Biestie1

Maybe I should've asked that question differently.

I don't own the book, but one of the authors was on The Homer's show the other day, and he said batting the pitcher 8th would get the Crew 2-3 more wins. What that equates to in runs...?

When haven't the Pirates been in salary dump mode?

It'd look better if you cut the sleeve's off part way up the arm.

I'm not crazy aobut Braun batting behind Fielder either. I'd like to keep Braun in front of him to guarantee he gets some pitches to hit. He really doesn't have a very good eye yet. As far as the pitcher 8th, it gives the top of your order more ABs. It does give the pitcher spot more ABs, but since there's not always a pitcher batting in that spot, the advantage of having the top of your order hit more is more pronounced than the disadvantage of giving a pitcher more ABs. So goes the theory. Your right about them being negligible differences. You could hit the pitcher 4th and probably only lose a few more games.

Parra as a 5th starter wouldn't be expected to throw over 200 innings, but even in that 5th spot, if he stays healthy, he'd be in uncharted waters by season's end. I'd be inclined to bring him up later in the year, and still have him for the playoffs.

I would tend to agree with casey. Gross/Dillon platoon looks good to me. I know you said not a Gross/Gwynn thread, but really, that's really the question isn't it? Gross and Gwynn have about the same OBP, and Gross has some power.

Good stuff. In all seriousness, a lot of the players drink coffee in the dugout too.

Would 70 mil have been that easy to turn down? - Yes. As far as your other point about the moving Hall and Braun. LF and 3B are both positions where you typically get offense from (LF more than 3B but still), so I don't really think you keep Braun at 3B just because of his offensive skills at that position (like Weeks at 2B). If you assume that their offensive numbers are going to be the same, it seems like a no brainer to me. Billy was born an infielder, and Braun would cost us games at 3B. That's not to say that I think Billy is much more than mediocre at the hot corner, but Ryan is certainly a lot less. The biggest thing I think Ned and Doug were saying with this move is, we're playing to win this year. We can't afford to stick it out with Ryan like we did with Weeks at 2B.

MJLiverock, there is no full time FSN-WI. With direcTV, if you get FSN-WI, you get FSN-North as well (641 and 642). FSN-WI is just an "alternate" to FSN-North. The only thing that FSN-WI is is games, pregames, and a handful (a very small handful) of other things. Watch all the poker and best damn sports show you want on 641, and at 7:05 pm, when the Twins come on on 641, switch to the Brewers on 642.

In one signing, he upgraded 3B and CF defensively, and filled the hole in LF left by Menchkins, without sacrificing offense. And he made wholesale changes to the biggest reason for the collapse last year. I give it an A-.

Sheets, without him healthy and effective, I don't think we win more than 83, or 84 games.

There's not programming on FSN-WI all the time, where I live (Iowa), I think because it's really just a companion to FSN-North (I get both). It's only on when the Brewers, Bucks, sometimes Badger Hockey, etc. are on. FSN-North is on full time with all the other programming that FSN has.

The problem that I see, is that it doesn't give any margin for error for three of your five starters. If you're going to you pen, by design, after a few innings in your 3 and 5 spots in the rotation, your 1, 2, and 4 better go deep into games. Your point about doing it after september callups is probably a good one, but I don't think you can carry enough arms in your pen to be effective at this otherwise.

I went through a little bit of heartache with DirecTV last year, and finally got the full scoop. Here's the deal: There are 2 types of blackouts. Local blackouts, which are based on your zip code. If you're in a team's zip code, you are blacked out. Period. If you call directv, that's the only one they'll tell you about. The other type of blackout, has to do with availability of programming in your area. Basically, if a game is available in your area, on any other channel, besides MLB Extra Innings, that'll be blacked out on extra innings. So if a game's on ESPN or Fox, it won't be available on extra innings. The issue I ran into was the fact that my regional FSN network is FSN North/FSN Wisconsin (with directv, if you get one you get the other). I signed up for extra innings thinking that's what I'd need to watch the Brewers, since I live in Iowa. But it turns out that in my area, the Crew is blacked out on Extra Innings, because I live in an FSN North Area. To make a short story long. If you don't live in a Brewers zip code, and aren't in an area served by FSN North/Wisconsin, sign up for extra innings. If you do live in one of those areas, Extra Innings will do you no good (as I found out).