jmeks23

Apparently this rumor has been squashed, but the Nationals are still very interested. Haudricourt among many others reporting that.

I personally didn't like Morgan batting second as doesn't walk much and strikes out a fair amount. His speed, and slap-hitting ability is just far better suited for the leadoff spot. So basically, your standard everyday lineup (against RHP) : Morgan Hart Braun Ramirez Weeks Gamel Lucroy Gonzalez Vs. LHP would be a little more confusing due to Gomez sucking offensively I'd probably go: Hart Gomez Braun Ramirez Weeks Lucroy Gamel Gonzalez If Gonzalez is hitting relatively well he'd probably be my 2 hitter vs LHP.

Agreed, Nats is best because of the pick (#16) and the Rangers are the best because of how awesome the Rangers offense will be. Plus they're in the AL West so I don't feel guilty.

I saw Gomes on Intentional Talk breaking out the 1B glove. Maybe he wouldn't be a terrible pick-up if he can back up Gamel.

I still don't get why everyone is discounting the Brewers (at least nationally). The Cardinals have done nothing to improve, and adding Wainwright back isn't going to make them win 96 instead of 90. If you doubt that, then see 2010 when they had Carpenter and Wainwright and won 88 games. They honestly were not even a better team than the Brewers this past year, BUT they were the hottest team in the postseason, and that's really all that matters in October. As far as the Brewers go, losing Fielder and possibly Braun will definitely hurt, but you also get a more solidified rotation to start those 50 games before Braun is back. The team is also better defensively by default because of Gonzalez, Ramirez, and Gamel. Yes, Gamel and Ramirez are not light years better than McGehee and Fielder, but they are both far more athletic and that by default should be better off. If Gamel can stop line drives to the right side, he's an immediate improvement IMO. The offense should be more balanced when Braun is back, and although lacking the big-time power of Prince, it should be made up with a combo of Ramirez, Gamel, and even Gonzalez to a point. As far as the Reds go, they improved their pitching staff for sure, but I'm still not sure Chapman will be any good, and then you have a Latos (a FB pitcher) in Great American Smallpark instead of Petco. To me, he's going to look similar to Garza did this past year. Struggle to adjust to the far smaller ballparks. Cueto looks to be solid, then you have 2 other big question marks. They don't even have a closer at all, and people are saying they're better than the Brewers are right now with 2 closers. Lack of media love for the Crew isn't surprising, but I hate this 'what have you done for me lately' attitude society has right now. Because the Crew hasn't had a blockbuster deal, they're the 3rd best team in the division.

Heyward is athletic enough to play any OF position. However, I think the Hart to ATL thing has faded off. I just don't see it anymore, mid 2010 yes, perhaps even last off-season but not now.

Yeah, easily Ramirez. He's older but he's also in better shape then McGehee. Also, Ramirez has been doing it far longer than McGehee. You couldn't even do more than a 3 year average for McGehee because he didn't break the bigs (because Ramirez was better than him) until 2009.

The thing you're forgetting is Gamel was posting those numbers at 23, 24, 25, and now 26. This isn't a fluke. Does that mean he'll be hammering major league pitching? I don't know. But to say his stats in the minors aren't impressive because of his age is a little shortsighted.

I'm starting to think maybe Craigers will be back. He can still defend although he's old and can't hit worth a lick. At this point one of the only other real versatile guys left is Bill Hall.

The problem with Ishikawa as the back-up is he's also left-handed. Kind of pointless to have Mat Gamel's main backup be LH. In the OF, it matters less but they already have others that could backup the OF that are LH (Schafer, possibly even Gindl).

The Brewers main problem is budget, and even though bench guys typically don't cost much, they still might not be able to stretch it out on 3-4 different guys. Once arbitration is over (particularly for K-Rod) we'll have a better understanding of the budget. I wouldn't put a guy like Punto and Gomes/Nady out of the question though. C Kottaras IF Green IF Punto OF Gomez 1B/OF Gomes/Nady That could potentially work, though Punto at SS scares me.

Yeah I agree, never hated on Ramirez all that much. I actually felt a teensy bit bad when he broke his arm against us a couple years ago. I'm pretty much all in on him though, bring him on. There's risk (like with any FA) but if healthy he's an impact bat, even if he's on the decline. He can still get you quality out of the 4 or 5 hole (depending if they want to bump up Weeks) and he can play 3b at least slightly better then Fatty McGehee. I'd love a lineup of: Morgan Hart Braun Ramirez Weeks Gamel Gonzalez Lucroy

It's unfortunate we missed on Reyes, because playing with Reyes at SS, and Green/Gamel at the corners would've probably been the best scenario. Now you have to mix and match and I don't think you can afford to start Green at 3rd AND Gamel at 1st. Too much liability when they go into cold streaks. That at least would've been better covered up by an impact bat like Reyes. Unfortunately the best scenario now is Ramirez and Gonzalez/Furcal. If they somehow manage Rollins and Headley that would be good too, but Rollins appears bound to Philly and I doubt Headley moves in the offseason.

Heath Bell was wearing the uni and the cap on MLB Network today and my god are they hideous. I was on the fence on that original picture (just because it was "Miami" colors) but I'm off it. They are terrible looking.

Would you buy a $10,000 car you saw a picture of? Probably not. Now magnify that by many millions of dollars and you'll see why it's not smart to go exclusively off of tape.

Thanks for the responses. I actually got the shirt today, so I never did get a confirmation email but I got the shirt haha. And thebruce44, those shirts on your site are amazing, I'll be purchasing from there very soon.

All indications are that they are still up and running, but I purchased a T (one of the old designs from RFB) about 4 days ago and haven't even received a notice that they even got the order period. I got a receipt from PayPal (because I paid for it right away) but nothing from FF. I guess I'm just wondering if anyone has ordered from them before and if they know if this is usual? I just don't want to have wasted 15 bucks http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/eyes.gif Thanks.

I would be happy with either guy, if the price is right obviously. Gonzalez or Furcal would be good fall back options as well. So long as we don't exceed 100MM for Reyes or 35 MM for Rollins, I'd be okay with the deals.

The problem is Fielder just isn't worth it to the Brewers. I HIGHLY doubt he would settle for anything less than 150 MM and considering they have a contract similar to that already in Braun, it just isn't feasible. I think the highest they can go is what they offered him last year, 5/100. I think that's their max for any free agent to be honest.

I don't even feel like Loe should be on the team next year, at least not for what he's due in arbitration. You're going to be paying him close to what you paid Saito this year, and that's far too much. He's a good groundball pitcher that shouldn't be used in many high leverage situations. That type of guy screams league minimum to me.

Sorry but there's not many 'outstanding' young SS's in the game to begin with. You certainly wouldn't give one up for Randy Wolf. I think you're 'homer' valuing Wolf. He could net a good prospect, but multiple good ones (with one being 'outstanding') is a little out on a limb.

Then I'm pretty sure he would have called the Royals a crap team for every single year he played with them.

The Brewers would be really foolish to resign Prince UNLESS he's willing to take the original offer they gave him of 20MM a year. Other than that it just doesn't make sense financially. The 1-2 punch is epic, but unless Fielder's suddenly willing to take what would likely be the worst offer on the table, it's just not realistic.

I probably wouldn't mind having both of those guys, considering their pay per year would end up being close to what Reyes would get alone. It hinders Taylor Green's progress however, but he could still be a bench player, and fill in for Ramirez if needed. It is indeed interesting though. As far as what Geezy said about the lineup, I personally don't think that Morgan or Gomez should be batting 2nd next year. It worked this year, but both players are not very patient (Gomez isn't at all) and their speed goes to waste in front of Braun. Plus, neither are really RBI guys for Reyes (if he's who they get). I'd prefer one of Gamel or Green getting AB's in front of Braun. Possibly even Hart, but it might hurt the bottom of your lineup then. Preferred lineup: Reyes Green Braun Weeks Hart Gamel Morgan Lucroy Obviously, if they find a replacement 1B or 3B it changes, or if Gamel/Green are struggling mightily, but overall it's not a bad lineup. You still have power threats throughout the lineup, and Reyes, Braun, Weeks, and probably Gamel are all good OBP guys. Backup Plan: Morgan Green Braun Weeks Hart Gamel Barmes/Furcal Lucroy Not as bad as you'd think, considering Morgan is a good spark plug as well, but not nearly as potent as with Reyes. I still like Braun batting 3rd because your best hitter should get as many AB's as possible. That's why Pujols, Votto, etc. bat 3rd still as well. I still predict there will be at least one influential trade this offseason made by the Brewers, to go along with some FA moves (whether big or small). That will make the lineup clearer obviously.

9 years, 225 M is what I read. Pujols just might go for something like that if it's true. I don't think the Cards can offer that much with the other obligations they have, and I'm not sure even Albert Pujols is worth that kind of money at his age.