TheCrew

So Martin Prado is incapable of playing RF because Casey McGehee has 0 career starts in RF. That's some sound logic right there........

LOL - I stopped reading after you said it would be like sticking McGehee in RF. I'm all for a debate and it's fine if you don't agree with someones point a view....... I actually enjoy it when someone else shows me a different POV on this site - but I'm not going to waste any time with someone who is going to make asinine statements like that.

879 innings in the OF the past 3 seasons with a total UZR of 9.3 for Prado - most of those innings are in left, but considering that this guy can play above average defense just about everywhere else on the diamond............ I can't see him struggling in RF defensively. I suggested using him along with Hairston and possibly signing a cheaper FA option - I think one of Kubel or Cuddyer will last and will sign a shorter deal for around $5 million per. I wouldn't play a specific player everyday in RF either - probably a lot of late game shifts/substitutions. Having 2 versatile plus defenders in Hairston and Prado would be a nice luxury - signing one of Kubel/Cuddyer would give you power and another option at 1B should Gamel falter. That flexibility defensively would be pretty darn nice and would also bolster the bench. You cherry picked 2 stats when comparing Cuddyer and Hart - I could do the same back to you to suggest Cuddyer is a better player....... not really worth my time to suggest other players if that is what you want to do..........................and again, I'm not saying go replace Hart with Cuddyer or Prado. Just saying I'm ok with it if this was done in order to get Reyes.

Hart is set to make 9 million this next season - You think Prado's salary will double this next season, I think it'll be about 1.5x's his salary from last season. Split the difference and call it 5.25 - That move alone is saving close to 4 million. Dumping Loe and McGehee (which I suggested if that move were made) would also save additional $ - the Brewers should also be able to get some salary relief if they trade Hart with his attractive contract.............I'm not going to work every single detail as if I'm the GM. I used Cuddyer as an example - it's why I also mentioned Kubel - DM could be patient and pick someone up later in FA at a bargain rate to play 1B or provide power from RF or he could roll with Gamel and also keep McGehee..... would leave 3 options at 3B with JHJ/Prado/McGehee with Prado and possibly JHJ getting time in RF.......... I also mentioned the Braves shopping Jurrens, they could possibly look at getting him in a deal with Prado for Hart which would make Hart expendable, although last I read the Braves asking price was pretty high and they were looking for prospects......... The point is, there are options out there to free up $10 million if they really want to go after Reyes and I'd have no qualms if it meant sacrificing Hart. All I was saying.

I could care less how many wins fangraphs says he is worth. The simple fact is, it's much easier to replace a RF of his talent level than it is to find anyone close to Reyes talent level than can play solid defense at SS. As for Prado, I find it odd you want to call Hart an 8 win player but then ignore it when the same site had Prado as a 7.6 win player from 2009-2010 - yes, he did have a down year last year (in part due to a staph infection) but he's a prime bounce back candidate and would be a great fit given his versatility on defense. The same site you quote Hart as an 8 win player lists Prado as an extremely good OF'er, so not sure on the weak arm comment......... as for Prado "not holding a candle" offensively; I think you need to check the numbers again. Only thing Hart does better is hit HR's - during 2009/2010 Prado was 5th in BA and only Braun and Fielder had more doubles during that time, one could argue that he was better offensively. The guy doesn't hit many HR's, but he hits for average, doesn't strike out much and plays plus defense at multiple positions........ what's not to like? Someone also mentioned his salary as being $6 million next season - unlikely, he made $3.1 million last year and had a down season. $4.5-$5 seems more likely and if the Brewers were willing to ship out Hart, I'm sure they could find a 3rd team to get involved since the Braves are also shopping Jurrens (sp?)...... I'm not going to spend a great deal of time on it to look up all the FA outfielders or possible trade targets - I really didn't think anyone would even argue that a free agent SS + Corey Hart is better than Reyes + free agent RF/return from Corey Hart or Randy Wolf trade. I'm not saying we need to shop Hart or that his salary is a burden - but if they need to free up $10 million or so, he'd be a likely trade candidate as he'd be attractive and they could get something of value back. Whether that is to fill 3b or RF or a 4th starter if they shop Wolf too............... there is room to get creative there. I'd also have no qualms if it was Wolf (rather than Hart) that had to go............. Reyes is worth it imo.

Hey, your the one that started looking at small sample sizes when you compared Hart to Braun, Fielder and Pence. Let's look at larger sample sizes and compare those players, I'd be glad to. Yup, Reyes has missed more games than Hart and is a bigger injury risk - but he plays a premium defensive position and plays it well. Not to mention he turns quite a few walks/singles into doubles throughout the season...... guy is a special talent. Again, I'm not trying to rip on Hart but if we have to move him to get Reyes..... it's a no brainer to me. There are holes in Hart's game. As for who I would replace Hart with - I'd try to work a trade with the Braves for Martin Prado in exchange for Hart, although that could get complicated as the Braves are looking for salary relief...... but that is the guy I would target and he is on the block. He can play the infield as well - bring Hairston back and a I already love the versatility we have off the bench as well. Then I would target a guy like Kubel or Cuddyer - will probably get a $5-$6 million dollar contract...... if he lasts in FA, he could go even cheaper on a 1-2 year deal. Both those guys can play 1B/OF. Dump McGehee for a prospect - let Loe walk, that would free up some additional funds as well. Could always explore the idea of trading Wolf as well (and trying to get Jurrens in the Braves package). That is spending about 10 minutes thinking about it...... like I said, I don't think Hart would be the hard to replace in terms of run production. Especially if you replaced him with a plus defender like Prado.

Not going to get into a WAR debate. If you want to believe Hart was a top 50 positional player in all of MLB last season, have at it. All I'm saying is that it would be far easier to replace Hart with a cheaper option than it would be to find anyone close to Reyes talent........ at any price. If getting Reyes means we have to trade Hart and replace him......... I've got no qualms. Hart's defense is terrible and he's missed about 50 games over the past 2 seasons....... he also hit .236 with 2 outs and RISP ( Braun .315 and Fielder .299) this past season...... I appreciate what Hart has done as a Brewer, but he can be replaced with a FA option.

It's time for Gamel to do something for the Brewers - simple as that. I really can't imagine that Melvin is looking at shopping him or that was his reasoning in Sept for not bringing him up (Melvin with that much foresight.... c'mon). Heck, what could Gamel even get the Brewers in a trade at this point? I can't imagine much more than a has been prospect or a middle reliever......... his value is next to nothing.

I highly doubt that would go into effect until the 2012 offseason. Since the offseason has already started and teams are starting to think about whether or not to offer arby, they can't just change the rules mid-offseason. Yeah, I'd agree here - no way the current negotiations effect this offseason.

Reyes would have way more value to this team than Hart does. While Hart's production at the plate would tough to replicate, it wouldn't be that tough to find a replacement that has fairly equal overall production. Finding anyone close to Reyes talent at SS? Not going to happen. Yes, I say this while knowing Fangraphs and WAR loves Hart - but real life production leaves a lot to be desired imo. I'd have no problem taking a flier on a bounce back candidate or a lesser name if it meant landing Reyes.

and where I said we should pick up his option or sign him to an extension?

That is the kind of thinking that leads to signing a pitcher for 4 years/$42m.Signing a pitcher for 4 years/$42 million isn't a problem. Signing Jeff Suppan is. How my saying Betancourt played ok in the 2nd half and wasn't a major problem on this team has anything to do with that................. gonna have to explain that one.

and when it mattered most, pretty solid defense (other than the games they all decided to boot it around) with a .826 OPS Not trying to say Betancourt was an all-star - but he was far from the teams biggest problems the last few weeks.

All season long I wanted to see the Brewers resign him - now I think it would the dumbest move the franchise ever made if they sign him. Take the comp picks, extend Greinke. Maybe go after a guy like Loney to play 1B......... this team is still going to be very good without Prince.

To be fair McGehee was benched when it mattered. Betancourt's play in the 2nd half didn't warrant benching either.

Unfortunately the video evidence doesn't support your statement at all: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/....jsp?content_id=19888335 Kotsay doesn't even touch the ball. I'm also tired of hearing how this was a routine fly ball. Gomez gets that ball because the guy is as quick as they come. I've said it several times and I'll say it again, it's no sure thing for Morgan either and there are a number of CF's who don't get that ball - anyone saying that is a guaranteed out for Morgan, with the way he'd been playing D out in CF, isn't looking at this objectively. Kotsay, Hart and Braun all deserve blame for that inning. Yo didn't help himself either. Let's just stick to the facts. The Cardinals played better baseball then the Brewers the past week - no, it's not easy to say that....... but it's reality........... that said, Go Rangers!!!

The Kotsay/Game 3 was addressed by a previous poster and matched my sentiments. Brewers took back control in game 4 and then played like a little league team defensively in games 5 and 6 - that isn't on RR. People also need to stop ignoring Braun's lack of backing up Kotsay. If your going to call out RR, you damn sure better call out Braun for something that is fundamental baseball taught from little league on up. Even the greatest defenders make errors. Marcum/Greinke weren't the only difference this year. RR's managing style and player relations (allowing the players to be who they are) also made a HUGE difference - the guy was far from perfect, but no manager is and he was a huge breath of fresh air compared to what has been here recently.

As much as it sucks, you have to tip your hat to the cardinals - that bullpen is on an incredible run. I don't really think it matters who is managing the Brewers during this series. They were simply outplayed and trying to pin the series loss for starting Kotsay in CF - while ignoring the other gaffes in that game or the error-fest that came in the following games - is a joke. 2 wins from a world series is heart breaking right now - but damn impressive for a 1st year manager.

He's thrown 14 total pitches in those 2 outings. He should be fine to go 30-40 pitches and eat up a few innings if needed and I think it's pretty clear that RR, for better or worse, wasn't going to back off Marcum for Sunday.

Trying to get a batter out - which he did with 1 pitch. Narvy should be fine for extended work tomorrow if needed.

Hey, I never defended him on George/Wolf/Morgan http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif Nothing but luck bailed him out of that one and fwiw, I thought Lucroy should have pinch hit.

Him and the crazy dude from the Nats, whose name escapes me at the moment, should share a cell for the rest of their days.

Isn't this what a manager is supposed to do? Knowing when to go with a player, even though the math suggests it's not the best move. The correct answer is not always the one that the math suggests will be correct.

Hey, I'm not saying I agree with the decision nor that I would make the same decision - but when a manager makes a move that looks bad, and the guy produces at the plate....... call it a dumb decision all you want, but you still have to say it was a successful dumb decision.

I care about results - could care less if a manager makes what is perceived as bone-headed decisions all season long if they produce successful results. That's what a managers job is - to put guys in situations where they will succeed. Results > Predictions Does anyone really think that with Plush in over Kotsay the Brewers win game 3?