Warning Track Power

Here's the thing about this. If we have learned anything from FA the past 5 years or so, paying $10MM/year to #3 or #4 pitchers isn't the best use of the payroll. I like Wolf. I root for him because he's a Brewer but also because he seems like a decent guy. I want him to succeed, but it just seems like we can find a guy like Narveson or even Capuano to give us similar results for an 1/8 of the price. Yes he pitched well during the 2nd half of last year, but man $10MM a season is a lot of cash for a dude who doesn't bring it all season. Once Greinke is healthy and Rogers is stretched out, and even if a small hole were opened this season, if the Red Sox would take the entire Wolf deal, I think we have to take it. We could back fill the #5 spot with an Estrada/Mitre/Parra until Rogers, Peralta or Rivas.

Living in Southern California and having XM and the MLB Audio package so I can listen to Ueck, I have to say that listening to Ueck is so much better than listening to Scully. I love the stories Scully tells and all the information he brings, but the man never stops talking to allow the moment to build. I know I get frustrated by Ueck sometimes when I don't know what the heck is going on and all of a sudden it's 0-2 on Prince, but Scully just talks through some critical moments when silence would be best. I do enjoy Scully immensely. However, when I am done listening to the Dodger game, I just want to go listen to instrumental music, sit in the library or go to sleep so I don't have to hear anymore talking. I'm just so worn out.

The reason I prefer Kottaras over Nieves is obvious and that is his ability to hit MLB pitching and with the occasional pop. I wouldn't mind Nieves, even if he hit .210, if he truly was a defensive wizard behind the plate. But Nieves' defensive skillset is not enough for me to overlook the bat that Kottaras brings to the bench. Having said that, I am still not sure if keeping Kottaras and Nieves over Almonte when Hart returns isn't the way to go, even if it does make us relatively light in backup IF and RH PH. I like the idea of Kottaras being able to be used as a PH with pop without the fear of burning the backup C. Still batting that around in my head.

Of the remaining bench players (Almonte, Kottaras, Nieves), I only see Kottaras bringing back that decent middle infielder back in a trade. Nieves is worth nothing and could simply be claimed and it seems like every team has an Almonte already. We have another one named Brandon Boggs in Triple AAA. Kottaras is the only one with value and I pray he isn't dealt because that means we kept Nieves.

Braddock is a stud. I think he stays. I think we can likely count on Estrada and Green being sent out when Parra and Hawkins return. Mitre and Parra can fill the gap for Greinke until he returns. Estrada is just a guy and is no great shakes IMHO. Starters: SP Gallardo SP Marcum SP Narveson SP Wolf Bullpen breakdown: LRP: Parra LRP: Mitre MRP: Braddock MRP: Loe MRP: Stetter SU: Hawkins SU: Saito CL: Axford Mitre or Stetter goes when Greinke returns. I like what both bring but it will all depend on performance until May when Greinke returns.

Say we had lost the 5 run lead and, subsequently, the game. We would have not only been murdering the bullpen for blowing it, but also the missed opportunities earlier in the game, such as the situation with Gomez had he not stealed. As a final victim, Ron Roenicke would have been tarred and feathered had he come out into the postgame interview and said we didn't steal Gomez because of some unwritten rules. I can get behind certain unwritten rules, but even then have an issue with them as playing baseball is about winning the game. Period. Bunting to break up a no-hitter if you are trailing by a run or two should be perfectly legitmate because you play to win, not help an opposing team and player make history.

I don't know, Almonte looks pretty darn large (listed 245lbs!) to be in the OF on a continual basis, let alone fill in at an IF position. I still am not sure what I feel about his being on this team as the 6th OF (behind Braun/Hart/Gomez/Morgan/Kotsay) & 6th IF (behind McGehee/YuBet/Weeks/Fielder/Counsell/Kotsay) when Hart is back. His position on the roster looks legitmately as PH-only. We most certainly can find an 6th OF that can also play D. If a 6th OF/PH role is a position for the 2011 Milwaukee Brewers, I'd rather it be filled by Gabe Kapler (Seemingly was released by the Dodgers. Little help?) who wouldn't be a liability in the OF.

That is the ringtone on my cellphone. I was only 4 months old in October 1982, so I obviously don't remember anything from that season but Ueck's call absolutely gives me goosebumps every time when I think about how 26 years of disappointment being a Brewers fan were washed away in that one moment. Brought me to tears that day and at the right moments even now can get me going.

It's funny, something about Narveson's delivery on Saturday reminded me so much of Capuano's. I know Cappy was a little quicker to the plate than Narveson but there is a similar hitch right before the ball is thrown that may be the source of hitter's confusion against him.

Almonte would almost guaranteed be only a PH then. When and where will he play if Kotsay is truly the backup corner OF and 1B and Gomez/Morgan are splitting time at CF? While I agree with you completely on Nieves being the only RH bat off the bench, I think I'd rather be assured of keeping Kottaras and getting rid of Nieves only if a viable backup IF is available to be had via FA or trade. Almonte seems like an unnecessary spare part because of Kotsay. How many teams keep SIX OF? The more I think about it, the more I expect to see Kottaras dealt for a backup IF, even though I disagree with the move.

Some of my post is still relevant from the other thread I posted that will be locked: With Lucroy expected to be back this week, I can't help but believe that Reed will be the one optioned out as he brings nothing to the team and truly appears to be the 6th OF, behind Braun, Gomez, Morgan, Kotsay & Almonte. When Hart returns, the Brewers then will have 6 OF again. I believe we will see Almonte optioned out, as he will never see the field, leaving the rotation of LF Braun, CF Gomez/Morgan, RF Hart, with Kotsay as the backup 1B/5th OF/PH. The bench would obviously be catcher heavy but would look like: OF: Morgan, Kotsay IF: Counsell C: Kottaras, Nieves Like I said, catcher heavy and light on IF, but would allow Kottaras to be used more as a PH without fear of burning the backup C. Not sure if I like it, but I would rather have Kottaras and Nieves than Almonte.

What will the Brewer bench look like when Lucroy and Hart come back? I know Roenicke is already on record stating that it will be difficult to make a decision between Nieves and Kottaras as each brings some different, Nieves the D, Kottaras the O. However, I have to wonder if the Brewers might not just keep both and send out someone else. The way Kottaras can swing the bat might make him a decent option for PH late in the game and RR would not have to worry about burning his backup C as Nieves would be available. With Lucroy expected to be back this week, I can't help but believe that Reed will be the one optioned out as he brings nothing to the team and truly appears to be the 6th OF, behind Braun, Gomez, Morgan, Kotsay & Almonte. When Hart returns, the Brewers then will have 6 OF again. I believe we will see Almonte optioned out, as he will never see the field, leaving the rotation of LF Braun, CF Gomez/Morgan, RF Hart, with Kotsay as the backup 1B/5th OF/PH. The bench would obviously be catcher heavy but would look like: OF: Morgan, Kotsay IF: Counsell C: Kottaras, Nieves Like I said, catcher heavy and light on IF, but would allow Kottaras to be used more as a PH without fear of burning the backup C. Not sure if I like it, but I would rather have Kottaras and Nieves than Almonte. EDIT: Whoops. Didn't see the other topic. Lock and Delete...

Before I respond, I have no illusions of Prince being in Milwaukee next year. What I am about to say is more a hypothetical: If your numbers are true (I am not sure why you expect a 30% increase in arbitration to $18MM next year as Marcum, McGehee & Morgan are the only players I see getting a significant boost and I already had Marcum penciled in for an extension), then a Prince deal won't happen regardless of whether or not he would accept it. Based on your speculation, even if Prince were to come to management and say I will accept the "reported" 5yr/$100MM deal, the Brewers could not do it because of financial restraints. My point was that if they have the financial wherewithal to offer Fielder that deal, they could reallocate those funds to re-signing other, arguably more important, players like Greinke and Marcum. I don't know. Maybe Weeks' extension closed the door on the ability to offer Fielder that extension, but I have not heard anything reported that gives me that impression.

Why can't I simply dedicate the entire Prince deal to other players? $100MM is $100MM. Sure you can slice it up and say Year 1: $18MM, Year 2: $19MM, Year 3: $20MM, Year 4: $21MM, Year 5: $22MM but in the end it still equals $100MM. If we are capable of expending up to $20MM/year to re-sign Prince, then we certainly are capable of using those funds to sign other players. Similarly, like Monty stated RF, LF, 2B are locked into long term deals already, and you yourself stated in the above response about league minimum salaries, Lucroy/C, Gamel/1B will be around there for the next few years. Same for the bullpen (Axford, Braddock, Loe, Stetter, etc..). Plus Gomez/Morgan/CF, McGehee 3B will still be relatively affordable for the next few seasons. Where else should we spend the money but to extend Greinke and Marcum and possibly sign a SS since it is the only real hole in the lineup that can't be filled internally in 2012?

If we assume "Prince Money" is 5year/$100MM or $20MM/year, I'd rather "Prince money" be used to extend Greinke and Marcum (assuming they pitch to form) and sign JJ to a more affordable contract. My proposal is based on: 1. Greinke makes $13.5MM through 2012. Re-sign Greinke to a 5year/$100MM ($20MM/year) deal. The difference between $13.5MM and $20MM is $6.5MM. 2. Marcum makes $3.95MM this season. Re-sign Marcum to a 4 year/$36MM ($9MM/year) deal. The differnce between $3.95MM and $9MM is $5MM 3. Sign JJ to a 3 year/$15MM deal. Adds $5MM, but you can subtract YuBet's $4MM and add his $2MM buyout, giving you a net $3MM gain. If my math is correct, adding $6.5MM to Greinke, $5MM to Marcum and $3MM to JJ, adds $14.5MM to the payroll. Subtract Fielder's 2011 salary of $15.5MM, and a re-signed Greinke, Marcum and signed JJ, plus a Gamel $500k salary, gives you 4 players for the price of one Prince. I'm available to be the Brewers GM if you wish guys.

Yes and no. There isn't much in the way of split allegiances i.e. I'm a Angel fan in the NL and Padres fan in the AL. Mostly what you find is ambivalence towards the other teams except for when they play their rival hence my point about Angel fans rooting for the Giants or Padres against the Dodgers. You are just as likely to find an Angel/Cub or Dodger/White Sox fan as you are an Angel/Padre fan. You are much more likely to find someone like myself who roots for an out of state team like the Brewers and when they don't win, root for any or all of the state of California teams.

Your 2011 Milwaukee Brewers bench includes Jeremy Reed, Mark Kotsay and Wil Nieves, 3 players who can't hit, field or run. Awesome.

To trade Fielder now you would have to deal him to a team who will go after him in the offseason. This limits where the trade partners are. Any deal would almost assuredly be reliant upon an extension and a window to negotiate an extension would be given. So who can afford him and who has the pieces we'd need to deal him in season. Based on that criteria, I'd say the Nationals, Orioles, Angels, Dodgers, Cubs, Yankees, Mariners. We're not trading him to Chicago so they are out. The Angels don't have a SS that is significantly better. The Dodgers SS (Furcal) is a FA after this season. The Yankees don't have a SS we'd deal for. The Mariners with Ackley, Wilson, Figgins, Ryan have decent options but aren't legit playoff contenders so why deal for Fielder when they can sign him in the offseason. That leaves the Nationals and Orioles. I'd have to imagine the Orioles or Nationals would make JJ or Ian Desmond available in a Fielder deal. But you don't just deal Fielder for JJ from the O's. That's where the additional pieces fit and why I think a Jones/Hardy deal from the Orioles for Fielder makes sense for both teams. Lee and Guerrero are both FAs after this season so the O's could flip one or the other for a prospect and not blink with an acquired and resigned Fielder. Jones is a stud and losing him would stink for the O's, but Fielder is a superstar and would likely hit 50 HRs a year in that ballpark. You make that deal everytime if you are the O's in my opinion because Fielder is resigned. You don't even contemplate dealing Jones without Fielder being resigned. Hardy is more filler as he fills a massive hole for us. As for the Nationals, I am less familiar with them and their system but certainly an Ian Desmond SS would be worth a resigned Fielder, especially consdiering they have Zimmerman, Werth and the upcoming Bryce Harper and Strasburg and Zimmermann as the pitchers. They could be very close with a traded for and resigned Fielder and when they get Strasburg back. What would make sense for us from the Nationals besides Ian Desmond?

Are we better without Prince? Well it depends on what you mean. Scenario #1 Prince Leaves Via FA: If you are asking if we are better once he leaves via free agency, well that is a rather emphatic no. Simply inserting Gamel or a FA 1B is not going to make this team any better overall. No one we get will replace Prince's offense next season and any defensive improvement will not come close to offset the missing offense. Scenario #2 Prince Trade During 2011 Season: This is more compelling and I will, for argument's sake, say that we would be better served this season to deal Prince for bats. This is what I think the Brewers should have done after acquiring Greinke, even though we told Greinke we were keeping Prince. Once Greinke and Marcum were acquired, we had the ability to not necessarily deal Prince for pitching and could have dealt him for hitting. If we could have had any of the following deals, for example, would we be better in 2011 without Fielder than we are now? Now if these teams would have offered these deals is up for debate, but that is the premise of the argument of us being better in 2011 without Prince: Trade #1 Prince to Atlanta for Nate McLouth and Freddie Freeman: McLouth replaces Gomez in CF and Freeman is the 1B of the future for Milwaukee. Doesn't solve our SS issue but gives us a better player now in CF and hopefully 6 years of 1B security. Atlanta gets Fielder relatively cheaply. For the Brewers, is Freeman/McLouth better than Fielder/Gomez. Maybe not this year, but for the future, possibly. Trade #2 Prince to Baltimore for Adam Jones and JJ Hardy I was pushing this deal in the offseason. Jones is a good bat and defender and replaces Gomez in CF and Hardy solves the SS issue now. Gamel becomes the 1B and the lineup looks a lot more balanced than what it currently does. Baltimore would have been given a window to resign Prince as I think they will offer him the contract he is looking for and could have gotten something done hence the willingness to deal Jones. For the Brewers, is Jones/Hardy/Gamel better than Gomez/Betancourt/Fielder? ABSOLUTELY! Trade #3 Prince to Los Angeles for Matt Kemp and James Loney: Everything I read out in L.A. this offseason said Kemp WAS available for trade this offseason, now probably not. Loney can't hit for power in Dodgers Stadium and is certain to be gone when his contract is up. Prince brings star power to L.A. (something sorely lacking right now) and a team that, despite McCourt's financial troubles, can afford him. Kemp replaces Gomez and Loney replaces Prince. Once again does nothing for SS, but for the Brewers is Kemp/Loney better than Fielder/Gomez? Probably. Like I said, I am not sure if these trades are realistic but from my standpoint I don't see them as being one-sided for Milwaukee. Trade #1 makes Atlanta the best team in the NL IMO. Trade #2 makes Baltimore borderline scary if their pitching develops. I believe that for the Brewers, these trades make them better long term. Whether or not they are fair...well, I believe they are.

Nyjer Morgan profiles exactly to "Running Ron's" aggressive base running mentality. Morgan tries to get on base any way possible, not hit home runs. We can't be Running Ron's team with the (pun fully intended) "Warning Track Power" of Gomez failing to get on base.

My guess is that having teams that are close geographically but in opposite leagues makes it easier for people to be fans of both teams, thus getting more TV viewers; especially later in the year when perhaps one team is out of the running and a fan can adopt their team from the other league to be their team the rest of the year. This doesn't work in the major markets like New York and Chicago where nobody is simultaneously a Mets AND Yankees fan, or a Cubs AND Sox fan, but I think it works in places like Texas and California. Wrong on the California part. I know no one here who is both a Dodger AND Angel fan or a Giant AND Athletic fan. Likewise, no one is a Dodger AND Giant fan or Dodger AND Padre fan unless you are a fan of another team outside the state. People like myself, who are Brewers fans, turn to state teams to root for once their team is eliminated but only because they do not emotionally invest themselves into these secondary teams. For example, when the Brewers were eliminated in the NLDS in 2008, I cheered like crazy for the Dodgers in the NLCS but wasn't depressed or downtrodden when they lost. Dodger fans root against the Angels, Padres and Giants when the Dodgers have been eliminated. Same for Angel and Padre fans, although there is a weird camraderie between Angel and Padre fans; probably because of their mutual Dodger hatred. Something akin to the Mets and Red Sox both hating the Yankees.

Flip Kottaras and Betancourt for me and that should be the lineup until Lucroy/Hart return. 1. Morgan 2. Weeks 3. Braun 4. Fielder 5. McGehee 6. Kottaras 7. Betancourt 8. Gomez 9. Pitcher Eesh...even that ideal looks rough at 7-8. But injuries do that to you. The only truly abyssmal thing in that lineup is YuBet. Everything else is serviceable considering Hart/Lucroy injuries as Gomez is probably a below average #4 and an above average #5 OF and Kottaras is probably an average backup C.

You should have asked Sheets if he thought he could put up a lower ERA than Wolf even with a torn flexor tendon.

Won't need it tomorrow. Big win for the Crew tomorrow. 4-2 to finish the homestand and we'll forget about this little 0-4 start. Let's go guys!

I know it's only 4 games in, but I have come to the conclusion that when we get healthy, our top 8 players should be on the field and that means Nyjer Morgan should be inserted into the everyday lineup. Since we have dug ourselves not an insurmountable hole, but it is still is a (hole) nonetheless, we don't have the luxury of praying Gomez works out. Gomez, even with my high hopes is, well, Gomez. It's apparent. The words "pinch" and "runner" come to mind. The hole we dig ourselves cannot get too much bigger before action is taken to remove the lineup of Nieves, Kotsay, Gomez and Betancourt. *Lucroy will be back within a week or two solving the Nieves problem (hopefully keeping Kottaras). *Hart will eventually return but until then we will have to make due with Kotsay/Almonte. *I don't see the easiest remedy for Betancourt removal yet save a straight platoon with Counsell which isn't ideal either. *Gomez is the only real candidate for removal since we have a better player already on the roster. How to make the lineup card should be an interesting dillema though for Roenicke once Morgan becomes an everyday player. Lineup #1: Are the Brewers better with Morgan leading off which allows Weeks to drop in the order? Morgan CF Weeks 2B Braun LF Fielder 1B McGehee 3B Hart RF Lucroy C Betancourt SS OR Lineup #2: Are the Brewers better with Morgan around the 8 hole which allows him to see fastballs and hopefully get on base in front of the pitcher? Weeks 2B Hart RF Braun LF Fielder 1B McGehee 3B Lucroy C Betancourt SS Morgan CF OR Lineup #3: The unlikely lineup but might be worth taking a chance on seeing the pop Rickie has developed CF Morgan RF Hart LF Braun 1B Fielder 2B Weeks 3B McGehee C Lucroy SS Betancourt I'll take lineup #1. I'm still hopeful for the season. This has been a trying first week but we'll get this turned around. The right guys need to start playing though. That is apparent. An influx of more Morgan/Lucroy and less Gomez/Nieves is just the start. NOW FIND A REAL SS!! EDIT: Interesting that typing "a" and "hole" next to each other ends up being changed into !$%!&. Didn't mean it as a curse.