DHonks

Given those cities, the following geographical matchups make sense: A's--Fresno (short drive) or Las Vegas (short flight) Rangers--San Antonio Nationals--Washington or Milwaukee Brewers--Nashville or Las Vegas I'd love Vegas, not only because I visit frequently. It's a major airport with direct flights to all MLB cities (something Fresno, Nashville, and San Antonio can't claim). No weather issues except monsoon season. And close proximity for our coaching staff and training facility in Maryvale. Nashville didn't want Milwaukee last time around, and based on proximity it would be logical they'd want the Nats.

Let's not forget that the Brewers pulled off a very successful experiment in September by going with bullpen by committee every 5th day. The Brewers could very well use 2-3 long players with short strings every 5th day. I'd like to see Woodruff starting, and I expect Gallardo to be the 4th/5th. But I can also envision situations where they do the piggyback/committee approach

At some point the Cubs' model of buying a rotation rather than developing one, and having a so-so bullpen will catch up to them.

I know some fans have thrown this out there, but doesn't a make good 1-year deal with Luc make a ton of sense? He's a solid veteran behind the dish and at the plate, needs to rebuild his value, we have weakness with our backup catcher, and he's been a huge part of our community. There's no guarantee Pina will perform as well again, and plus catcher is a position where you need 2 good ones. Let them split the job 50-50 early in the season until one clearly does better, then institute the old Yost 3-2 split

I don't think there's concern with Wojo. I think he still needs to recruit more size and the team could use a true PG (Elliott?). Rowsey and Howard are both undersized 2-guards--poor defenders and not great dribblers. Marquette loses 1 player with Eke, Bailey, Hauser, et all joining the team. Next year will be Wojo's first veteran team at Marquette.

My reading of this is that the Cubs called to tell Arrieta and his agent what they were giving Darvish, and if he'd accept a similar value then he could be signed instead. He likely needed to accept right at that moment.

This is a bunk argument. MLB and the MLBPA have collectively bargained these terms. This isn't a one-sided negotiation like teachers here in AZ, this is fairly bargained. It's the most fair and prosperous free agency model in all of sports as well. European soccer, the NFL, the NBA, and the NHL...sorry, their free agency models are nowhere near as generous as MLB. I know some on this board would disagree with you DHonks, but I would not be part of that group. The CBA was fairly bargained. The merits on how well each side did can (& will be) debated over and over. That said, in the next round of negotiations for the players to get changes or concessions from the owners, they will need items to bargain with or areas they can agree to give back some ground. Each CBA is built upon the one before so there is always give and take. Are there any areas you think the players would be able "to give" in order to receive either additional salary earlier in the career (in minors and the 6 control years) or earlier free agency or lessening of a penalized ceiling/ creation of a minimum floor??? The union should look at forming a MILBPA, with support and funding from the MLBPA. MLBPA is the strongest union the world has ever seen. They’ve never lost a labor dispute. As we’ve previously read, last time they were more interested in negotiating benefits, off days, etc than fighting for more pay. I’d like to see more guys qualify for the pension, a taxi squad (of 2-3 guys), the DH for all teams, a salary floor tied to performance (you can spend lower, but if you don’t win sufficiently you forfeit draft picks), the dropping of draft pick compensation in its current form (I’d prefer to see an NFL-like system where a team’s net roster churn results in extra picks from the league, not from a team), etc. I don’t feel sorry for most players in their early years like many others—they get $500k+ their first year before proving themselves. I wish MLB would tweak their process for years 2 and 3 for more transparency with auto-renewals, though. Arbitration or buying out years are powerful rewards for those that have good starts to their careers.

This is a bunk argument. MLB and the MLBPA have collectively bargained these terms. This isn't a one-sided negotiation like teachers here in AZ, this is fairly bargained. It's the most fair and prosperous free agency model in all of sports as well. European soccer, the NFL, the NBA, and the NHL...sorry, their free agency models are nowhere near as generous as MLB.

I'd love games in Vegas. I'm there enough

I kind of agree with jericho. I was excited for Darvish, Cain, and Arrieta. Hosmer, Moustakas, Frazier, Lynn, etc aren't guys that I would have any interest in. They may have developed into quality big leaguers, but they aren't difference-makers. I've always advocated spending big on stars, but this group is weak.

He's on a minor league deal, so that doesn't affect any option talk unless he gets added to the 40-man roster.

I fully expect Hader to be starting by 2019. As stated before, he needs to learn to attack hitter. Last year he was a lot less refined than I expected after having defended him as a starter for a long time. I've always thought that some guys need to learn to attack, throw strikes and learn how to pitch, whereas some guys are more refined and ready to start immediately. Yo was pretty refined. Initially he was a good strike thrower, got ahead of hitters, and had an uncanny ability to catch guys looking at belt high heaters for strike three.

I don’t buy this logic at all. Hader currently can’t throw his secondary pitches for strikes. He’s extremely wild in the zone. If he were starting, he’d be at 100 pitches in the 4th inning. Batters are often more patient early in games, and they won’t jump at all his pitches. I like Hader in the pen so he can learn to attack hitters and refine his mechanics. In the long run, I like him as a starter. But until he can consistently hit targets, he needs to work on short 3-9 batter stretches.

I really loved Aguilar’s approach at the plate. He reminded of Pujols...he often would spit on pitches, but then when he swung the ball just jumped off his bat. We really need the DH!

Houser should be starting. He was an outstanding starting prospect before the injury

I think Woodruff, Gallardo, Suter, and Wilkerson all have a better chance at the rotation than Guerra.

I think 150 is pretty bullish, but yah we are talking 100 less strikeouts. That is amazing in just two moves. Props to Stearns for making such a massive difference to such a huge problem on this offense. Broxton strikes out over 200 times if he gets the ab cain or yelich did. 150 less yelich cain from broxton santana is pretty accurate. That's how I calculated it as well. I generally don't care about strikeouts, but there's a bit of a myth out there over the last decade, where people feel you can't be productive without strikeouts. You very well can be productive. Perhaps the Brewers have some analytics that show how important OBP, reduced K's, and improved defense are. Broxton has the capability of being a very good defensive OF, but his frequent misplays are frustrating. The good news is he's still young enough to get better all around

Phillips should be 4th OF. Villar or other as 5th. We need backups. Thames can play some LF in a pinch.

a little math says that the Brewers just reduced their OF strikeouts by around 150 for the season.

I think they'll move Santana and Broxton for a starting pitcher, but I wouldn't be surprised if they moved them for more minor league prospects to replenish things. Of course, I predicted that'd move both after last season, so I'm still holding to that. I'd prefer to have Phillips as a 4th OF for now, playing each spot. Villar can serve as 5th OF

I think arm in RF is overrated. I want guys that can catch the ball and cutoff things. How often does a big arm in RF really help? 5-10 times in a season? At first glimpse, we gave up a ton. However, this is a good prospect trade. We may have just given the Marlins 3 all-stars and a solid 3rd starter. Then again, they could all flop

NeedMoreFans, not sure it matters since Milwaukee is the only baseball stadium that sells more sausages than hot dogs

Johnsonville brats are better. One issue is the Brewers couldn't cook the game-brats in beer. So they just taste better at home

I’m pleased to read this. I like him #1 and Arrieta #2 on the market, but I didn’t think they’d still be around. One thing to keep in mind is that we could sign him to 6 years, but in all likelihood he wouldn’t play all 6 here. We often think of these contacts are locked in place, but he could receive an out clause or be traded.

Milwaukee and SE Wisconsin just aren’t hockey hotbeds. My high school was decent and other districts had co-op teams, but there just wasn’t much interest. It’s funny, because most of the high schools in AZ in my area have club hockey, and I’ve encountered lots of people that play in rec leagues. I enjoy going to games though, especially in Vegas