Warning Track Power

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.

By the way, is there a worse nickname for a team than D-Backs? It is so easily modified into something borderline not Brewerfan appropriate. Appropriate for their attacks on Prince and his family, but not so much for use on this site.

I can also remember people ready to get him as far out of Milwaukee as possible during his 2009 season, annointing Alcides as the 2nd coming of Ozzie Smith. I didn't understand the polarizing characteristic JJ had on some of the fan base. I definitely didn't like him being so deadset against batting 8th, but I thought his play was so steady in the field that it made us desensitized to how outstanding it was to have a high performing defender at that critical position. Oh well. Life goes on. Gives me even more reason to be an O's fan in the AL East.

Well it's a disagreement about worth then. I truly like Farris and would not like to part with him. However, his limitations to 2B limit his value to the Brewers since Rickie will hopefully be the 2B for another 5-6 seasons. I feel he represents a decent prospect to those without a stud 2B prospect. Whether that is the Padres, I don't know. I just don't feel he is junk like some do.

I've never gotten the 6:40 local start times for Arizona, and I'm pretty sure they've been doing that a while. Basically every other team starts at 7:05 or 7:10 local time on week nights. Anyone know the reasoning? Really makes no sense at all considering how hot it is there and essentially guaranteeing 25-30 minutes more of the game being played in daylight hours. Wonder if it has something to do with the age of the population there?

I'd like the lineup much better with Nyjer leading off, Rickie hitting #2 and Hart #5, but getting Rickie used to a run producing spot this season is necessary given that he will likely be the #3 or #4 hitter next season. With Braun out, I think I'd prefer a Nyjer-Hart-Rickie-Prince order. When Braun returns, ideally I'd like Rickie #2 and Corey #5, but I'd settle for Corey #2 and Rickie #5. I don't understand why we don't Nyjer leadoff. Anybody have a theory on this? Seems to be the best spot for him.

1. Gomez: Plays the game like its meant to be played. He LOOKS like he is a kid having fun. So enjoyable to watch all around. Even his bad ABs still make him look like he cares so much about succeeding and helping this team. 2. Weeks: My god...dude is a beast. Hard working and very quietly becoming an all time Brewer great. I just wish he would've been able to stay healthy and start this push he has made in 2009-10-11 in 07 or 08 and he may have been working his way towards a borderline HOF career. Still is time but I could very easily see him hitting another 150 HRs (6 years at 25 per) in his career and getting close to 300 HRs as a 2B and being potentially the 2nd in All-time Brewers HR behind... 3. Braun: Seriously the most talented Brewer I've ever seen. Born in 1982 so I caught the tail end of Molitor and Yount. Flair for the dramatic see 2008 Pirates, 2008 Cubs, 2011 Marlins PH. If he stays healthy will be the next Brewer HOF and very easily could finish with 350-400 HRs with 3,000 hits.

Agreed. The problem though to me is not if this team is a World Series team, but is it a playoff contending team? To this question it is a resounding yes and because of that we should never be sellers. Until the economics of baseball are sorted out to allow for all teams to spend on an equal basis, small market teams will continually have to hope their window is open for the opprotunity just to make the playoffs. This is the "World Series" to me as a fan of the small market Brewers. Anything more than making the playoffs is gravy. Don't take this as an attitude that I don't want to win the World Series or that I don't think we can. I just believe that when a Yankees team can make the playoffs every year from 1995-2007 or the Yankees and Red Sox of the MLB world can can continually rebuild in an offseason by trading for or buying other teams best players, the real goal for the rest of the leagues fans is making the playoffs and hope you pull the miracle in a short series.

What about the one rocket foul ball down the RF line that is mandatory in a Counsell at bat?

I think Haurdicourt brought up a very good point in a response to Heyman's tweet. Paraphrasing, he said I don't know how much better Carroll and Betemit make the Brewers. I tend to agree with him. I like Carroll, but not as an everyday player. I think if Carroll is acquired, he should be the super utility guy, with Furcal coming as the main SS. Keep in mind Caroll is 37. I don't see DM acquiring a 37 year old to be the everyday SS in a pennant race. Betemit just doesn't inspire me to feel he will be a significant upgrade over McGehee. I'd much rather see Green promoted or a change of scenery type guy like Ian Stewart than acquiring a meh player like Betemit.

HTR: Instead of Gomez in your deal, why not give them 2 of those pitchers plus Scahfer or Komatsu? I'd do a Schafer/McLendon/Heckathorn deal in a heartbeat. Don't know if the Nationals would though. Desmond is going to be pretty good I think.

I would trade Hart just because I don't really trust him, and I think he's got a nice enough contract that you could get something back for him. I'd like to make our lineup a lot more balanced. Morgan Swisher SH Braun Gamel * Weeks Green* Lucroy SS(Furcal,Carroll...) Not !%!!#% in the lineup and while we don't have anyone replacing Prince, Swisher over Hart, Green over McGehee, SS over Beteancourt and then Gamel would make up that gap IMO. And our pitchers would thank us. I know this is a Swisher thread, but Cameron/Swisher/Hart/Cabrera have all been intertwined into the discussion and this statement sums up my feelings on Cabrera. As for Swisher, I love this guy. While he may not hit .280, his ability to draw a walk and play defense would be a welcome addition to this club. I agree with TwinsBrewers...Move Braun to 1B, Corey to LF and sign Swisher to play RF and that would be a pretty nice acquistion.

Flat out disagree with this statement. I personally like Farris as a 2B prospect. I don't know about the Padres system and if they have a stud 2B prospect, but if we didn't have Rickie, Farris would likely be looked at as the future at 2B. Katin is a blocked power hitting OF. Maybe a little old, however, in Petco, raw power would play. I hedged by saying they may ask for Gindl, which I would still do. McGehee is the type of player I would target as a buy low player, especially in a rebuilding small market. He certainly could turn things around. We just aren't afforded that being in a pennant race. Bartlett's contract is an unnecessary expenditure in SD. They brought some guys (Bartlett, Hudson, Cantu, Harang) in the event they could replicate last season's magic. They haven't and now its time to flip those contracts. By us assuming a slumping Bartlett and all of his deal, ala K-Rod, we don't have to give the higher end prospects for the inclusion of Headley. If I were a Padre fan, I would be tempted by this deal for sure as Bartlett has proven nothing to deserve the contract and Headley has 2 HR from a power hitting position. Could they get more for Bartlett and Headley? Maybe. But I wouldn't call this a junk for gold deal.

Ian Desmond anyone? HTR mentioned him in the Realistic SS Upgrade thread. Like HTR said, I think a CF would be the obvious target. Feel comfortable moving a Komatsu or a Schafer type for him?

I''d take Ian Desmond in a heartbeat. I wish he walked more and struck out less, but he's fast, relatively young (26 in September) and apparently is working hard to improve at SS. He may be the only SS I'd give up legit talent for. Any pitcher short of Thornburg and Peralta. Desmond just moved to the top of my available SS list. Hopefully he is one of the behind the scenes out of nowhere candidates we can make a play on. EDIT: To HTR's point about a CF, I could see them offering Schafer or Komatsu + something else. I think we could part with one of those guys for a SS with Desmond's potential.

This move doesn't excite me at all. From all the information I can gather, Betemit is a below-average to average 3B. Judging by the way this team has played defense the past few weeks or so, I think if we are going to realistically improve this team in 2011 it needs to happen on both sides of the game. Looking at the everday lineup, 1B, 2B, C, RF, CF, LF are all set for 2011. Realistically, we aren't going to make a trade that will give us a new starter at any of those positions. Being that's the case, I would like to ensure a defensive upgrade to average or above-average at SS and 3B. Betemit doesn't appear to fit that mold. Yes he can be more productive as a hitter than McGehee is, but I feel there are better options (Headley) out there that may be worth exploring before committing to another subpar defender like Betemit.

100% agree. They pushed so hard for Teixeira that I think they will push harder for Prince and end up with him. Makes it easy to root for Baltimore. As for JJ, I really wanted him back in Milwaukee and it stinks that he won't be. My favorite of the Baby Brewers with Braun, Weeks, Fielder, Hart & Hardy. I would have given him that deal in a heartbeat especially with Prince coming off the books. Was very underrated and underappreciated during his time in Milwaukee.

I'm going to stay away from the obvious YuBet vote, who may be the least liked player in Brewers, Royals and Mariners history. So far in 2011...Zack Greinke. My expecations were not at his 2009 level, but were certainly in the low 3's for ERA. He seems to completely unravel when something doesn't go his way. The Yankee game with Nyjer slipping. The Rockie game when Lucroy doesn't make a good throw. The Twins game with a 6-1 lead. There are games when it seems like he lacks the heart of a competitor or is just not mentally in it and that scares me. It's like I want to grab him and say: "Yeah Zack, the D let you down but you're our Ace! Get the next guy!" As a side, my other vote is for whatever pitcher comes out and immediately throws Ball 1 consistently...I'm looking at you Chris Narveson and Randy Wolf.