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Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.You may well be right on this part. I hope you are right. I understand the market for acquiring a shortstop via trade is tough right now. That still didn't preclude Melvin from DFAing Betancourt a month ago, or at least making sure Roenicke used Wilson and Counsell earlier in the season. There was a stretch where those two were rotting on the bench and Betancourt was allowed free reign to suck every day at shortstop. I realize the internal options aren't great hitters, but at least their defense would have been better and they would have exhibited something resembling plate discipline. I'm with you on DFA'ing YuBet, however our other options are equally poor in my opinion. Counsell looks done. Nothing he has shown me in 2011 gives me any confidence he could hit over .200 and no matter how good he could he be on D, we can't start a sub .200 singles hitter. I'm definitely not comfortable with Wilson in anything other than a platoon. I don't mind him in the backup role he has now (6th IF/emergency OF) but I wouldn't even trust him in the Counsell role for 2012.

Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.You may well be right on this part. I hope you are right. I understand the market for acquiring a shortstop via trade is tough right now. That still didn't preclude Melvin from DFAing Betancourt a month ago, or at least making sure Roenicke used Wilson and Counsell earlier in the season. There was a stretch where those two were rotting on the bench and Betancourt was allowed free reign to suck every day at shortstop. I realize the internal options aren't great hitters, but at least their defense would have been better and they would have exhibited something resembling plate discipline. I'm with you on DFA'ing YuBet, however our other options are equally poor in my opinion. Counsell looks done. Nothing he has shown me in 2011 gives me any confidence he could hit over .200 and no matter how good he could he be on D, we can't start a sub .200 singles hitter. I'm definitely not comfortable with Wilson in anything other than a platoon. I don't mind him in the backup role he has now (6th IF/emergency OF) but I wouldn't even trust him in the Counsell role for 2012.

Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.You may well be right on this part. I hope you are right. I understand the market for acquiring a shortstop via trade is tough right now. That still didn't preclude Melvin from DFAing Betancourt a month ago, or at least making sure Roenicke used Wilson and Counsell earlier in the season. There was a stretch where those two were rotting on the bench and Betancourt was allowed free reign to suck every day at shortstop. I realize the internal options aren't great hitters, but at least their defense would have been better and they would have exhibited something resembling plate discipline. I'm with you on DFA'ing YuBet, however our other options are equally poor in my opinion. Counsell looks done. Nothing he has shown me in 2011 gives me any confidence he could hit over .200 and no matter how good he could he be on D, we can't start a sub .200 singles hitter. I'm definitely not comfortable with Wilson in anything other than a platoon. I don't mind him in the backup role he has now (6th IF/emergency OF) but I wouldn't even trust him in the Counsell role for 2012.

Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.You may well be right on this part. I hope you are right. I understand the market for acquiring a shortstop via trade is tough right now. That still didn't preclude Melvin from DFAing Betancourt a month ago, or at least making sure Roenicke used Wilson and Counsell earlier in the season. There was a stretch where those two were rotting on the bench and Betancourt was allowed free reign to suck every day at shortstop. I realize the internal options aren't great hitters, but at least their defense would have been better and they would have exhibited something resembling plate discipline. I'm with you on DFA'ing YuBet, however our other options are equally poor in my opinion. Counsell looks done. Nothing he has shown me in 2011 gives me any confidence he could hit over .200 and no matter how good he could he be on D, we can't start a sub .200 singles hitter. I'm definitely not comfortable with Wilson in anything other than a platoon. I don't mind him in the backup role he has now (6th IF/emergency OF) but I wouldn't even trust him in the Counsell role for 2012.

Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.You may well be right on this part. I hope you are right. I understand the market for acquiring a shortstop via trade is tough right now. That still didn't preclude Melvin from DFAing Betancourt a month ago, or at least making sure Roenicke used Wilson and Counsell earlier in the season. There was a stretch where those two were rotting on the bench and Betancourt was allowed free reign to suck every day at shortstop. I realize the internal options aren't great hitters, but at least their defense would have been better and they would have exhibited something resembling plate discipline. I'm with you on DFA'ing YuBet, however our other options are equally poor in my opinion. Counsell looks done. Nothing he has shown me in 2011 gives me any confidence he could hit over .200 and no matter how good he could he be on D, we can't start a sub .200 singles hitter. I'm definitely not comfortable with Wilson in anything other than a platoon. I don't mind him in the backup role he has now (6th IF/emergency OF) but I wouldn't even trust him in the Counsell role for 2012.

Nailed it...This scares me more than anything. Kotsay, while I'm not as down on him as some are, in the lineup everyday for the rest of the season would almost singlehandedly ruin our chances for the playoffs. If all of a sudden we start popping up on the Josh Willingham radar as well, I think we'll know that concern over Braun is greater than being let on.

To be honest WSSP doesn't seem to have a lot of knowledge on the system outside a guy like Gamel. It is very frustrating not hearing the right questions get asked sometimes. Then on a note regarding Melvin. I truly believe Doug Melvin's biggest issue sometimes is trying to prove everyone that he was right in the long run, rather than accepting maybe he was wrong and moving in a different direction. You're right about WSSP. Last week I heard one of their guys (sorry, forget who) talking about how they thought Luis Cruz might be one of the guys sent to the Mets for K-Rod. They realized eventually he wasn't in the organization anymore, but still... I wonder about Melvin sometimes. It seems like he's willing to regularly make moves with the bullpen and send down underachievers, but he seems to take a very laissez faire approach with the position players on the MLB roster. I just don't get it. McGehee and Counsell both suck this year, but will probably be around all season. The bench has no pop, but Melvin won't try calling up anyone to help (outside Gamel's short stint, which was more due to interleague play). Shortstop has been an obvious black hole, but Melvin seems to be moving slowly to fix it. Just very odd roster management, and it's really exposed when a major piece like Braun gets hurt. I think DM had to roll with YuBet to begin the season based on the financials and hope he did something that was justifiable to keep him as the everyday SS. Looking at the market today, I don't think DM is moving slowly. I think the market for an SS has yet to be clearly defined, meaning what is available doesn't represent a total package get that DM typically will go after (see Greinke, Sabathia, Marcum, Mench). If Reyes were to be available and our prospect cupboard wasn't relatively bare, I think he would've already been in Milwaukee. If we had the prospects we had in 2008 or pre-Marcum & Greinke trades, I think it likely Reyes or maybe even a HanRam would already be here. Similarly with JJ, if he hadn't signed with Baltimore I think DM would've given the necessary propsects to get him. Unfortunately for us and DM, the SS market is littered with guys who are questionable returns. In 2011, the SS market includes guys who have been hurt (Furcal), who are defensive upgrades with mediocre sticks (Ryan, Jack Wilson), old guys (Carroll) or guys having down years (Desmond and Bartlett). I believe any or all of these guys represent an upgrade over YuBet but each one has so many question marks associated with them that the upgrade in 2011 may not be worth the cost of the prospect that is sent. As for 3B, it is indefensible. Betemit is not the answer. Green may not be either but it is a very simple move to call him up and let his D play even if he hits .200. I'd rather have that then another below average defender at 3B like Betemit. Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.

To be honest WSSP doesn't seem to have a lot of knowledge on the system outside a guy like Gamel. It is very frustrating not hearing the right questions get asked sometimes. Then on a note regarding Melvin. I truly believe Doug Melvin's biggest issue sometimes is trying to prove everyone that he was right in the long run, rather than accepting maybe he was wrong and moving in a different direction. You're right about WSSP. Last week I heard one of their guys (sorry, forget who) talking about how they thought Luis Cruz might be one of the guys sent to the Mets for K-Rod. They realized eventually he wasn't in the organization anymore, but still... I wonder about Melvin sometimes. It seems like he's willing to regularly make moves with the bullpen and send down underachievers, but he seems to take a very laissez faire approach with the position players on the MLB roster. I just don't get it. McGehee and Counsell both suck this year, but will probably be around all season. The bench has no pop, but Melvin won't try calling up anyone to help (outside Gamel's short stint, which was more due to interleague play). Shortstop has been an obvious black hole, but Melvin seems to be moving slowly to fix it. Just very odd roster management, and it's really exposed when a major piece like Braun gets hurt. I think DM had to roll with YuBet to begin the season based on the financials and hope he did something that was justifiable to keep him as the everyday SS. Looking at the market today, I don't think DM is moving slowly. I think the market for an SS has yet to be clearly defined, meaning what is available doesn't represent a total package get that DM typically will go after (see Greinke, Sabathia, Marcum, Mench). If Reyes were to be available and our prospect cupboard wasn't relatively bare, I think he would've already been in Milwaukee. If we had the prospects we had in 2008 or pre-Marcum & Greinke trades, I think it likely Reyes or maybe even a HanRam would already be here. Similarly with JJ, if he hadn't signed with Baltimore I think DM would've given the necessary propsects to get him. Unfortunately for us and DM, the SS market is littered with guys who are questionable returns. In 2011, the SS market includes guys who have been hurt (Furcal), who are defensive upgrades with mediocre sticks (Ryan, Jack Wilson), old guys (Carroll) or guys having down years (Desmond and Bartlett). I believe any or all of these guys represent an upgrade over YuBet but each one has so many question marks associated with them that the upgrade in 2011 may not be worth the cost of the prospect that is sent. As for 3B, it is indefensible. Betemit is not the answer. Green may not be either but it is a very simple move to call him up and let his D play even if he hits .200. I'd rather have that then another below average defender at 3B like Betemit. Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.

To be honest WSSP doesn't seem to have a lot of knowledge on the system outside a guy like Gamel. It is very frustrating not hearing the right questions get asked sometimes. Then on a note regarding Melvin. I truly believe Doug Melvin's biggest issue sometimes is trying to prove everyone that he was right in the long run, rather than accepting maybe he was wrong and moving in a different direction. You're right about WSSP. Last week I heard one of their guys (sorry, forget who) talking about how they thought Luis Cruz might be one of the guys sent to the Mets for K-Rod. They realized eventually he wasn't in the organization anymore, but still... I wonder about Melvin sometimes. It seems like he's willing to regularly make moves with the bullpen and send down underachievers, but he seems to take a very laissez faire approach with the position players on the MLB roster. I just don't get it. McGehee and Counsell both suck this year, but will probably be around all season. The bench has no pop, but Melvin won't try calling up anyone to help (outside Gamel's short stint, which was more due to interleague play). Shortstop has been an obvious black hole, but Melvin seems to be moving slowly to fix it. Just very odd roster management, and it's really exposed when a major piece like Braun gets hurt. I think DM had to roll with YuBet to begin the season based on the financials and hope he did something that was justifiable to keep him as the everyday SS. Looking at the market today, I don't think DM is moving slowly. I think the market for an SS has yet to be clearly defined, meaning what is available doesn't represent a total package get that DM typically will go after (see Greinke, Sabathia, Marcum, Mench). If Reyes were to be available and our prospect cupboard wasn't relatively bare, I think he would've already been in Milwaukee. If we had the prospects we had in 2008 or pre-Marcum & Greinke trades, I think it likely Reyes or maybe even a HanRam would already be here. Similarly with JJ, if he hadn't signed with Baltimore I think DM would've given the necessary propsects to get him. Unfortunately for us and DM, the SS market is littered with guys who are questionable returns. In 2011, the SS market includes guys who have been hurt (Furcal), who are defensive upgrades with mediocre sticks (Ryan, Jack Wilson), old guys (Carroll) or guys having down years (Desmond and Bartlett). I believe any or all of these guys represent an upgrade over YuBet but each one has so many question marks associated with them that the upgrade in 2011 may not be worth the cost of the prospect that is sent. As for 3B, it is indefensible. Betemit is not the answer. Green may not be either but it is a very simple move to call him up and let his D play even if he hits .200. I'd rather have that then another below average defender at 3B like Betemit. Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.

To be honest WSSP doesn't seem to have a lot of knowledge on the system outside a guy like Gamel. It is very frustrating not hearing the right questions get asked sometimes. Then on a note regarding Melvin. I truly believe Doug Melvin's biggest issue sometimes is trying to prove everyone that he was right in the long run, rather than accepting maybe he was wrong and moving in a different direction. You're right about WSSP. Last week I heard one of their guys (sorry, forget who) talking about how they thought Luis Cruz might be one of the guys sent to the Mets for K-Rod. They realized eventually he wasn't in the organization anymore, but still... I wonder about Melvin sometimes. It seems like he's willing to regularly make moves with the bullpen and send down underachievers, but he seems to take a very laissez faire approach with the position players on the MLB roster. I just don't get it. McGehee and Counsell both suck this year, but will probably be around all season. The bench has no pop, but Melvin won't try calling up anyone to help (outside Gamel's short stint, which was more due to interleague play). Shortstop has been an obvious black hole, but Melvin seems to be moving slowly to fix it. Just very odd roster management, and it's really exposed when a major piece like Braun gets hurt. I think DM had to roll with YuBet to begin the season based on the financials and hope he did something that was justifiable to keep him as the everyday SS. Looking at the market today, I don't think DM is moving slowly. I think the market for an SS has yet to be clearly defined, meaning what is available doesn't represent a total package get that DM typically will go after (see Greinke, Sabathia, Marcum, Mench). If Reyes were to be available and our prospect cupboard wasn't relatively bare, I think he would've already been in Milwaukee. If we had the prospects we had in 2008 or pre-Marcum & Greinke trades, I think it likely Reyes or maybe even a HanRam would already be here. Similarly with JJ, if he hadn't signed with Baltimore I think DM would've given the necessary propsects to get him. Unfortunately for us and DM, the SS market is littered with guys who are questionable returns. In 2011, the SS market includes guys who have been hurt (Furcal), who are defensive upgrades with mediocre sticks (Ryan, Jack Wilson), old guys (Carroll) or guys having down years (Desmond and Bartlett). I believe any or all of these guys represent an upgrade over YuBet but each one has so many question marks associated with them that the upgrade in 2011 may not be worth the cost of the prospect that is sent. As for 3B, it is indefensible. Betemit is not the answer. Green may not be either but it is a very simple move to call him up and let his D play even if he hits .200. I'd rather have that then another below average defender at 3B like Betemit. Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.

To be honest WSSP doesn't seem to have a lot of knowledge on the system outside a guy like Gamel. It is very frustrating not hearing the right questions get asked sometimes. Then on a note regarding Melvin. I truly believe Doug Melvin's biggest issue sometimes is trying to prove everyone that he was right in the long run, rather than accepting maybe he was wrong and moving in a different direction. You're right about WSSP. Last week I heard one of their guys (sorry, forget who) talking about how they thought Luis Cruz might be one of the guys sent to the Mets for K-Rod. They realized eventually he wasn't in the organization anymore, but still... I wonder about Melvin sometimes. It seems like he's willing to regularly make moves with the bullpen and send down underachievers, but he seems to take a very laissez faire approach with the position players on the MLB roster. I just don't get it. McGehee and Counsell both suck this year, but will probably be around all season. The bench has no pop, but Melvin won't try calling up anyone to help (outside Gamel's short stint, which was more due to interleague play). Shortstop has been an obvious black hole, but Melvin seems to be moving slowly to fix it. Just very odd roster management, and it's really exposed when a major piece like Braun gets hurt. I think DM had to roll with YuBet to begin the season based on the financials and hope he did something that was justifiable to keep him as the everyday SS. Looking at the market today, I don't think DM is moving slowly. I think the market for an SS has yet to be clearly defined, meaning what is available doesn't represent a total package get that DM typically will go after (see Greinke, Sabathia, Marcum, Mench). If Reyes were to be available and our prospect cupboard wasn't relatively bare, I think he would've already been in Milwaukee. If we had the prospects we had in 2008 or pre-Marcum & Greinke trades, I think it likely Reyes or maybe even a HanRam would already be here. Similarly with JJ, if he hadn't signed with Baltimore I think DM would've given the necessary propsects to get him. Unfortunately for us and DM, the SS market is littered with guys who are questionable returns. In 2011, the SS market includes guys who have been hurt (Furcal), who are defensive upgrades with mediocre sticks (Ryan, Jack Wilson), old guys (Carroll) or guys having down years (Desmond and Bartlett). I believe any or all of these guys represent an upgrade over YuBet but each one has so many question marks associated with them that the upgrade in 2011 may not be worth the cost of the prospect that is sent. As for 3B, it is indefensible. Betemit is not the answer. Green may not be either but it is a very simple move to call him up and let his D play even if he hits .200. I'd rather have that then another below average defender at 3B like Betemit. Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.

To be honest WSSP doesn't seem to have a lot of knowledge on the system outside a guy like Gamel. It is very frustrating not hearing the right questions get asked sometimes. Then on a note regarding Melvin. I truly believe Doug Melvin's biggest issue sometimes is trying to prove everyone that he was right in the long run, rather than accepting maybe he was wrong and moving in a different direction. You're right about WSSP. Last week I heard one of their guys (sorry, forget who) talking about how they thought Luis Cruz might be one of the guys sent to the Mets for K-Rod. They realized eventually he wasn't in the organization anymore, but still... I wonder about Melvin sometimes. It seems like he's willing to regularly make moves with the bullpen and send down underachievers, but he seems to take a very laissez faire approach with the position players on the MLB roster. I just don't get it. McGehee and Counsell both suck this year, but will probably be around all season. The bench has no pop, but Melvin won't try calling up anyone to help (outside Gamel's short stint, which was more due to interleague play). Shortstop has been an obvious black hole, but Melvin seems to be moving slowly to fix it. Just very odd roster management, and it's really exposed when a major piece like Braun gets hurt. I think DM had to roll with YuBet to begin the season based on the financials and hope he did something that was justifiable to keep him as the everyday SS. Looking at the market today, I don't think DM is moving slowly. I think the market for an SS has yet to be clearly defined, meaning what is available doesn't represent a total package get that DM typically will go after (see Greinke, Sabathia, Marcum, Mench). If Reyes were to be available and our prospect cupboard wasn't relatively bare, I think he would've already been in Milwaukee. If we had the prospects we had in 2008 or pre-Marcum & Greinke trades, I think it likely Reyes or maybe even a HanRam would already be here. Similarly with JJ, if he hadn't signed with Baltimore I think DM would've given the necessary propsects to get him. Unfortunately for us and DM, the SS market is littered with guys who are questionable returns. In 2011, the SS market includes guys who have been hurt (Furcal), who are defensive upgrades with mediocre sticks (Ryan, Jack Wilson), old guys (Carroll) or guys having down years (Desmond and Bartlett). I believe any or all of these guys represent an upgrade over YuBet but each one has so many question marks associated with them that the upgrade in 2011 may not be worth the cost of the prospect that is sent. As for 3B, it is indefensible. Betemit is not the answer. Green may not be either but it is a very simple move to call him up and let his D play even if he hits .200. I'd rather have that then another below average defender at 3B like Betemit. Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.

To be honest WSSP doesn't seem to have a lot of knowledge on the system outside a guy like Gamel. It is very frustrating not hearing the right questions get asked sometimes. Then on a note regarding Melvin. I truly believe Doug Melvin's biggest issue sometimes is trying to prove everyone that he was right in the long run, rather than accepting maybe he was wrong and moving in a different direction. You're right about WSSP. Last week I heard one of their guys (sorry, forget who) talking about how they thought Luis Cruz might be one of the guys sent to the Mets for K-Rod. They realized eventually he wasn't in the organization anymore, but still... I wonder about Melvin sometimes. It seems like he's willing to regularly make moves with the bullpen and send down underachievers, but he seems to take a very laissez faire approach with the position players on the MLB roster. I just don't get it. McGehee and Counsell both suck this year, but will probably be around all season. The bench has no pop, but Melvin won't try calling up anyone to help (outside Gamel's short stint, which was more due to interleague play). Shortstop has been an obvious black hole, but Melvin seems to be moving slowly to fix it. Just very odd roster management, and it's really exposed when a major piece like Braun gets hurt. I think DM had to roll with YuBet to begin the season based on the financials and hope he did something that was justifiable to keep him as the everyday SS. Looking at the market today, I don't think DM is moving slowly. I think the market for an SS has yet to be clearly defined, meaning what is available doesn't represent a total package get that DM typically will go after (see Greinke, Sabathia, Marcum, Mench). If Reyes were to be available and our prospect cupboard wasn't relatively bare, I think he would've already been in Milwaukee. If we had the prospects we had in 2008 or pre-Marcum & Greinke trades, I think it likely Reyes or maybe even a HanRam would already be here. Similarly with JJ, if he hadn't signed with Baltimore I think DM would've given the necessary propsects to get him. Unfortunately for us and DM, the SS market is littered with guys who are questionable returns. In 2011, the SS market includes guys who have been hurt (Furcal), who are defensive upgrades with mediocre sticks (Ryan, Jack Wilson), old guys (Carroll) or guys having down years (Desmond and Bartlett). I believe any or all of these guys represent an upgrade over YuBet but each one has so many question marks associated with them that the upgrade in 2011 may not be worth the cost of the prospect that is sent. As for 3B, it is indefensible. Betemit is not the answer. Green may not be either but it is a very simple move to call him up and let his D play even if he hits .200. I'd rather have that then another below average defender at 3B like Betemit. Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.

To be honest WSSP doesn't seem to have a lot of knowledge on the system outside a guy like Gamel. It is very frustrating not hearing the right questions get asked sometimes. Then on a note regarding Melvin. I truly believe Doug Melvin's biggest issue sometimes is trying to prove everyone that he was right in the long run, rather than accepting maybe he was wrong and moving in a different direction. You're right about WSSP. Last week I heard one of their guys (sorry, forget who) talking about how they thought Luis Cruz might be one of the guys sent to the Mets for K-Rod. They realized eventually he wasn't in the organization anymore, but still... I wonder about Melvin sometimes. It seems like he's willing to regularly make moves with the bullpen and send down underachievers, but he seems to take a very laissez faire approach with the position players on the MLB roster. I just don't get it. McGehee and Counsell both suck this year, but will probably be around all season. The bench has no pop, but Melvin won't try calling up anyone to help (outside Gamel's short stint, which was more due to interleague play). Shortstop has been an obvious black hole, but Melvin seems to be moving slowly to fix it. Just very odd roster management, and it's really exposed when a major piece like Braun gets hurt. I think DM had to roll with YuBet to begin the season based on the financials and hope he did something that was justifiable to keep him as the everyday SS. Looking at the market today, I don't think DM is moving slowly. I think the market for an SS has yet to be clearly defined, meaning what is available doesn't represent a total package get that DM typically will go after (see Greinke, Sabathia, Marcum, Mench). If Reyes were to be available and our prospect cupboard wasn't relatively bare, I think he would've already been in Milwaukee. If we had the prospects we had in 2008 or pre-Marcum & Greinke trades, I think it likely Reyes or maybe even a HanRam would already be here. Similarly with JJ, if he hadn't signed with Baltimore I think DM would've given the necessary propsects to get him. Unfortunately for us and DM, the SS market is littered with guys who are questionable returns. In 2011, the SS market includes guys who have been hurt (Furcal), who are defensive upgrades with mediocre sticks (Ryan, Jack Wilson), old guys (Carroll) or guys having down years (Desmond and Bartlett). I believe any or all of these guys represent an upgrade over YuBet but each one has so many question marks associated with them that the upgrade in 2011 may not be worth the cost of the prospect that is sent. As for 3B, it is indefensible. Betemit is not the answer. Green may not be either but it is a very simple move to call him up and let his D play even if he hits .200. I'd rather have that then another below average defender at 3B like Betemit. Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.

To be honest WSSP doesn't seem to have a lot of knowledge on the system outside a guy like Gamel. It is very frustrating not hearing the right questions get asked sometimes. Then on a note regarding Melvin. I truly believe Doug Melvin's biggest issue sometimes is trying to prove everyone that he was right in the long run, rather than accepting maybe he was wrong and moving in a different direction. You're right about WSSP. Last week I heard one of their guys (sorry, forget who) talking about how they thought Luis Cruz might be one of the guys sent to the Mets for K-Rod. They realized eventually he wasn't in the organization anymore, but still... I wonder about Melvin sometimes. It seems like he's willing to regularly make moves with the bullpen and send down underachievers, but he seems to take a very laissez faire approach with the position players on the MLB roster. I just don't get it. McGehee and Counsell both suck this year, but will probably be around all season. The bench has no pop, but Melvin won't try calling up anyone to help (outside Gamel's short stint, which was more due to interleague play). Shortstop has been an obvious black hole, but Melvin seems to be moving slowly to fix it. Just very odd roster management, and it's really exposed when a major piece like Braun gets hurt. I think DM had to roll with YuBet to begin the season based on the financials and hope he did something that was justifiable to keep him as the everyday SS. Looking at the market today, I don't think DM is moving slowly. I think the market for an SS has yet to be clearly defined, meaning what is available doesn't represent a total package get that DM typically will go after (see Greinke, Sabathia, Marcum, Mench). If Reyes were to be available and our prospect cupboard wasn't relatively bare, I think he would've already been in Milwaukee. If we had the prospects we had in 2008 or pre-Marcum & Greinke trades, I think it likely Reyes or maybe even a HanRam would already be here. Similarly with JJ, if he hadn't signed with Baltimore I think DM would've given the necessary propsects to get him. Unfortunately for us and DM, the SS market is littered with guys who are questionable returns. In 2011, the SS market includes guys who have been hurt (Furcal), who are defensive upgrades with mediocre sticks (Ryan, Jack Wilson), old guys (Carroll) or guys having down years (Desmond and Bartlett). I believe any or all of these guys represent an upgrade over YuBet but each one has so many question marks associated with them that the upgrade in 2011 may not be worth the cost of the prospect that is sent. As for 3B, it is indefensible. Betemit is not the answer. Green may not be either but it is a very simple move to call him up and let his D play even if he hits .200. I'd rather have that then another below average defender at 3B like Betemit. Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.

To be honest WSSP doesn't seem to have a lot of knowledge on the system outside a guy like Gamel. It is very frustrating not hearing the right questions get asked sometimes. Then on a note regarding Melvin. I truly believe Doug Melvin's biggest issue sometimes is trying to prove everyone that he was right in the long run, rather than accepting maybe he was wrong and moving in a different direction. You're right about WSSP. Last week I heard one of their guys (sorry, forget who) talking about how they thought Luis Cruz might be one of the guys sent to the Mets for K-Rod. They realized eventually he wasn't in the organization anymore, but still... I wonder about Melvin sometimes. It seems like he's willing to regularly make moves with the bullpen and send down underachievers, but he seems to take a very laissez faire approach with the position players on the MLB roster. I just don't get it. McGehee and Counsell both suck this year, but will probably be around all season. The bench has no pop, but Melvin won't try calling up anyone to help (outside Gamel's short stint, which was more due to interleague play). Shortstop has been an obvious black hole, but Melvin seems to be moving slowly to fix it. Just very odd roster management, and it's really exposed when a major piece like Braun gets hurt. I think DM had to roll with YuBet to begin the season based on the financials and hope he did something that was justifiable to keep him as the everyday SS. Looking at the market today, I don't think DM is moving slowly. I think the market for an SS has yet to be clearly defined, meaning what is available doesn't represent a total package get that DM typically will go after (see Greinke, Sabathia, Marcum, Mench). If Reyes were to be available and our prospect cupboard wasn't relatively bare, I think he would've already been in Milwaukee. If we had the prospects we had in 2008 or pre-Marcum & Greinke trades, I think it likely Reyes or maybe even a HanRam would already be here. Similarly with JJ, if he hadn't signed with Baltimore I think DM would've given the necessary propsects to get him. Unfortunately for us and DM, the SS market is littered with guys who are questionable returns. In 2011, the SS market includes guys who have been hurt (Furcal), who are defensive upgrades with mediocre sticks (Ryan, Jack Wilson), old guys (Carroll) or guys having down years (Desmond and Bartlett). I believe any or all of these guys represent an upgrade over YuBet but each one has so many question marks associated with them that the upgrade in 2011 may not be worth the cost of the prospect that is sent. As for 3B, it is indefensible. Betemit is not the answer. Green may not be either but it is a very simple move to call him up and let his D play even if he hits .200. I'd rather have that then another below average defender at 3B like Betemit. Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.

To be honest WSSP doesn't seem to have a lot of knowledge on the system outside a guy like Gamel. It is very frustrating not hearing the right questions get asked sometimes. Then on a note regarding Melvin. I truly believe Doug Melvin's biggest issue sometimes is trying to prove everyone that he was right in the long run, rather than accepting maybe he was wrong and moving in a different direction. You're right about WSSP. Last week I heard one of their guys (sorry, forget who) talking about how they thought Luis Cruz might be one of the guys sent to the Mets for K-Rod. They realized eventually he wasn't in the organization anymore, but still... I wonder about Melvin sometimes. It seems like he's willing to regularly make moves with the bullpen and send down underachievers, but he seems to take a very laissez faire approach with the position players on the MLB roster. I just don't get it. McGehee and Counsell both suck this year, but will probably be around all season. The bench has no pop, but Melvin won't try calling up anyone to help (outside Gamel's short stint, which was more due to interleague play). Shortstop has been an obvious black hole, but Melvin seems to be moving slowly to fix it. Just very odd roster management, and it's really exposed when a major piece like Braun gets hurt. I think DM had to roll with YuBet to begin the season based on the financials and hope he did something that was justifiable to keep him as the everyday SS. Looking at the market today, I don't think DM is moving slowly. I think the market for an SS has yet to be clearly defined, meaning what is available doesn't represent a total package get that DM typically will go after (see Greinke, Sabathia, Marcum, Mench). If Reyes were to be available and our prospect cupboard wasn't relatively bare, I think he would've already been in Milwaukee. If we had the prospects we had in 2008 or pre-Marcum & Greinke trades, I think it likely Reyes or maybe even a HanRam would already be here. Similarly with JJ, if he hadn't signed with Baltimore I think DM would've given the necessary propsects to get him. Unfortunately for us and DM, the SS market is littered with guys who are questionable returns. In 2011, the SS market includes guys who have been hurt (Furcal), who are defensive upgrades with mediocre sticks (Ryan, Jack Wilson), old guys (Carroll) or guys having down years (Desmond and Bartlett). I believe any or all of these guys represent an upgrade over YuBet but each one has so many question marks associated with them that the upgrade in 2011 may not be worth the cost of the prospect that is sent. As for 3B, it is indefensible. Betemit is not the answer. Green may not be either but it is a very simple move to call him up and let his D play even if he hits .200. I'd rather have that then another below average defender at 3B like Betemit. Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.

To be honest WSSP doesn't seem to have a lot of knowledge on the system outside a guy like Gamel. It is very frustrating not hearing the right questions get asked sometimes. Then on a note regarding Melvin. I truly believe Doug Melvin's biggest issue sometimes is trying to prove everyone that he was right in the long run, rather than accepting maybe he was wrong and moving in a different direction. You're right about WSSP. Last week I heard one of their guys (sorry, forget who) talking about how they thought Luis Cruz might be one of the guys sent to the Mets for K-Rod. They realized eventually he wasn't in the organization anymore, but still... I wonder about Melvin sometimes. It seems like he's willing to regularly make moves with the bullpen and send down underachievers, but he seems to take a very laissez faire approach with the position players on the MLB roster. I just don't get it. McGehee and Counsell both suck this year, but will probably be around all season. The bench has no pop, but Melvin won't try calling up anyone to help (outside Gamel's short stint, which was more due to interleague play). Shortstop has been an obvious black hole, but Melvin seems to be moving slowly to fix it. Just very odd roster management, and it's really exposed when a major piece like Braun gets hurt. I think DM had to roll with YuBet to begin the season based on the financials and hope he did something that was justifiable to keep him as the everyday SS. Looking at the market today, I don't think DM is moving slowly. I think the market for an SS has yet to be clearly defined, meaning what is available doesn't represent a total package get that DM typically will go after (see Greinke, Sabathia, Marcum, Mench). If Reyes were to be available and our prospect cupboard wasn't relatively bare, I think he would've already been in Milwaukee. If we had the prospects we had in 2008 or pre-Marcum & Greinke trades, I think it likely Reyes or maybe even a HanRam would already be here. Similarly with JJ, if he hadn't signed with Baltimore I think DM would've given the necessary propsects to get him. Unfortunately for us and DM, the SS market is littered with guys who are questionable returns. In 2011, the SS market includes guys who have been hurt (Furcal), who are defensive upgrades with mediocre sticks (Ryan, Jack Wilson), old guys (Carroll) or guys having down years (Desmond and Bartlett). I believe any or all of these guys represent an upgrade over YuBet but each one has so many question marks associated with them that the upgrade in 2011 may not be worth the cost of the prospect that is sent. As for 3B, it is indefensible. Betemit is not the answer. Green may not be either but it is a very simple move to call him up and let his D play even if he hits .200. I'd rather have that then another below average defender at 3B like Betemit. Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.

To be honest WSSP doesn't seem to have a lot of knowledge on the system outside a guy like Gamel. It is very frustrating not hearing the right questions get asked sometimes. Then on a note regarding Melvin. I truly believe Doug Melvin's biggest issue sometimes is trying to prove everyone that he was right in the long run, rather than accepting maybe he was wrong and moving in a different direction. You're right about WSSP. Last week I heard one of their guys (sorry, forget who) talking about how they thought Luis Cruz might be one of the guys sent to the Mets for K-Rod. They realized eventually he wasn't in the organization anymore, but still... I wonder about Melvin sometimes. It seems like he's willing to regularly make moves with the bullpen and send down underachievers, but he seems to take a very laissez faire approach with the position players on the MLB roster. I just don't get it. McGehee and Counsell both suck this year, but will probably be around all season. The bench has no pop, but Melvin won't try calling up anyone to help (outside Gamel's short stint, which was more due to interleague play). Shortstop has been an obvious black hole, but Melvin seems to be moving slowly to fix it. Just very odd roster management, and it's really exposed when a major piece like Braun gets hurt. I think DM had to roll with YuBet to begin the season based on the financials and hope he did something that was justifiable to keep him as the everyday SS. Looking at the market today, I don't think DM is moving slowly. I think the market for an SS has yet to be clearly defined, meaning what is available doesn't represent a total package get that DM typically will go after (see Greinke, Sabathia, Marcum, Mench). If Reyes were to be available and our prospect cupboard wasn't relatively bare, I think he would've already been in Milwaukee. If we had the prospects we had in 2008 or pre-Marcum & Greinke trades, I think it likely Reyes or maybe even a HanRam would already be here. Similarly with JJ, if he hadn't signed with Baltimore I think DM would've given the necessary propsects to get him. Unfortunately for us and DM, the SS market is littered with guys who are questionable returns. In 2011, the SS market includes guys who have been hurt (Furcal), who are defensive upgrades with mediocre sticks (Ryan, Jack Wilson), old guys (Carroll) or guys having down years (Desmond and Bartlett). I believe any or all of these guys represent an upgrade over YuBet but each one has so many question marks associated with them that the upgrade in 2011 may not be worth the cost of the prospect that is sent. As for 3B, it is indefensible. Betemit is not the answer. Green may not be either but it is a very simple move to call him up and let his D play even if he hits .200. I'd rather have that then another below average defender at 3B like Betemit. Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.

To be honest WSSP doesn't seem to have a lot of knowledge on the system outside a guy like Gamel. It is very frustrating not hearing the right questions get asked sometimes. Then on a note regarding Melvin. I truly believe Doug Melvin's biggest issue sometimes is trying to prove everyone that he was right in the long run, rather than accepting maybe he was wrong and moving in a different direction. You're right about WSSP. Last week I heard one of their guys (sorry, forget who) talking about how they thought Luis Cruz might be one of the guys sent to the Mets for K-Rod. They realized eventually he wasn't in the organization anymore, but still... I wonder about Melvin sometimes. It seems like he's willing to regularly make moves with the bullpen and send down underachievers, but he seems to take a very laissez faire approach with the position players on the MLB roster. I just don't get it. McGehee and Counsell both suck this year, but will probably be around all season. The bench has no pop, but Melvin won't try calling up anyone to help (outside Gamel's short stint, which was more due to interleague play). Shortstop has been an obvious black hole, but Melvin seems to be moving slowly to fix it. Just very odd roster management, and it's really exposed when a major piece like Braun gets hurt. I think DM had to roll with YuBet to begin the season based on the financials and hope he did something that was justifiable to keep him as the everyday SS. Looking at the market today, I don't think DM is moving slowly. I think the market for an SS has yet to be clearly defined, meaning what is available doesn't represent a total package get that DM typically will go after (see Greinke, Sabathia, Marcum, Mench). If Reyes were to be available and our prospect cupboard wasn't relatively bare, I think he would've already been in Milwaukee. If we had the prospects we had in 2008 or pre-Marcum & Greinke trades, I think it likely Reyes or maybe even a HanRam would already be here. Similarly with JJ, if he hadn't signed with Baltimore I think DM would've given the necessary propsects to get him. Unfortunately for us and DM, the SS market is littered with guys who are questionable returns. In 2011, the SS market includes guys who have been hurt (Furcal), who are defensive upgrades with mediocre sticks (Ryan, Jack Wilson), old guys (Carroll) or guys having down years (Desmond and Bartlett). I believe any or all of these guys represent an upgrade over YuBet but each one has so many question marks associated with them that the upgrade in 2011 may not be worth the cost of the prospect that is sent. As for 3B, it is indefensible. Betemit is not the answer. Green may not be either but it is a very simple move to call him up and let his D play even if he hits .200. I'd rather have that then another below average defender at 3B like Betemit. Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.

To be honest WSSP doesn't seem to have a lot of knowledge on the system outside a guy like Gamel. It is very frustrating not hearing the right questions get asked sometimes. Then on a note regarding Melvin. I truly believe Doug Melvin's biggest issue sometimes is trying to prove everyone that he was right in the long run, rather than accepting maybe he was wrong and moving in a different direction. You're right about WSSP. Last week I heard one of their guys (sorry, forget who) talking about how they thought Luis Cruz might be one of the guys sent to the Mets for K-Rod. They realized eventually he wasn't in the organization anymore, but still... I wonder about Melvin sometimes. It seems like he's willing to regularly make moves with the bullpen and send down underachievers, but he seems to take a very laissez faire approach with the position players on the MLB roster. I just don't get it. McGehee and Counsell both suck this year, but will probably be around all season. The bench has no pop, but Melvin won't try calling up anyone to help (outside Gamel's short stint, which was more due to interleague play). Shortstop has been an obvious black hole, but Melvin seems to be moving slowly to fix it. Just very odd roster management, and it's really exposed when a major piece like Braun gets hurt. I think DM had to roll with YuBet to begin the season based on the financials and hope he did something that was justifiable to keep him as the everyday SS. Looking at the market today, I don't think DM is moving slowly. I think the market for an SS has yet to be clearly defined, meaning what is available doesn't represent a total package get that DM typically will go after (see Greinke, Sabathia, Marcum, Mench). If Reyes were to be available and our prospect cupboard wasn't relatively bare, I think he would've already been in Milwaukee. If we had the prospects we had in 2008 or pre-Marcum & Greinke trades, I think it likely Reyes or maybe even a HanRam would already be here. Similarly with JJ, if he hadn't signed with Baltimore I think DM would've given the necessary propsects to get him. Unfortunately for us and DM, the SS market is littered with guys who are questionable returns. In 2011, the SS market includes guys who have been hurt (Furcal), who are defensive upgrades with mediocre sticks (Ryan, Jack Wilson), old guys (Carroll) or guys having down years (Desmond and Bartlett). I believe any or all of these guys represent an upgrade over YuBet but each one has so many question marks associated with them that the upgrade in 2011 may not be worth the cost of the prospect that is sent. As for 3B, it is indefensible. Betemit is not the answer. Green may not be either but it is a very simple move to call him up and let his D play even if he hits .200. I'd rather have that then another below average defender at 3B like Betemit. Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.

To be honest WSSP doesn't seem to have a lot of knowledge on the system outside a guy like Gamel. It is very frustrating not hearing the right questions get asked sometimes. Then on a note regarding Melvin. I truly believe Doug Melvin's biggest issue sometimes is trying to prove everyone that he was right in the long run, rather than accepting maybe he was wrong and moving in a different direction. You're right about WSSP. Last week I heard one of their guys (sorry, forget who) talking about how they thought Luis Cruz might be one of the guys sent to the Mets for K-Rod. They realized eventually he wasn't in the organization anymore, but still... I wonder about Melvin sometimes. It seems like he's willing to regularly make moves with the bullpen and send down underachievers, but he seems to take a very laissez faire approach with the position players on the MLB roster. I just don't get it. McGehee and Counsell both suck this year, but will probably be around all season. The bench has no pop, but Melvin won't try calling up anyone to help (outside Gamel's short stint, which was more due to interleague play). Shortstop has been an obvious black hole, but Melvin seems to be moving slowly to fix it. Just very odd roster management, and it's really exposed when a major piece like Braun gets hurt. I think DM had to roll with YuBet to begin the season based on the financials and hope he did something that was justifiable to keep him as the everyday SS. Looking at the market today, I don't think DM is moving slowly. I think the market for an SS has yet to be clearly defined, meaning what is available doesn't represent a total package get that DM typically will go after (see Greinke, Sabathia, Marcum, Mench). If Reyes were to be available and our prospect cupboard wasn't relatively bare, I think he would've already been in Milwaukee. If we had the prospects we had in 2008 or pre-Marcum & Greinke trades, I think it likely Reyes or maybe even a HanRam would already be here. Similarly with JJ, if he hadn't signed with Baltimore I think DM would've given the necessary propsects to get him. Unfortunately for us and DM, the SS market is littered with guys who are questionable returns. In 2011, the SS market includes guys who have been hurt (Furcal), who are defensive upgrades with mediocre sticks (Ryan, Jack Wilson), old guys (Carroll) or guys having down years (Desmond and Bartlett). I believe any or all of these guys represent an upgrade over YuBet but each one has so many question marks associated with them that the upgrade in 2011 may not be worth the cost of the prospect that is sent. As for 3B, it is indefensible. Betemit is not the answer. Green may not be either but it is a very simple move to call him up and let his D play even if he hits .200. I'd rather have that then another below average defender at 3B like Betemit. Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.

To be honest WSSP doesn't seem to have a lot of knowledge on the system outside a guy like Gamel. It is very frustrating not hearing the right questions get asked sometimes. Then on a note regarding Melvin. I truly believe Doug Melvin's biggest issue sometimes is trying to prove everyone that he was right in the long run, rather than accepting maybe he was wrong and moving in a different direction. You're right about WSSP. Last week I heard one of their guys (sorry, forget who) talking about how they thought Luis Cruz might be one of the guys sent to the Mets for K-Rod. They realized eventually he wasn't in the organization anymore, but still... I wonder about Melvin sometimes. It seems like he's willing to regularly make moves with the bullpen and send down underachievers, but he seems to take a very laissez faire approach with the position players on the MLB roster. I just don't get it. McGehee and Counsell both suck this year, but will probably be around all season. The bench has no pop, but Melvin won't try calling up anyone to help (outside Gamel's short stint, which was more due to interleague play). Shortstop has been an obvious black hole, but Melvin seems to be moving slowly to fix it. Just very odd roster management, and it's really exposed when a major piece like Braun gets hurt. I think DM had to roll with YuBet to begin the season based on the financials and hope he did something that was justifiable to keep him as the everyday SS. Looking at the market today, I don't think DM is moving slowly. I think the market for an SS has yet to be clearly defined, meaning what is available doesn't represent a total package get that DM typically will go after (see Greinke, Sabathia, Marcum, Mench). If Reyes were to be available and our prospect cupboard wasn't relatively bare, I think he would've already been in Milwaukee. If we had the prospects we had in 2008 or pre-Marcum & Greinke trades, I think it likely Reyes or maybe even a HanRam would already be here. Similarly with JJ, if he hadn't signed with Baltimore I think DM would've given the necessary propsects to get him. Unfortunately for us and DM, the SS market is littered with guys who are questionable returns. In 2011, the SS market includes guys who have been hurt (Furcal), who are defensive upgrades with mediocre sticks (Ryan, Jack Wilson), old guys (Carroll) or guys having down years (Desmond and Bartlett). I believe any or all of these guys represent an upgrade over YuBet but each one has so many question marks associated with them that the upgrade in 2011 may not be worth the cost of the prospect that is sent. As for 3B, it is indefensible. Betemit is not the answer. Green may not be either but it is a very simple move to call him up and let his D play even if he hits .200. I'd rather have that then another below average defender at 3B like Betemit. Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.

To be honest WSSP doesn't seem to have a lot of knowledge on the system outside a guy like Gamel. It is very frustrating not hearing the right questions get asked sometimes. Then on a note regarding Melvin. I truly believe Doug Melvin's biggest issue sometimes is trying to prove everyone that he was right in the long run, rather than accepting maybe he was wrong and moving in a different direction. You're right about WSSP. Last week I heard one of their guys (sorry, forget who) talking about how they thought Luis Cruz might be one of the guys sent to the Mets for K-Rod. They realized eventually he wasn't in the organization anymore, but still... I wonder about Melvin sometimes. It seems like he's willing to regularly make moves with the bullpen and send down underachievers, but he seems to take a very laissez faire approach with the position players on the MLB roster. I just don't get it. McGehee and Counsell both suck this year, but will probably be around all season. The bench has no pop, but Melvin won't try calling up anyone to help (outside Gamel's short stint, which was more due to interleague play). Shortstop has been an obvious black hole, but Melvin seems to be moving slowly to fix it. Just very odd roster management, and it's really exposed when a major piece like Braun gets hurt. I think DM had to roll with YuBet to begin the season based on the financials and hope he did something that was justifiable to keep him as the everyday SS. Looking at the market today, I don't think DM is moving slowly. I think the market for an SS has yet to be clearly defined, meaning what is available doesn't represent a total package get that DM typically will go after (see Greinke, Sabathia, Marcum, Mench). If Reyes were to be available and our prospect cupboard wasn't relatively bare, I think he would've already been in Milwaukee. If we had the prospects we had in 2008 or pre-Marcum & Greinke trades, I think it likely Reyes or maybe even a HanRam would already be here. Similarly with JJ, if he hadn't signed with Baltimore I think DM would've given the necessary propsects to get him. Unfortunately for us and DM, the SS market is littered with guys who are questionable returns. In 2011, the SS market includes guys who have been hurt (Furcal), who are defensive upgrades with mediocre sticks (Ryan, Jack Wilson), old guys (Carroll) or guys having down years (Desmond and Bartlett). I believe any or all of these guys represent an upgrade over YuBet but each one has so many question marks associated with them that the upgrade in 2011 may not be worth the cost of the prospect that is sent. As for 3B, it is indefensible. Betemit is not the answer. Green may not be either but it is a very simple move to call him up and let his D play even if he hits .200. I'd rather have that then another below average defender at 3B like Betemit. Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.

To be honest WSSP doesn't seem to have a lot of knowledge on the system outside a guy like Gamel. It is very frustrating not hearing the right questions get asked sometimes. Then on a note regarding Melvin. I truly believe Doug Melvin's biggest issue sometimes is trying to prove everyone that he was right in the long run, rather than accepting maybe he was wrong and moving in a different direction. You're right about WSSP. Last week I heard one of their guys (sorry, forget who) talking about how they thought Luis Cruz might be one of the guys sent to the Mets for K-Rod. They realized eventually he wasn't in the organization anymore, but still... I wonder about Melvin sometimes. It seems like he's willing to regularly make moves with the bullpen and send down underachievers, but he seems to take a very laissez faire approach with the position players on the MLB roster. I just don't get it. McGehee and Counsell both suck this year, but will probably be around all season. The bench has no pop, but Melvin won't try calling up anyone to help (outside Gamel's short stint, which was more due to interleague play). Shortstop has been an obvious black hole, but Melvin seems to be moving slowly to fix it. Just very odd roster management, and it's really exposed when a major piece like Braun gets hurt. I think DM had to roll with YuBet to begin the season based on the financials and hope he did something that was justifiable to keep him as the everyday SS. Looking at the market today, I don't think DM is moving slowly. I think the market for an SS has yet to be clearly defined, meaning what is available doesn't represent a total package get that DM typically will go after (see Greinke, Sabathia, Marcum, Mench). If Reyes were to be available and our prospect cupboard wasn't relatively bare, I think he would've already been in Milwaukee. If we had the prospects we had in 2008 or pre-Marcum & Greinke trades, I think it likely Reyes or maybe even a HanRam would already be here. Similarly with JJ, if he hadn't signed with Baltimore I think DM would've given the necessary propsects to get him. Unfortunately for us and DM, the SS market is littered with guys who are questionable returns. In 2011, the SS market includes guys who have been hurt (Furcal), who are defensive upgrades with mediocre sticks (Ryan, Jack Wilson), old guys (Carroll) or guys having down years (Desmond and Bartlett). I believe any or all of these guys represent an upgrade over YuBet but each one has so many question marks associated with them that the upgrade in 2011 may not be worth the cost of the prospect that is sent. As for 3B, it is indefensible. Betemit is not the answer. Green may not be either but it is a very simple move to call him up and let his D play even if he hits .200. I'd rather have that then another below average defender at 3B like Betemit. Honestly though, I'm beginning to expect something big in the next week or so. I think you're going to see something unexpectedly big to upgrade 3B. Judging by DM's past I wouldn't be surprised in the elast if he somehow figures a way to acquire a Aramis Ramirez, David Wright or Mark Reynolds type 3B. How that happens is anyones guess because I have no clue, just like I had no clue about us acquiring Greinke.