The Heartbreak Yid

First things first: I don't think that Braun is a roider, at least in the Bonds, Sosa, McGwire, etc. sense of the word. It would be foolish for anyone to be in this era. However, Braun did nurse an injury for a good portion of the season, and he never was on the DL. It's not inconceivable that they gave him an injection of sorts as either a painkiller or to speed up heeling to which they simply didn't tell him what it was for his own good so that he could avoid the DL and keep on playing. Even though he likely knew damn well that whatever he was given was some variety of steroid, as long as he didn't ask what it was, they weren't obligated to tell him what it was so he has the right to plead ignorance if he were to test positive for it. I'm sure this wouldn't be the first case of something like this happening. However, one thing against him is that there is a 0 tolerance policy, and they'll likely jump on the opportunity to make an example of someone, especially one of the top stars in the game today. The fact that he has somewhat of a good guy image, though a bit of a douche could make them even more eager to use him as an example.

I was thinking that same thing. There are guys like Holliday, Teixara, and A Rod who the jury's still out on, but looking at guys like Soriano, Vernon Wells, and Zito as examples, they don't tend to. Soriano gave the Cubs 2 great years, and is still productive but way overpaid. Zito was stealing money from the get go. Dunn, Crawford and Werth arent looking good either. The thing is, a lot of guys who get these deals are about 30 by the time they get the, In these cases, you're lucky to get 3-4 prime years, and then hope they gradually decline after that rather than falling off a cliff. With Fielder, however, he'd be 28 to start next season, and if given a 7 year deal he'd be 35 at the end. It's not inconceivable that they could all be good years, however, the question is defense. His D has always beem questionalble at best, and by the time he hits the 30's, he could need to DH somewhere. To be honest, with a small-mid market team, going all in isnt a great idea, especially when you don't have much of a farm system. This was the all in year with Fielder. At this point, I think that the smart thing to do would be to try and trade Marcum and maybe Gamel to re-stock the farm system. Maybe even hope you can trick someone into thinking that Casey McGhee is still a good player. I bet the Yankees, Red Sox, or Cubs would pay a handsome price for Marcum. Might even be able to get Montero out of it if you kick in LuCroy. Or perhaps try to swing a deal with The Reds for what's his face who's being blocked by Votto and can't play OF to save his life. With 2. Morgan, 3. Braun, 4. Hart, and 5. Weeks, the heart of the lineup would be as good as most in the NL. Carlos Pena would be a pretty good bat to add unless you go for the Reds guy, and it might be smart to jump on him early while the big money teams are battling it out for Fielder and Pujols, who sadly, I don't see leaving St. Louis. Try to then extend Greinke. Might even want to stop there, in which case 2012 might not be the most fun season for you, but you'd at least have a solid young core to build around.

I was thinking that same thing. There are guys like Holliday, Teixara, and A Rod who the jury's still out on, but looking at guys like Soriano, Vernon Wells, and Zito as examples, they don't tend to. Soriano gave the Cubs 2 great years, and is still productive but way overpaid. Zito was stealing money from the get go. Dunn, Crawford and Werth arent looking good either. The thing is, a lot of guys who get these deals are about 30 by the time they get the, In these cases, you're lucky to get 3-4 prime years, and then hope they gradually decline after that rather than falling off a cliff. With Fielder, however, he'd be 28 to start next season, and if given a 7 year deal he'd be 35 at the end. It's not inconceivable that they could all be good years, however, the question is defense. His D has always beem questionalble at best, and by the time he hits the 30's, he could need to DH somewhere.

Yeah, but what if the money saved on Prince, probably at least 20 mil/year for 6-7 years, and that's with a home town discount allows you to sign Carlos Pena for 1B for 2-3 years and a suitable replacement at either SS or 3B, like Rollins or Reyes for 4-5 years? Also, Greinke and Marcum are both FA after 2012, and if you re up Prince, you may not be able to afford either and the rotation may well look like it did in '09-'10 and you have a steaming pile of awful at 3B and SS?

I think that The Brewers owner saying he'll try his all to re sign Fielder is very similar to his trying his best to re sign Sabathia. He knows it won't happen, but he'll do his best to gesture to the fans. Probably make a few offers he knows that the bigger market teams will beat. It's also similar to Carlos Beltrans free agency from several years ago. Beltran stated that he wanted to stay in a smaller market like Houston. Boras didn't want that to happen. I'm not sure if Fielder has the same small market mentaility, but even if he did, Boras likes his big name guys in big markets. The elite players can make more money than what they do on the field, and Milwaukee may be a great baseball town, there is not as much out of town interest to make money like cities like New York, Boston, LA, and Chicago. Baseball players may not be as marketable as basketball and football players, but if they're real stars, they can come close. Ryan Brauns a guy who probably could have been up there with A Rod and Jeter in terms of off the field marketability had he not signed his contract through eternity and waited a few years for the Yankees or Red Sox to come calling.

Perhaps he'd be happier closing meaningless games for the Mets.

From an outsiders opinion, this was clearly a win now move and won't be able to be fully judged until it's in the rearview. Sure, if Melvin knew he could get Greinke, he might not have traded Lawrie for Marcum. The problem with the way this move will be viewed in the future is the Brewers next 2 years, and not as much either players performance. Say Lawrie becomes a legit superstar, and Marcum gives you another great year and then moves on. If the Brewers win a World Series out of it, I'm assuming it will then be considered a win? However, say the Brewers go the same route in the playoffs as the -'07-'08 Cubs/'08 Brewers/'09 Cards/'10 Reds. Lawrie becomes a star, Marcum has a solid 2012, and moves on. Is the trade then considered a failure? Again, in both scenerios, Lawrie and Marcum give their teams what was expected of them, but either way, the trade will likely be judged by The Brewers '11-'12 seasons.

I would not count out The Braves. I havn't paid much attention to them this season until this past series with The Cubs, but that pitching from top to bottom is insane, and unlike the Brewers or Phillies, could very well be that way for many years to come. The rotation of Hudson, Jurrjens, Hanson(when back), Beachy, and Lowe, although Minos better doesnt get the credit it deserves, but that bullpen: the Venters/Kimbrel combo is just as sick as K Rod/Axford(speaking of Axford, check out the movie Flypaper on demand, theres a guy who looks exactly like him), but the pen as a whole goes much deeper with Eric O'Flaherty and rookie Arodys Vizcaino, who looks to me like a better Aroldis Chapman. If those guys can get one more big bat at the deadline, they could give everyone a run for their money.

It seems as though people have not been sold on the Phillies all season long, yet nobody seems to be able to beat them at home or on the road. I really can't imagine anyone taking a 5 or 7 game series from these guys, and this includes the Yankees and Red Sox. The rotation is just too good, even their number 5 guy, Worley. If Lidge and Madson can stay healthy, the back of the pen is as good as any, although they could use 1 more quality guy there, and the offense, while not what it was in '07-'09 is still good enough for 5-6 runs a game, and that's really all they need. Last I checked, their run differential was #1 in the NL, and something like 75 points above the Braves who are number 2. I think that the Brewers v. Braves will be the best matchup in the playoffs, but whoever wins will end up earning themselves another 5-6 games at most.

Aramis Ramirezes injury vs. the Crew in '09 pretty much derailed that entire season, so its not like its a 1 sided thing.

Just saw this pic. Not for the weak of stomach. I would not expect to see Weeks back anytime soon. Im pretty sure thats his ankle where an ankle has no business being. http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/large/357613323.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJF3XCCKACR3QDMOA&Expires=1311820818&Signature=7c4ZWXIuHgtI%2BjgjrFwJ5xRWDqU%3D

Thats right Brewers and the rest of the NL Central. Were coming for you. First Doug Davis, now Dave Bush. You never know, Jeff Suppan could be next. Maybe we'll go all out and Derrick Turnbow from whatever Firestone hes working at.

And, no offense, the Cubs spend like a big market team but get the same results as a minimalist spending small market team. I'd rather be a small market team behaving like the big market teams. It's about how smart you are making moves and scouting talent (see Jim Hendry and Soriano, Zambrano, Fukodome, etc.) and whose team really is in the 3-5 year rebuilding phase as a result of a GMs moves... And you wont find (m)any Cubs fans defending Hendry. However, after this year, the money will be there to pursue some big free agents. Whether the new owner choses to do so is another story. Hendrys one plus is that he isnt into trading his top prospects away, however, not that weve really had any cant missers since Mark Prior, of course Ricky Nolasco is the exception to that rule. While CC Sabathia did give you a great run in 2008, in 2011, would you rather have those memories or Michael Brantly and Matt LaPorta? Looking at what the Brewers have produced in recent years, Braun, Fielder, Weeks, Gallardo, Hardy, Hart, they should have been in the thick of it all along, but for some reason, they have trouble building around these guys. It seems to me, that only the Rays and Red Sox have produced this many elite players out of their farm system in recent years, and they contend every year. I just hope it doesnt come to the point where were all looking up at the Reds and Pirates in a few years, because Cubs/Brewers was looking to be a hell of a rivalry for a few short years.

Heres my problem with what Melvin is doing, and coming from a Cubs fan, I hope thos doesnt come off as "trolling". The Brewers are essentially a small market team trying to live like a big market team. By this, I mean that teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, and to a lesser extent the Cubs can trade top prospects for veterans, and if it doesnt work out, they can fill those spots via free agency. Teams like the Brewers, on the other hand rely much more heavily on those prospects, and if they do trade them for guys that dont work out, it could hurt them for several years to come unless they get very lucky in the next few drafts. If these trades they made, gets the Brewers into contention for the next year or 2, but Lawrie, Escobar, Jefress etc. become superstars while the Brewers are stuck in a 3-5 year rebuilding phase after Fielder, Greinke, and Marcum skip town, are those trades considered successes? I truely feel as though the Brewers are the best team overall in the NL Central for now, but I dont see them as good enough to beat the Phillies or Giants in a 3 game playoff series, and the farm system doesnt have any more spare parts to make them better, unless DM can pull another rabbit out of a hat like he did with Morgan.

pujols left the game. Collision at 1st base. I think it was a wrist injury.

Speaking of class, or lack there of http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/23/reds-outfielder-jonny-gomes-celebrated-news-of-adam-wainwrights-elbow-injury/

I still see my Cubs as a darkhorse in this race. Yeah, on paper, the Reds and Brewers are better, but neither are one of those teams that are going to take the division and run with it. They may not be the 2008 team, but there not exactly the Pirates. The Cubs are full of question marks, such as Zambrano, Garza, Aramis, Pena, Soto, Castro, Colvin, and Soriano, and if healthy, the back of the bullpen could be one of the best(Guzman, Marshall, Wood, Marmol), and if its close in July, theres always the possibility of a patented Jim Hendry mega trade, something that the Brewers cant really do at this point after exhausting the farm for Marcum and Greinke. It will be a fun season and a competitve division.

If it makes you feel any better, Cubs fans feel the same way about Craig Counsell, and I doubt youd miss him.

The pitching strong, offensively challenged Giants would be a great fit for Fielder, and it makes you wonder if they're desperate enough for offense to trade Madison Baumgartner for him.

The '69 Cubs say hi.

I doubt Castro is in the race, it is pretty much Heyward's to lose. I don't think Escobar was really in the race either, he just doesn't do anything that looks impressive to the people who vote for these things. Im not going lie, as a Cubs fan, I met the promotion with mixed emotions. I was excited to see what he can do, but wondered if he was rushed, especially when the 800lb gorilla in the room isnt the middle infield, its Aramis Ramirez producing zilch. If you look over Cubs hitters stats, pretty much everyone but Ramirez is producing at some level, and, and while its not uncommon for teams to have a black hole somewhere in the lineup, when its smack in the heart of the lineup, its going to hurt a lot more than say, Jason Kendall at the 8 spot. Back to Castro I see him putting up numbers this year similar to what Gordon Beckham did for the White Sox last year, with a .270s-.280/mid .300s/mid.400s type of line. Castros obstacle is that we have a senile manager known for knee jerk reactions, and as soon as Starlin goes 1-10 at some point, he'll be banished to the bench. As for ROY, Heywards the clear fav hitting .294/.1.000s and 8HR and 26RBI.

Not true. A lot of the national Cubs love has to due with the 100+ world series drought. As the biggest title drought in american sport history, its gained them an international intrique and fan base, even a cult follwing. However, Im kinf of surprised that the Cubs arent on the top 10. I know were considered enemy number 1 on most NL Central fan bases even when they suck. Probably because of the way Cubs fans have a tendancy to flock opponents stadiums. As far as nation wide fan bases go, theres the Yankees, Cubs, Red Sox and everyone else.

I hate to defend Hendry in any capacity, but he wasnt asleep at the wheel for Cameron. he very much wanted him, but was unable to move Bradleys salary soon enough, and probably wouldnt have been able to match Bostons offer anyway. Actually, the Red Sox signing Cameron kind of screwed us both, as before they signed him, there was at least some inking that they could have either signed Holliday, or signed Bay and let the Mets get Holliday, but no, unless some mystery team arrises, it looks like the Cards will sign Holliday and probably own the division, at least for 2010. As for the Cubs CF, I would have been just as happy with either Sam Fuld or even Tyler Colvin holding it down and if something better comes up mid season, go for it, if not, save up for Carl Crawford in 2011. I know hes always been a corner guy, but with his speed, Im sure he could adjust.

If Im the Brewers, Id try to trade Hart and maybe a prospect for a middle of the rotation starter and sign Ryan Church for cheap to play right.

Sounds to me like were getting Reed Johnson without the defense. Good job Hendry. On the plus side, hes not really overpaying here, and if Soriano and Soto can have rebounds, Byrd will be a solid 7 hitter. Those are pretty big if though.