in this class as well as the lack of .800+ OPS from full-time FA CF's.

What about Smoltz? Supposedly this market is going to be characterized by players taking the first offer that they deem adequate. If the market is slow to develop for Smoltz, could anyone see us being the team to sign him? He pitched limitedly in the division and he would have Trevor Hoffman as his closer.

Igor, you say that Hardy had a bad year last year but it was preceded by two good years, and then you say that while Cameron will undoubtedly fall off defensively, we only can account for what we're replacing from last year. You can't have it both ways. Collectively, Cameron and JJ couldn't steal for the rest of their careers more bases than Gomez will undoubtedly put up next year alone.

In regards to the prescription card, would you go and get a sodomy card if the government issued them in special circumstances, only to be labeled a sodomizer? I find it best to claim the right found...umm...nowhere in my Constitution. My right to privacy.

Is it truly assured that we won't offer Cameron arbitration? He's bound to be in-line for a two year deal which would suit his pocketbook better than our offer of only this year (and ask our newest acquisition about having 4 OF for three positions). He's only a type B FA, which means he wouldn't cost any signing team their own draft pick while allowing us to recoup a supplemental pick as well. As for Gomez himself, I'm excited for the introduction of speed to our lineup. Last year, who was a consistent threat on the bases? JJ couldn't hit a fastball if the pitcher didn't worry about getting the ball to home plate. Would I have preferred Ricky Nolasco? Yes. Would I have preferred Michael Bowden? No. Do I want to see Aaron Harang in Brewer blue now? Oh yeah. And it looks like a slight possibility now too. Yadier Molina v. Gomez/Escobar. Good times.

My biggest fear with Young Gent Jennings is that he's inevitably going to hit the rookie wall. He's playing so many minutes and he's playing so hard, I wonder if he's going to burn out by New Years.

Tomorrow is the first of many showdowns between our electric PG and the Rose of Chicago. The West has Paul-Williams. We have Jennings-Rose. Ersan and Hakim are looking like they were smart buys so far (though Hakim did miss-time badly that alley-oop from Jennings). But the guy I'm still curious about is Delfino. I haven't seen him much since he was suspended. Is he anything special? There's a lot of potential, and I'm thoroughly behind Skiles...and I can't wait to see who we get in next year's lottery.

Considering his upbringing and its effect on his relationship with his father, fidelity and commitment would seem to be virtues he admires. As long as we're honest with him and show him that we're altogether committed to him (which we have always been), then I hope he would take it upon himself to reciprocate the gesture. And can any team offer him what the Brewers offer him in Braun? Combined, they are the best 3-4 combination in the sport. I really hope one of these mornings I wake up to read, "Fielder inks largest deal in history of franchise." Our future would be tied to Braun-Fielder, and I wonder about what type of effect it would have on our ability to keep Yovani, but we are DEFINED by our C-IT-GO mentality. Chicks dig the long ball. And Wisconsin digs its Prince.

I don't see how you could make that trade. You would have control over those two for the same amount of time you would control Braun, except with Braun, you know the set price. Furthermore, that set price is going to be a discount for what he provides. That's the type of package they could use to entice a Pujols trade, but not Braun.

Maybe it's just me but when I first saw this rumor, I figured the Brewers would have to throw something extra in to accomodate the difference in service time. And Aumont is a pipe dream and a half. I wish we could get him, as I still envision the tall Canadian as an ace-type pitcher. As for Morrow, as has been mentioned, he has been handled poorly and could probably flourish in a change of organizations.

Getting Bogut's Sloppy Seconds and sharing a few Dutch Heinie's with Danny Gadz after the game. Perfect Promo. But seriously, with Brandon Jennings at the controls, this team could be something special in the near future. And I'm definitely warming to the idea of having an ALL-INTERNATIONAL starting lineup. Brandon Jennings...well he PLAYED in Italy, and I sense a little Kobe in him. A citizen of the world. Roko Ukic...He's no Kosta Koufas. Prince Luc....Prince of the lockdown. Andy Bogut....The Croat Ersan...Turkish Delite Danny Gadz...the Temporarily Grounded Dutchman Mikey Redd and Charlie Delfino-International Ballers

I was the one who said it and I thought I had since elaborated on it. Do you disagree that Sheets has never had a shortstop like Alcides? His range is absurd, and many people have compared Alcides to Elvis Andrus. I wish we could go all Plessy v Ferguson here and say "separate but equal"...which didn't seem to be in such bad taste until I realize I am, in fact, comparing two players of different ethnicity....but please trust that I say it in jest. But comparing Escobar to Hardy is not the topic here. Sheets-Harden-Prior. All three are free agents. I only bring up Prior because he could be a reclamation project that could be very cheap and thus worthwhile.

My only assertation was that Alcides has more range and is more prone to make the spectacular play. I will readily admit that WITHIN his zone, JJ converts more plays into outs. But JJ can't make a lot of the plays that Alcides makes.

Sheets-Harden. As long as we get quality innings, I'll be happy. Harden was even better for the Cubs than CC was for the Brews last year. Sheets has never had a shortstop like Alcides and one need look no further than the Texas Rangers and their pitching resurgence from another slick-fielding rookie (Elvis Andrus). If they traded JJ/Hart (putting Gerut in a platoon with generic FA) and jettison the pitching machine that's flipped to the "Looper" setting, they could afford it. Let Seth McClung/Carlos Villanueva be the longman tandem and talk to the Cubs about exchanging Soup's contract for Bradley (shifting Gerut to center, if we can't re-sign Cameron). Yo Sheets Harden Parra Bush Our bullpen is set. I think Carlos and McClung have been mishandled repeatedly but both have seen their share of success. But both could also be inserted into the rotation if we ended up putting Parra/Bush in a package. My top five hopes for next season's rotation (sans Lackey, because...well I would rather pay Prince): 1. Harden - When he's on....the mound.... Well he will probably be discounted slightly. 2. Sheets - Lack of interest this past year seems to have humbled him slightly. I would still be amenable to giving him $10M+ if he showed that he could still light it up in the low 90's with movement. I doubt that curve ever left him. 3. Harang - I know he's technically not a FA but with that contract and recent track record, he should come with a giant coupon, and I would much prefer him to Suppan... And honestly, I prefer him to most of what's available. Pineiro will probably get paid more than Harang's $12M+ next year. Again, the Cincy Commies will probably subsidize some of that contract. 4. Smoltz - I know it would be a longshot but the gent is Dave Bush-like in his reluctance to give a batter a free pass. He still has low 90's heat when needed, and it would make for a good swan song to go out with Trevor Hoffman. 5. Wolf - If we're going to go with a big-name, I would rather sign a Jason Schmidt-type deal with Wolf, considering we lack a quality lefty. Also, Wolf was very good for the Astros and only was allowed to leave when they ill-advisedly yanked a 3yr/$21M contract off the table write as he was righting his name. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

What about Hardy for McGowan straight-up? Both are coming off of disappointing years (Injury v. impotence). With the Jays probably needing as much cost-controlled pitching as possible with the inevitable departure of Halladay, wouldn't it make more sense to procure the pitcher who could help us most this year and who wouldn't cost the most from the Blue Jay's perspective (the other pitchers are still pre-arby).

Well I was taking it a step further in that throwers are quickly discarded (E-Jax, George of the Rose, Scott Kazmir...) and, moreover, second chances are necessary, especially for one-time top pitching prospects. If we could somehow take a shot at a high ceiling arm who has lost a bit of his luster, I would jump at it.

Braden Looper is having some "surgery" too. Scapegoats all around for pitchers with record-high ERA's.

Didn't you hear? He's terrible at teaching situational hitting.

My exact point was that we added Scarpetta because through an irregularity in the MLB rules (the voiding of a contract making a player Rule 5 eligible and Jack Z chopping at the bit to snag a nugget from his old pals), he needed to be protected. We should add Jeffress because through an irregularity in the MLB rules (a minor league player being subject to drug testing and a player on the 40-man roster NOT), he needs to be protected. Pot will not ruin his life. It's a minor intoxicant which is less habit-forming than most legal OTC drugs (anything that affects the body). He's a young gent who is not out assaulting people or relieving others of their goods. Outside of a few questionable decisions about intoxicants (and let's be honest, how many of us would have tested positive for an intoxicant at his age?). The fact remains, the Brewers have to protect their investment. Much like the Scarpetta case, if it takes adding a player to the 40-man (and between Scarpetta and Jeffress, which player has the bigger investment from the Brewers?), then it should be done. And the fact that it expedites his ascension only adds to the benefits.

Well no matter the circumstances, you protect your high ceiling arms. I would have to believe Jack Z would be more apt to snag Jeffress than Scarpetta. He'll be added.

If Cody Scarpetta was added to the 40-man roster last year, then isn't it a foregone conclusion that Jeffress should be added to the 40-man? I know they're completely different matters but if the Brewers valued Scarpetta's arm enough to protect him, then they're undoubtedly going to protect their highest ceiling arm. As for his future, I will be very slow to dismiss his career. If he's added to the 40-man, it will expedite his ascension. And let's not forget that this is a young gent who would just now be graduating college. However, instead of growing up in the open forum of ideals that is the college campus of today, he grew up on the road that had made a speed bump of Josh Hamilton among others. Except as far as any test had revealed, he is simply an immature stoner. A little civil disobedience in lieu of the transgressions that have derailed the careers of Angel Villalona or Elijah Dukes. Brett Favre repeatedly abused prescription pain killers (which are far worse than pot) and alcohol (again, quite worse than the ganja). I expect Jeffress to become a more responsible marijuana smoker in the future (as Randy Moss, would say, "Only in the offseason...as you're running over a meter maid"). And I understand that even this year, he failed the AA test and had to again go dominate A+, but his arm is still as golden as it was when he was drafted. And considering the absolute dearth of top pitching prospects in our organization, I can only hope they continue to think of the young gent as one of their future cornerstones instead of a lowly beggar at the corner store.

Not to use a cross-sport comparison...okay...TO use a cross-sport comparison, the Brewers are about as apt to trade Braun as the Packers are to trade A-Rod. Also a name to simply throw out there, but what about Jody Gerut? If Cameron does sign on for another year, he could probably be packaged with another piece to get a once-or-future prospect pitcher-TINSTAPP. The Rays and Athletics have some pitchers who would fall under that description.

Doesn't our current roster configuration look like it's a precursor for a "Richie Sexson-type" deal? Parra-Capuano (Early success hasn't been built upon) McGehee-Overbay (Minor league numbers and major league numbers paint two different players) Lopez-Spivey (Contingent upon him accepting Arby's and then signing off on trade...but those two players are very much alike) Rivera-Moeller (Back-up catcher with no trust from the front office) Jeffress/Rogers-George of the Rose (High Upside Arm with minimal track record of success) Counsell-....Counsell (Throw in to balance salary. Since he isn't owed, he shall simply be renamed Craig Counsell's imaginary contract) So what type of package could we get for this? Parra-McGehee-Rivera-Lopez-TINSTAPP