The stache

Well, Jonathan Lucroy is hitting the piss out of the ball. That, at least, makes me happy. Five home runs in his last seven games. After a really slow start to the season, Luc is up to .277 with 13 HR and 52 RBI. On a pace for 23 HR and 91 RBI. That's great production from a catcher.

Carlos Gomez is batting .190 for the month of July, and 1 for his last 25. So, what does Ron Roenicke do? He moves him from third to fourth in the lineup. Makes perfect sense.

Trade somebody to Seattle for Montero. I'd LOVE to have him in Milwaukee. I don't think he's done by a long shot. They screwed him up by trying to develop him as a catcher, which he clearly was never going to be. Put Montero at first base, and let him get his stroke back. He's still very much a guy capable of hitting .290-.300 with 20+ HR and a buttload of doubles.

Axford.

Luc with home runs in three games in a row. 11 on the season, along with 48 RBI.

The articles I read about the DBacks and Brewers talking involved multiple pitchers, Yo being one of them. There's no reason to think that the Brewers wouldn't package Gallardo and somebody like Axford together for Skaggs. And I don't think his being called up to the Majors diminishes the likelihood that he'll be traded. Rather, they might be showcasing him for potential trading partners. Gallardo, KRod or Axford and a minor leaguer for Skaggs. Or hell, Gallardo, Ramirez, and a minor league arm. Do it. Skaggs immediately becomes the best pitcher in our organization. His ceiling is very high.

That's pretty awful. Wasn't Davis just called back up from AAA?

Thank you, H4P. Been in here almost two weeks fighting an infection after I broke my leg in two places. I guess I'm hoping to see a silver lining in tonight's game, something that wouldn't appear in the box score. Looks like the pitching and defense has been atrocious, but Carlos Gomez and Nori Aoki have had nice games. I have to concentrate on the positive.

How are we looking tonight, guys? I'm still stuck in the hospital, so I can't access mlb.tv. The wireless connection here isn't strong enough to do anything but frustrate the hell out of me.

Tyler Skaggs for Yo? I'd do that every day, and twice on Sunday. He'd immediately become the best pitching prospect we've had since Ben Sheets. And I've already got his card http://imageshack.us/a/img685/6350/12chrometskaggs.png A lefty with a nasty fastball/curveball/changeup combo? Yes please! Do it, Dougie!

Not that I can think of. And I think you hit the nail on the head. He really nibbles too much.

Thank you, TLB. I thought it would make for an interesting discussion. Harper, Trout and Matt Moore were the big three before last year started (and I really, really like Moore. He's going to be a great pitcher for a long time). Machado was a top 10 ranked prospect. Segura was the wild card. I thought he was slightly underrated as a prospect even before we got him, and when he won the winter league batting title, I was really excited to see what he could do starting the season off at Milwaukee. He's performed as well as any of these other guys. It funny that the two positions that are the hardest to find superstars for, center field and shortstop, we have stars. Now if we could just get some pitching, and Ryan Braun healthy and cleared of these issues....

You are the General Manager of the Milwaukee Brewers. You are given the chance to acquire one of the top three young players in the game: Manny Machado. Mike Trout. Bryce Harper. Or, you can pass on those three young superstars, and sign Jean Segura to a long term deal. How you're able to get these players isn't really isn't important. This is purely hypothetical. Here is a side by side comparison of their production thus far (numbers not updated for Wednesday's games). http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/5201/2zg.png Who do you add to your team? Or, do you choose to keep Segura, and sign him to a long term contract? For me, this is a really difficult call. Jean Segura has shown more power than I anticipated at a young age. He can hit for average, and he's highly successful when stealing bases. For his career, he's got a near 91% success ratio, and he's 23 of 25 this year (92%). Defensively, he's a Gold Glove waiting to happen. He's got incredible range, and a rocket arm. If I have the chance to sign him long term, I think I take it. Superstar shortstops don't grow on trees. Of the three players I could have, I'd probably take Machado. I think there's more power coming yet. He's already showing great hitting abilities, and defensively he's incredible at third. I heard something mentioned a few weeks ago on MLB Network-Machado just seems "smooth". Trout and Harper are spectacular talents, but I worry about their durability, Harper especially. Machado puts himself in a position where he can minimize the wear and tear on his body. Harper has the best pure power potential in the game. He and Giancarlo Stanton both have 50 + home run capability. However, if Harper doesn't learn how to pace himself, he'll become the second coming of Mickey Mantle with all the injuries. You have to believe this scare with the knee swelling gets through to him. He can't play like Pete Rose all the time. Harper might have the best arm strength of the three players. Trout is the wild card. He's got the best pure speed, and I don't see him losing a step any time soon. Like Segura, he plays a premium position (center field. This is where the Angels need to keep him). Trout could be a 30 HR 50 stolen base every year (he's successful about 90% of the time), and hit .290 to .310 every season. He's a real weapon atop the lineup, and he's got a fine OBP (.399 last year, .384 this season). What would you guys do, and why?

I will say it again, I am very happy for Rickie. I hate seeing him struggle. He's smoking the ball now, and it couldn't come at a better time.

http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/9422957/fed-brian-cashman-tells-alex-rodriguez-new-york-yankees-shut-up Oh, to be a fly on the wall for that conversation.

It feels really good to see Rickie having success again. We are depleted, and if this hot streak keeps up, maybe we can move a little closer to .500. http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m573cm446k1rtjw1mo1_250.gif I wish I could have seen the game, but no Roku at the hospital. Good for you, Rickie!!!!!

That's "Big John Hellweg called up", TooLiveBrew. I would love to see him strike out 10 +, just to see Angels fans apoplectic.

I've got to give Rickie some props, too. The average is up to .219, and he's really cut down on the strikeouts. Only 5 in the last 10 games. That's awesome! I'm glad to see he's getting back on track.

Holy cow, this is what I get for sleeping in. Back to back 2-0 shutouts. I love it! LOL. Time to watch this one on the Roku.

Does nothing for me. The guy fell down, and looked stupid doing so.

I got this in today: http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/1213/4hv8.png Sean was 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI, including his 9th home run of the year, to go with a .287 average and 33 RBI. Why, oh why, is he not even getting a look?

Wily's capable of great things if he can just stay consistent. I just wish we had a better pitching coach to help him when he's not.

Unbelievable. LOL, Teheran works out of it.

First and second with now outs, now bases loaded with two outs. Please tell me we're going to score here. Come on Logan!