biedergb

My take is that they keep doing what they've been doing. Jack Z and co have among the best track records right now. Consider that from 2001-2005 the 1st 2 round have produced 9 players: 6 are in the big leagues (Hardy, Fielder, Weeks, Gwynn, Gallardo, Braun), 2 are minor leaguers that are injured (Jones, Rogers) and one is out of baseball (Josh Murray). The past 2 draft have 3 players who are among our best prospects (Jeffress, LaPorta, Brewer). It's also amazing to think how well they have drafted in the other rounds since we have several legitimate prospects in our minor leagues, but only Jeffress, LaPorta and Brewer are top 2 round picks.

Why is it that when we were ready to bury the Cardinals in July/August, they came back to life against us and won 6 straights games against us, but now the Cubs are in the same position and the Cards are rolling over?

How about 'Brewered'? as it seemed to be a team effort.

Would his ankle injury from last year played a part? He did ease back in by DH'ing some.

We may not realize how a good manager can make a difference until we have one. Heck most of thought we had some talent on previous Brewers teams -- but seeing what we have now puts that in perspective. Some of us thought Dean Taylor was a good GM, until we got Doug Melvin.

Cards and Cubs play each other 4 time in three days this weekend. They'll both lose a couple, or one of them will fall way back.

Errecart with a 3-run HR to pull 'Tees within 1 after 6. Yaz beat me to it: 'Tees win 7-6. LaPorta with an outfield assist at home. Periard 7 strong innings so far. Now Final, 12-2. 17 hits for the Power (including 3-4 efforts from Green & Brewer). Let's go Sounds, 2-2 now in the 8th.

AAA playoffs mean exactly nothing. Rivera as a 4th C, especially if Miller is not 100%, is infinitely more important than a minor league game. Al- I wasn't saying that Rivera needs to be sent down to help out with the playoffs. You stated that their season is about to end, which it is not, they hopefully have a lot of games to play. And once Miller is 100%, then maybe let Rivera get in some game action in the AAA playoffs.

"Nashville barely has any games left, so I doubt Rivera goes back." Al -- do you follow the minor leagues at all. Nashville is about to start their playoff run - along with 4 other Brewers affiliates (Huntsville, Brevard, West Virginia and Helena). So roster space for all minor league teams is at a premium. Sure it's not the biggest issue for management, but they do have a responsibility to have 5 teams with a complete roster out there.

I have no problem with who was called up (Spurling was promised a call-up, Stetter was needy as another lefty, Aquino was a MLB closer a couple of years ago, and McClung was called up before Sept 1st so I didn't think he would get sent down). Too many arms can be a problem too, plus the minor league teams have playoffs as well and that can be a real good experience for guys. My issue is how the guys who get called up get used. Parra, Stetter and McClung were used like rookies, eased into the show in blowouts or used in low stress innings initially. But guys like Balfour, Spurling and Aquino get thrown into the fire at critical junctures. I'm sure this has been hashed about in a litany of other threads, but why use Aquino with Hunter Pence up to protect a now 2-run lead? Isn't this where a 4-out save by Cordero would be in order? Or leave Shouse to face the righty? Aquino hasn't faced major league hitters since April and get put a close game. I guess we wanted to see what he was made of? But at the cost of losing the game? Sorry to vent. Back to the topic at hand, I don't know that I trust Bray or any other minor league reliever in these types of situations more than what we have on the staff. So the personnel is fine, but we have to use them more appropriately.

"No way Sarfate comes up, he's been simply horrible, 5+ ERA, 2ish WHIP. Either he's hurt or all that talent is wasted inside his head." Have you looked at Sarfate's stats. In fact I was thinking about starting a thread on him. Since a horrible 2 days at the end of July: 13 IP, 6H, 4BB, 17K He had a rough July, but great #s in June and August. As a reliever, when you give up 10 ER in 0.1 IP in 2 awful outings your numbers are skewed. Now, I'm not saying he should be called up necessarily, but he has been on a roll of late, and the team probably needs to figure out what they have with him.

I think he meant to ask " Quien es mas macho, los Brewers o Ricardo Montalban? ... Quien es mas macho, Brewers o Montaaalbaaaan?"

Just can't stand the Cubs. So I go for 3 out of 4 or a sweep by the Redbirds. At least my wife (and her family) would be happy (they are from St. Louis, and all cardinals fans). If the Cubs win the division, then the whole household is sad. Plus, if the Cards stay in the race, they earn some respect, given what they had to deal with (losing there whole starting rotation from last year, with their ace out the whole year, a "slumping" Pujols -- and I will purposely ignore the Josh Hancock issue, as that should not be a rallying point). As much as LaRussa is disliked by many, I actually respect the man as a manager for nothing else than he (like guys like Cox, Torre, Leyland) have succeeded over many years, and a couple of eras (even if their teams have the resources to help them) Anyway, having said all that --- GO BREW CREW. Let's get some wins, then we don't have to worry about who else wins or loses!

Thanks colby. I re-read my post, I hope I wasn't coming off too high-and-mighty. "And the Royals still got a fine player in Moustakas, if they can sign him of course." Again, that's IF they sign him. Also, I was talking generally over the past several years, and maybe more the Pirates than the Royals that were guilty of cost-cutting.

While I won't defend the players or agents, I will say that KC/Pittsburgh/et al of the league are just as much to blame for their lack of success. Sure, $7 mil is a lot for late first rounder, but in this day in age (with the cost of players), it's a relatively wise investment for a player who can be under their control for up to 10 years (4-6 in minors, then 3 option years, then 3 arby years if I did that right). That's better financial sense than $10 million a year for an average major league free agent. If those teams (like Milwaukee prior to '9http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/glasses.gif had realized that this might help them succeed while marginally increasing costs, that would be good for the game. Again, I work hard, and will never see millions of $$ in my bank account (accounting for inflation), and I don't like to see skyrocketing payrolls or salaries. But on the other hand, if you invest the money upfront (in player development, scouting, and yes bonuses) you can reap the rewards in a manner that allows you compete against teams with seemingly limitless resources. Sure, players flame out, never realize potential, get hurt, or just aren't as good as believed. So that is a high dollar to pay. But first rounders succeed at a higher rate than others, and guys with special talents (ie power, hitting, speed, or velocity) are more likely to make it. And if they are in the system and on your team for several years, that bonus money can be spread out, and it offsets the cost. But it appears that "low budget" teams look at their payroll and look at the hit $7 million makes on this year, and go spend significant money on a player with less talent, who may not make as much of an impact.

There's quite a bit of pitching depth the only problem as it stands now is that it's all at A ball or lower. In 2 years when everyone is at AA and A+ it will look quite a bit better. That is what it was like 2 years ago -- from our Power 50 we had as SP: Dillard, Jones, Villanueva, Inman, Parra, Rogers, Gallardo, Hendrickson, Eveland, Taubenheim, Garrison, Mercedes among the top 30-35 prospects. Li'l Ben toiled in AAA (like Jackson is doing now). Eveland came up for a cup of coffee after spending most of the year in AA (like Parra), and Jones was on the shelf (like Rogers) while Parra ended the year on the shelf. The rest started the year in A league or lower ('though Villy & Taubenheim got promoted to AA). This year we have Gallardo & Parra in the bigs, Jackson toiling away, and Rogers & Braddock on the DL. Inman and Garrison just got traded. in AA there are Hammond and Miller (our next Taubenheims?). The rest (Jeffress, Seidel, Robinson, Bryson, Periard, Anundson) are low-A or Rookie league. So we are in a very similar position as 2 years ago. Now will the same fortunes hold again (Jefferss as the next Gallardo, Robinson/Bryson as the next Inman, Rogers/Braddock recovering and being the next Parra) is doubtful, but out pitching is not that different than in past years. In fact most pitching prospects are in the lower rungs, and those who pan out will advance quickly (AA->AAA->MLB) and those who don't are moved to the pen or toil away.

"The comparison was villy and yo, not yo and braun... " Woops. Sorry about that.

While I was not a big fan of the trade -- it was more due to the fact that I was not a huge fan of acquiring Linebrink. For as far as the trade I see the trade as Linebrink for a prospect (Inman) and a possible MLB ready bullpen arm (Thatcher). Garrison was maybe too much, but that's being nit-picky. I was upset to see Inman go, as I like his moxie, but we did have a lot of potential starting pitchers with the club, and Jeffress is clearly a better prospect. As far the the "change in philosophy" approach, I don't see that so much. Last year we added Nelson Cruz to the Cordero-Lee trade, and many thought we had overpaid by sending our best MLB OF and best minor league OF (Cruz). Obviously many (myself included) overvalued Cruz. We also dealt a pitcher with no place on our staff (de la Rosa) for Graffy when Weeks went down. Finally, the comparison to trading Gallardo and Braun in 2005 is not an even comparison. The equivalent of that would have been a package of Jeffress and Salome (or LaPorta).

He is not getting any headlines, because everyone knows he won't get it this week. He'll leave the game down 4-1 tomorrow, before the Mets improbably come from behind victory in the ninth. And Glavine has no shot at winning #300 on Sunday against the Cubs, because they haven't lost in a year. There I got that off my chest.http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif (Sorry I know that goes in the Vent thread, but I couldn't resist)

Kind of off topic, but didn't want to start a new thread with a Weeks thread still open. But what about moving Weeks to the lead off spot. He has a higher OBP at the 1-spot and seems to get on base with no one (according to his situational splits). Sure some is inflated by his pre-DL numbers, and don't reflect his slump. But putting him in a situation where he can take a walk, and maybe see pitches to hit, can help him out of his funk. THis would put Corey Hart into the 5th or 6th batting spot. He seems to hit better with men on base. THat would push Menchkins and Estrada/Miller into the 7/8th spots. I know YOst did that a few games in Cincy and Weeks had like 1 hit and 3 BBs, but with Braun, Fielder set to hit after Weeks maybe he'll see more hittable pitches and break out of the funk. Certainly hitting 8th and/or riding the pine hasn't helped.

Angel was on pace to lead the team in RBIs and was 10th in the league in RBIs despite missing the first few weeks (about 15-20 games) while recovering from his broken ankle. It would be nice to have a catcher who is capable of getting some hits with men on base. Also -- Angel has been scouted as having a cannon arm, and generally good and toolsy (but raw) defensively. Anyway, he is a legit top 5 prospect in our system now. Maybe not in recent years (with the like of Fielder, Weeks, Hardy, Hart, Braun, Gallardo).

A lot has been said in the 13 pages, so I won't rehash a lot of my thoughts (generally in the I wish we hadn't traded Inman variety). But one thing that hasn't been brought up -- some people seem to concede that if Linebrink doesn't stay at least we have a couple of 1st/2nd round picks in next years draft. I would rather have Inman, who is already in AA and demostrated success in pro ball, rather than unknowns coming out of the draft. Anyway, let's hope that Linebrink turns out to be a great late inning reliever during the stretch run.

While stating that Balfour has "cost us the game" is a bit extreme, obviously one player in one inning doesn't lose the entire game. But the track record for Balfour has been to give up runs, with those runs being the deciding runs in 2 of his 3 outings. That leaves one of two possible outcomes -- let him go, or let him "pitch through his struggles" in a low stress situation (ie, Spurling him). If we keep him, I favor the latter. Why has Ned been so eager to get him in the game in tie games? Why not let him get his feet wet in a few lower stress situations?

Wise is going to finish this one? What does that say about Parra? I don't get it -- last night in a tight ballgame, we trot out Balfour to make his debut. And today in a blow out, we use up our 7th inning guy for 3 innings? I know that there are rumors he's getting traded, but we still could have given Parra a taste of the bigs.

igor's post is interesting. Of the last 9 drafts (including 2007) we only have two 1st/2nd round players playing in the minors (Jeremy Jeffress & Brent Brewer both of the '06 draft). Many (sheets, hardy, fielder, weeks, braun, gallardo, gwynn) are in the majors, and 3 are on the DL (Jones, Rogers, LaPorta) with 2 out of the organization (kade johnson and josh murray). That raises 2 very interesting points: 1. Scouting has done well in the 1st two rounds (getting 7 MLB players out of 15 picks is amazing -- especially since 3 players are in their 1st or 2nd year, and 2 are on the shelf with arm injuries) 2. Scouting has done well with round 3 + (as our minor league system is doing really well with a lot of 3rd round or later picks) -- Inman, Salome, Brantley, Garrison, Gamel, Ford, just to name a few.