Thurston Fluff

It'd still work out for the Cards if they're traded for a needle mover.

It's easier to do when you know how to do it.

I think you mean drive a parade through.

Fair point. The unknown goes both ways. Which makes a deal even less likely.

Things I'm optimistic about today. We'll never have to hear about the need for a needle mover at the trade deadline again. The argument that you have to go all in or you'll never win is ended. We don't have to deal with this offense isn't built for the playoffs talk ever again. The debate about whether the all in approach is better than the more bites at the apple approach is over. If we would have won it with the all in model we'd no longer have Henderson and the all in people would be saying I told you so and we wouldn't have had any way to prove we could have won it anyway. Now we don't have to argue to a brick wall that they could have won with Henderson too.

I doubt they sign him before the lockout is over. Partially because it makes little sense to sign a guy before you know what the economic landscape is going to be. Mostly because signing him would force them to put him on the 40 man roster. Anyone on the 40 man can't play during a lockout. Why would they interrupt his development timeline for no reason? I have little doubt they're talking about parameters of a deal but they're not going to actually make a deal until the future of the game is settled.

I think it was Melvin was the one who brought back a winning culture. Granted he followed the build a team for a short window model vs the more bites at the apple which is not my preference. But as long as a GM holds true to their philosophy they can win doing either. I think some of the avenues of team building changed over the past decade wasn't available to Melvin. Or at least it only started in 2012 with the international signing rules changes. By the time the Brewers to set up a proper scouting and development system he was at the end of his time here. Melvin didn't have a chance at the Churio's or Made's of the world because the rich teams could just buy all of them. Melvin had his faults. He ignored defense and couldn't consistently develop pitching. Pretty much the opposite of Stearns who never found enough offense. But overall Melvin was as important as anyone is brining the organization back from the abyss.

Arnold no doubt walked into a good situation but he did help build said situation. I think the lesson to be learned is it's never just one person to turn things around. The Cubs and Mets should have learned that lesson now but I question if they are even now.

He deserves some credit but he didn't come into an empty cupboard situation like Doug Melvin did. Melvin was a competent GM who brought the Brewers back to respectability. He never finished the job but he left the team with enough major league talent to restock the farm. A farm that wasn't exactly barren anyway. I think Mark A. deserves credit for sticking with Melvin and learning the ropes. It gave him time to understand the situation and learn what he needed to do for this team to succeed. Melvin, having successfully built two horrible franchises to respectability (even if he did fail to win it all with either) was a good person to help with that. The transition was easier for Stearns because he didn't have to tear it all down to the studs and start completely over. Plus he had an owner who took the time to learn from someone who understood how to build a decent team. All he had to do was implement his system into an already functional organization.

Rereading it I didn't do a very good job of saying what I meant. Basically they'll be doing what they would in five and six but won't have the option of being additional help in game six and seven. It might only be an inning or two but those are obviously important innings. Few teams have the option of multiple relievers who can routinely shut down a team for multiple innings like the Brewers do. That makes the extra inning or two from their top two starters all the more important.

I get why Tampa did this but it does make it less likely they'll be available in a game six/seven all hands on deck situation. Or at least not as effective. One reason you pitch your best early is to have them late.

I'm not a fan of the NFL either. The only time I ever watch it is if I'm with someone that's watching it. MY point about the NFL was solely about the effect evening the playing field has on innovation and competence of the organization. While some teams can strip things down most poorly run teams end up back in the basement in short order or never leave it. AT the same time other teams manage to stay competitive year in and year out. Which leads me to believe innovation and competence will matter regardless of how even the playing field is.

I think competency is as important when there's a cap and revenue sharing. Possibly more so. The NFL actively works for competitive balance and you still see certain teams continuously win and other lose. I'm not worried the Mets are suddenly going to be as good year in and year out because the Brewers can pay compete for players. My worry about a salary cap and revenue sharing is teams like the Brewers start to make decisions based on something other than value for the dollar. Things like paying Willy Adames because he was so important in the clubhouse type of deals are what I hope to avoid.

I don't know if we will or not but one benefit of the 'more bites at the apple' approach is it makes it more likely. But lets win one first.

Kaukauna high school wrestling coach Jeff Matczak is retiring. He's going out with six consecutive state titles along with... Career Record: 585–61–3. 10 Team State Championships. 24 Team State Tournament Appearances 28 FVA Conference Championships including the last 21 in a row. 24 Individual State Champions 104 State Place Winners 200 State Qualifiers—averaging nearly 6 per year I'm not sure if a coach in any sport that comes close to that.