CheezWizHed

Until he proves something on the field, Dickerson is the third Mouton to me. He had a good but short rookie season, and that has skewed a lot of his 'slash' stats. That was three years ago. 2008: 102 AB - 304/413/608/1021 - That is more than good for a CF, but is way over what is expected 2009: 255 AB - 275/370/373/743 - Who here would not accept that from our CF? 2010: 97 AB - 206/250/268/518 - Yep, a poor year, no doubt. So his rookie year no more skews his numbers up than last year skews them down. So in 3 years he had one bad year. And since part of that bad year was here, I think it tends to skew Brewer fan's perspectives a bit too much. Yes, 454 MLB ABs is still a smaller sample, but I think he has at least shown enough to be a good backup CF. Especially since his OBP is on average 100 pts better than his BA (both MLB and MiLB). The guy can walk!

JB, this is one serious man-crush you have on Reed... http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif Carroll looks like AAA LF/RF depth. I doubt he effects Boggs/Dickerson/Reed, as he really isn't a CF.

I never argued that Dickerson was a prospect. Your argument on Reed was based on that he was a better minor league prospect. At their age, production trumps prospect. Does Manny Parra's prospect status in the minors mean anything anymore? Dickerson hasn't had a ton of MLB at-bats (< 500, but with decent results), but Reed has had plenty (>1200 with bad results). What they were or did in the minors doesn't account for a hill of beans when the player is approaching 30.

I don't think anyone will forget the ball he missed in the playoffs, but that was the exception, not the norm. Unfortunately, it came at the wrong time. When he was here the first go around, Cameron he was an above average CF; On defense and on offense. Not All-Star, but far better than we had been used to. But the thing I really liked about him was that he brought leadership. Guys like Braun, Weeks and Fielder rallied around him and listened to him. Last year, our dugout had a kind of sour feeling to it. Macha obviously contributed to it, but losing Cameron also did, IMO. As for right now, Cameron on this team for $7M isn't worth it. But for a couple $M as a backup OF, yes PLEASE. Last year Gomez exceeded his career numbers (which is possible again as he is still young): 247/298/357/655 (Career: 246/293/349/642) Last year Cameron had injuries and was way below his career norms (which is possible again as he is older - and it really sucks to call someone younger than me "older"): 259/328/401/729 (Career: 250/340/447/787) Those are big differences in OBP and SLG. But even if Cameron doesn't out-hit Gomez this year, he would be a valuable backup and strong leadership presence. And would take Kotsay's spot on the team.

24 bb in like 7ip I believe to go with 18 ot so ERs... Maybe he needs some thick, black framed glasses!

That isn't a very convincing argument in Reed's favor. Its not like he is a young kid without much chance in the majors. He will be 30 this year and has 1243 MLB at bats. His potential at this point is very nearly tapped. And I'll point out his career MLB OPS is 666 (isn't that evil enough?)... Given that Reed is on an MiLB contract, I would guess his AAA ticket is almost stamped. And to show that ST numbers don't mean much, here are his last two years of ST OPS and Regular OPS: ST OPS Regular OPS 2009 NYM 1.087 0.605 2010TOR 0.953 0.503

As I was filling that out, the Hawkins question did cross my mind. But unlike some, at least he is on track for opening day. I'll note that in my next update... As for Braddock, its pretty late in camp already. He doesn't have enough of an MLB track-record to assure that a poor ST won't send him down.

If this gets annoying with me reposting updates of this, just holler... (Y/N) is for if the player has an option remaining (Yes/No) Pitching: 1) SP - Gallardo 2) SP - Marcum 3) SP - Wolf 4) SP - Narveson 5) SP - Peralta (Y) / Estrada (MiLB) / Dillard (MiLB) / ??? - Could we pickup a roster cut to handle this spot? I'm thinking probably "Yes" at this point. 6) RP - Axford 7) RP - Saito 8) RP - Hawkins 9) RP - Loe 10) RP - Stetter (Y) - Limited innings, but pitching well so far. With Parra on DL (probably) and Braddock's velocity down, I think he is in. 11) RP - Green (N) - Pitching well + No options = Made team. 12) RP - Kintzler (Y) / Braddock(Y) - Braddock very close to "Probably Out" Position Players: 13) 1B - Fielder 14) 2B - Weeks 15) SS - Betancourt 16) 3B - McGehee 17) LF - Braun 18) CF - Gomez 19) RF - Kotsay (N) / Dickerson (Y) - They seem to be the ones playing most of RF with Hart out... 20) C - Lucroy 21) BU IF: Counsell 22) BU C: Kottaras (N) - I think its all but locked up. 23) BU OF: Dickerson (Y) / Kotsay (N) - Whether starting, backup, or sharing the position, I think they are both in... 24) BU IF: Cruz (N) / Almonte (MiLB) - My gut tells me that Cruz is a late bloomer and we don't want to get rid of him, but my gut has crap for brains, so what does it know??? 25) BU OF: Boggs (N) / Reed (MiLB contract) - Whoever is here is probably cut when Hart comes back. So Reed to AAA makes sense, rather than add him to the 40-man, then cut him. DL: SP - Greinke RP - Parra RF - Hart Probably Out: RP - McClendon (Y) - Not pitching bad, but not quite good enough... RP - DiFelice (MiLB) - Also pitching OK, but still behind others. Also, hand injury came at a bad time. RP - Egan (Rule 5) RP - James (Y) IF - Gamel (Y) IF - Farris (Y) C - Maldonado (Y) C - Rivera (MiLB) - Not getting many at-bats. C - Nieves (N) - Not hitting well. Is that a surprise? Optioned to the MiLB: SP - Scarpetta SP - Merklinger SP - Rodgers SP - Rivas

A whole day later and more updates... (Y/N) is for if the player has an option remaining (Yes/No) Pitching: Greinke - DL 1) SP - Gallardo 2) SP - Marcum 3) SP - Wolf 4) SP - Narveson 5) SP - Peralta (Y) -ok, not a lock, but based on recent events it won't be Rivas or Rogers... 6) RP - Axford 7) RP - Saito 8) RP - Hawkins 9) RP - Loe 10 & 11) LHRP - Parra (N)/ Braddock(Y) / Stetter (Y) - Will only take two LH-RPs. Braddock's velocity is down. Parra's injury might be an issue. 12) RP - Green (N) / McClendon (Y) / Kintzler (Y) Position Players: 13) 1B - Fielder 14) 2B - Weeks 15) SS - Betancourt 16) 3B - McGehee 17) LF - Braun 18) CF - Gomez 19) RF - Hart - Starting to worry that he won't be ready... 20) C - Lucroy - based on his own words, he will be ready. 21) BU IF: Counsel 22) BU C: Kottaras (N) / Nieves (N) - Assuming Lucroy is ready to go, its BU-C Highlander: There can be only one! 23) BU OF: Boggs (N) / Dickerson (Y) - I overstated Dickerson's injury here... currently day-to-day. 24) Utility: Kotsay (N) / Cruz (N) / Almonte (MiLB contract) Last spot: 25th) Probably one from #23 or #24. Long shot that we carry 13 pitchers. Especially if Hart is not ready to go (and not on the DL). Probably Out: RP - DiFelice (MiLB contract) RP - Egan (Rule 5 draft) RP - James (Y) IF - Gamel (Y) IF - Farris (Y) OF - Reed (MiLB contract) C - Maldonado (Y) C - Rivera (MiLB contract) Optioned to the MiLB: SP - Scarpetta SP - Merklinger SP - Rodgers SP - Rivas

I've got a gut feeling that Cruz is going to be a late bloomer, like McGehee. And since the Brewers started using him in the OF also, I think they are trying to keep him around. I doubt they will keep both Boggs and Dickerson as OF backups, as both are CF types and don't have the stick for the corners. If they had a more reliable corner OF in AAA (Gindl is new to AAA and Gamel hasn't really played OF at all), I'd think there was more of a chance for Dickerson and Boggs to both stick around. And I'm glad that my knee-jerk reaction to putting Dickerson on the "Probably Out" list immediately prompted his return! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif I guess I thought he was out a couple weeks. Probably mixing him up with Gindl...

Just call it 6, then be pleasantly surprised! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

Update based on recent events: Pitching: Greinke - DL 1) SP - Gallardo 2) SP - Marcum 3) SP - Wolf 4) SP - Narveson 5) SP - Peralta (Y) -ok, not a lock, but based on recent events it won't be Rivas or Rogers... 6) RP - Axford 7) RP - Saito 8) RP - Hawkins 9) RP - Loe 10 & 11) LHRP - Parra (N)/ Braddock(Y) / Stetter (Y) - Will only take two LH-RPs. Braddock's velocity is down. Parra's injury might be an issue. 12) RP - Green (N) / McClendon (Y) / Kintzler (Y) - Kintzler forcing his way into the picture. Position Players: 13) 1B - Fielder 14) 2B - Weeks 15) SS - Betancourt 16) 3B - McGehee 17) LF - Braun 18) CF - Gomez 19) RF - Hart 20) C - Lucroy - I'll be optimistic here 21) BU IF: Counsel 22) BU C: Kottaras (N) / Nieves (N) 23) BU OF: Boggs (N) / Reed (MiLB contract) - Reed with an opening with Dickerson's injury. 24) Utility: Kotsay (N) / Cruz (N) / Almonte (MiLB contract?) Last spot: 25th) Anyone who loses out from spot 12 or 24. Probably Out: SP - Scarpetta (Y) SP - Merklinger (Y) SP - Rodgers (Y) SP - Rivas (Y) RP - DiFelice (MiLB contract) RP - Egan (Rule 5 draft) RP - James (Y) IF - Gamel (Y) IF - Farris (Y) OF - Dickerson (Y) - Dickerson might be headed to DL or at least MiLB rehab after injury C - Maldonado (Y) edit- forgot about Dickerson's injury. thanks TLB

Wow... C Davis, K Davis, and Kh Davis in one system? Could get confusing... http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

I'd love having Cameron on this team, but as a 4th/5th OF (and meaning NO to Kotsay) at a reduced salary. (Braun, Gomez, Hart, Cameron, Boggs/Dickerson) I'd think he would be a great locker room leader: Untuckem'! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif And he still has a pretty good chance at out-producing Gomez, Dickerson and Boggs... ESPN reports that Boston is looking for LH RPs. Betancourt/Stetter for Cameron/Scutaro (Betancourt for salary reasons)? Probably a dream...

That same ESPN article stated that they were looking for a LH RP. So Stetter is always possible...

Still only 18, SS Yadiel Rivera (we've seen some nice comments from player development staff) is now listed at 6'3", 181. Please don't grow out of the prototype SS mold -- any taller will be pushing it... Whats the knock on a tall SS? Doesn't scoop ground balls as easily? Halton, listed at 240 in last year's media guide and at MiLB.com, is now listed at 6'5", 265 in the 2011 guide. So we don't have someone to fill Prince's shoes, but Halton should be able to handle his belt...

My $0.02 without watching or listening to any games so far (which makes this a guess)... Lucroy starts on the DL. Nieves/Kottaras compete for one catcher position. Maldonado (95% chance) or Rivera (5%) fills the backup position until Lucroy returns. edit - Maybe take it one step farther and predict Kotteras/Maldonado at 95% chance and Nieves/Rivera at 5%. Mainly due to complementary styles. I'm probably vastly understating the probability Nieves/Kottaras together, but for some reason, I just don't see it...

Dickerson has an option so if Boggs beats him, he'd be at AAA

Did someone hit him on the head with an acorn?

Agreed. It would have been one thing to delay Marcum for the home opener, (Gallardo, Greinke, Wolf, Marcum, Narv) because it splits up the lefties. But now, with Greinke injured, it doesn't make sense. You don't want Rogers or Rivas starting the home opener. That would be pretty stressful for a rookie. Sure, its an honor, but its not that big of a deal to start Narv for the first home game.

Taylor Green...Just stay healthy and hit the snot out of the ball. I thought about Green also. These past couple years have been tough for him, but is one of my favorites to follow. Here's to healed wrists!

I'd take him back! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif Looks like he is still having some injury probs, though. Did ok with 53 IP last year, but only 3IP in 2009.

I doubt Egan is going to make the 25-man roster. This isn't the year I want the Brewers "hiding" someone in the bullpen. I'd prefer everyone there be a contributor. TLB, why so high on Rosario and low on Egan? Rosario might have a higher ceiling (although he wasn't even on the P50), but Egan is closer to ready. Seems like a wash if you are comparing both players in the minors (comparing both on the MLB roster would favor Egan as he would be closer to "ready").

I doubt Egan is going to make the 25-man roster. This isn't the year I want the Brewers "hiding" someone in the bullpen. I'd prefer everyone there be a contributor. TLB, why so high on Rosario and low on Egan? Rosario might have a higher ceiling (although he wasn't even on the P50), but Egan is closer to ready. Seems like a wash if you are comparing both players in the minors (comparing both on the MLB roster would favor Egan as he would be closer to "ready").

Even with Greinke, I thought Gallardo might get the opener (the guy who's been here rather than one of the two new guys).