TheCrew

Never said Escobar does fit that description - but based on his minor league numbers over the past 3 years, he seems like a good fit to do so. I'm also pointing out that Hardy doesn't fit that at all and we don't need another HR/K guy (which Hardy doesn't really even fit anymore since he isn't hitting HR's that often). As for the UZR/150 - this is a perfect demonstration of why the metric is flawed. Most of us watched Hardy play for years - sorry, but I haven't seen anyone calling him an elite SS or one of the top 5 in the game even - nor do I believe he is. That said, he is very good and above average - but elite he is not. He seems to get that high of ranking with UZR because, according to fangraphs, he is far and away the best in the RngR stat: RngR (range runs): The number of runs above or below average a fielder is, determined by how the fielder is able to get to balls hit in his vicinity. I can buy into the fact that hardy is one of the best in the game to get to balls hit in his vicinty - but his vicinty is much smaller than say, a Reyes or Rollins. Escobar is 23 years old..... how many 23 year old, defensive first, players come in and set the league on fire?

Let's not confuse Hardy with Tulo here - Hardy is a career .260 hitter with 2 20+ HR seasons under his belt. He has shown nothing over the past 2 seasons that indicates he will be returning to that 20+ HR plateau. Escobar meanwhile hit over .300 from 2007-2009 in the minors and also can steal plenty of bases - unfortunately his manager refuses to take advantage of that. The Brewers don't need more HR hitters that strikeout a lot - they need guys to get on base in front of the HR hitters they already have. Escobar also possesses the ability to play elite defense if he can put it all together - While Hardy plays solid defense, I wouldn't call it elite. Reality is that people had the bar set too high for a rookie this season - I still love Escobar's potential and expect him to continue to make strides next season.

It sure is - but to make a broad statement that "Hardy's terrible August is better than anything Escobar has done" is flat out wrong, unless you look strictly at OPS. Which was my point. Bottom line is this - if Hardy was as good as many on here are trying to imply that he is, he wouldn't be a non-tender candidate for the Twins.

Sure, if you want to strictly look at OPS and nothing else.

A big reason? Really, he's hit 2 HR, has 12 RBI and scored 18 runs since the all star break - FWIW Escobar has 1 less HR, but the same amount of RBI's and runs. Furthermore, Hardy raked in July and has been terrible in August - Minnesota was in 1st place on July 1st and only a .5 gb at the end of July, they have upped their lead to 4.5 games in August, right when Hardy has gone back to use usual ways: hitting .245 with 1 HR and 5 RBI's. Anybody still watching Brewers games can see they Escobar continues to improve - let's not forget he is a rookie. I don't think there is a gm in the league that would take Hardy over Escobar.

However questioning the decision to not take the money, and go into professional baseball where the Brewers have a very large incentive, 2 million dollars being the least of it, to ensure this kid stays healthy vs going to college, probably the most unhealthy place in the world outside of Amsterdam and Bourbon Street(though College, at least my days seemed to be both wrapped into one) is a valid opinion...at least in MY opinion it is. I think we can all agree that this kid isn't going to live like your average college kid. I don't think he'll be eating like your average college kid either - he's aware of his medical condition and how serious it can be, so aware of it in fact, that he passed up a lucrative opportunity to play pro baseball at this time. Money isn't everything and managing type I diabetes doesn't require a great deal of money - so the whole "money could have helped his condition" really only applies if the diabetes leads to other health problems, and even then, I don't think any of us know enough about the Covey's to make a definitive assessment on that situation. For example, how do we know they aren't wealthy already? Or if they have excellent health insurance? Because it's a decision about their sons FUTURE!! Why rush the decision? At the end of the day, it's their right, no question about it. But it's also HIS right to question their decision as on the outside looking in, it doesn't make sense that his son is going to get better medical care 2 million dollars richer and going to college rather than minor league baseball as a 1st round pick where the team has a vested interest in making sure he receives the best medical attention. When I make a decision, I make it - spending a few more hours debating it isn't going to change my mind. It doesn't sound like they rushed the decision anymore than they had to - I think the only thing that could possibly have changed their mind is if they had a few more weeks, possibly months to make this decision, a few hours was not going to make a difference in my opinion. Bottom line is, none of us know every detail of the Covey family - so it's speculative at best for anyone to say taking the money was the right decision. There aren't a lot of MLB pitchers with Type I diabetics, and I don't agree that the odds are better he will receive better medical care, and there are a whole lot of places, "known for quality medical care". It's also putting him in a position to live the college life style, just about the most unhealthy life style there is. Again, in all likelihood he is not going to live your average college life in terms of dieting - I think that if anything is clear at this point, that is. Not all college kids eat like crap these days either - a lot has changed in recent years. In my opinion, he will have the opportunity for better medical care in San Diego. He will most likely have the same physician, nutritionist, etc. to work with for a few years and it will be much easier for him to develop good routines being in the same place and close to family. You have to also consider the fact that UCSD medical center is one of the top medical facilities in the nation, (it's also ranked #22 in the nation specifically for diabetes - I'm sure that factored in their decision) - Even if the brewers were to hire a personal nutritionist, they can't match the care and expertise that the 22nd ranked diabetic facility in the country can provide.And pressure? Having 2 million dollars and being set for the rest of your life for playing a game is not pressure. Passing UP 2 million dollars and having to prove yourself over the next 3-4 years just so you can MAYBE get back and make 2 million dollars and then at that point being behind where you would have been had he climbed the ladder in our system. I don't think getting back is his priority right now - seems pretty clear that his health is his top priority right now. Accepting 2 million dollars to play professional baseball would put a lot more pressure on an 18 year old kid than going to college - it's just one less thing over his head right now. I don't know what I would have done in the same situation, it's a bigger decision than some on here are making it out to be - it's not as simple as just taking the money. I wish the kid the best and hope he learns to manage his diabetes effectively and is able to return to pro baseball at some point. When I look at it from the Brewers perspective, it may sound harsh, but it's probably best for them - Covey has a long road ahead of him and the Brewers get the pick back next year, they don't lose anything in this.

Saying it's a "truly idiotic decision" and implying multiple times that taking the money was the right decision sounds pretty judgemental to me. If the family knew what they wanted to do once they found out, what is the point of dragging it out until the 11th hour? There aren't a great deal of successful MLB pitchers who are type I diabetics - odds are he will get better medical care by staying in the same place for the next 4 years and living in an area well known for quality medical care than he would have playing minor league baseball. It will also give him time to develop a routine to deal with his diabetes and develop good eating habits without having to worry about or deal with the pressure of feeling like he has to deliver on the brewers $2 million investment.

Money isn't everything and a lot changes if he takes the money - No the Brewers wouldn't have demanded he be there tomorrow, but they would at some point and clearly the kid and his family has put his medical issues ahead of his baseball career. Good for him and his family - type I diabetes is more serious than a lot of people realize. I'd also have to disagree that the schedule of a college student/athlete is far more hectic than a minor league ball player. For one, he now has 4 years that he is going to be in SD - looking at their site and last seasons schedule, a majority of games are played at home and all are played in Cali. I think you need to look at this from a longer term perspective than where he would be in the next 6-9 months. 3 years down the road he will be in San Diego, had he accepted the the contract, he probably wouldn't be in the AZL then.

Yes, because Parra dominates on the road.

That happens when you pitch in a pitchers paradise. Let those 2 switch team and watch what their stats do. Unless AT&T park lowers whip and ups k rates, my point still stands.

Sanchez can be inconsistent, but to say he is parra is a pretty big stretch. Sanchez's numbers are significantly better in almost every aspect over the past 2 seasons.

Schulman just tweeted that J. Sanchez was seen hugging guys in the dugout...........

This sums it up right here - People are very quick to rip Melvin, but we don't even know if he had a shot at him.

Tigers may also be interested in Hart now - Ordonez broke his right ankle tonight, out at least 6-8 weeks.

Doing something just to do something would be the worst possible move imo. It's clear Melvin is trying to acquire pitching - as evidenced by him asking for Bumgarner or Sanchez from the Giants. If teams aren't going to give up good young pitching (Sanchez doesn't even fall into the young category) then there is no point in trading Hart right now. If he continues to rake the rest of the season, his trade value will be higher in the offseason.

McGehee isn't going to get confused with an elite defender, but my only gripe with him is his range. He fields the ball well, doesn't commit many errors and makes accurate throws - especially in DP situations. I'd much rather have a 3b with less range that delivers the ball when it's hit to him - even in clutch situations. UZR and all that is nice - but some people treat it as the end all/tell all to determine a players defensive worth around here a bit too much.

I have a feeling things are going to boil over in Pittsburgh.

I'd much rather stick with McGehee at this point - what happens if Gamel flames out? He's 25 in a week and he is not exactly hitting lights out in the minors and I'm not sure where his defense ranks, but I'm guessing he isn't a plus defender. Throw that in with the fact that he had a higher k% than anyone else in the majors last season with an equal number of at bats and I'm really starting to sour on Gamel.......

Any chance Bush + Hart to the Padres could land Castro?

Yeah, that part would tough considering they are going to pay him $19 million next season - still can't believe they committed that much to him - but at the end of the day it's about production and Helton has been terrible this year. He is also on the DL now - If they were willing to admit their mistake, it seems like the rox would be a good match prospect wise.........

What about the Rockies as a trading partner. Maybe a package centered around Tyler Matzek?

I don't see the Rangers as a trading partner because of the bankruptcy issue unless the Brewers pick up all of Prince's salary and even then I don't know if it would be doable because of what Prince will make next year. Didn't the Mariners agree to pay most of Lee's salary this season?

No, they don't need to win 15 of 16. They only need to make up 8.5 games in the remaining 85 games, or in other words, pickup a game in the standings every 10 games played. I understand if someone isn't optimistic, but to say the season is over at this point is quite a bit of a stretch.

It's June and over half the season is left - I'd hardly say they are out of it, especially with the Cardinals having serious rotation problems. I also have a hard time seeing the Reds keep it up. White Sox were 9.5 back on June 8th - 20 days later they are 2 games back. Far too early in the season to be writing teams off...... that said, they should still be looking to see what the market is for Prince and if a good enough deal comes along, trade him.

Looks like the brewers caught a break - Tulo is out for 6-8 weeks with a broken wrist.