liveforoctober

Probably can't re-sign him for what he will get elsewhere. Probably can't get much in value in a trade at the deadline that will outweigh what he provides in value to this current team for the remainder of the year. We ride with Jake until the year is over and hopefully he gets his first World Series swings with us. Then tip of the cap and let him go make life changing money.

I'm a value guy through and through. I think trading ahead of decline or at peak value is how we have to operate for the most part BUT I do not think that is the case with Contreras. He feels like a Yadi to me in terms of his importance to the pitching staff. I would like him here as long as it makes financial sense. I could be wrong and I'm not saying we should be dishing out a 9 figure contract to him... maybe he even leans into QO territory. Who knows. I just think he should be handled differently than most other positions. I know we will have to lose him sooner rather than later - but I'm low key nervous of what life after Contreras looks like from a pitching/game handling scenario.

Kind of wish we still had Suter so we could have both the vulture and the raptor in the pen.

Ideally you would have all arms in the bullpen be quality and usable at all times .. but then Miz goes 7, Harrison goes 7, Henderson and Drohan combine to go 9, etc etc ... and half of your bullpen doesn't throw for a full week. Keeping those guys on a regular schedule is such a difficult task ... so as much as every fan base rolls their eyes at the long guy in the pen - I imagine part of that reason is so that the young guys like Gasser/Crow/Henderson and to a lesser extent Rodriguez can all still throw regularly as they develop their arms and add innings. It does suck in the seldom times when the long guy is needed in a close game and the inevitable happens. With all of that said, with this team when you have the other MLB arms ready (Koenig, etc) and you don't need to 'save' the young guys by keeping them on schedule in AAA - Woodford would be done. Even though his numbers are not good - he still will have served his purpose and helped develop our young guys by holding that role up here for a 1/2 season.

Bauers again earning a nice contract somewhere next year. He has been a revelation.

Additionally, also with no data to back it up, he seems very unselfish... maybe even to a fault. He advances runners for the top of the order to knock in* almost every opportunity he can and his bunting causes chaos. I may be forgetting someone... But when the ball is in play/when he is on base he causes more havoc on the base paths than anyone we've had since Gomez I think? It seems like every "Brewers inning" we have where we score 3 with only one hit and nothing leaves the infield.... Hamilton is in the middle of it.

Just a random note, I don't think the hate that Hamilton gets is warranted at all. He is likely going to end the year between 1 and 2 WAR... which is really nice for a backup infielder that can spell 3 positions. It isn't his fault he has had to play 25% more than he should because both our 3B and SS can't hit. Rengifo... Fine. Ortiz... Fine. Sal... Fine. They are suppose to be starters. Chirp them. I don't think Hamilton deserves the same level of scrutiny IMO.

Pratt with another day at the plate. Could we be approaching the biggest shortstop prospect movement day in our franchise's history in a few weeks? Pratt to the bigs, Made to AAA, Pena to AA all at once? It is too soon but if we could have added Ebel to High A along with that ... seismic.

Saw the Mets optioned Tobias after yesterday. Does anyone know anything about Anderson Severino? 31 lefty reliever w/ just a cup of coffee in the bigs years ago but has thrown the ball well the last 2+ years spread across multiple leagues including AAA this year. DFA'd by the Mets ... I imagine someone might take a flyer?

Definitely, I'm being passive aggressive a bit but it's my way of acknowledging that we all see the same thing and there is stuff to fix so for those who usually are more vocal about it they can have the floor without resistance.

Definitely a a good day for the grumps to take over the game day thread :) The Sunshine club will be back tomorrow..

Let's go enjoy our Saturday night friends. Big paper advantage tomorrow to win the series. Do we only have one new arm up from AAA for Rodriguez or do we bring up two and say farewell to Jake as well?

I have no data to back this up so I'm willing to be proven wrong but Mitchell has such a unique skill set at the plate in my eyes. Both good and bad. He seems to have a really good eye and doesn't swing at pitches outside of the zone and when he does swing and make contact it seems like he hammers it. But he swings and misses so much.

I think he was out and I also think there was just enough doubt to not overturn it ... it cost us 3 runs.

Alright lock in Sproat. Get through this and then through the order once more and turn it over to the pen. 3 won't win this game.