CheezWizHed

When healthy, Saito has had a very good career. And he's a reliever, so I don't think age would be as big of a factor for him as it would be for say a shortstop. He will be 42 next year. The older he gets, the harder it be for him to be "When healthy"? Even with an arby raise, he might not make that much, so it might be worth it. But then again, with a 1st round tender, no one may want to bother with him either. The Brewers generally haven't liked taking those risks. I thought another poster posted a link that showed Hawkins not even being a type B. Don't know. Just trying to figure out the 5th 1st round draft pick (Brewer's normal one, Fielder, Saito, K-Rod, + ???). Even if you have to pay him $13 million, you'll be paying Axford next to nothing so they kind of average each other out. Axford might not appreciate that very much... But I generally agree with you on K-Rod. The question is: Will the Brewers agree? There has been a lot of discussion over the last couple years where we (the fans) thought so-and-so should be offered arby and wasn't. And more often than not, the Brewers were probably right not to offer it (Cameron, Lopez). I can see three 1st round pics (two compensation), but I doubt the Brewers will risk offering arby to everyone that is eligible to bring us compensation picks back.

The Brewers are in line to get 5 first round pick next season. I wouldn't hold my breath on that one. I'm assuming you are including Prince, K-Rod, Hawkins and Saito. I would think the chances of offering arby to K-Rod are 50/50, maybe a little higher. Hawkins and Saito are pretty big risks to accept. Yes, they are pitching well this year. But at their current age and salary (?30% raise), I'm not sure the Brewers would risk them accepting arby. Thornburg SHOULD start the year in Huntsville. ... No reason for him to continue in BC, especially if the Brewers are serious about pushing their starters. Yeah, but history tells us they don't push their starters. I would not be surprised to see him start in Brevard again.

Apologies if you were looking forward to compiling this... Nope, no worries. I had gotten as far as the two POY candidates and wondering how to handle guys that played at two levels vs. guys that played OK the whole time at one level (like BK or Kh Davis vs. Morris). So, that means I thought about it for 30 seconds. DHonks had a nice idea about breakout/surprise players also. So I take a shot at that: Surprises: A: TJ. Mittelstaedt - Really came out of no where. Played in AZ last year (at 22) and didn't hit this well. Still too old for the level and not much power for LF, but put up a nice year. A+: BK has it his way. Morris' 19 homers breaks the record, but Kjeldgaard's 18 in half a season was impressive. AA: Maldonado - didn't deserve to be at AA, but crusty veterans at AAA pushed him down. And he showed that he didn't deserve it. Now he is in the bigs, while Nieves and Rivera are... not. AAA: Green. Not too big of a surprise at AA (his 3rd attempt), but he kept it going and kept getting better as the year went along. What could have been if he hadn't broken his hamate bone in the first place... Hello again: A: Jimmy Nelson - Far from dominant, but showing a little promise at least. A+: Josh Prince - Nothing stunning, but Josh did what Josh needed to do in his second go at A+. If we had an MLB SS put up his numbers, BF.net would have 1/3rd less posts this past year. AA: Robert Wooten - Didn't quite put up the numbers like he did prior to the dreaded TJ surgery, but was a nice solid year. Nearly 1K/IP. AAA: Schafer - nice return from injury.

Sorry, DM. Washington was just trying to get rid of Morgan, so you don't get credit for jumping in and buying low on the guy. K-Rod was a salary dump. Doesn't make either one of them worse trades from our end. A GM that takes advantage of another team's needs for his own team's benefit is a good thing.

The logic of the situation is pretty simple: If Gamel is a lock to replace Prince, he is going to be one of your best minor league bats. If he is one of your best minor league bats, you could use him to PH. At minimum, during September, but also during the playoffs. If he is a lock to replace Prince, getting him more MLB experience can only help him for next year. When we should also expect to contend. But instead, Gamel sits at home, while Green, Schafer, and Maldonado are called up. All three do deserve it, to be sure. Green fits a true need, so that is obvious. Maldonado ends up being the 3rd catcher, which has some merit. But Schafer, while deserving, ends up being the 3rd CF. If he was a righty, I can see him stealing some of GoGo's playing time, but as a lefty, he seems very superfluous. And all three were chosen over Gamel. Therefore, the only conclusion that I can make is that Gamel is NOT a lock to replace Prince next year. He will be one candidate, but he really is going to have to earn it. The Brewers are NOT handing it to him. My suspicion (as others have said), is that there is something else beyond his play holding him back. So far two managers have been down on the guy.

I saw the thread and was going to come here screaming, "Copyright infringement!" But then I remembered that I never put a copyright on it. And then I remembered that I pretty much stole the idea from what others have done in prior seasons. And THEN I remembered that you saved me time in compiling all that... so COOL! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif I would concur on the POY honors. Green and Peralta. It was an ironic year. We started out thinking that the system was bare at the top, but the best group (production-wise) was at AAA with Gamel, Gindl, Green, Maldonado, Schafer and Fiers. They might not all have really high ceilings, but all should be able to contribute to the MLB club (if allowed).

That's ironic that a short-season rookie league is the last one playing...

I'm a little late to the party, but the Brewers handling of Gamel does make you wonder: 1) Your planned replacement for Prince at 1B isn't put on the 25-man to make him eligible for the playoffs. 2) Now he isn't even called up when he has no where else to play and no (legit) reason to keep him away. That's two big strikes and has to make you wonder about next year...

I should add that the MiLB forum has easily grown to be my favorite BF.net forum. I'll second that. I find that I spend twice as much time here as the MLB forum. Seems to me that the discussions are less fan-centric (RR is an idiot! Why is YB starting at SS?), and more amateur-GM-centric (scouting, player development, etc). Even though Caleb Gindl and Khris Davis still will spark some heated debates... http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif I'll also second LouisEly's post on my thanks to all the link report writers. Without this dedicated following of the minor league team, BF.net wouldn't be half as good. SALUTE!

Dezdn, bravo! Gotta love me some Sesame Street! I was going to post a dirty dozen picture or maybe 12 angry men, but for 11, hmmm... How about this one: http://monnaie.me/roi-de-france/images/grandformat/55_Louis_XI.jpg

33. Stan Kyles Are you sure that isn't the sherriff from Blazing Saddles? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

I still have that 13-0 poster. Wish I did. I started listening to the Brewers in 1985-6, but it was 1987 that solidified me as a Brewer fan.

http://cdn3.iofferphoto.com/img3/item/212/904/580/WeHi.jpg http://sites.google.com/site/mlballparkcom/files/craigslist-poster-brewers-13-0-2.jpg

Congrats George! I think its official that the Brewers have the most backup catchers hitting for the cycle in MLB history.

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/mediafile/201003/24/P201003240905291928076261.jpg

http://www.whitestarlimo.com/sweet-16-images/sweet_16_limousine_ny.jpg

Excellent. A life-size picture of Gantner... Actually, I have that Topps card. Got to love that they reversed the picture (the MB logo is backwards)

Not trying to be flippant, but Fiers could be a #1 starting pitcher. http://www.daviddarling.info/images/Bell_curve.jpg If Fiers is most likely going to end up being a #5 SP, then "0" is being a #5 SP. Then somewhere around "1.5" might be his chance of being a #3 SP. Obviously a lower chance, but a chance nonetheless. Its all just probablity until its production.

I'm guessing Hinton would get a 40-man spot if there is one available, but even he wouldn't be a high priority. I would think a few of those guys will stick around, since the Brewers seem to like them and they have little shot of making the MLB level anywhere (e.g. Rivera and Arlis - the human yo-yo) The rest will either re-sign or the Brewers will sign some other MiLB FA of similar value to fill the spot.

Some cognitive dissonance going on regarding the word "Wisconsin" as I type this while watching the Badgers game. Unfortunately, I couldn't watch it last night, but I had to laugh when I checked the score at the end of the first and it was 21-0. Who says college doesn't have a pre-season? :P GO BIG RED! I'm greedy, I want a Super Bowl, World Series, and a NCAA National Championship this year. I'd thrown in an NBA Championship, but I'm trying to be realistic...

In honor of Arlis' activation, the Sounds will be handing out flip-flops and yo-yos for the latest team give-away. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

DSL: Pitcher: Gian Rizzo – What a nice birthday present for the soon to be 18 year old RHP (Sept 5). But he earned it with a 0.45 ERA in 20 IP that included 22K and 4BB. Batter: Deivi Mejia: Seems that many of the kids wore down in August, but the 21 year old catcher is rounding out a nice season by putting up a 303/351/545/897 line for the month. Arizona: Pitcher: Will West – Not a great ERA (3.54), due to a high BAA (.318), but Will wins the award over Lopez and a few other contenders based on his 25K/4BB in 20.1 IP. Batter: Jimmie Pharr – If you want to hit in AZ, you must be a catcher…. Nothing spectacular from the AZ crew in August, but the catchers continue to lead the way. Granted, the 22 year old Pharr just might have an age advantage. Still no one else really came close to deserving it, so Pharr’s 271/368/500/868 takes it for this month. Helena: Pitcher: Seth Harvey – The former 2010 37th round pick found his stride to a tune of 1.17 ERA and a ratio of 24K and 4BB in 15.1 innings. Batter: Max Walla – Still not showing the power people were expecting, but it’s nice to see Walla with a strong showing this year. Still only 20, Max put up 299/393/454/846. Wisconsin: Pitcher: Matthew Miller – Puts up his best month yet for the ‘Rattlers. The 6’6” RHSP started 6 games for an ERA of 3.31 and 32K/16BB in 35.1 IP. Honorable mention goes to Adrian Rosario for bringing the Brewers $25k (net proceeds from the Rule V draft) and ½ of the K-Rod trade. Oh, and he pitched ok, too. Batter: Mike Brownstein – Mittelstaedt, Walker, Hawn or Ramirez? Nope, Brownstein stole the show this month. Limited ABs for the 24 year old SS (who shares his August 9th birthday with my daughter), but came up with a line of 365/459/519/978 in 52 ABs. Nice to see Cody Hawn coming around here late in the season, putting up nice numbers these last couple months. Brevard: Pitcher: Tyler Thornburg – Welcome back Tyler! Well, actually his peripherals say he never left, but it’s still nice to see the results. 3.48 ERA in 5 starts for a 41K/13BB in 31IP. Too bad the team offense couldn’t help him more than a 1-3 record. Batter: Scott Krieger – Can’t say that I’ve heard of him, but for August, he out-hit Morris, Ke Davis, Gennett, and the rest. 313/376/470/846. Nice to see Josh Prince hitting a little bit at SS also. Huntsville: Pitcher: Daniel Merklinger – Huntsville’s pitching squad was thin in August with Peralta and Fiers promoted and Scarpetta was injured (although pitched well in 2 games). Still Dan did an admirable job for the month. With a 3.82 ERA and 33K/17BB in 35.1 IP. Kudos also to Lucas Luetge for 17K in 9IP and Robert Hinton for 0.00 ERA in 14 IP. Batter: Zelous Lamar Wheeler - Looks like Wheeler is turning himself into a nice utility player candidate. Certainly would be on the SS radar if he had the defensive chops for it. Minor injuries have been a problem this year, but he finally put together a nice month at: 326/449/579/1028. 16BB in 95AB is a nice ratio also. Nice to see BK have a nice month of August also. Nashville: Pitcher: Michael Fiers – Peralta has moved up to AAA to give Fiers some competition. Peralta is younger and stronger, but Fiers had the better month: ERA 0.68, 44K/11BB in 39.2 IP. Remember when the Brewers kept trying to put him in the bullpen? In AA??? Wow! Honorable mention to Daniel Herrera for bringing in ½ of K-Rod after the Brewers picked him on for nothing earlier this year. McClendon might not end up as much, but I’m happy to keep him over Herrera. Batter: Taylor Green – Green, Maldonado and Gindl all had great months in August; Basically neck and neck. But Green breaks the tie by finally getting the attention of DM and Co. I guess three consecutive months with an above 1.000 OPS will do that. This month, he comes through with 360/406/640/1047. Overall: Pitcher: Michael Fiers – Really making some noise this year, proving he can start. In 2+ months at AAA, he has an ERA of 1.21, and 65K/22BB in 59.2 innings. Add that to the recent scouting report that informs that he has a 88-92 MPH FB and good secondary pitches and I think we found a 22nd round gem. Batter: Taylor Green – In keeping with the theme of late round gems (25th round), Green just keeps hitting. It might not be pretty, he might not be extremely athletic, and he might need motivation from pretty country music singers, but if he keeps producing, no one will care.

It's not really a fleecing by any stretch imo. Sure, they were in a bind given the $17M vesting or whatever. But the reports of giving up mid-level prospects was even overblown. Herrera was a waiver wire pickup (AAAA player). Rosario might have a good arm, but would need to be on the 40-man to be protected from the rule V draft (again) and went the wrong direction at A+ ball this year. There is still plenty of time for him to develop to something good, but given that we weren't going to protect him on the 40-man, I doubt it would have been here again. IF we offer arby and get 2 draft picks back for him... it would totally be a fleecing. If we don't and he signs elsewhere, its merely a great deal. Kind of funny that Rosario has brought us back $25k and 1/2 of K-Rod this year.

I have not studied his stats real hard but get the feeling he hasn't performed extremely well at AAA since the trade was made. If I were going to the Mets, my performance would probably dip also... http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

i'm holing out for nl central division champs gear (knocking on wood....) They will be on clearance after the WS championship shirts come out... http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif Personally, I think this is a marketing ploy by Miller. It makes people think about beer more...