Warning Track Power

Dodgers taken over by MLB. My god what a terrible nightmare (about 8 tweets down) this would be for us, save someone with gobs of money like Mark Cuban buying the Brewers. I can very easily imagine Mr. Attanasio going after his hometown Dodgers and what a terrible loss it would be for the Brewers. I know he would try his best to ensure we would be sold to someone that they would make every effort to remain a competitive team, but promises only go so far. I hope Olney's tweet is merely speculative but I know there have been whispers of this in the past.

Agreed and not just because I am a Brewer fan. I really believe he's going to be MVP this season with a .320, 35 HR, 115 RBI kind of year.

Sounds an awful lot like Yuni B. As a side, I brought up Erick Aybar/Macier Izturis in a thread this offseason as potential targets for SS. My post regarding Wood I will post here: I saw Wood play in an A game in Rancho Cucamonga in 2005. This year he hit .321, 43 HR, 115 RBI. Dude was amazing. Somthing to the tune of 4-5 2 HRs and a triple. Best game I have ever seen a minor leaguer have. Just phenomenal. I went to probably 5 or 6 Angel games last season. He started all of them and had 1 hit. Unfortunately, the dude just can't hit major league pitching. He has had many, MANY opportunities to grab 3B and claim it as his own. Classic AAAA player. I may take a flyer on him but wouldn't give up much. Probably not even Parra. Obviously my line about Parra was right on but especially now. I actually would love, LOVE to take a flyer on Wood and simply give him Almonte's spot on the roster. I know we are worried about organizational depth so a ticket to Nashville may be better, but having another IF on the roster rather than a 6th OF in Almonte (when Hart returns)would certainly be more beneficial, even if it is just for depth. I would do this in a heartbeat. It also rings of a Melvin-move (Scott Podsednik, Brady Clark, Derrick Turnbow, Casey McGehee) to me.

So when Hart is back, what does the bench REALISTICALLY look like? OF: Gomez, Kotsay IF: Counsell C: Kottaras I see room for one more guy. Are we assuming it will be Almonte or Nieves? Anyone heard anything to the contrary?

I think I am more concerned about the situations where he has blown saves so far. That game in Cincinnati was bad. You hate to have a 3-run 9th inning lead blown Opening Day setting a bad tone to start the year, but it was bad also because of our inability to beat Cincinnati last season. Maybe it allows them to get in our heads a bit. That's a legit fear that even we as fans and amateur sports players can understand as we all have had teams that for some reason, we just can't beat. And considering they will likely be the main competition for the NL Central, that psychological advantage may be huge. The importance of winning yesterday could not be understated as we really laid an egg in D.C. The blown save was especially discouraging because of the 3 game losing streak coming in and the two pitchers we face the rest of the series. Had we lost last night after he blew the save, we could have very well have seen a 6 game losing streak. His role as the closer doesn't allow for games like yesterday to be in question in my opinion, especially when he is facing Ruiz, Valdez & Orr. Not exactly Utley, Rollins & Howard. The Ax-man needs to get it together quick or else Hawkins/Saito will be the closer.

Mike Leake should probably consult with Tony LaRussa. He'll help him shoplift in such a classy manner, shoplifting will be made legal.

I am no professional hitter, but I would say yes. Realistically, Corey hasn't faced legit MLB pitching since October 2010, as he missed all of spring training. Get your timing for a week in the Minors and we'll see you in Milwaukee.

Like I said..."I know it may not be the perfect match." I love Carlos actually. I don't want to deal him. He may be one of my favorite Brewers. How long can we wait though?

Judging by the reaction of both Brewers and Braves fans to these two players, it may make sense that a change of scenery would be a good for both of these players. I'm thinking something along the lines of the Marquis Grissom-Devon White deal. I know CF isn't exactly a concern with Nyjer Morgan there right now, but I personally am beginning to like Morgan as the the split in a platoon in CF and a super utility OF/PR i.e. Craig Counsell-esque role. A couple of things to think about: -McLouth is a free agent after this season. -McLouth makes $6.5MM this season, with a $10.65MM team option and $1.25 buyout -If we are thinking platoon with Morgan, McLouth lifetime slash line is .249/.326 against LH Starting pitching. Gomez is .234/.289. I know it may not be the perfect match long term and Gomez is 4 years younger and cheaper, but if the players were traded for another as a truly "change of scenery type" of move with the Braves and Brewers paying the traded players salary, it may work out. The Braves get Gomez because of the D he brings to the OF with their "new-to-the-OF" LF in Martin Prado. Additionally, their lineup could arguably handle his bat better than ours can by putting him in the 8th hole. I know I for one would be happier with a lineup that included McLouth, either in the 2 hole between Weeks and Braun or in the bottom of the lineup where his walk ability would be useful.

I'll pray with you Hayes. I'd flip Lucroy and Betancourt but that's it.

That someone on the JSonline boards has taken to using "Warning Track Power" as their handle. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/mad.gif I know it isn't "my name" but as something that people on this board might read as well, it creates confusion. Especially because of the lunacy and idiocy that goes on on those boards. And what if he writes something more knuckleheaded than what I usually post on here!!

That adjustment is really working well so far for Pujols this year isn't it. You just had to bring it up didn't you?!? I will now blame you, Ennder, when he hits .450 for the next month and a half.http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/laugh.gif

I 100% agree with this Gamel Plan.

My problem isn't so much with YuBet's bat. Betancourt has the potential to put up exactly the kind of numbers JJ did during his prime years. The only thing Betancourt can't do on offense that JJ could, is draw walks. The bigger issue I have is with his lackadaisical defense. JJ was a consistent defender at SS and that is where he separates himself from Betancourt in my opinion. Please cite one example of what you consider to be lackadaisical defense that Betancourt has displayed in the first 9 games. I haven't seen any. If you don't dive for a ball you have no chance to get to is that lackadaisical? This is so reminiscent of the stuff said about Belliard when he was a Brewer. Heck a major criticism of the great Hank Aaron when he first came up was that he was lackadaisical on defense because he had such and effortless stride. I'll grant you he has below average range, but he has made the routine play look routine, he's handled a few tricky hops easily and taken some shaky throws from Weeks to record force outs. On balance his defense has been acceptable. I don't recall specifically what game it was but I believe it was the last game in Cincinnati. He was playing close to 2nd and literally had to go two steps to his right to back hand a slow roller. He went one step and bent down about halfway and had the ball hit off the glove. That's laziness defined. It may have even been the inning where Wolf gave up the 3 run HR to Phillips as well. I agree. His defense has been acceptable...through 9 games.

I was speaking to COB's projection of a YuBet line of 20 HR and 75-80RBIs. I could see him matching that, but those numbers are hollow unless he can learn to get on base better than at a .296 clip, like you said End.

Not true. Marcumhas had three good years. Remember, he was pitching in the AL East and not the NL West like Wolf. If he has another two years like this in Milwaukee, you might be right about the cost of re-signing. I doubt it though as he will be 31 when he is a FA.

My problem isn't so much with YuBet's bat. Betancourt has the potential to put up exactly the kind of numbers JJ did during his prime years. The only thing Betancourt can't do on offense that JJ could, is draw walks. The bigger issue I have is with his lackadaisical defense. JJ was a consistent defender at SS and that is where he separates himself from Betancourt in my opinion.

I am not arguing this fact. If Jorge de la Rosa can make $10MM/season then that fact is evident. I do believe that in Milwaukee, that number comes with an expectation of being better than a #3 regardless of MLB economics. Shaun Marcum will likely cost right around this price to extend. Do I believe him to better than a #3? Yes. Do I believe he is a #1 or #2? A #2 definitely. A #1; not on a good team. The point is that Wolf's output is not the equivalent of Marcum and they will likely cost close to the same. I believe that the Brewers should not pay a #3 like the Wolf's of the world $10MM/season. That money can be better spent to either find a better deal/bargain, which they have in Marcum, OR use that $10MM/season to supplement the Greinke and Gallardo's off the world salary to ensure you have a dynamic #1 and #1A, and backfill the rest of the rotation with the Narveson's of the world.

$10MM/year in a market like Milwaukee doesn't make you the #3. It makes you the #2 or maybe #1. Marcum, a guy who was the acknowledged #1 in Toronto and pitched like a low #1 or high #2, is the "#3" in Milwaukee. #3 only in title due to the presence of Gallardo and Greinke. I would have no problem giving Marcum $10MM/year assuming he pitches to his Toronto standard the next 2 seasons in Milwaukee. I can't speak to the others who have posted on the topic, but my point is that we can get similar results that we have gotten with Wolf in a year plus with someone who doesn't make $10MM/year. Wolf's track record never indicated him to be anything other than a low #3 or high #4

What do you base this belief on that pitchers will pitch to Gomez any differently than if he's batting 2nd in the order or 8th? It is my belief as to what RR's thinking is as to why he bats Gomez 2nd. If you are between Weeks and Braun/Fielder, you inevitably are going to be attacked moreso than those three. I agree with your thought that because of his free swinging nature pitchers don't have to necessarily pound the strike zone with fastballs. In spite of that, I have to believe pitchers would be apt to give Gomez even less to hit in the 8 hole in front of the pitcher. Additionally, Gomez would be less likely to run in front of the pitcher for fear of getting thrown out and leading off the next inning with a pitcher hitting. In essence, since Gomez gets himself out frequently, placing him a spot where he may see one more fastball per AB is worth it. Keep in mind this is all my speculation on why RR bats him there and not my preferred lineup (see previous post in thread where I bat Gomez 6th while Hart is out). (edit: long quote --1992)

The blue part of this I totally agree with. Gomez wouldn't likely bring back a starting SS now. Regardless of your feelings on Hardy, I doubt we could get him or his equivalent straight up for Gomez. That being said, there is no way you deal Gomez because the return would be less than what he brings to the team i.e. timeshare CF & pinch running, solid D as a 4th OF. Plus Gomez seems like a great teammate. As a side, a trade of Gomez would likely mean Almonte and Kotsay are your #4 & #5 OF. Yuck. I love Gomez's hustle and am enamored by his potential but how long can you wait? As for the green part, I totally disagree with you but I am an acknowledged Hardy guy. Injuries are difficult to predict and there is no way you can say that Hardy's injuries in 2010 and 2011 would have occurred had he been in Milwaukee. As for Hardy v. Gomez when the deal was made, I can't argue that we had better coverage at SS (Escobar) than CF (Cameron was a FA) but that still doesn't make this a good trade. Gomez was a toolsy CF who hadn't put it together and a season later still hasn't. Hardy was an injury prone SS, a year removed from hitting .283 at age 25/26. Give me the latter everyday if we are speaking Hardy v. Gomez. Hardy was dealt at the worst possible time and when his value was the lowest. The difficult thing is knowing where we are at today versus where we were when we made the Gomez-Hardy deal, meaning who would have thought we would have traded Escobar a year later. My biggest issue with this past offseason was after Escobar was dealt in December, we still had time to make another deal to acquire another SS instead of rolling with YuBet. Hardy was acquired by the Orioles for a bag of balls and I think we could have very easily matched the package. And even if you aren't a Hardy guy, I think most would rather have had him than YuBet.

I wouldn't go that far. Even when Roenicke has been smart enough to start both of Gomez and Morgan, his brain locks up and he bats Gomez in the two hole instead of Morgan. Batting Gomez 2nd is more about getting him more fastballs between Weeks and Braun, as well as avoiding the dreaded Gomez, Betancourt, Nieves trio at the bottom of the lineup. As much as I would rather see Morgan at #1 or #2, I would be loathe to see that trio come up consecutively in an inning.

I don't want to see Lucroy in the 8 spot at all, I'd rather see him at 7. After watching the JJ experiment hitting in front of the pitcher, I don't want Lucroy to not see anything to hit all year. As I am already expecting little to nothing out of Betancourt, I would rather he learn how to deal with being pitched around and hopefully limit his lousiness by drawing a few more walks in 2011. I feel by batting Lucroy #7 and Betancourt #8, we will maximize the production of both. I have high hopes for Lucroy and think he could put up a line of .270/.330, 8 HR, 50 RBI this season if he bats in the #7 hole. As for the rest of the lineup, I prefer: CF Morgan (RF until Hart returns) 2B Weeks LF Braun 1B Fielder 3B McGehee RF Hart (CF Gomez until Hart returns) C Lucroy SS YuBet Weeks should be in the #2 hole now. It makes the most sense to me. Although, I like the idea of Rickie leading off with a single or double with Morgan moving him over with a sac bunt for Braun/Fielder/McGehee. Weeks in the #2 hole will allow him to hit more often with runners on base and possibly drive in a Morgan from 1st with a double. BTW, pitching to 2-6 in that lineup is ridiculous. All 30 HR potential and all .280+ AVG potential. Amazing.

Agreed HTR. My point was that if Boston makes an offer that would take Wolf's deal off our hands now, you make the deal. Even in this season where Wolf's contract can be tolerated and dealt with, you clear the payroll and roll with a Mitre/Estrada or even let a Rogers work as the #5 because the cost/benefit is so low and in the end could get almost identical results for $8MM less. I think the lesson learned from the Suppan and Wolf deals is that with the Brewers payroll, you can't make the mistake of paying pitchers $10MM and expect them to outperform their career tracks. Yes, Wolf was brought in to be the #2 last season, but his track record, save his 2009 year with the Dodgers and his 2nd half of 2008 with Houston, proved him to be probably a low 3 or high 4. Same with Suppan. His 4 prior seasons to 2007 proved him to be a low 3 or high 4 pitcher. Looking back at this last offseason, we may have been best served to roll with Cappy/Narvy as #4 & #5 if someone would have taken the Wolf deal off our hands.

...And here I thought Brewers-Cubs game were awesome enough. Now we get to add another hour to each game when Doug Davis is on the mound. I swear that man is a sloth in a Doug Davis outfit.