Funketown

For a backup outfielder that should provide a bit of value this isn't terrible. He is one of the least likable Brewers in the past few years, right up there with Johnny "I don't run out a bases-loaded grounder with one out in an extra-inning game" Estrada. He's incredibly frustrating to watch at the plate, but his ability to field will ensure that he's worth this contract. Does Gomez have an option left? It might be nice to send him a message by starting him in AAA.

Damian Miller, Bud Black, and Nick Bierbrodt disagree.I think George Brett takes this honor. http://www.ratebeer.com/b...vard-saison-brett/61449/

I never even realized how much playing time Hall ended up getting last year. Guy hit .247/.316/.456/.772 last year with 18 HR's in just under 400 PA's. Not at all bad with a 57 wRC+ in 2009. This is a guy I still cheer for. He was a fun player to watch, and I often forget how good he was in 2005-2006. Let's just hope he continues to kill the Reds and that the 'Stros play the sCrUBS on Mothers day.

I wonder if this will get us a better return in a three-way?

This goes in the fail-blog title hall of fame immediately.

- Luis Cruz is Luis Cruz. His career line is .266/.295/.404/.699...in AAA.- Lopez is terrible at SS, and is mediocre at best at both 2nd and 3rd. - Guzman's bat has been worse than Counsell's over the past two seasons, and he is at best mediocre at both SS and 2B. - Geoff Blum has played a total of 35 games at SS over the course of the last four seasons. He is no better at 2B and 3B than Counsell is, and his bat is no better.

^Wouldn't we all love to get our hands on some Westy? I've never had any, but if that stuff is one half of what it's hyped to be, it's gotta be something special. As a current Iowan, I've gotta give some love to Peace Tree Brewing Company for their new DIPA. I grabbed a bottle at HyVee the other day for $2.39, and it was extremely good. Aroma was dominated by killer mango citrus notes, and although it was a bit one-dimensional, it was still one of the best IIPA's I've ever had. I also had their Rye Porter, a belgo-porter, and although I didn't take any notes on it, it was quite good. I'm happy that these guys will soon knock the always mediocre Millstream off their pedestal of Iowa's favorite brewery by default. I was in Chicago last weekend, and did a little shopping at Binnie's Beverage Depot (UIC and north river) for some holiday beer to share with my father and brother. It's a nice place, although they don't sell many 12-oz singles, they have a great selection of (expensive) bombers. They had pretty much the full line-up of Lost Abbey, Stone, Goose Island, Two Brothers, along with good line-ups of Avery, Bell's, Mikkkkelllller, etc. I grabbed Lost Abbey Carnevale, Founders Curmudgeon, Two Brothers Resistance, Stone Double Bastard, Stone Belgo-IPA, Stone Ar-Bastard, and New Holland Dragon's Milk. Those should be some fun ones. The only Lost Abbey I've ever had was their Red Barn Saison, and it was fabulous. If you're ever in downtown Chicago, I'd suggest hitting Binnie's north of the river, but it probably isn't worth the trek to the Binnie's near UIC.

Well, I like it when the Pirates sign random vets for no reason! This seems like a lot of cash for Lyle Overbay, especially for the Pirates. Anyways, I wish him all the best, and for him to be the greatest Scrubbie-killer to ever walk this earth.

First of all, I said it's only somewhat irresponsible. I know it's only $1.5 million spent, but it's $1.5 million very poorly spent. As for Counsell, he's an adequate to plus fielder at all four infield positions, and his bat isn't terrible for a plus defender. What does the minimum get you? At best, probably a guy like Joe Inglett. Counsell will most likely provide significantly more value to the Brewers this year than Harden will to the Athletics. As for Nieves, I don't like the signing, but it was a non-guaranteed deal, no? What it really comes down to is that I don't think Rich Harden is even a #5 pitcher at this point. I don't know that much about Harden, and maybe it's possible that he can get it all figured out again. He was just a horrendously bad pitcher last year, worse than Suppan was in his worst season with the Brewers (although Suppan did provide more innings of suck).

I'm willing to bet there's less than a 10% chance Harden provides > 2.0 WAR next year, and greater than a 60% chance that he provides <.5 WAR next year. His fastball velocity has dropped by nearly four miles per hour in the last few years, and his walk rate is absurd. This guy's toast, and spending $1.5M on him is a bit irresponsible.

Braun hit .140/.252/.178/.430 last year. One has to believe they simply kept him around this long to appease big brother, no?

It's this kind of crap that reminds me why I hate the Yankees. Once again, they've come in with their millions and squashed the hopes and dreams of the Texas Rangers. What's next, Cashman serves puppies and small children at the concession stand?

Well, this sucks for the Braves, Marlins, Nationals, and Mets far more than it does for the Brewers. Everybody in the NL has to play these guys 6+ times, so it really shouldn't hurt their playoff chances. As for facing them in the playoffs, if the Brewers somehow make it in, five games (wildcard vs. league champion) is a crap shoot. It would not shock me if the Phillies lose a 5-game series to any 80-win+ team.

Anecdotes don't prove anything. I'm sure there are hundreds of players who struggled in what was supposed to be a "contract year", we just don't typically remember those players. By your logic that Jeff Suppan proves the "contract year", I could say that because I once saw a guy drive drunk and not get in a crash, drunk driving must be safe.

I'd be shocked if it took that much. I think Garza will probably be overpriced as well, and I agree with many here who don't think he's even near as good as Gallardo, but that price seems a bit outlandish. Jumping on this late, having just gotten back from my morning class. Pavano's fastball and slider velocities have looked pretty good over the past two years (90.7, 83.2), (90.1, 83.7). It's understandable to be skeptical about Pavano as a Brewer, but really the guy should project to throw about 175 innings of 4.25 ball. I don't know about everybody else here, but I think a rotation of Gallardo Marcum Pavano Wolf Narveson is perhaps even better than average. If Doug can get this guy for 2/$20, I'm all over it.

Boof Bonser still exists.

Interesting thing about Cairo: He's been in the majors each year from 1999 - 2010, and he hasn't once cracked |WAR|>1. That's really impressive, if you ask me. I must say, I'm loving the passion I'm seeing for these huge signings! Deals like this one and the Francoeur deal will define next season.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY FOUR RYLZZZ BAZEBL!!!! GEUX FRENCHEUOUER!!!!

John Kruk just said Adam Laroche will be better going forward than Derrek Lee, because he is a consistent 30HR/100RBI guy. He has only once hit 30 HR's, and only once 100RBI's, and he's not done both in the same season.

If he's as bad as he was last year, this could be a fun signing. It's a pretty big gamble for the Cubs, and I'll admit I'm a bit worried he'll be as good as he was in 2007-2008.

http://www.fangraphs.com/...playerid=1556&position=C I hope this isn't serious. You know it has to be bad when I look at the free agent list and say "Aw man, we could have had Henry Blanco instead!". This guy is about as close to an automatic out as you can get. Please don't let this guy get more than 25 AB's, Doug.

What a winner. Are most prospects THIS toolish? Lawrie, Salome, etc...

That's pretty brutal. I hardly noticed this with the Marcum trade going on (which hasn't been mentioned on SC yet, of course). What could possibly be going through a GM's head when he thinks "Hey, I should sign Jayson Werth to a 7year/$126MM deal"!

I think that's quite high for Marcum. I wouldn't sign him for 4/60 on the FA market. With two years of arb left, this is the absolute max I'd give him right now: 09: $7MM 10: $11MM 11: $14MM 12: $14MM

Losing Lawrie is a jab to the gut, but I'll wait until at least the morning to pass too much judgment on Melvin. Marcum made only $850,000 last year in his first arbitration season. Even if that shouldn't matter, his low salary last year will probably keep his salary down this year a bit. What's a reasonable arbitration estimate? $5MM? More? I won't lie, whether it's justified or not, his injury history scares me. Does anybody have an idea how much injury risk the Brewers are taking on here? I don't mind losing Bucci, if that rumor is accurate. With the strong pitching waiting in the wings, he was expendable. Can the Brewers acquire Justin Bieber and then trade him back to Canada?