uwisfan

I too feel Fielder's value to the org is for the pitching he can bring us. I really don't have anything against him, I'm just not going to go 'gaga' over a 270-lb Boras client because he can hit 50 dingers and is an increasing liability on the field as he eats himself out of a position. I like his ability to hit and he will break out of his slump and turn into a very great hitter. But this org has done a great job at identifying potential bats which limits his value. Get what you can for him, free up LaPorta, and bring in a young ace pitcher via trade for him. Yes, I would have been a bigger fan of his this year if he'd said "I understand the economics and my time will come". I would have liked it if he'd been a serious offseason regiment that had him dropping 10 lbs instead of gaining 10 lbs. I'd have liked it if he came out belting homeruns and hiting for average like last year. But instead, he complained about not getting his fair shake, he came in overweight, and he is not hitting his numbers. I'm not bashing him, I actually like and will continue to cheer for him. But until Prince shows a better commitment to the team and turns it around, I'm not going to get overly excited about him. He's a very talented player and it's a business. This doesnt make me a "dumb fan", I just prefer Braun's attitude - always have. Besides a long-term commitment, he has accepted his pay graciously, he has a proven drive to stay in shape and succeed for the long term. He doesnt sweat the details about not making enough, because he recognizes that once you make x number, its all gravy - which it is. And for those players that want to make more than what the Crew can pay? More power to them! As long as they don't complain about "only" making X million, I'm not annoyed.

fans are on him, not just because they're fickle, looking for a bargain, or dumb. They are on him because they don't like the attitude of "gimme my money" with nothing in return. The fans in general understand the economics and are willing to pay if they feel the players are appreciative of what they have and respect the team, the city, and how the system works. Especially in baseball, where players have every luxury in relation to other sports. How many fans complained when Favre signed his record contract? Or Michael Redd or even an heavily underperforming Tim Thomas who got max money? Even if players can't perform up to the expectation, if they put in the effort and act appreciative of their lot in life, the fans will not complain about them. What Wisconsin fans don't like are highly paid athletes complaining about their paychecks. You signed an unfavorable deal? That's the business. You are still making a ton more than anyone else. Sometimes you get a contract that favors you, sometimes it doesn't. Prince has the option to cash in and get $50M tomorrow and we're supposed to empathize with him not making enough because his agent is unwilling to cash him in? Tough luck. Cry me a river. If that's how you want to play it, go out there and play your game and shut your mouth. Don't come out to the media complaining about "not getting yours" because you are too greedy to accept $50 million. Is he worth more? If he can stay healthy, sure he can make more. He is the one calling the shots though and don't pawn that off on the fans not understanding. Fans would have no problem backing him if he didn't say a peep and cashed in with the Yankees after his tenure. But he has the benefit of the most powerful union in sports behind him and the most powerful agent in sports behind and he is going to make top bank and he's going to vent about not getting his? Please. And that goes for any athlete. If they want to cash in somewhere else, more power to them. Except in a case like Coco, where he didn't give the Crew a fair shake at re-signing him. The fans won't begrudge you unless you pull a Mike Mckenzie, Gary Sheffield, or a Javon Walker. When you are a highly-paid athlete on track to receive a ton of money, and then that's not good enough, its frustrating for the fans to go out and support that attitude. It's a game that the fans are paying a high price to make you uber-rich. Enjoy it and act like a professional. That is what Braun has done; he didnt have to take a bargain to demonstrate this. Fielder hasn't completely gone the wrong way just yet, but he definitely leans the wrong way.

you look up and down the lineup at the stats and you have to wonder if this is a down year for pitching they are facing. Salome matching Gamel stroke for stroke as well..bot have 3 hits and nearly identical averages (obviously Gamel with more PAs).

Not at all. Hall has been atrocious all year vs righties. He came in as focused as ever and delivered, changing his approach and getting on base. Great focus, great results. The sitdown probably played a huge factor imo.

billy hall wins it..gotta love it..maybe this will get him on track..notice it started with going the other way off a righty instead of pulling it

love the camera work..crowd screaming everyone excited and a closeup of the catcher Edit: this was in reference to Hall's steal which was unbeknown to the camera crew

billy going the other way? now i've seen it all

you keep thinking its impossible for Gamel to raise his batting average and then it happens

reading BF.net is probably why turner south flashed the HR signal. They looked at the 3 possible outcomes so it must have been a HR.

I'm definitely concerned this signals the end of the road for Riske & Gagne.

wow, thanks!

I'm in if they're available!

as you say, the players are not playing up to their potential. They know it, the fans know it, and the fans will also 'let them know it'. If it's a few guys, you can hold them accountable. If it's the entire team, as it has been, then there's probably a bigger problem. So maybe you are correct in that the bullpen was managed correctly and they just cant perform, or that starters werent getting too quick of a hook this year. Maybe the arm injuries are flukes and all the losses should be placed on the guy that couldnt finish his 4th relief inning in 2 games. Maybe the entire lineup is just in a slump and it has nothing to do with Yost or the confidence he has been able to instill. Maybe, but the team as a whole stinks and nobody - fans or players - seem to have confidence in the direction this team is headed.

is it normal for the GM to sit down with the manager and a position player about him getting platooned?

you are making my point for me. The stands are going to be filled with 'casual fans' for the rest of the season, because the tickets have been purchased. They are going to start getting vocal...

I think fans want and deserve a change. They've been sold on a playoff team this year by management and simply haven't been getting it done in spite of the talent level, just like last year. I think fans going to the games know this and are going to start being vocal about their dissatisfaction with the lack of change.

well I must say with Ash, Melvin, and MA in attendance I have been waiting to hear about the axe coming down on Yost. I think this team needs a fresh start and that won't happen with Yost in charge, regardless if you think he was a decent manager (and I do not). First thing that will happen on this upcoming homestand is that fans will start booing at every little bad thing that happens. The young team will start to get frustrated and angry with themselves and the fan base and this will only grow worse. Let Yost take the fall now and keep the fans interest at least. I'd think they would back this team under the guise of 'new leadership' or rebuilding for a year..

So a guy who was a 15-time all star and first ballot HOF, who played just a decade ago, wouldn't be able to cut it? Wow, your expectations are pretty strong there.

that photo of rouch in gameday is freaking me out

this moving kendall to the 8-hole is the perfect remedy for Hardy's average

braunie having a tough time fielding those line drives today

this lineup shakeup thing is really turning our hitting around, alright

it may be a small sample but all reports have his glove heading in the right direction. It's clearly the best spot the organization can put him in to remain flexible.

assuming Sheets is a Type A FA, he already is worth at least 2 top draft picks, so he's at least as valuable as Linebrink.

his fielding percentage has improved significantly, so it represents a significant increase over last year, even if his total numbers are Braun-esque. Hall also has 11 errors.. Anyways, I believe most of those errors came in April (I could be wrong, but it seems he's been at 11 for some time).