pete

Well, if anyone wants to see Javy, he is on WGN tonight versus the Cubs. As to why the Braves would want to trade him, they sound squeezed for cash. In order to take on McLouth's very reasonable salary they had to do some manipulating if i recall correctly. What they are rumored to be looking for is an outfield bat, so Hart would make sense. This trade is a long shot in my opinion, but maybe the cash crunch there or elsewhere will help the Brewers out. Also, I share the opinion that Doug Melvin is quite honest. He either answers directly or gives an answer that needs to be parsed. If it isn't a blanket yes or no, you have to look at the exact words.

I'd guess that there is a pitcher who they are going to give a start who isn't on the 40 man. I hope so.

I would think that both Weeks and Gamel would have to fail at their positions before they are abandoned. Imagine Gamel putting in all that extra practice time, the tutoring of Money and Randolph, seeing results that were asked for, and then the idea being abandoned while the next coaches go to work at learning a new position. Weeks has worked for years at playing 2nd. I think just about everyone would expect him to be between averageish to really good. Now move him to CF? If that was the plan, let it be another team.

The two articles aren't parallel. The earlier JSonline blog post, "Let's Make a Deal" is the one that would correlate to the McCalvey post. Braun's comments created a bit of a sensation and a reporter got a response from the GM. The follow up quoted the statements that created the sensation to provide context. I have to say, reading the original statement or better, listening to it, it lacks the same bite, but its hard to conclude that Braun wasn't saying that McClung and Burns didn't stink.

I'm glad Yo won't be pitching although as others said, the schedule likely would have prevented it. Ditto for Hoffman and I'm especially glad Ryan won't be in the HR derby. Another bad hitting stretch with declarations that he is feeling fine followed by a much later admission that he wasn't is what I fear.

Haudricourt likely listened to Braun's comments from a tape or transcript of whatever JS reporter was present when Braun spoke. I read the blog post again. I'm at a loss at what he is being criticized for. I suppose the "tool" could refer to providing an outlet for Braun, Melvin and every person who speaks to reporters. The other descriptor is a mystery.

I wonder if Duscherer is going to be healthy before the trade deadline.

I remember over the off-season Melvin said the equivalent of what MSC says above. It was something like "everyone is always available at the right price." I think it was in relation to a discussion of the trade of Carlos Lee and he was talking about how he wasn't thinking about trading him and an offer was made and the trade happened almost right away. Another comment that suggests that attitude was about the recent Corey Hart rumors. He responded to a query of his availability with the remark he "wasn't motivated."

You're wrong. He was voicing his own opinion. He says utterly idiotic things all the time. I thought he was some kid and was shocked to see him on TWC 32 and see that he has gray hair. And Homer's smart things are a farce. Do you think he says smart things? I'd say that show was an embarrassment to the station but his show isn't much different than the rest. I didn't say what I did out of a need. Congratulations on finding a typo.

I don't agree that Suppan has pitched as poorly. I find that a rather bold argument.

Since his May 24 start against the Twins, Bushy's ERA has been over 9.00. Even after just checking it at BR, that number is so high I feel like I should go back and double check, but I know if I'm wrong I'll find out about it. How many of the Jeff Weavers and Chad Gaudins match that number?

Well, saying Suppan has been pitching about the same but has been luckier sounds to me like you are saying that the others mentioned have had less luck. I'll pass on parsing beyond that.

First let me say one thing: you refer to things you hear as things you see. I happen to thing the print journalism that covers the Brewers is quite good although that is a minority view, at least around here. The announcing is also pretty good. In my opinion the radio coverage is awful, but I can't remember anyone talking about it. Some of the things I hear on the radio are mind numbing. A couple days ago Mitch Nellis was talking what a worthless pitcher Parra is, how he should be traded for whatever and how he lacked ability. The phrase "professional hitter" is an idiom. Are you really questioning its usage because everyone on the team is paid? The elements of what goes into being a professional hitter would probably make a good thread. Noting that skill also doesn't elevate them to a different status than other players. I hear frequent praise for Cameron, usually as a defender but also as a hitter. The cumulative value of different players is different. It may not be easy to measure, but it exists nonetheless. I don't remember the exact phrase that Grace used, but he didn't argue that Counsell was valuable because he had two WS rings. Your argument that Horry won championship rings but his value couldn't be measured on rings doesn't contradict what Grace said. Maybe you don't like Counsell but he is an excellent player who contributes in many ways. You say that "broadcaster never explains." I can't speak to the broadcast as I don't remember what you are talking about, but other broadcasters talk about the various things that Counsell does all the time. If you don't think Kendall is an excellent defensive catcher, I suggest going forward with an open mind to the idea you may not understand the elements that are involved in the catching position. There are many elements to that job, and I think he is great at them. Do you think he is poor at fielding grounders, blocking the plate, receiving throws or framing pitches? That's just a start to the list. Noting his slugging percentage makes me wonder if you play fantasy baseball. Its hard to imagine a team where slugging percentage is less meaningful than the Brewers. He's been hitting about .300 for a while now and doing it hitting in front of the pitcher. Braun would get on base less with a lower slugging percentage if he hit in the 8 hole.

XFIP proves that Bush has been unlucky? How many FIPs are there? It makes for interesting discussion to use yet another metric to add to the dozens that exist. Drawing definitive conclusions from it, I'm not so sure. But records aside, Suppan appears to be pitching fairly well lately. Location is probably the biggest factor. Bush has been throwing soft pitches up in the SZ, often on the inner half. Its one thing to have a guy golf a ball near his shins the way the Indians did to DiFelice and another to have Miggy Cabrera take a BP swing on a BP pitch.

He stunk against the Twins and I believe that was 2 games before his arm was struck. He hasn't been good since. It makes a nice story line and works better than he's stinking it up. I can't believe that people talk about him as a number 2 starter. Give Mike Burns, Nick Green, Mark DiFelice, Chris Cody and whoever a tryout in his spot in the rotation. Whoever steps up gets the job.

Guys with "zero power" don't hit doubles and triples.

His body language looks the same as when he was dominating. Is his body language bad when he is doing really well?

McGehee seems to be a good defender. Who knows how good or bad Gamel will be? Part of the internet expert evaluation by unknown "scouts" was that Gamel had a weak arm, so much so that he was questionable as an outfielder. That turned out to be a complete fabrication.

Don't forget that the season has started against some great pitchers.

I don't think she had a makeover. She just spent a little longer in hair and makeup. I asked my girlfriend what that top was called and she said it was a "peasant" top. Somehow I don't see many peasants wearing those. I'm kind of surprised at how racy some of her outfits have been. MLB is showing legs and cleavage whereas FSN was probably opposed to revealing ankles. I think her posture detracts from her looks. Also psychologically, after hearing her on the D-list talking about her shopping addiction and watching how she never wears the same thing twice, she gets a strike against her.

You said it yourself, we're two weeks in. Those are some pretty bold conclusions based on that time period. Maybe Macha believes that getting at bats will help Braun and Fielder rather than what you conclude. I don't get the Duffy hate. I also don't think having another veteran on the bench would have been bad, but good grief, Jenkins?

All sorts of people talk to scouts including Goldstein and Law, but what does that mean? Did the scouts that Law talks to make him believe that Pedroia isn't special or that McLouth is a 4th outfielder? Is it a couple scouts, some on every team or what? I keep reading that he can make all the plays but is inconsistent. I don't think you can come to some conclusion based on cumulative stats, especially something as questionable as UZR. He'll either play to his ability more consistently or not.

Sounds like fun. As you seem to have found out, interviewing is difficult. While Suppan may be just what they say, if they regret his contract, neither is going to call him a bum or themselves stupid. I'm a big JJ fan, but I don't think there is much chance of him being with the Brewers for long. He and Eski are both natural, quality shortstops. I just don't want to see him long term on the Sawx or Yanks. Given the situation, Melvin or Ash are pretty unlikely to say he's likely gone in the not too distant future.

One of the Milwaukee radio stations loves to use a sound drop of Yost saying almost this exact phrase.

I suspect if there is fire to the smoke, Macha would sit him some. I think he may have tried some things and reverted during a cold stretch.