ILuvDaBush

Did anybody else see that the Hawks just re-signed Zaza Pachulia? I still remember when we had to choose between the Flying Dutchman and Zaza Pachulia. I always liked the young chap. Still, we got the Dutchman. Ayye, the Dutchman.

What can you say about the game? The difference between Brazil and the US...when the US was down 2-0 early v. Brazil, we went and hid. When Brazil was down 2-0 v. US, they got angry. Donovan definitely showed that he is the key to our team (though something could also be said of Bradley Jr and Altidore). He paced the entire team. And the Gooch and DeMerit, between them, one should merit all-tournament consideration (probably Gooch. You can't deny having mini-Lebron back there definitely helps). But beyond all the positives you can take away from today's game, we still come home empty-handed and we have nothing to blame but our lack of desire or fitness. We played an amazing 45 minutes, but then, it was like the first half v. Brazil in the group stage. Brazil came out and immediately punched us right in the mouth. Then the ref tried to gift wrap a reprieve to us (the obvious punchout from within the goal) and we still couldn't take advantage. Hopefully this does lead to some new opportunities for our country's stars (especially Jozy). Also, as an aside, I too went to BayPort (and DePere), though I never played soccer. I graduated a year behind Jay but I never really said a word to him. Nice guy. Friendly. Then one night a few years ago (after he had gotten his call-up to the national team when they were playing in South America, I believe) I was out at The Bar with some friends and I saw him come in. Now I live in Green Bay and see Packers all over. But an EPL (at the time, his team had yet to be relegated) stud -and National Teamer, to boot - was something to behold. I knew a few people in his group, as I'm friends with the Rhodeses and the Grants in Green Bay, so I approached him and went a bit starstruck. Nevertheless, he recognized me from high school, sat down for a few minutes, and had a beer with us while he talked a bit about how excited he was to even get a call-up to the National Team. Total class act.

I totally am behind the Jennings pick. Honestly, I figured given the landscape that he wouldn't be there. An exciting playmaker at the PG position. And as others have said, with Skiles as his coach, he will be molded into a complete PG. What does this mean for Sessions? Hopefully he signs his restricted offer and becomes a FA next year, allowing for a full year of fighting for minutes with our future PG. Will it happen? Not with Luke the (former) Duck still on the payroll. But honestly, I think living as a "professional" last year in Europe can only help. I remember reading an article about how a young Dwight Howard had a difficult time coping his first year out of high school, living the life of a professional. Jennings lived a far harder lifestyle in Europe and had nothing but good things to say. That speaks volumes about his character. That he understands what being defined as a professional athlete entails can only help him in dealing with life in Mill-town, Cheese-sconsin. But hey, Wisconsin-Italy. They both love their cheese and alcohol. As for Meeks, I would have prefered the Volleyball star as well. Chase and Joe Alexander, vying for the right to be called Vanilla Sky. Unfortunately, 'tis but a pipe dream.

This probably isn't the place, but seriously, why isn't Braddock more untouchable? We're an organization that lacks any semblance of a lefty dominator in the minors (E-Fred only scares the catcher) and this kid is absolutely dominating! Even if he ends up in the bullpen, he could be a Fuentes or Thornton-type, the guy that we thought we were getting in George of the Rose.

How many games back would the Cubs have to be to sell off Gregg and/or Harden? It's beginning to shape up as a barren trade market for established pitching and if the Cubs were to make those two available as half season rentals, they could easily restock for another run next year when they'll have a healthy A-Ram. The only question is how many games back would they have to be to become sellers?

I think our best option is to have Jrue fall to us. The more I think about Skiles and what he wants out of our team, the more I think we need to finally bring in a point guard who wants to play strong defense. Then behind him, you have the Prince, and behind him you have the Aussie. That's a pretty good line of defense.

Arnett pared down the amount of pitches he throws this year, and really just works off his fastball. Like the article says, it's not nearly as bad if he simply threw non-stop fastballs. I don't really see cause for concern. Then again, I would be quite happy if they fast-tracked Arnett's ascendency by putting him in the bullpen, while also still leaving the door open for him to be a starter.

The more I think about it, the more I think Jrue Holiday is going to be the pick. Like it or not, he fits the mold of what the Bucks want (a point guard with a high ceiling that plays good defense). I still prefer DeRozan but I could behind the Holiday.

All these picks excite me, but I have to say, Davis is the one who excites me the most. Walla and Heckathorn are up there, but Davis is the player that in five years, we're going to say made this draft. I love the Arnett pick, just because he could be put in the bullpen, fast-tracked, and probably begin next year as a reliever in the ML bullpen. Walla and Heckathorn are the high upside picks that could also make this the best draft of this year. And Prince looks to me like a player that should have been picked earlier. The kid was a Freshman All-American. Going along with the eye questions, how long until Billy and Jason talk him into Lasik?

My point about the humor of the system is that if they were actually getting "paid" by their scholarship, why couldn't they sell or trade their payment for something they could actually use? Or suppose an athlete felt like "giving" his payment to a sibling who would obviously put the education to better use if said athlete entered the professional ranks and the sibling were just too poor to afford the education. But then again, this just goes back to my idea that all public universities should be wholly funded by the state and admittance should be strictly on a merit system. As for the question over Dozier's true aptitude, he could very simply have crammed for the SAT's some years ago and once he was done with the test, completely forgot it. I was looking over some old term papers some weeks ago and couldn't believe some of the information I had forgotten. Can't we give the kid the benefit of the doubt before we take him up to be crucified?

I always think it's funny when people discuss how college athletes get "paid" by having their scholarship and a miniscule stipend from the school. Hypothetically, why couldn't said player take their tangible scholarship and sublet it to someone who is actually going to put it to good use. If THAT student fails out, then scholarshipped athlete is out. Similar to season tickets at Lambeau. The best example, Allen Iverson went to the school I always dreamed of attending (Georgetown), and yet the guy has a smaller ENGLISH vocabulary than my 3 year old nephew (but in fairness, my nephew DOES speak at a five year old level). Instead, I had to attend State (UW) with the Old Zealander and the Hick from wherever Mike Wilkinson is from.

So what is the rest of the division going to be saying when Mat Gamel is doing his best Wade Boggs impersonation and Brett Lawrie is being compared to Rogers Hornsby?? As for young players in our division that scare me, Bruce has to be at the top. Rasmus....not so much. He's good, but does Corey Hart strike fear in your heart like Prince/Braun? And pitchers... The cream is Yo. Seriously, if you took the top players, 25 or younger in our division, the Brewers would have to be considered to have at least 3-5. Braun-Yo-Prince may very well be 1-2-3 in some irrelevant order (personally, I think Yo is #1. Seriously.) As a dark horse candidate for pitcher who could be scaring us as early as next year, what about Brad Lincoln? His AA numbers are very good and he should just about be regaining his stuff right about....NOW.

If they moved Hart AND a pitcher to the Nats for Dunn, I would revolt. They could have had him for nothing this offseason. NOTHING! And then we could have traded Hart for a "#5 pitcher" like Jon Sanchez and installed him into our bullpen, which would have saved us the Julio meltdown, which would have saved me from getting so toasted that night that I just sort of wandered off, Towelie-style. Then again....we'd have Braun-Prince-Dunn, all in the same line-up. You would have to feel for Rickie even more. He could have easily padded his "run" stats by another 110 with those guys behind him instead of the Golden Sombrero protecting Prince. As a fantasy baseball-type pipe dream, does anyone think V-Mart might become available? Shoppach is behind him, and Big V could spell Prince from time to time while also relegating our worst bat to the bench, which would anger our new pitching coach because the two seem to have a very good rapport, alienating the entire staff from the new catcher....causing a complete breakdown of our entire clubhouse....devolving while The Prince plays one faction off of another. Yeah, probably best to let sleeping dogs lie.

We picked him up when he was in A-Ball. I think we can take credit for cultivating him. As for all this talk about who the Brewers' franchise player would be to team with Braun on a long term deal, what about the guy who has been his constant nemesis for best player in the organization since he was drafted? I'm of course talking about Dave Bush. YOVANI!!!! Why is this kid not signed??? As for JJ for Clay and the questions regarding the BoSox's plans for next year, it's not as if Hardy is without trade value. Howitzer arm, steady glove, ideal #2 hitter. You're right. Straight off the scrap heap. Dime-a-baker's-dozen.

What's the opinion on DeMar DeRosan and the Bucks? I know a lot of people don't think he'll last that long (and I personally think we have a better shot at Holiday than DD) but he would be the ideal prospect in this draft who could take over for either RJ or Redd when they undoubtedly leave Mill-town. He is the best athlete in this draft, without a doubt. He would bring some much-needed athleticism to our team, and imagine Vanilla Sky-DD-The Prince in a few years. Athletes All. I've been trumpeting his accomplishments since before the tourney but the guy would be a great find, especially in this draft. And honestly, he COULD fall. I've never heard any questions about his character (outside of hanging out with L'il Romeo) despite him coming from Compton. And for those who question whether Redd was worth it, does no one remember that our fallback option if we lost Redd was Kelly Rowlands' favorite Bullet, Larry Hughes? And while it may sound quite crazy, I actually think of the Aussie Bogut as being our franchise player. When he's on his game, he can dominate all but the best. It all begins with him. He finally looked to be coming out this year before his back gave way. His style may be suspect but his game is top notch. And the thing with Redd isn't his efficiency with his shot, it's his proficiency in getting off his shot. The southie locks and loads fast enough to put an Old West gunslinger to shame. If only we ran an offense like Phoenix-NY-Toronto. Nevertheless, he's quite valuable.

First impressions of Mat Gamel? Appreciate that he's on our team. I can't wait for him to go on a crazy streak. He's healthy which is a plus. He's aware of his role and never takes any AB's for granted (Counsell-ian). And you can't ignore his numbers. Over/under...Wade Boggs.

What's the opinion of Aaron Harang? Good contract. Workhorse. Stellar peripherals.

If there's any player from last year's draft that fits Jack Z's model of "Have bat, will travel," it would be our new top prospect who is tearing up Wisconsin. And if it comes to that, thanks but no thanks.

Lawrie has definitely been a blast to follow. Braddock has done what he does best, strike people out. Aguilar is going the way of Pena (small sample size). Brewer continues to tantalize. And Odorizzi has done nothing so far...nothing so far to disappoint, either. He may have even leap-frogged Jeffress by doing so...or NOT doing so.

McGowan is out for the entire year, but next offseason, he would be a good "buy-low" candidate for when we're attempting to defend our WS crown. I really think our best trade chip would be Hardy. And I would also say that Toronto would be the ideal candidate for trading Hardy (unless they believe the Scuts is their long-term answer... I don't see them thinking that). Hardy/Braddock/Green would be quite the price but Halladay has consistently been the epitome of a workhorse ace. Peavy...would be a difficult sell. First their new ownership group doesn't look like they're attempting to curtail spending like their previous group headed by the recent divorcee. Also, Peavy would have to okay the trade and severely curtail his earning potential (so we would probably have to give him a new contract). Haren would be another great candidate in theory but Arizona gave up a bounty and a half for him and would expect a comparable package...if not more. That's the same problem with setting your sights on Eric Bedard. We don't have a Chris Tillman or Adam Jones. I wish we did. And unless we're getting Morrow or the King, I'm not tossing out Gamel's name. Thus...I would opine that our best target would be Cliff Lee. He has an option for next year so it would be along the lines of a year and a half of his services. He's amenable to an extention. He's a lefty. He totes a Cy. Outside of McGowan, he would come the cheapest. And if you go by his peripherals, he has been the best pitcher over the last year+. He doesn't have the luxury of youth or upside, but if Lee and Yo headlined our staff for the next two years, supplemented by Bush/Parra (unless Parra is then relegated to the bullpen), and trailed by Looper/Soup Nazi...well I could see us cracking the century mark. The Indians have long expressed a desire to move Jhonny to the hot corner. Ass-dribble and Hardy would form the ideal middle infield for them. As a dark horse, pie in the sky thought, what about Coco Liriano? The Twinkies have an abundance of pitching, could use a SS, and could use a bit more pop in their lineup.

Have bat, will travel....all over the diamond. As for Jeffress, where does that leave him? His biggest question coming into this year has been his command, and now he's lost any semblance of control. Maybe it would be best to switch him to the bullpen (ala Phillipe Aumont) to streamline his ascension to the majors. I also wonder if perhaps his cataracts are acting up. Someone should be in his ear telling him to take a weekend trip to Amsterdam.

So does the argument hinge on the ease of his pitching or the fallibility of the "Earned Run"?

So does the argument hinge on the ease of his pitching or the fallibility of the "Earned Run"?

So does the argument hinge on the ease of his pitching or the fallibility of the "Earned Run"?

I keep wondering about Hoffman's future. He tried very hard to stay on the west coast, to no avail. The Dodgers' bullpen situation and, to a lesser extend, the Angels' situation precludes him from the LA area. I could see him going to the Giants (and doesn't he just scream Giant signing? He's in his 40's and is a future HoFer...sign him!). But much like going home with the hottest girl at the bar, you just have to enjoy the ride and forget that by tomorrow, you'll be but a byline on her STD call list.