Boomer5

The Brewers just don't get the benefit of building opposing pitch count. So frustrating.

They still need to get pitching.

There's no first basemen available to reasonably upgrade the offense. Since Parra isn't an offensive upgrade over Reynolds, the move of Braun to 1B has low reward.

It would be an impressive move if they can turn Samardzija into Hammels with a less than ace FA contract. If they did that, they would have to start the clock with Bryant et al next year. Personally, I think teams shoot themselves in the foot by worrying too much about the super two. If the worst case is the player is going to be too elite and expensive, that's a heck of a problem to have.

Great trade for both teams. Love's power outlet passes with that team is going to be pure beast mode (with apologies to 2011). The Wolves did great too. I sure wish the Bucks would have traded for #1's rather than junk all these years. They are the kind of team that should demand a #1, even if it is 3 years in the future on every trade they make. I don't recall a front office that churns junk into slightly worse junk trade after trade. There a few exceptions, but sheesh, what a bad FO.

So what's the move with Hammels? Give up Russell in exchange for an ace with a big contract?

Great win! It's nice to have a key game and the other team starts a Jake Peavy. The Brewers don't feel like a first place team to me, but hopefully they will hit their stride soon.

Not really. He has left Boston fans questioning exactly what he specifically actually did for them, and Cubs fans aren't exactly happy with the state of the MLB roster. The Cubs are indeed building some serious hitting talent, and they will try and time their development and low cost years with picking up high priced starting pitching. It can work if they are willing to go all in on a Big three and outbid teams like LA/Boston/NYY. If not, well, we have seen how that goes. I do love their ability to spot electric talent, unlike the Brewers who are driving me insane. Short drive, but still. http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/ No World Series victories from 1918 - 2003. Three World Series victories in the past decade. In today's world where many have the attention span of a gnat, I suppose some Boston fans (in a down year after a World Series win) are indeed questioning "what he specifically actually did for them," but the quick & easy answer to that is that he put together the framework from which they could have sustainable success. He turned around Boston, and then took over a Cubs franchise in a total mess. No one knows what success he will have, but it looks like they are about ready to turn the corner and become a franchise stocked with talent from top to bottom that can sustain success for the long-term. Theo's moves were not ultimately the turning point, take a look at him vs Duquette. His FA moves, in particular, were disastrous. Look, I wish the Brewers had the Cubs prospects for sure, but Theo is grossly over rated.

Not really. He has left Boston fans questioning exactly what he specifically actually did for them, and Cubs fans aren't exactly happy with the state of the MLB roster. The Cubs are indeed building some serious hitting talent, and they will try and time their development and low cost years with picking up high priced starting pitching. It can work if they are willing to go all in on a Big three and outbid teams like LA/Boston/NYY. If not, well, we have seen how that goes. I do love their ability to spot electric talent, unlike the Brewers who are driving me insane. Short drive, but still.

Baseball set themselves up for this. The precedent was set with Braun that they will go hard after anyone involved with Biogenesis. 90 Players will be a massive problem for MLB losing star power and even if these are role players, it will still gut some rosters. The timing of the hammer will be interesting.

The plan works if they can flip Russell for a 1/2 and/or they can sign most of a starting rotation in FA. Potentially good plan if you forget Theo has built 3 last place teams in a row, and they will have ferocious competition for Lester/Shields/Price/et al On the other hand, these guys do have a great eye for hitting talent. Everyone they go after hard seems to be a legitimate MLB talent. The Brewers, on the other hand...............