Bombers

As Roderick said, the Brewers spent around $11 million to upgrade their scoreboard. So, if they have a "Far more expensive" project on their hands. I am going with a minimum of $20 million project. Maybe they will finally add in air conditioning? This would be great news for when they close the roof to the keg and trap in all the heat and humidity with it.

Also, having been to 18 parks, I could also see them really expanding the outfield walk area and turning it into a standing room / social area. Many of these parks have setup places like the Pepsi porch at Comerica or Coca Cola rooftop deck at Busch Stadium. The last item I could see would be upgrading some of the first few rows behind home plate to being more of a luxury area. Almost all the parks have these really high prized wait staff area's behind home now. (Bigger chairs, fully cushioned, private lounge, etc)

I am hoping for something similar to the Tundra Tailgate Zone they have at Lambeau field. I used to tailgate at Lambeau all the time when we went to Packers games. However, now we don't. We prefer going to Tundra or to Stadium View and enjoying their bands, entertainment, atmosphere for pre-game. They tone down the drink / food cost at those pre-game area's and I find them rather enjoyable. Miller Park is so isolated from anything, I have always hoped they would set something like this up and have it right next to Miller Park as Lambeau does.

This is a good point and should be bare minimum. Bottom line is they committed a pretty audacious crime and baseball shouldn't side step it. The NFL would have zero tolerance for it - not that they do everything right but MLB has had a history of turning a blind eye to cheating.

The #Dbacks name OF Mitch Haniger & LHP Anthony Banda the organization's @MiLB Player and Pitcher of the Year.

The team of the year was posted here: http://m.mlb.com/news/article/200328796/mlb-pipeline-2016-prospect-team-of-the-year/?topicid=151437456 I hadn't look at how the two were doing who we sent to the diamondbacks for Gerardo Parra until I saw that Mitch Haniger has made the 2016 MiLB pipeline team of the year. (The Brewers have no one who made the team.) Haniger joins Andrew Benintendi (Red Sox) and David Dahl (Rockies) in the OF. Since being traded to the dbacks here are the stats: Haniger 2014: A+ AB: 24 333 / .433 / .458 / .892 2015 A+ AB: 226 .332 / .381 / .619 / .999 2015 AA AB: 174 .281 / .351 / .379 / .730 2016 AA AB: 236 / .294 / .407 / .462 / .869 2016 AAA AB: 312 341 / .428 / .670 / 1.098 Banda ERA / Games Started / WHIP 2014 A 1.54 / 6 / 1.114 2015 A+ 3.32 / 28 / 1.246 2016 AA 2.12 / 13/ 1.284 2016 AAA 3.67 / 13 / 1.357 We did flip Parra for Davies and Davies has done well at the major league level 2015 3.71 / 6 / 1.206 2016 4.01 / 25 / 1.253 Another note: Banda is ranked 3rd and Haniger is ranked the 24th best prospect in AZ's pipeline. http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2016?list=ari

I home management doesn't think they have a window again so I would not be looking at 2017 as a possibility. My reason. Well, the main one: The Brewers do not have any frontline starters. None. Zero. Zilch. They have some "potential" frontline starters with Hader, Bickford, and Ortiz. But none today. And none at start of next year. Hader has pitched 126 innings this year. Bickford 120. Ortiz 90. Really hard to see how any of those 3 will pitch for the whole year in 2017 without their arm falling off. My opinion is to continue to draft, develop and acquire minor leaguers until we end up with a front end of our rotation that is actually really good. I am just not on board with a Peralta, Nelson, etc to be the "ace" of staff. And until that gets corrected, count me on the side that says keep looking to the future - our time is not now.

The Hurricane. Man, that guy was awesome in the beginning. Just goes to show you that these rankings we do a few times a year, even when guys are having success, you just don't know what could happen. A look at the slash line for the hurricane: 2004 -age 20 (Split between AZ and Beloit) .422 / .470 / .637 / 1.106 - a .422 batting average in 256 AB's! 2005 - West Virginia (A Ball) .290 / .360 / .379 / .739 2006 (Brevard County A+) - - .319 / .376 / .384 / .761 2007 (Huntsville - AA) - .307 / .363 / .430 / .793 2008 He then had a down year in AAA .277 / .329 / .341 / .670 and then was just never really given a shot as the Brewers were in Win it now mode stats from: http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=iribar001her

We have discussed the Braun to 1B before. Some are for it, some are definitely against it. I am for it and always have been. viewtopic.php?f=63&t=30772&hilit=braun+1b As we look around the OF and IF we start to see some semblance of a real team that could be setup for 2018. I like Villar and would lean strongly towards keeping him around. I agree with those who think there will be more moves to clear paths like last year. I wouldn't be surprised to see Scooter moved like Davis was. I wouldn't be surprised to see Maldy moved or Nelson. In the end, the issue with the Brewers is front line pitching. We can continue building for the future, but the Brewers need some real improvement in their frontline pitching. (I am excited for Hader, Ortiz, Bickford, but we need to continue to stockpile those pitching assets)

What they should do is play baseball in the Winter Olympics. Basketball is a winter sport in the sense it is played during the winter but yet play in the Summer Games. So why not just have baseball play in a dome and in the Winter Olympics.

@KeonDDBroxton is batting .375 (24-for-64, 3hr, 11rbi, 10sb) in 22g since being recalled on July 25, including 3 hits last night. #Brewers I will take the small sample and possibility of what could be over Gomez. Even if Gomez wants to be a 4th OF. I like Carlos. He has a great attitude and seems to be likeable. But I think at this stage in his career let him try and help a club who is trying to win.

Agreed. And I would guess Stearns does too. Let's continue on with Keon

Ya, that was a pretty sad press conference. http://deadspin.com/prince-fielders-retirement-press-conference-was-sad-as-1785145364 Get well Prince! You got two young boys who could follow the Fielder homerun tradition. Time to become a coach. Good luck Prince, you were one of my favorite Brewers of all time to watch.

ya, those were some good times. Excitement was through the roof with the new stadium a bunch of young guys having fun and hitting long balls. I sure hope we can do a 1 day contract to have him retire as a Brewer. He had some really fun home runs. This will always be my favorite homerun celebrations - I was a season ticket holder shortly after graduating from college in 2004. I was a seat holder from 2006 - 2012 and now have 3 kids and am unable to get to as many games as I use to but those years were fun

I don't get some of the negativity. Jose Reyes's minor league stats ended up as .284 / .340 / .418 / .758 - Arcia's is .282 / .339 / .404 / .742 - so one could say Arcia could end up with a career like Jose Reyes who was a prime leadoff hitter for many years. Over Reyes's 13 years, he only has 3 years with an OPS over 800. For Arcia, at 22 years old, all you can do is sit back and watch. Sure he could go either way, but lets enjoy his time before we denounce him the permanent 8 hitter.

1. SS-Orlando Arcia - He is ready. Time to let him continue refinement at the big league level. 2. LHP-Josh Hader - What a trade that netted him amongst others. An a LH starting pitcher to boot. Looking back, he should have been about all we received for 1.5 years of Gomez. Thanks Houston! 3. OF-Lewis Brinson - Another great trade by the Brewers. Brinson has all star potential. 4. SP-Luis Ortiz - A 20 year old starting pitcher drafted 30th overall who looks like he belongs as a first round pick. Could you imagine if the Brewers could draft pitchers who actually look like they belong as first round picks? 5. SP-Phil Bickford - The unique background of being drafted twice in the first round and also looks like he belongs. Will be on AA staff next year and am hoping he can continue progression. 6. OF-Brett Phillips - He may have a quirky laugh but going from a .901 OPS in 2015 (.835 in AA) to a .715 in AA this year marks this year as a down year) I am interested to see what they do with him, he hasn't "earned" a promotion but at 23 years old next year, I am thinking he will be in AAA. Lets hope he can finish the year strong. 7. OF-Trent Clark - 19 years old and in A ball with a .764 OPS after hitting .854 in rookie and fall leagues. 8. SS/2B-Isan Diaz - a 2nd round pick from the Diamondbacks, Brewers might have found themselves a good infielder. Hitting .835 OPS in A ball at 20 years old. 9. OF-Corey Ray - a .544 OPS at high A. Maybe they shouldn't have been so aggressive? Even Braun went to Rookie league when they drafted him. 5th overall pick has really struggled in his first 132 plate appearances. Here is to hoping that time in Arizona Fall leagues lets him find his swing back. 10. 3B-Lucas Erceg - Drafted in the 2nd round this year and is off to exceptional start as a 21 year old. Was awesome in Rookie ball (1.005 OPS) and continue great year with .933 OPS in A ball. 11. SS/3B-Gilbert Lara - He is 18 years old and the only reason that I left him in front of Ponce, Woodruff and Diplan. Hopefully he is just overmatched but unfortunately he probably needs to repeat rookie ball (3rd time) but maybe a change to WI can help? 12. SP-Cody Ponce - Have a real trend going here with 2nd round picks. Maybe the Brewers should skip the rules and just start trading out of the first round. But the 2015 2nd round pick has done a nice job in his 2 years. 13. SP-Brandon Woodruff - After being a 5th round pick out of HS, went to school and ended up an 11th round pick. Hopefully the motivation for going the wrong way helps drive him (and it should.) He has pitched well in A+ and AA 14. SP-Marcos Diplan - Another pitcher in A ball that seems like he can continue to progress. 15. C-Jake Nottingham - having rough year in AA as a 21 year old (after a great 2015 in A and A+.) He will repeat AA and can hopefully have a successful year 2. 16. SP-Jorge Lopez - After a great AA year which some him end with a 2.26 ERA, he has been fairly hittable at Colorado, hopefully it's just the air and not the mechanics. 17. SP-Freddy Peralta - The brightest bulb from the Lind trade. Has had a nice year in WI with a 2.85 ERA and a 1.150 WHIP. Has continued pitching well at Florida at high A with a 3.14 ERA. Won't turn 21 until June and should start next year in high A. 18. SP-Devin Williams - Having a good year in A ball again. Should see a bump to high A soon. Has a 3.35 ERA and a 1.282 WHIP in 2 years at A ball. 19. OF-Demi Orimoloye - I really thought the Brewers might have found something with the 4th round pick. His 838 OPS in Arizona as an 18 year old has turned to a .658 in Helena. Hopefully a switch to WI can return him to form 20. LHP - Nathan Kirby - Yep, putting a guy who hasn't really pitched since being drafted at spot 21. Potential is there. 21. LHP - Wei-Chung Wang - 19 starts at AA and has a solid 3.52 ERA. I say send him up to AAA but maybe the homeruns return so don't? 22. SP-Corbin Burnes - 4th round pick in 2016 off to a great starts in Rookie ball and then A ball. 23. SP-Kodi Medeiros - 12th overall pick in 2014 out of HS in HI hasn't looked worthy of the 12th pick. When drafted some around here just didn't get the pick. That lack of love then continues now with a minor league ERA of 5.03 and a WHIP of 1.586. Hopefully next year he pitches well to stop the free fall down the prospect ranking. 24. INF-Jake Gatewood - Starting to be another disappointing first round pick (albeit 41st overall) At the time the 2014 draft looked so promising. Finally drafted a HS pitcher, got some great signs with Monte and Jake and then none of them have advanced a lick. I guess back to A ball for Monte and Jake. 25. SP-Bradon Webb - I like guys who have been drafted and haven't pitched due to injury vs guys who get drafted and don't pitch well.

I agree with this and am fine with the move. There isn't a perfect time to bring anyone up. You do what you think is best for each person. Look at Altuve and Correa. Altuve skipped AAA after having only 153 PA in AA. (Granted he flat out raked in the minors. Correa had 246 PA in AA in AAA combined. Altuve was 21 and Correa was 20 when brought up. Could they of held them back to help with the service time. Sure, but why. Correa hit 276 .345 .449 .794 in AAA and was promoted. Arcia is at .267 .320 .403 .723, clearly less but is being promoted. In the end coaching and management think it is time. He is ready for the challenge and they think this is the best way to continue his arch of improvement. Also being around other big leaguer players and coaches will help.

Gulp - I hope we have hope for Ray - he was drafted less than 2 months ago 5th overall

Dynamite analysis.

What happened to Clint Coulter? Does anyone think the move from Catcher to the OF threw his hitting off? Ever since they tried him in the OF in Arizona fall league, he hasn't been able to hit at all. Is he thinking too much defensively? At this rate, they might as well move him back to behind the dish. His 239 / .314 / .375 / .689 line in high A is pretty bad for a guy who came out of Rookie League and A ball hitting .270 / .388 / .483 / .870. Really hope he can find this bat again and not become just another wasted first round pick.

When I see stuff like this it just makes me think that trading Braun for salary relief is just tomfoolery. Braun continues to be a top hitting OF and his salary is only $20, $20, $19, and $17 million over the next 4 years. While Jason Heyward will get over $28 million each of the next 2 years, followed by $20, $21, $21, $22, $22 million.

He was going into his 6th and final year of team control - I believe

Agreed. Difference makers aren't usually included in packages. I tend to agree with this too. I think if you are trading Lucroy and have a shot at one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, I would be fine with "the guy". But when trading Jeffress or Smith, you are not going to get a top prospect, even 1 for 1. So I would probably prefer more of a package. However, I do think the package we got for Gomez and Fiers was awesome (Josh Hader, Brett Phillips, Adrian Houser and Domingo Santana.)

While most stars are not top 5 picks is accurate, I would adjust the comment to say most stars are either international or first round picks. And the top pitchers are normally top 15 picks. Price - 1st overall Strasburg - 1st overall Pomeranz - 5th overall Kershaw 7th overall Harvey - 7th overall Bumgarner - 10th overall Scherzer - 11th overall Sale - 13th overall And while there are some Syndergaard (38th overall) DeGrom (9th round), Arrieta (5th round) and international guys (Cueto, Teheran) the fact remains if you want the best shot at a top arm, you need to take a shot in the top of the 1st round. The issue for the Brewers is they have been mostly horrendous at drafting top pitching and haven't hit on a top 15 pitcher since Ben Sheets in 2001. But as you say, the Royals are quite impressive as their starting pitching is mostly mediocre. They have had some guys that are good Cueto, Shields, etc but they don't have the consistent starter who dominates MLB. Their success lies in the bullpen and timely hitting.

Jail time = Yes. As WV just posted in the Random news thread, now what punishment does the Cardinals organization get?