SoupTown

If he is released (waivers) and is claimed, the other team pays. But if he clears waivers he becomes a free agent. The Brewers must pay the 10 mill. As a free agent he can sign for 500k if he wants to play MLB (but no team, I think will take him). If he does sign at league min, that amount would come off the 10 mill the Crew pay.

Is not Morales a DH only. I heard his D at first is awful. And Doug said how upset he was with the bad D. And that is why Overbay made the team over JuanFran. That all said, I sure hope Boras has lost Mark A's phone number.

Turbo... it is odd we really only have 22 useful players on the roster. Three at the bottom not contributing for various reasons is very strange. I don't worry about Wang. It is not of his making. Weeks (my comeback player of the year, should likely be released) Overbay (is his D that good?) should be released once Morris has a .900+ OPS after a month. But... maybe you don't mess with the chemistry? My preference would be for Overbay and Weeks to each have a three hit game and Wang to pitch (sometime, someplace, in the Crew uniform)

I am stumped. In the first or second inning when Braun dove and caught the line drive he thumped the ground with his open right hand in happiness. My first thought was: 'oh, if you have pain so bad you cannot write or shake hands, how can you thump the ground'. Then he ran off twirling the ball in his right hand with a smile. I was confused. Three home runs later, I am more confused. Obviously it is NOT what it is. I did notice the home runs were kind of wall scrapers, the ones that go into the third row, not the 30th row. I don't know what to think. But you cannot hit three MLB home runs in on game if you are finished.

re our 1st base black hole in the minors... were not two of our last three 'minors players of the year' first baseman. And the third player of the year is a part time first baseman. That then means our minors is really bad... if our best are black holes! Ouch. I sure hope Morris can catch fire for a month. Or Overbay. Or Doug slyly gets Ike. But Ike started well - so his trade value rises. Given that Morris is 26 now, if I recall, he needs to do it NOW! Not even last half of 2014... but NOW. And given he will at best make the majors at 26, he is likely only a platoon half for a couple of years (the magic 26 - 28 years). But, man oh man, AVERAGE at 500k a year would be wonderful, ala Scooter, for 2 or 3 years.

It does amaze me how 'just bad' Rickie looks. He needs a 3 or 4 hit game to give himself some confidence. But, honestly, by looking at him field and run and bat - it does not look good. How can such a talent just evaporate.

If Braun has lost his power, and ends up a 15 homer, 15 steals, 300 ba (360 obp) guy... I would move Braun to number two. And Gomez down. But yes, if Segura and Gomez are line ball on OBP and steals, you might has well have the home run guy NOT at number 1. I am weary looking at Overbay's early sub .100 ba. And I sure hope Morris will have a big couple of months at AAA. He is currently only .800 ops. re lead off obp, Gennett and Davis were higher than Lucroy and Gomez and Segura in 2013. If I were running the lineup, I would have the Gennett/Weeks platoon as leadoff. Then I really agree with Gomez lower down as Danzig says. Mind you, I even have him at 3 below! The guy I don't trust in all the above to repeat his positives of last year is Segura. So, with the injured Braun, the doubtful Segura, I am doing this.... Gennett/Weeks (mostly Gennett) Braun/Shafer (mostly Braun) Gomez ARAM Lucroy Davis Reynolds/Overbay 50/50... and when Reynolds plays third base, just put him in ARAMs spot Segura (and when Bianchi does get a start, this is his spot, anyway!) and when Maldy gets a start, you just put him 8, and move 6/7/8 above to 5/6/7 Ha, ha. Three platoons. And, when push comes to shove, if our starters and bullpen keep on like they started, the lineup order may not matter!

From reading all I can from the participants over the last two days, a lot of disturbing news 1) Melvin said (as recently as yesterday)... it is not an issue right now; so, considering he thinks this is not an issue, viewing what is known from last year, means he hopes some nerve fairy will visit and wand over the damage - and... no issue 2) RRR just says he is tired of talking about it; which leads me to think he has no plan or idea what to do 3) Braun just says 'it is what it is' And here is what it is: Braun cannot feel his thumb so he does not know how hard to grip the baseball when he throws. Braun cannot hold two hands on the bat at the point of contact anymore. He must let go with the right hand as the pain is so severe. Historically he says ONE end of the bat hit last year (in May) caused the pain/tingling/funny bone sensation - and it never went away. There is no known surgery to repair this - aside from removing the nerve - and losing all feeling in the thumb, but Braun stated a 'life long' impact like this would not be considered. Rest (5 months) made the problem go away, but baseball activity caused the problem to come back. It appears the approach is to make some hand padding so at bats, at the point of contact, are not so painful. Now, what to do, given all we know. And we know all there is to know. There is no more to know - as far as RRR and Braun say. It is what it is. It is then factual that Braun will never be the Braun of old - pre thumb. a) is Braun's contract insured; if he cannot play - and the injury is permanent (which it is) - the insurance would pay b) can he become a part time player So fulfil b) would entail i) some training regime that he does not throw much and does not use his right hand much for batting practice ii) a position switch to the least 'throwing' position (say first base?) iii) regular days off and rest (does he become part of a first base platoon and is the right hand bat off the bench and the emergency fifth outfielder) iv) before at bats or games he plays can he take a local pain killing injection v) similar to i) there needs to be some strange training regime created that allows skills to be maintained without using your right hand (will Braunie's batting practice be 100% the left / one armed batting that is used as a training drill - and the right hand only appears in game time) I will guess Braun has enough natural talent and previous training that he may be able to train only a little and be a useful 24/25th roster spot guy. To me those are the only outcomes: medical retirement / insurance payout or judicial use of time to have a very capable 24th/25th 1st baseman / outfielder / pinch hitter It is what it is.

Weeks can hardly file a grievance that he is not gifted 600 PA I will be flabbergasted my entire life that it took Doug and RRR watching all of 2013 to realise that first base was a problem in 2013. What they have now in 2014 was easily achievable with a bit of effort in earl 2013. To actually think our brains trust thought backup shortstops and catchers was a 'solution' is flabbergastering. And they admit their dumbness by their complete tack change in 2014 Dare we guess what the 'unseen' 2014 will be that will attract all focus of 2015

I would be doing cartwheels if we got Ike for Juan. And it could even be a sell, I guess, if Juan is backup to first and third and power bench bat. The reason I like Ike is the article I read on FanGraphs saying what he did early in is career, if he flops, will be the worst flop in the history of baseball. I mean his bad two halves after his good year (at a young age) is HISTORICALLY BAD already. So he is a prime bounce back. And he could have a very good career. I was REALLY annoyed at a Mets comment when they could not trade him for a young MLB starter with upside: "well, if no one wants to give up fair value for Ike, we will just keep him and let him hit is 30+ home runs". (oh, and Ike can play good D at first I hear)

Actually I meant the combined patronage of the thread... the 11 years olds + those in fraternities (which I guess still have 11 year old mental development). Back to Mr Wang... when I looked at the score today I thought 'oh, good, he must have given up some runs' - so Ron can see if he has the mental toughness to pitch in the bigs. But, alas, in checking the box score he gave up NONE.

Overbay playing himself out helps define the roster. In fact, one thing I have noticed this spring is the gap between the MLB (even AAAA) guys and the rest. The longer the spring goes, the more the players sort THEMSELVES out. So with Overbay gone (soon). I think it gets Bianchi back in the 25th spot. Rotation: Gallardo, Lohse, Garza, Estrada, Peralta Bullpen: Henderson, Kintzler, Smith, K-Rod, Wang, Thornburg Lineup: C-Lucroy 1B-JuanFran 2B-Weeks/Scooter platoonish SS-Segura 3B-Ramirez LF-Davis CF-Gomez RF-Braun Bench: C-Maldy, IF/OF-Herrera, OF-Schafer, Bianchi IF, 1B/3B-Reynolds (JuanFran seems to have outplayed Mark for the starter spot!) Start the year one bullpen guy short. When Gorzelanny is back then you need to decide what to do with Weeks/Scooter/Bianchi. Likely Scooter to AAA.

I wonder if we can split this thread into two? One for baseball discussion. And one for the 11 year old / college fraternity gigglings.

Gee I hope we do not have a year of having to find different synonyms for losing multi games each day... today we were edged, topped, and downed. But we did accomplish a 'rally to edge' on the plus side. Actually, I wonder how many different variations there are to use instead of WON or LOST. Off the top of my head... outlasted, held on, snatched from the jaws of victory / defeat (a two way phrase), pummelled, blanked, no hit, one hit, two hit, three hit (they stop about there, don't they?), walked off, destroyed, embarrassed, humiliated, obliterated, catapulted, snuck, squeaked out, let get away, ran away, took away, ... More?

RR drove me nuts in the interview re Wang the other day. RR does not know what Wang is thinking - because he uses an interpreter. And RR wants to see Wang get hit around to see how he responds. So, it is important for RR to be able to Spok-Mind-Meld a pitcher's mind and/or see him pitch badly - to judge him. I don't care if Wang speaks Martian if he rarely gives up a runs. I assume the kid will not break down and cry if someone hits a home run off him. RR could actually send an SMS to Wang's old coaches and ask them. The kid is actually a PROFESSIONAL and has a history. He did not win a throwing contest under the stands to get his shot. And the article talks like keeping or offering back to Pitts is a 50/50 (or more likely offer back!). Is baseball so, so complicated.

Not convinced? If a pitcher throws a lot of meat balls that get smoked for line drives, that pitchers BABIP can be very high... and that is... drum roll... bad luck!? If a pitcher gets behind in the count and the batter is waiting for HIS pitch, and smokes it, and those 'fall behind' pitchers end up with a high BABIP... that is... drum roll... bad luck!? Anyway, you get the idea. It does make sense to me to consider these 'non random' events. Getting behind in the count all the time is NOT random. The events that occur from hanging a breaking pitch or throwing a heater down the can is NOT random. What I find amazing, is such obvious facts are only carefully, gently talked about. It is not 'politically correct' to say such metric-heresies.

This may be a painful question... but if the Brewers were considering Reynolds vs JuanFran as the backup 1st base / 3rd base role... which has better D. Is either passable? In reading how Morris is very good v righties, I was also wondering if 2015 will be a repeat of 2014... a platoon, but 2015 will have YOUNG guys. Anyway, that is for another day (year) to think about. My current hope is JuanFran goes to an American League team that needs a DH. But Reynolds better be passable at 3rd and 1st on D. If JuanFran is passable (or equivalent to Reynolds) on D then I want to keep him. But it is ineed a pick your poison. As least they aint backup middle infielders. What were you thinking in 2013, Doug?

I like the idea of sending JuanFran to Pitts to keep Wang - if we could send him to AA to start. But in all honesty, if the guys has ice in his veins and throws strikes and has stuff, you wont hurt him having him be the last man in the pen for a year. Then next year he goes to AAA as a starter. I am pretty sure Pitts will not work out a deal if the guy is that talented. They will want him back. This was quite a good gamble by Doug. In fact, for years I have said you should take a pitcher in the Rule 5 and contruct your roster to keep him.. if he shows any promise. This is why I like Herrera... shortstop / outfielder. It allows a longer pen. And I am happy Gorzelany will be a couple weeks to start on the DL. And, whilst I am on a roll, I hope the Brewers will give each pitcher a two week rest DL during the year. I am sick and tired of hearing how tired and overused the staff is. Just rotate them for R&R once during the year and bring up an AAA guy... or just keep a 13 man staff. And 1 of the 13 is on 2 week R&R one at a time.

I am pretty sure the outcome with Wang is between the Brewers and Pitts. There is no avenue for him to be claimed by another team

If RRR cannot figure out how to use a leftie with a 96 mph fastball and good curve and 10:1 k:bb ration then I retire as a brewer fan Who are these unnamed people who lamented spending 50k on a mid 90s strike throwing leftie. I have written early and often you do all to kee the guy. I hope RRR is up to the not so difficult challenge

Is there something wrong with the squirrels?

After a week of spring games, it looks like this: Rotation: Gallardo, Lohse, Garza, Peralta, Estrada (did they hint Yovani is going to get opening day?) Bullpen: Henderson, Kintzler, Smith, K-Rod, Wang (Rule V guy), Gorzelanny, Thornburg (Figaro first guy up from AAA if needed) Lineup: C-Lucroy 1B-Reynolds/Overbay 2B-/Weeks SS-Segura 3B-Ramirez LF-Davis CF-Gomez RF-Braun Bench: C-Maldy, IF/OF-Herrera, OF-Schafer, 1B/3B-Francisco There is no place for Scooter until you see if Weeks is a 2014 bust. Wang... throwing strikes and 93mph his first start; surely RRR wants him Who backs up third... I guess Reynolds? or Juan Fran? Maybe for injury Reynolds and for rest vs rightie Juan Fran. I guess we can have TWO lefties in the line up from time to time with Juan Fran at third and OOOOOOOOO at first. Herrera has proved he can indeed play short. And he can play outfield... even center! If that 25 man occurs, you likey have Overbay playing a lot at first, and Reynolds and JuanFran for an impressive (power / K) right /left bench option. The more I look at Bianchi's 550ish OPS over the last two years, you surely would have Herrera as a switch hitter who in 2012 beat anything (900 in AAA, and 671 is LA) Bianchi put up. But... I would still love to see JuanFran with a great spring and get traded to an American League team needing a DH.

I have this great hope that that 'Classic' last year really took its toll on Gallardo. I was trying to find some splits on MPH, but I could not. So, we pretty much have Yo going from a 92.6 mph ave fastall pitcher to 91.7 in 2012 then 90.7 in 2013. Also his secondary pitches are 1 to 2 mph slower. This is what interests me. I have see guys lose MPH on the fastball, but oddly pick up or not lose on changes and cutters, etc. So, we really have Yo as 1) tired or 2) falling apart. I sure hope it was 'tired'. I put this, because he was much better after his two week 'rest' last year, IIRC. Interestingly, I read a wee article 'somewhere' that you can judge if a pitcher is going to have a good year by his Spring velocity. Mind you, what is Yo 'used to' showing in Spring. My hope, really, like all yours, is that Yo has a great year and we pick up the option. And the next year we offer the qualifying offer. But if he is 2) falling apart, we will know quick smart and then you just hope he can smoke and mirrors to a 'decent' era this year before you let him walk

So far so good Mr Weeks. An HR a stolen base and a bundle of walks. As predicted he will have a big spring. Scooter having 6 weeks at aaa will allow us to keep Juan Fran AND Wang. IMO a lot of the Brewer YEAR rides on Weeks spring training. I am following the games like it is in season

You recall Davis won a job last year on the back of 6 spring home runs. By the time the weekend ends, this contest may be finished.