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Aoki is 30. Gamel will be 27 in July. Schafer turns 26 in September. It's not like these guys are kids.You know what I meant. In MLB: -Aoki: 0 PA -Schafer: 5 PA -Gamel: 370 PA They aren't kids but to expect them to produce like anything other than rookies, when only Gamel could truly be referred to as a one time top prospect, is unrealistic.

I agree that Schafer is close as well but (assuming a Braun suspension) a LF/CF combo of Aoki in LF, Schafer/Gomez in CF could doom the season. That means the Brewers against RH would be starting 3 rookies (Aoki, Schafer and Gamel). Not the most ideal situation in my opinion.

It is this line of thinking I really do not understand. We have Gamel who has 107 games played (102 last season) at 1B in the Minors. Green has all of 21 games in the minors at 1B, A-Ram has never played there and Hart, who has already been a little whiny about playing 1B already, played 2 games at 1B in 2006 and 16 games there in the Minors since 2002. So we are replacing a 1B with some experience with one of the aforementioned guys who have extremely limited experience there? I am by no means advocating for signing Lee as I also believe that Roenicke would make him the starter if Gamel struggled the first week of the season. However, I think that to move any of the other 3 guys on our roster to 1B with such limited experience of playing the position would make any upgrade in O neglible given how poorly they would likely play 1B to begin with. If Gamel were to struggle I would almost rather see Travis Ishikawa be the 1B as he supposedly is a defensive wizard. Well I honestly think if a guy is a good fielder, he should be able to play 1st. Gamel and ARam's defensive problems stem from throwing so I think they would make good 1Bs. Gamel played there all this past year so I think he will be fine. ARam has almost 15 years in the majors and I think he could adjust to 1B with some time in spring training. I've been thinking about all of these scenarios since they signed ARam so I would've had them working in the offseason and I would give them time in spring training. Anyway, my point was I would rather take my chances with Gamel/Hart/Green/ARam at 1B where we would probably upgrade offensively than have to pay to bring in Derek Lee with the big chance he turns into the starter. Like I've said, if I was guaranteed that Lee wouldn't become the full-time starter unless Gamel truly sucked, then I'd be all over it. Unfortunately, I don't think Gamel has a big leash.Definitely agree that I would be all over having D. Lee on the bench if we would be guaranteed that Gamel wouldn't have the short leash. Lee could fill the Russell Branyan role on this team if he would be interested. Start once a week at 1B, late PH off the bench, defensive replacement late in games at 1B if Gamel doesn't cut it on D. Would be an excellent fit given his reputation as a great clubhouse guy as well. Earned my respect a long time ago but especially after he confronted Zambrano after his blowup in the dugout in 2010. However, his presence would make Gamel's leash incredibly short and that would scare me. Me personally though, I still don't believe A-Ram, Hart or Green at 1B in the event of a Gamel failure is the best move we could make. I think we give up a lot on D. A bench including: 1B/PH Lee, C Kottaras, 2B/3B Green, CF Gomez, SS Izturis would be sweet but what happens if Braun isn't suspended? Would we do a 6 man bench?

It is this line of thinking I really do not understand. We have Gamel who has 107 games played (102 last season) at 1B in the Minors. Green has all of 21 games in the minors at 1B, A-Ram has never played there and Hart, who has already been a little whiny about playing 1B already, played 2 games at 1B in 2006 and 16 games there in the Minors since 2002. So we are replacing a 1B with some experience with one of the aforementioned guys who have extremely limited experience there? I am by no means advocating for signing Lee as I also believe that Roenicke would make him the starter if Gamel struggled the first week of the season. However, I think that to move any of the other 3 guys on our roster to 1B with such limited experience of playing the position would make any upgrade in O neglible given how poorly they would likely play 1B to begin with. If Gamel were to struggle I would almost rather see Travis Ishikawa be the 1B as he supposedly is a defensive wizard.

Conor Jackson was invited to the Rangers camp. You can sleep tonight.

I'm still at a loss why we're so consistently disappointed that a guy who's been worth 12 WAR over 12 seasons wasn't brought back to a team that Melvin has said specifically needs to rely on their younger home grown players, and believes we have several guys who can contribute in the near future. And actually, since 1998, it's only 11.9 WAR. So still not getting the BF.NET love. He can hit it a mile and he gets red hot for 2-3 week stretches and then can't hit for 3 months. The problem I have is that as it stands, outside of Kottaras, there is not one player on the Brewer bench with any discernible power, and with Kottaras, you cannot use him regularly as a PH because he is the backup catcher. I'd rather have an option like Branyan on the bench than a 7th RH rotting in the bullpen like they had for a good chunk of last season. The Brewers used a pinch hitter 257 times last season with an OPS of .619. In my view, there is a role on this team for a DH type with little to no versatility/skills in the field.Precisely! And when you need one run to tie it late in the game and have the bench of Izturis, Green, Gomez & Aoki (Kottaras won't be used most times as he's the backup C), you likely will need more than the one hit that Branyan brings. Green may develop the power eventually but most everything I've read is he is a doubles guy. Give me Branyan or his RH equivalent.

Why God?!?

I get the distinct feeling the Cardinals are going to fall off this season. My hate for them isn't quite as strong without LaRussa and Pujols so I don't think it is a Cards bias. I just get the feeling they are relying heavily on aging vets (Berkman, Furcal, Beltran, Carpenter) and a guy coming off Tommy John (Wainwright). The real question to me will be can Holliday, Molina and their relatively unproven youth like Freese (save the 2011 playoffs) and Jay set the tone for this team. I am unconvinced. I think this team is going to be a low 80s win team this season as I expect injuries will take their toll on those vets.

I enjoy Corey Hart. Glad he figured out his swing & has been so productive. I agree. Very underappreciated for what he brings to the team. I don't find him as expendable as a lot of others do. My only gripe with him has been when he has bordeline (imo) whined about not hitting #1 or #2. He's the perfect #5 guy.

The lack of news on a potential Greinke extension kind of stinks. I was really hoping this would be the top priority of the offseason and thought it would get done. I know just because we are approaching the start of spring training doesn't mean it won't get done but I was fully expecting more chatter about this then there has been.

Agreed that Arnett bust vs. LaPorta bust are two different things. However, LaPorta definitely has to be considered a bust as he was the centerpiece of the Sabathia deal for Cleveland.

Well the Cubs did trade Sean Marshall to the Reds who turned around and gave them Travis Wood. I would absolutely think it is possible. However, where would we match up with them is the question. LF and 3B is the thing they are missing off the top of my head. Obviously we aren't trading Braun and I don't think Gomez, Aoki or Morgan would bring back a Bailey nor would I think Green to fill in at 3B would be enough. The only way I see a deal working is if we were willing to deal Hart and the Reds put him into LF. Not sure I would do that either seeing as Braun could be suspended, leaving us with a OF of Aoki, Gomez and Morgan. Talk about a lack of power.

Blue? One first round bust for another? I like it. The Indians did trade Drew Pomeranz and Alex White for Ubaldo. Maybe they'd be interested in taking a chance...or maybe they'd view Arnett like most of us do. Either way, I'd do it.

Agreed. Matt LaPorta's splits: Platoon Splits Direct Link · Glossary · SHARESHARE [X] · CSV · PRE · LINK · ? I Split G GS PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB ROE BAbip tOPS+ vs RHP as RHB 245 747 682 168 39 1 26 93 3 0 54 156 .246 .304 .421 .725 287 15 5 0 6 0 8 .281 106 vs LHP as RHB 124 261 227 48 12 1 4 22 0 0 27 50 .211 .303 .326 .629 74 5 4 0 3 2 3 .250 82 vs LH Starter 78 75 294 261 22 58 15 2 4 23 0 0 27 55 .222 .296 .341 .637 89 6 2 0 4 0 2 .262 83 vs RH Starter 191 179 714 648 82 158 36 0 26 92 3 0 54 151 .244 .307 .420 .726 272 14 7 0 5 2 9 .277 107That is downright ugly as a RHB in a platoon. Count me in as someone who has interest in acquiring LaPorta but yikes. That doesn't look real promising and I wonder now if my want to acquire him isn't solely based on him being a former stud prospect of ours.

As bad as Marcum was in the playoffs, he ran into some pretty potent lineups in Arizona and in St. Louis. He wasn't exactly sharp against Arizona in Game 3, but he only made one really awful pitch and it cost him 4 runs (Goldschmidt grand slam). Also keep in mind St. Louis was exceptionally hot and got the following off of the Phillies stud pitchers: -3 runs in 8 IP off Halladay in Game 1 -5 runs in 6 IP off Lee in Game 2 -5 runs in 6 IP off Oswalt in Game 4. Just some perspective.

Brewers potentially having D. Lee at 1B and A-Ram at 3B. Never would have seen that coming in 2008.

No way would I trade Green for LaPorta. Green is two years younger than LaPorta and has more service time remaining. Plus he plays 3B and 2B and LaPorta is basically a bad defensive 1B/LF type, which we have plenty of. Not to mention he has a career .700 OPS in about 1000 PAs. That move would make zero sense to me. I like Green but I am not as high on him as other people are. I don't disagree with anything you have said above or in the other thread about Kotchman signing. I think that given the situation with Braun and Gamel being unproven I'd like to have someone to potentially fill those roles. I just am uncomfortable right now with the possibility of Morgan/Gomez/Aoki as a 3 man rotation in CF and LF if Braun is suspended given Morgan's inability to hit LH, Gomez's inability to hit RH and Aoki being unproven. Additionally, if Gamel struggles what is the gameplan to replace him at 1B? Green has all of 21 games in the minors at 1B, A-Ram has never played there and Hart has already been a little whiny about playing 1B. Maybe the answer isn't LaPorta to play 1B if Gamel struggles or LF if Braun is suspended, but I would at least inquire about his availability. Ideally, it doesn't cost us a Green. A bench of LaPorta/Aoki, Green, Morgan/Gomez, Kottaras & Izturis looks pretty darn good.

I'd trade for LaPorta as the RH compliment to Mat Gamel and/or to be a potential replacement for Braun if he is suspended. Anybody we have that Cleveland would want? Taylor Green for Matt LaPorta? Green immediately starts at 3B replacing Hannahan. Conrad becomes our backup at 2B and 3B. Might be worth investigating as A-Ram is probably entrenched for the next 3 seasons at 3B, Weeks is signed for another 4 and Gamel is going to be given the shot at 1B. I guess it would come to who you prefer to be the 1B if Gamel fails, LaPorta or Green.

What does it being a one year deal have to do with anything? He's signed for 2012, that's what the Nats wanted. I'm sure Jackson would much, much rather find a long-term contract instead. I combined two different points. To be clear, I don't think that Jackson is good enough to vault the Nats into contention, though it may help them get to .500. He throws hard, but he's very hittable. Not a bad 4-ish starter and the Nats were smart to get him on only a one year deal. Maybe they are getting him in the hopes of flipping him at the deadline. My second point is that Jackson is playing his way through baseball. I wonder when the tour will hit Milwaukee. Maybe I am higher than most on the Nationals but having a full season of Strasburg and Ryan Zimmerman AND bringing Gio Gonzalez as your #2 and Edwin Jackson as your #4 vaults them a lot higher than .500 in my opinion. This is a team ready to break out.

That division is going to be a beast. Philadelphia, Atlanta, Washington and Miami should all finish well above .500. Which means they will beat up on each other and all will likely be in the mid 80s to low 90s in wins. Glad I am not a Mets fan right now.

I'm familiar with Loney's H/R splits' date=' but his past two seasons of performance on the road have stunk as much as his performance at home. He's just not a powerful hitter. If a Loney-caliber hitter (based on what I think Loney's talent is, not small sample splits) is all Gamel winds up to be, I'd be disappointed.[/quote']You got a point about Loney's H/R splits the last 2 years but I don't consider 1500 PA's to be a small sample size. Zips projects Gamel with 16 HRs over 135 games which is pretty much James Loney level if he played at a different park. Gamel with 16 HR in 2012 would be workable for me assuming he hits .270-.280 and drives in 75-85 runs. Keep in mind super prospect Freddie Freeman went .282, 21 HR, 76 RBI in 2011. Anything approaching those numbers from Gamel in 2012 would be great year 1 production in my opinion.

Can your iphone play any mp3 as a ring tone? If you have editing skills, (pretty easy to figure out, using audacity), you can cut the clip down to size, add it to your itunes library, and then put it on your iphone for easy access. I don't think so. I went to PhoneZoo and it sent me the Braun 2008 HR ringtone as a text and I couldn't save it. I was hoping someone knew a trick on the iPhone. Android was no problem.

100% agree with you TLB. Until there is a salary cap, I don't believe the Brewers can operate in trading the Lawries of the world for the Marcums of the world. Like you mentioned, last year was a special circumstance with it being Prince's last season. Long term, that deal will likely be looked at as having been won by Toronto. Pineda is obviously a better long term option than Marcum and should have been targeted had he been available prior to 2011. However, I tend to believe that (maybe because it is more convenient to my argument) Pineda was not available prior to 2011 and if he had been it would have cost the Brewers more than a Lawrie.

Hindsight will always be 20-20 but I don't think we make the playoffs in 2011 without the Shaun Marcum-Brett Lawrie deal. Plus there is a very good chance the Brewers compete for the playoffs again in 2012. You open the playoff window every time when it's there to open, just like when we dealt LaPorta and Brantley for a half season of CC in 2008. While Lawrie could turn into Mike Schmidt at 3B, I won't lose one wink of sleep thinking of what could have been if we hadn't dealt him for Marcum. Nor will I worry that this offseason we could have had Pineda for him, because a divison championship, NLDS victory and NLCS appearance in 2011 likely doesn't happen without Marcum.