Warning Track Power

GAMELTOE?!?! Well played

...And how sports can bring together a collection of people from all over the world and make them share the joys (Brewers in the playoffs) and cope with the losses (The Zebra). Have a blast in Milwaukee this summer Kalle. I love this forum...

I agree Crew. My issue solely comes from the fact that media outlets who are continuing to harp on the "technicality" claim. However, they fail to harp on the report that Braun's team was able to replicate what happened and how the levels of testosterone reached such high levels. The fact is no one knows what occurred during the hearing. However, hearing ESPN and Fox Sports continue to pump "technicalities" stories while failing to mention the flip side of Braun's team replicating the test results is just taking one side of the story and sensationalizing it and crucifying Braun in the process.

I actually got to like Provus a lot. I thought he might pass on the Twins solely because he was the heir apparent to Uecker and was still getting his feet under him. Block is ok for the time being but I think he needs to work a little more on his personality. Knows the game and the intricacies so far, but has a very business-like approach, almost like it is a chore. I agree with Hawing though in that I enjoy his interactions with the fans.

Adam: Actually I think this is exactly the point of the thread to be honest; to debate the merits of whether or not a player or manager saying something inflammatory should warrant suspension by the team. I think xisxisxis hit the nail on the head when it was said that each organization has a code of conduct which employees are expected to adhere to. Professing admiration for Castro, in Miami of all places, is simply dumb and ignorant to the plight of Cubans in that region. Had Ozzie been managing in say Seattle, this perhaps would have been overlooked as Ozzie being Ozzie. Being in Miami however has taken his comments to a whole other level.

I keep hearing about all these extensions (Votto, Niese, Kinsler, Cain, Phillips, Santana) and keep waiting for Greinke's

I read it...and it disgusts me even more. No proof from the "journalist", only "reports" of what happened behind closed doors during the hearing which he wasn't present at. To me this has nothing to do with Ryan Braun being a member of my favorite baseball team. It has more to do with the complete and total lack of journalistic integrity being pumped into society right now by media sites such as ESPN and Fox Sports. Kobe Bryant may have been a rapist, but man he is good in the clutch with the game on the line and he sure does boost ratings. Ray Lewis may have played a hand in a murder but that is overlooked because of his passion for football. It's never even brought up anymore about Kobe's arrest or Ray Lewis' arrest and they MAY have done something so much morally reprehensible than Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro and all the other supposed steroid users in baseball combined. Whereas Kobe or Lewis get a free ride, supposed steroid users are dragged through the mud still by the ESPNs and Fox Sports of the world. I'm not condoning the actions of baseball players, only giving perspective on the type of sensational journalism espoused by these sports "news" outlets. Guilty until proven innocent. Sickening. Sorry for the rant...

I didn't hear the remarks from Sean McDonough but if what FTC wrote in the post above is true then I have little to no respect for McDonough anymore. The fact is that no one knows the entire story and I doubt Das makes the decision to exonerate Braun without some substantial piece of evidence that we aren't privy to. Why would Das put his reputation as an aribtrator for Ryan Braun? ESPN should address that and do some real journalism to uncover THAT story if they feel it was such an obvious technicality that Braun got off.

I think you're very wrong here Jericho. Many Cubans have risked their lives by going into the ocean on planks of wood to leave Castro's oppressive regime. Additionally, Cubans are a huge part of the Miami culture and Cuban Americans likely represent a good portion of the Marlins fan base. I think no response and/or no punishment from the Marlins would have far greater ramifications for the Marlins than a 5 game suspension for Ozzie.

They didn't have XM out here in California when Uecker and Pat Hughes were together but I will say that I really enjoy listening to Cubs games called by Hughes. Good voice, good personality and informative. Paints a good picture of the game. I have to imagine Uecker and Hughes were a good match as well.

It's ok...Beltran, Berkman and Furcal will all be on the DL by then.

Wait....what? They have teams west of Atlanta??

I had a dream last night that Greinke signed a 5 year $102.5 million extension. Thought it was real because the $102.5 was such a specific number. Disappointed upon realizing it was a dream...Dangit!

Yes, Izturis won a Gold Glove. In 2004 or 8 years ago. I guess watching him in Spring Training didn't provide me with the hope that he would still provide the same type of glove he used to have. A little jaded due to the most recent sample we saw in reference to Izturis' defensive abilities. I think Izturis is this year's Wil Nieves to me. A supposed defensive stud who in all actuality is nothing special on D and who's offense is so atrocious that we would gladly take Bill Hall, or someone who could provide even a threat at the plate, over him.

Agreed TLB. Hall would bring about the same glove as Izturis and at least provide the potential of a threat with the bat.

Conrad might not be a world beater but he can at least play 2B and 3B or positions that Ishikawa cannot. A couple more thoughts: -I am all for anything that means Izturis sees less PT. This means Conrad or Green. -If Ishikawa is this years Kotsay, then this means he is the backup RF, LF & 1B. As well as the power hitting PH. I don't quite see that from Ishikawa but ok. I can tolerate it. -If Ishikawa NEEDS to be this year's Kotsay...it seems to make way too much sense to me with Mike Fontenot still on the FA market, to sign him, make him our backup SS, 2B & 3B and release Izturis. The I-Boys (Ishikawa and Izturis) just became the 2012 version of Kotsay and Yuni.

Agreed Baldkin. How good would Fontenot look on that bench as well?

If I had to bet right now, I'd say Greinke will be extended, Hart will be traded after this season and Weeks will be traded after either this season or next. Morgan and Gomez will either be traded or not offered arby after this season. Schafer will play CF, Gindl will play RF and Green and/or Gennett will play 2B. If Gamel has a good year, we'll extend him to a team-friendly deal buying out 1-2 FA seasons, and from one of the Hart/Weeks trades we'll finally find a good, young SS and maybe another young option for our rotation. My faith lies in the hope that Melvin will remember that veterans can be traded before reaching free agency, and we don't have to block every prospect with an expensive FA. I'm generally optimistic, but my mind is tuned to looking at financial situations. The Brewers should be good this year, and we can make it through the next few years, but Melvin will have to shift gears and pull his best George Costanza "do the opposite" when he sees future Aramis Ramirez / Taylor Green situations. Monty...I hear you about all these trades. However, Weeks or Hart will be kept. We need to keep in mind that Greinke wants to win as well. A lineup with Braun and then a bunch of B-C status prospects will not win consistently in my opinion. Keeping a 3-4 combo together like Braun and Weeks will at least ensure some form of balance. Plugging in Gamel and Lucroy, who I believe are above average, will help ensure the lineup is decent. What will really determine how good the Brewers will be will be based almost entirely on Schafer, Gindl and Green and how they are able to perform as everyday players in the Majors when they get the opportunity.

It likely means the following: - Hart won't be resigned after 2013 Stinks as I like Hart and think he is undervalued here but I think the core is Braun, Gallardo, Greinke and Weeks/Hart. I'd rather keep Weeks and I think that is the choice. Weeks or Hart. - Marcum is gone after 2012 I like Marcum but not at a 4 year, $10+ million/year deal which is what I think it will cost - Wolf's option isn't picked up next year With Gallardo and Greinke and still having Narveson, I will be ok with Peralta and possibly Estrada in the back end of the rotation. - Gomez is gone, unless he resigns for cheap Spare part. Great D. No O. I think Aoki and Schafer will cover us in the OF. - Loe is likely gone By no means irreplaceable in my eyes. Good pitcher but I think we could replace him tomorrow with Kintzler or McClendon - K-Rod is gone I think he is gone regardless of Greinke re-signing. $8 million for a setup man is a luxury we can afford in 2012 but not annually. - Kottaras is potentially gone Maldonado is the backup C of the future anyways. I'd be more concerned if he was the starter. - Morgan could go if we think we have solid replacements in Aoki and Schafer See Gomez. Cheaper alternatives that could bring close to the same production already on the team or in Triple AAA. I'm on board with this plan if it means Greinke is part of the team moving forward. I'll take my chances with Greinke at $20m/per than having both Wolf and Marcum resigned for $15-$20m/per.

Agreed PEM. I'd rather have a rotation with Yo and Greinke at the top. Filled out with Narveson at #3 and minimum players at #4 and #5 Peralta, Fiers, Bradley, Jungmann. Additionally, Axford is really the only arm in the pen who might get expensive. Braddock, Kintzler, Dillard, McClendon etc...could serve as a serviceable and inexpensive pen. Same with the lineup. Keep Braun and Weeks as the main guys and fill in with minimum guys as well such as Lucroy (to an extent) Gamel, Schafer, Gindl & Green.

https://twitter.com/#!/Haudricourt/status/187239876092112896 Pure speculation: Haudricourt seems to think it means negotiations are advancing if Greinke has indeed hired Close.

-Mat Gamel/Nori "Huh" Aoki was classic. -Rodgers one was good. I like the cross Wisconsin sports teams aspect. I disagree with Right Field Coder's assessment. This isn't the early 2000s Brewers who were awful and couldn't draw fans and needed to rely on gimmicks like Packers in Brewers ads. 3 million fans in 2011 speaks for itself. -The Marcum/Gallardo one was simply a rehash of last year's Marcum/Saito...except not funny.

After sleeping on it last night, I think this is the most likely scenario. While I am not saying I agree and the Brewers basically shut down contract extension talks with marcum in Spring Training, I think if Greinke proves to be too expensive then we will see a Marcum extension (provided he pitches like 1st half Marcum and not September/October Marcum).

I still can't believe this signing... HOWEVER, given the three 1B who got over $200 million this offseason, I would say that the Reds will get the most bang for the buck. I think Votto already is better than Pujols and Fielder. No one scares me more in the NL currently than Joey Votto.

Not necessarily wrong, but it isn't taking the whole picture into account. Additionally, Zack has had one other worldly season (2009) which accounts for a substantial part of his WAR. Cain had a higher WAR than Greinke in 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011. 2008 was about a push as well with Greinke at 4.2 and Cain at 4.0. Like I said, it is really arguing the details as they are both fantastic, elite pitchers. Greinke probably has the higher upside, while Cain is more consistent. If this were dating, Greinke is the 10 with some baggage whereas Cain is the 8 girl next door type.