Bombers

So trade for Byrd and pickup Barney and get the Cubs band back together I guess

Roderick - that is where I am coming from. Having Papelbon as our closer for the next few years sounds like a good idea to me. The Brewers team will be mostly intact from this year to 2015. We just need a new closer. JB - I thought about that too, so I wish the Brewers would have picked him up when Boston cut him in mid June.

Here is the call from Mr Baseball himself (His call is about at the midway mark): http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/11493214/v34730743/must-c-clutch-lucroys-second-homer-is-a-walkoff/?query=must%2Bc

With the Brewers scouting the Phillies, I am thinking they are scouting Papelbon and his 1.34 ERA in 40 apperances. What would you be willing to trade for him? I am against trading arms so that leaves Haniger or Taylor, IMO. I get Pap is under control for next year, so that is sort of the Phillies throwing in the towel on next years season. Especially if they dump Lee. But If I were them, they need to start aiming for 2016/2017. Howard's contract is atrocious and his last year is 2016. Utley has options starting in 2016 through 2018. Lee has a 2016 option. Rollins option will vest for 2015 Cole Hamels has an option for 2019 So If they aim to just throw in the towel on 2015, unload players this year and next year, the Phillies could have a pretty quick turn around. Papelbon's stats: http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/papeljo01.shtml

Headley arrives to his new team mid game proceeds to hit walk off in 14th. Awesome http://deadspin.com/chase-headley-meets-new-team-mid-game-hits-walk-off-si-1609413411?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_twitter&utm_source=deadspin_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

Circling back in the replays as I could start watching until the 8th - I really want to hear the explanation from MLB on this one. Jeez - horrible call. Way to go Jon Luc!! Glad to see him have a huge game

Luuuc says I am your father!!!!!! Walk it off!

Way to go weeks!

I would like to see if Halton can come up and be given a chance. It's a bonus that he can play more than just 1 position. I understand that gives us basically 3 options at 1B - but I believe his bat has warranted him being given a shot, especially with the lack of production from 1B. As for the what happens if Gomez gets hurt, well if he gets hurt than you would re-call Schafer.

Hermida is another option - .267 / .376 / .447 / .823 Hopefully they keep trying some different options until they find one that sticks.

Unfortunately, Schafer is just having a tough go at the plate. With his defense, he would only need a little production to be a good 4th. But with a .200/.290 /.360 SLG, he isn't getting it done. (And he is hitting better vs LHP than vs RHP) So what say you BF.net? Is Halton an option to give a shot to? (Bonus as we can give him a go at 1B too) - currently hitting in AAA : .292 / .341 / .420 / .761 Falu? - 2014 AAA : .311 / .378 / .364 / .742 Trade?

Awesome!

Way to go Jean!

Fixed. Go Brewers!!

Way to spin that S&S ... Let's go O!!!

No Votto, Phillips or Bruce - in all honesty you see why they got swept by the Yankees. Let's go Brewers - let's take this first game tonight!

I know I was shocked when they dumped him 1 week into the season. Here is the game log from week 1: Mar 31 - 1 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 R Apr 3 - 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 0 R Apr 4 - 1 IP, 3 H, 0 BB, 1 R His final line: 3.1 IP, 8 H, 3 BB, 4 R, and a 10.8 ERA Last year he had 10 appearances, .87 ERA, 8 H, 5 BB, and 1 R. I was baffled when they said, ah screw it - dump him because of 1 bad week. I understand his numbers have not been great. Mostly due to his command issues. His .3 HR/9 is fantastic for a reliever, and his 4.47 ERA is ok but not horrible. His 6.5 BB per 9 isn't good. (Results in a career 1.77 WHIP) ... Hopefully, Jeffress has figured out some of his control issues and is able to be a productive member of our pen. Go Jeremy!!

It goes into the book of why a closer only pitches in the 9th inning of a close game. If I have the opponents 2, 3, 4 hitter due up in the 8th inning. I am bringing in my best relief pitcher left. Why wouldn't I? This is the do or die moment. All too often you see this exact scenario and they bring in reliever XYZ and he gives up 3 runs. Well, we all saw that coming. But teams refuse to use more of a roving bullpen and resort to have "roles." I think a lot on this board would like to see roles less defined and situations managed better but that just isn't the way it is done. I agree with you, why use your worst relief pitcher in a tie game in the 9th inning. I don't get it at all.

That is a good point. Doing a quick take on number minus WCW we would have a team bullpen ERA of 3.14. However, if we removed all teams worst reliever, everyone would bump down some. But probably not as drastic as .5 ....

I am all on board with this. Good luck to you Jeffress!

Ok - well then. I should hit page re-fresh before I post as I didn't see they called up Jeffress. Glad that is taken care of

I have been wondering what is going on with our Bullpen? In the start of the year, it appeared we could do no wrong. Now it appears not much is right. They currently have a team bullpen ERA of 3.61. That is ranked as 15th in all of MLB and 8th in the NL. 5 teams have a team bullpen era following us in the 3.6 -3.7 range. So we are not far off from being 13th ranked NL team on bullpen ERA either. Injured: Thornburg - Melvin said rehabbing reliever, Tyler Thornburg, who has been on the DL since early June because of a right elbow injury, is throwing off the mound in Arizona. “We hope to get him back at some point [before the end of this season],” Melvin said. (http://brewersbeat.mlblogs.com/) Henderson - Last I heard Melvin talk about him, he said: "We're thinking Henderson will eventually get back, probably sooner than Thornburg," said Melvin. (http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/brewers-unlikely-to-make-big-move-before-trade-deadline-b99313634z1-267812941.html) .. Latest is he was bumped to AAA. Here to stay: K-Rod - I think he has been great this year and am probably in the minority where I am fine with him as our closer. Smith - I certainly hope his "slider of death" returns and he reverts back to early season form. Duke - He has been amazing. Estrada - He is a great long man to have. Gorzelanny - He has been great in his 10 appearances. 0 ERA. Ones to replace: Wooten - I think he should be sent down. It is just hard to get excited about a guy who can barely thrown 90. In 37 games he has a 4.32 ERA and is 1-4. Has a WHIP of 1.364 Kintzler - I would also send him down. In 38 games he has 3.71 ERA and is 1-3. Owns a WHIP of 1.500 Options for replacement Jeffress - I am all aboard the bring up Jeffress train. He has a 1.51 ERA in 40 appearances in AAA. Fiers - 2.68 ERA in 15 appearances. He was successful in his brief time up this year. Trade - ? I am against this. I just don't see the need to send away top prospects when we have options in the minors.

Rob Wooten needs to go away

So disappointing

Why do fans boo a pick off? I never really understood that. Your dude is 6 feet off the bag, steals a lot, ya we will throw it over there.