tmwiese55

Agree, the decision was to be downtown type environment or tailgaiting. They chose tailgating and it was clearly the right choice, this is what makes Brewers game-days special or different from most teams. It's their 'thing' so to speak. Sure it would be nice to have it all but with the layout of the city that's just not possible and it would take up so much space to do both. think about this way too, as fans it's much more cost beneficial to us to have it be this way as tailgaiting is waaaay cheaper than bars/restaurants. So in a way thank them for not making the greedy move that most teams do.

Ya, see this all the time and I just don't get it. On the rare chance I actually go to a game I'm going to get decent seats, usually around the Brewers dugout, and there's always some group of 20 somethings that show up in the third inning double fisting beers and bloody mary's who watch for an inning and then leave only to come back around the 7th with more beer and bloody mary's and then leave for good after the stretch. You spent like $80 on a seat (plus probably another hundred on alcohol) to sit in it for 20 minutes. But I'm just a 30 year guy with the temperament of a 70 year old man so what do I know. Ha, I get this point. That said, once or twice a year I might be this type based on who I'm there with. Sometimes though you just bounce from area to area and still kinda watch the game from different spots. Still, why buy a good ticket then right? When I'm with a group like that who's not as into baseball as me I'm fine with buying $20 bleachers. Still, I think the solution to this would be more open 'hangout' areas around the park. I think I mentioned it in a different thread about young people and someone mentioned here as something ATL did. Sure it would cost some seats but it would appeal to a younger demographic that views it more as a social event than purely to watch the game. Areas similar to the duck blind at Mallards games. Stick them in corners or in the outfield and let people mingle like in a bar.

Looks like Marwin has played around 30 games at SS each of the last couple years. Quick glance looks like it's the only spot he's not above average, but seems respectable or at least not awful. I'm fine with Dozier on a one year as well, it's fine. Probably a bit more in the low BA boom or bust type hitter than I'd prefer but it is what is and if only a one year deal so be it. It's obviously a step up over what we trotted out most of last year and it leaves Perez in a utility role where he belongs. Still hoping they can get Lowrie on a two year. Seems like the perfect fit to me.

In August he hit 202/294 and Sept 229/316. They should absolutely trade him this offseason. I'm not saying he's bad because of a poor two months, it happens. Just that he's not a Posey level great hitter so things like that happen. If another bad two months happen to start next year it kills his value, not worth the risk and they should do it before the season. ETA: as pointed out in the next post, yea I meant prime Posey. Prime Mauer, Piazza, etc. Again, just saying he's not a mega hitter where a bad few months are out of the question, so there is a big risk in that happening at the wrong time whereas even a hot start can't really increase his value above what it already is

they obviously think they were making the right move playing Kratz over Pina or they wouldn't do it. But this is a message board basically for the purpose of speculating on things such as whether they were right in that decision, so saying the team thinks otherwise so they're right kinda defeats the purpose of being here. I mean, are we all gonna say playing Sogard as much as they did was a good move? They also never really gave an explanation to why they were doing it and no one asked. I still have a slight guess that Pina had some lingering issues from that beanball he took so they wanted his workload down combined with the reasons we all cite for Kratz. Personally, I wonder what difference an extra run or two that might've come from playing Pina instead could have done in games like those. Kratz went 2/18 with one walk Personally I thought Kratz was poor on his blocking, like noticeably eyetest bad that anyone watching could pick up. He did throw well in spite of not being able to stand up to throw and of course these framing metrics checked out well. I always come back though to the fact that what everyone is saying as to why Kratz played over Pina are the same things Pina was praised for the season before. I also will be surprised if Kratz comes to close to his already poor hitting line of last years. I'm still hoping they go Pina/Nottingham with Kratz in AAA/emergency to fill in as needed, we'll see though. And again, all accounts are he's a great guy and the story is cool, I'll be rooting for him but I'm skeptical. If we're going to point exaggerations as being dumb then be sure to point it out in every instance because it happens all the time on here and pretty much in life

Seems fine but nothing to get excited about as he's probably just mediocre filler. low cost, tons of versatility, good splits vs righties to play the big platoon at 2B. That said, if we're playing Perez vs lefties at 2B then Shaw is playing almost every game vs lefties. Or at least one of Spangenberg or Shaw is playing. Not ideal but possibly fixed once Huira is up

Yea that's not too bad. Get your stopwatch out and see how often that hits though, sure seems like not often but yea maybe it's usually pretty close to that and it just seeeems longer than it actually is for whatever reason. The 20 second clock is kind of a joke though, I don't know why they even have it and they actually put it up in the stadium. But overall doesn't seem like much can be done on this end of it if they already have it at 2:25 other than enforcing it more thoroughly, probably can't take to less than 2 at the most. So then it's onto the other types of ideas some of us rattled off and whatever small tweaks to other aspects to reduce stoppages, like what they did with catcher visits. Maybe find some other things in that vein.

I have honestly never understood this argument when it comes to baseball. Baseball has natural breaks and that is where they put the commercials in. The pitcher needs his warm up pitches and people have to get on/off the field. They don't draw this out to fit in commercials. There aren't forced breaks like there are in football/basketball to have commercials. On another note I am not sure why there is complaining about kids sitting on tablets and not playing with neighborhood kids. The kids doing this aren't even old enough to go to a game by themselves. Well, to me I thought that it is drawn out an extra minute or so due to the forced commercial break. Basically, that they'd be able to do it quicker if they didn't know they had as long as they did. Like, is there as long a break in untelevised college and minor league games? I'd think not. If that's not true, so be it but that's the thought. Another thing I thought of on this after that wouldn't work is that it would give one team an 'advantage' in that they'd have longer to warm up or at least not have to rush. So yea might have to scratch that one. But maybe instead of 3 mins or whatever it is now, chop it 2. Shorten it up somehow.

Avg C 2018 233/304/374 (84 wRC+) Pina 2018 252/307/395 (85 wRC+) Kratz 2018 236/280/355 (70 wRC+) Avg P 2018 115/144/148 (-25 wRC+) Kratz hit 15% worse than Pina last year, but was still 95% better than the average pitcher. That means that Kratz was about 633% nearer to hitting like Pina (or an average C) than to hitting like a pitcher. Despite Kratz having only the 39th most framing chances in 2018, he ranked 10th in framing runs per BPro. It seems the reason he was catching Miley/Chacin exclusively is because analytics likely showed they would benefit the most from additional borderline strike calls & Kratz gave them the best chance to get those calls. It worked. I'd prefer an upgrade to C before the season starts, but Red Sox catchers hit for a league worst 40 wRC+last season & they still won the World Series. Yes i know it's hyperbole to use the pitcher level thing because yea of course he's probably going to hit above .200. It's just a common phrase we all use to say someone is an awful hitter. Maybe we all should get rid of it, but it's just an exaggeration to make the point. Still, I do not expect Kratz to match his hitting numbers from last year. The Bos analogy is one of those things you can talk in circles about that's really pointless. Like, Royals won without an ace P so no one needs one. Or IDK the Cubs won with a light hitting SS so you shouldn't try to get good hitting at SS. Basically each team is different so it's tough to make blanket things like that hold up. We of course only had 3 guys who hit consistently all year in Cain, Yelich, Shaw. And one of them shouldn't play vs lefties. Anything we can do to stabilize the offense should be explored.

Nope. My buddy is a Pacer fan and still despises him till this very day for being a bum and acting like this. Regardless, he takes Delly's place who wasn't playing anyway. He can't be worse than Delly and if he is it doesn't matter, just don't play him then like you were with Delly. Trade was still good to clear the bad money. You traded two guys that couldn't play this year (Delly, Henson) for two guys who can, while also eliminating two contracts for next year. And all it cost was heavily protected 1st that might not convery for 5 years. Plus, both expiring deals are able to be traded again at the deadline if something else arises.

Plus didn't we smoke him one game? and obviously that game proved important. I get this for LAA, they don't have a lot of options. Have to throw something at the wall for their pitching staff and hope to get lucky. Their offense really isn't bad and they're not an awful team. Get lucky on a couple SPs just being ok and maybe they can sneak into the WC assuming some regression from OAK.

Your last line is right, that's why you're seeing that on the boards at MP now. Other things MP has done is the whole concessions revamp, all the craft beer focus and attempts at better more interesting food instead of brats, burgers dogs, lite beer. Personally I prefer those things but that's something they're doing. Other things I can think of would be more social/party type areas in the stadiums, similar to your Duck Blind at Mallards game. Areas for people to hang out and mingle during such a slow game rather than be stuck in their seats. That along with reducing commercial breaks, maybe to only in between innings rather than half innings. Can maybe shorter the game 10-15 minutes like that. Those last two things of course will cost teams money (less commercials and fewer seats to sell) in the short term but in the long run it's what might be needed. Plus of course lower ticket prices would go a long way. So, is it the millennials fault for everything or the greed of the people in charge that is the problem For the ripping on millenials, sure you're mostly just joking but it's so old to listen to them get blamed for everything while the two generations previous have basically bankrupted the country and are fueling the current toxicity of the political environment.

There is money though. You can't really target old people, you have to find a way to engage young people or the sport is gonna be in big trouble. All those old people in FL are really doing a great job supporting those teams. How? Instead of a family section, have a "safe zone" section? Change the rules so there can be a tie in every game? That'll do it. Stereotype them and insult them about things that their parents actually did, not them. I know one thing that won't work long term is catering to old people, because well they die soon. Need to get the young people into the sport somehow or they're in big trouble. And no I don't have the answers, if I did I wouldn't be sitting here

There is money though. You can't really target old people, you have to find a way to engage young people or the sport is gonna be in big trouble. All those old people in FL are really doing a great job supporting those teams.

They won a lot of games before the deadline too and yet turned over like half the roster to finish the year. They won a lot with Arcia hitting .120 but still tried to improve. Kratz is simply a terrible hitter. Great story and seems like a great guy, I'll be rooting for him but if you want to win the WS it seems like you shouldn't go into the year planning on half your starts at C coming from a near pitcher level hitter. They won at the end of the year/Sept due to the BP and Yelich going in Barry Bonds mode. Sure Kratz can take some credit for helping the pitchers but everything said about Kratz in that regard was said about Pina the year before when so many pitchers improved and overachieved.

Portland is the largest market on your list, 3rd largest without an MLB team (behind Sacramento and Orlando). Portland is also juicy because of the lack of competition--no NFL or even big college sports within the city, MLS is inconsequential. Plus very baseball-friendly weather. Honestly any of those cities could probably work with the right situation. Ownership and stadium design/location are the real keys to MLB success. Yup, no NHL or NFL. No major college. They've supported the Blazers very well over the years and from what I understand support MLS very well. They also lost their AAA team a few years ago so don't need to move a team like you would in Vegas. A good amount of money in that area too, if anyone deserves a crack it seems like Portland. Just looking at this assuming it was TB who was moved to Portland. It would be a tough re-org of the divisions. The West teams that could go east would be the two TX teams and you don't really want to split them up. Cleveland could go to the East but then you'd have to move a TX team to the central. Would get complicated moving a team from the NL unless they finally get rid of the DH

I get that, maybe up to 100. But, if you have a guy who can cover at least half the games fairly well do you neeeed to spend a ton to cover the other half. Someone smarter than me can maybe find a more cost efficient lefty hitter (alo what Vogt was when we got him) to split with him who can RH pitching ok. Basically do what they're doing with Kratz but someone who can hit above pitcher level I just really do not want to punt on offensive production from the catching position this year. I think we are sticking with Arcia at shortstop which makes sense but it is hard to say what we will get from him at the plate. Having the 7,8, and 9 spots in the lineup being possible black holes is concerning for a contending team. Me too, as you can see be my posts on Kratz. However, Grandal is a 240/333ish type expectation, that's nothing awesome. now I know he does have the power to make up for it and our park should fit him well, but I'm saying I'd hope you can find a platoon guy who can 250/310. combine him with Pina and you're not really far off on the AVG/OBP areas, you're just missing the 10ish extra HRs while saving a ton of money you could spend on an IF. I see both sides of course and this side is reliant on finding a respectable lefty hitter to platoon who wants to come here. I don't know who that would be and if it exists. Unfortunately I think they think they already have that type of guy in Kratz...

I think you're right. It is my recollection that he appeared to wear down some when played heavily for long stretches. I like Stearn's strategy of having quality depth and having Pina as a backup/50% starter would mesh well with that. I get that, maybe up to 100. But, if you have a guy who can cover at least half the games fairly well do you neeeed to spend a ton to cover the other half. Someone smarter than me can maybe find a more cost efficient lefty hitter (ala what Vogt was when we got him) to split with him who can hit RH pitching ok. Basically do what they're doing with Kratz but someone who can hit above pitcher level

he also hits better as a lefty which is ideal with obviously more P being RH and with Pina batting righty. If you can get this down to a 2 year commitment/risk I'm more on board, really struggle to go beyond that in MKE's situation. Although he was in the PED suspension so we can't have guys like that...

I just think it's a different market these days than it was back then plus Zobrist had the Madden connection. Maddon tells theo to just pay him whatever he wants

I'm not in on a substantial deal to Grandal. Just don't think he's good enough to be locked into multiple years at 15ish mil at a position like C that is so up and down and prone to injuries (the position, not specific to him). Just can't see it for a budget strapped team. Especially when Ramos was theoretically available for 2/20ish. I'd just hold with Pina

Agree, I'd rather go with Pina/nottingham with Pina in the tradition 2/3 of starts role. Have Kratz in AAA as injury insurance and if Nottingham can't hack it while helping out with the young pitchers there basically like another coach.

Lowrie turns 35 at the beginning of next season, can he really expect more than a 2 year deal? The accepting a potential multi position role instead of everyday 2B could be a hurdle though after he had such a good year. Still, you can almost promise him that he'll play all this year at 2B as long as he performs.

Agree with the Kratz view, especially with how it seems he'll play at least 50% if not more of the games. It's very tough to have a good consistent offense with 1/3 of it being near pitcher level hitters. I'm including Arcia for now, don't want to have a discussion on it or anything. I know he could hit like he did to finish the year, I also know he could hit like he did the first half. so, I'm just phrasing it this way because we can't "bank" on it in anyway.

Wow, good stats. Coaches and he would have to look a bit at the plays since 53 isn't a huge number to analyze and see what else he could've done. From a jabroni watching on TV, it seems like the play designs lack a lot of quick timing routes that used to be a staple. You see on occasion, especially when playing hurry up, but they seem so common when I watch other games or GB's opponents (I admit these days that's not a lot though for me). So it's like the plays are designed to be long developing, which leads to him getting sacked and/or wiggling out of the pocket and then have to decide to chuck it or throw away. I'd add that as something even us watching on TV have probably noticed is the 'dump off' throw to the RB often being right there and he ignores it looking for more. Brady has shown us there's nothing wrong with taking 7 yds at a time on dumps to the RB