CheezWizHed

Dillard can give us at least what Mota did last year, with up-side. No great loss there.

I do like watching the game (especially in person), but my favorite way is to listen to Uke on the radio while working outside. Kind of reminds me of growing up, since we NEVER saw them on TV back then (living in northern WI with antenna only).

As others indicated, its hard to say what happend with Kapler. For $1million, I would have taken him back, but he might not have the same opinion. For Shouse, I like the guy, but I would much rather have Stetter and a sandwich draft pick than sign him for $1.5-2 million... If he wasn't a B FA, I say sign him.

I suppose I should do my own: Kevin Bacon and Tom Hanks in Apollo 13 Tom Hanks and Homer Simpson in the Simpsons movie Home Simpson and Ken Griffy Jr. in Episode 8F13, "Homer at Bat" Ken Griffy Jr was traded for Mike Cameron (and others) in 2000. Score!

IMO, ranking our ML/MiL depth from best to worst: 3B, SS, RP, 2B, C, 1B, SP, OF 3B is first (assuming Hall/Lamb start), since Gamel might very well be an overall upgrade just because of low expectations of the starters. But I still want to see him start in AAA to work more on the D side. Where Escobar is more of a lateral (or offensive down-grade) from Hardy. No can't miss prospects at RP, but plenty of decent options. From 2B, 1B, and SP would need some positional shuffling to fill long term (from 3B, SS or RP). I don't think Nelson is a long term backup, but I hope he proves me wrong (or better yet, won't have to). I used to be on the band-wagon for trading Prince, but once we traded LaPorta, I don't think we have a good replacement (hopefully Gamel at 1B only happens after he gets a good shot at 3B and/or OF). SP and OF do worry me, however. It would be quite a jump from our highest SP/OF prospects. Not impossible, but not something I want to rely on. Here's hoping we get one more SP and one backup OF (probably a lefty like Gross).

Technically, that would be 8 degrees, but I tip my hat for the ingenuity. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

Nice interview. Cain has been growing as one of my favorites. 2010 should be a very interesting year for prospects hitting the bigs...

If Prince was to be traded this offseason, I think it would have been done by now. Teams normally get the big trades done first and fill the gaps later.

Ok, how about this one for 6 degrees of Mike Cameron... Kevin Bacon! Can you connect the dots?

I can't imagine how cranky I would be if people continually came up to me and asked for autographs. I'm actually more impressed by the ones that handle it well than I am unimpressed by the ones that handle it poorly. He may have just had a bad night... I can't say, as I've never met him.

I'm not sure how much of a "leader" Hoffman is in the bullpen, but since it looks like most of our pen will be very young, his experience will be a big help also. I've got to imagine CV will be picking his brain on change-up philosophies (at least I would be if I were him). But just his presence and consistancy should help influence our young RPs.

Some duplication from others here, but here is how I see it: OF: Not much depth here that is ready to come up. Nelson/TGJ/Nixon would be the main choices here. If Cain or Gillispie hit well at AAA, I could see one of them getting a late season shot, but probably not until 2010. I guess Gamel could fill if we really need a stick, but I doubt he gets thrown in there without doing in ST or at AAA for a while. 3B: If we assume Hall/Lamb to start, I would think Gamel would be the first choice. Then probably McGehee. Otherwise you could use Escobar/Hardy at 3B/SS or SS/3B. SS: Escobar 2B: I think if Rickie goes down for an extended period, we will see Hard/Escobar at SS/2B or 2B/SS. For shorter time, I would guess whomever is our backup MIF (Hurricane?). 1B: Probably Nelson for a short term backup, but I could would expect to see Gamel for long term. Possibly Hart, if we had someone better to replace his OF spot. C: I would guess Mike Rivera would cover any short injuries, where Salome/Rivera would split for anything longer than a week. RP: Stetter seems like a lock. Dillard should have a good chance. Bateman seems to have the numbers, but he doesn't seem to get much love from the Brewer brass. I think either Aguilar or Pena could contribute later in the season. SP: Backups would most likely come from the bullpen (Villy or McClung) with RP help coming, since there are more RPs ready at AAA than SPs. But I could see Wright getting a chance at some point. If he gets healthy, Capuano will get a shot again. Remote chance that Jefferson gets called up. I started another thread that is similar to this where I concluded that help from the minors in 2009 seems small, but more help in 2010 seems available.

Just as long as we are looking for quality FA, it can't hurt to try the quantity route also. I just hate to think we are back to the days of it being our only prayer of finding someone.

That would have to be emergency only... I can see a scenario where he is up in 2010, but next year would be a bit early. He needs to prove himself at AA at least. I have no doubt that will happen, but I don't think he is ready for the show quite yet.

From: http://www.chron.com/disp...pl/chronicle/6159786.html Third baseman Ty Wigginton, who drew some interest on the trade market, and righthander Brandon Backe are two Astros whom teams wonder if they'll be tendered contracts. Yeah, seems like a good fit. Could play 3B right away, 2B later if Gamel or Green come up at 3B.

Actually, I don't think there are any rules against that. But your CF will have to cover a LOT of ground to cover RF, too... http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

As with any corporation, you buy into it with your own money (i.e. buying enough stock for controlling interest), but the company is RUN off of the cashflow that organization brings. GM is having HUGE problems with cashflow. Thats why if a corporation goes bankrupt, none of the personal money of the stock holders is effected. The Brewers are a private corporation (no stock), but it works the same way. An owner can pour his own money in if he/she so chooses (I would guess Mark Cuban and the Redskins owner have done this), but its not like all their money is in one big pot to be used by anyone. Edit - spelling.

One thing you will never see in baseball, this side of a salary cap, is a small market team playing at a high level for a long time (Packers). The Twins seems to be consistantely decent and occasionally good, but without the fair competition for players (CC) no small market team stays on top for long. Frankly, I shake my head when I hear the people being depressed about this team. Remember the 90s? Anyone? That was depressing. I'm frustrated at the turn of events from this year, but we should still have a winning team with a shot at the WC. When did we last have 3 winning seasons in a row? Oh, and by the way, the offseason has a long way to go...

Good for him. He was stuck as a 2nd string AAA catcher right now anyway. Of course, had he been the one that solvdd our waohs, he could have been starting at MLB last year. We are still looking for a MLB catcher, but I think Salome and Lucroy will do it. Granted both Kendall and Miller were much better options than we have had for a while (although stop-gaps). I suppose that means that Rotino might be the AAA backup if he doesn't make the MLB and clears waivers.

Ahhh the memories. Listening to Ueck call the game while doing something outside is one of the best ways to listen to the game. I actually remember wondering why that strange guy from Mr. Belvidere got a job calling Brewer games! I've learned much since then. Then there was the early spring games at County Stadium. Being a poor student at MSOE, we would go to the Kool-Aid free game, which was always on a freezing cold day. Watching the Brewers while huddled under blankets.... Since I grew up in Northern WI, starting baseball practice (or Brewers starting ST) was always the first sign of spring. Robins weren't the first sign of spring, Yount was. My Freshman year of HS, we actually shovelled off the field so we could play our first home game.

I grew up playing ball (t-ball, little league, etc..) in the way northwoods (barely part of WI, to most of you "southerners"). My dad would listen to the brewers occasionally, so I started in '85 or so. But it was the '87 season that really hooked me: - 13 game winning streak to start which included: - Only no hitter in Brewer history - heard Ueck call it - Shot heard 'round Milwaukee - ate somewhere for Easter Sunday, but heard Deer and Sveum hit the HRs on the way home. - 39 game hitting streak by the Ignitor - Yount hit for the cycle - Higera's 20-some scoreless inning streak Unfortunately, the Brewers ended out of the playoffs, only to have the dreaded Twins win the world series after winning less games than the Brewers in the regular season (not that I'm still bitter...) My first game was in '91 when Don August beat Roger Clemens with Dan Plesac closing the game. Two drunk guys spill beer all over my dad and I, but it was great anyway. I also got Glenn Braggs autograph on a rookie card at that game. Too bad its worth less than the gum now. But the '87 season did it for me. I'm a homer: Packers, Brewers, Bucks and Badgers. All the way.

Here is a grain of salt to apply to Melvin's comments: Two things a GM/Coach will NEVER do (at least the sane ones): 1) Tell the media that they are no longer counting on player X, unless they have player Y in hand ready to replace him. Evidence: See Turnbow as closer last year. Application: See Weeks/Hall comments this year. Because if you don't find a replacement, the player now has a chip on his shoulder and messes up the clubhouse chmistry. Example: See Marbury and the Knicks. Sorry, Marbury, we don't need you. Oops, we are down to 6 players, can you please play? 2) Tell the media that he is actively shopping Player X (unless he is an absolute cancer that must be removed). Not only would that reduce the return, but again if the player isn't traded, he is upset. Of course this is always premised by the old "...if someone blows us away, we would deal anyone" (i.e. the Hershal Walker clause). Melvin is smart enough to follow those two rules.

That would shrink the trade deficit. And we wonder how financial guys lead us into this mess. Trade deficit is calculated on $$, not items. So it would depend on their salaries. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif But hey, this thread just goes to show that good old American ingenuity is still alive and kicking. That's thinking outside the box.

TH reported that it was a non-guaranteed contract, so it seems like a no-brainer. If we sign better RPs by spring, we won't have to worry about a new nickname. If not, well he still seems better than Turnbow c2008 or Dessens c2007.

Yeah, but he never was a 96MPH pitcher. Had Wood and Capuano been rehabbing at the same time, I would have bet that Capuano had a better chance of getting back to an 88MPH fastball than Woods getting back to a 96MPH fastball.