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MadThinker88

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Everything posted by MadThinker88

  1. MadThinker88
    Interesting.. I really thought he would end up on the south side of Chicago.. Now the ChiSox have more trouble/ egg on their face.
  2. MadThinker88
    Another day, another farm ranking source released. This time its Prospect Digest. If you are interested in a detailed review of all clubs (like the Baseball America Handbook) but want a different opinion, I would suggest/ recommend the The Prospect Digest Handbook. Its available thru Amazon for under $16. They have started releasing in free content the various top 10s (& write-ups for those players). Once the Brewers are released, I will edit this post to add the names. As for the farm rankings -they are part of the Amazon preview. Here are the rankings for the NL Central teams: St. L: #12 Cinci: #13 Pitts: #16 Milw: #26 ChiC: #29
  3. MadThinker88
    Sounds like the BA farm rankings are out.. Tip of the cap to a Pirates website that while focusing on the Pirates paid a some attention to the other teams in the NL Central. https://www.piratesprospects.com/2019/02/baseball-america-ranks-the-pirates-as-the-18th-best-farm-system.html "As for BA’s other rankings in the NL Central, the Pirates were third after the Cincinnati Reds (#8) and St Louis Cardinals (#10), but well ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers (#25) and Chicago Cubs (#29). The Pirates rank eighth among all NL clubs. BA had the Pirates 16th last year before they graduated numerous top 30 prospects in the system and traded away others at the trade deadline."
  4. MadThinker88
    Another day, another ranking source on the farm systems. This one, from Clubhouse Corner was published post trade of JT Realmuto and shows/ discusses impact on Phillies system. Work is done by Bernie Pleskoff (a former scout with Astros/ Mariners).. http://clubhousecorner.com/2019/02/10/ranking-mlb-farm-systems/ While content is free, it is data protected to prevent copy/ paste. Here are the items for the NL Central Cinci: #6, grade of B+ St. L: #16, grade of C Pitts: #18, grade of C Milw: #27, grade of C- ChiC: #30, grade of D
  5. MadThinker88
    I have been a fan of Josh Tomlin for years. To start, he is a gamer. He will get every ounce he can out his body at all times. Unfortunately in the last year plus, that was the question - was he healthy? As his velocity slipped, his pitches were more hit-able and a number traveled very far. If you wonder about his stuff, consider his performance in the 2016 WS. Yes he was light up in gm 6 (he was also victimized by some poor OF D that game) but also consider his start in gm 3 in Chicago.. All in all very serviceable player (when healthy). Tomlin is a better than expected athlete and I often wondered why Tito & other Tribe managers didn't use him in PH or PR roles on his off days to lengthen the bench. A little known tidbit, while in college, Josh played SS on the days he wasn't pitching. Normally that wouldn't seem like much but the SS when Josh pitched in college was Troy Tulo --- yeah that guy now with the Yankees.
  6. MadThinker88
    In the past the Street & Smith farm system rankings and analysis have been done by Brian Sakowski of Perfect Game. Is that the case this year? It appears this year's farm system ranking was done by David Rawnsley of Perfect Game. It appears the NL Central previews were done by Scott Gregor of Chicago Daily News. I do not know if it was David/ Scott/ someone else responsible for crafting the Brewer Top 20 prospects
  7. MadThinker88
    I spotted the Street & Smith's Baseball issue in the store today so I picked it up. They predict places (not wins) & have the Brewers finishing 2nd & claiming a WC spot, behind St. Louis. Unfortunately they predict the other WC (Washington) to win the 1 game and move onto play top seed Atlanta (losing there). Atlanta over St. Louis (after beating LAD) in NLCS & losing to Houston in the WS. They also predict Counsell to win NL Manager of the Year.
  8. MadThinker88
    I spotted the Street & Smith's Baseball issue in the store today so I picked it up. In their rankings of the farm systems, the Brewers check in a little better but still 4th in the NL Central Cinci: 9 St.L: 14 Pitts: 19 Mil: 21 ChiC: 23 Edit: doing a deeper read into the mag, I have to question the author & editor review process. For some reason they list Corey Ray as the top Brewer prospect ahead of Hiura & the rookie league team still being in Helena. SMH on both of those...
  9. MadThinker88
    Keith Law released his system rankings today & I am still shifting thru sites to get the various rankings. Did find this note on a pirates site: https://www.piratesprospects.com/2019/02/pirates-rank-in-the-middle-among-all-farm-systems.html "Law had the Pirates ranked 15th last year as well. That ranking was followed shortly by Baseball America ranking them 16th overall. This current ranking from Law places the Pirates eighth among all National League teams and second to the Cincinnati Reds among NL Central teams. The Cardinals have a top 20 system, while the Brewers and Cubs are both near the bottom." Edit: Thanks to help from another poster (tip of cap to them) I have learned the full listing. Here are the rankings of the NL Central teams for info/discussion/ debate: Cinci: 6 Pitts: 15 St.L: 17 Mil: 25 ChiC: 29
  10. MadThinker88
    Yeah I have no idea what they are doing. As strong as the division is they should be selling off and rebuilding. I really can understand them trying to compete for a few years. Votto is still basically prime Votto, but that won't last forever. Theoretically, DJ should help their pitching staff. They have some once highly regarded prospect not doing well at the MLB level, maybe DJ can help. They also have a pretty strong farm headlined by Senzel likely to make his debut in 2019. Senzel is right up there with Hiura, possibly even ahead of Hiura as a prospect...he's a future stud. I get that the NL Central is crazy good this year, but I'm really not sure waiting is a better option considering their roster construction. Putting all brewer fan bias aside, I love what they are doing and think they'll be a good team next year. I can also tell you that Votto is probably pretty happy that the team is making competitive moves. That guy has been stuck raking with a mediocre to bad team for quite a while. The Reds rebuild is already going into its 6th season IIRC. I have read on other boards that the Cinci fan base is getting restless and attendance has been dropping. Add to that they have had front row seats to some aggressive moves/ results by the Brewers & I can understand the Reds idea of making a push any way they can..
  11. MadThinker88
    While very unlikey that Braun would wave the no trade clause to go to a team rebuilding, let's look at the proposal from another angle - would the DBacks even accept that package Grienke (plus something more - either a low prospect or money to offset the salary commitment) for Braun and Thames. While I believe the DBack would love to get out of Grienke deal, I doubt they would bite on the proposed deal. They would need more in return. So the trade is no go there as well.
  12. MadThinker88
    Keon is out of options so he is either with the Brewers or with another organization...
  13. MadThinker88
    Perhaps the Tribe does like Domingo Santana but the issue is trade return. Domingo has value in certain areas & limited impact/ value in other areas. I think we can agree his overall value is less now then it was after 2017 (not as productive in '18, entering his arbitration years so payroll cost is higher & now out of options moving forward). It is also possible the Tribe has targeted another group of players & plan to spend a chunk of the money they have saved from the various trades in that direction. I am convinced neither Tribe (nor Brewers) are done making moves. The rosters of today (12/15/18) will be different than those that open camp in Arizona or complete spring training to start the season..
  14. MadThinker88
    Cleveland sending its Comp B pick (#77) to Seattle The PTBNL to Tampa is actually RHP Cole Sluser. A lot of money also being moved around in the deal (Tampa sending $5M to Seattle, Seattle sends $6M to Cleveland ($2M this season & $4M next season)). Still a chance that Tampa & Seattle work out a separate deal where EE & his parrot head to Tamps & the Trop.. Rays not going quietly in AL East as Toronto & Baltimore embrace their rebuilds.. I don't believe Tribe is done making moves but I know doubt Tribe trades both Bauer & Kluber this off-season. More likely 1 this off-season & the other next off-season.. Idea of Domingo Santana (as RH OF/DH) is interesting in a smaller pickup but his 2018 performance reduced his value (from 2017 level) and being out of options now also impacts the value..
  15. MadThinker88
    While he is willing to play other positions, he is also injury prone & has interest in playing in the Bay area. I think his 1st preference is to play for Oakland and after that someone in the AL - the DH slot allows for additional playing opportunities if he is unable to play in the field. The Brewers might interest him over some other places but things would need to align for that to happen...
  16. MadThinker88
    I don't believe the Tribe is looking for help at catcher. They still have Roberto Perez (never much with the stick) and he was the D oriented guy that worked with the Tribe staff to Gm 7 of the 2016 World Series as Gomes was injured and trying to get back to action. Their other guy Eric Haase has a solid rep behind the plate & some pop in the stick (59 homers over last 3 seasons). He also caught both no-nos for AAA Columbus in May/ June 2018 (for Bieber & Plutko).. Yes, the Tribe is willing to deal from its starting pitching depth to address other needs of the team & in the process redistribute its contract obligations. Bullpen is as big (if not bigger) need for the Tribe than OF. Is 3 years of Knebel alone worth 2 years of Bauer alone?? If JRam is now the Tribe 2nd baseman, Kipnis can fill LF for 1 yr (before his option gets declined). If 3 yrs of Shaw alone worth 2 yrs of Bauer alone?? I'm not suggesting either squad would make those trades but it is out of the box thinking.
  17. MadThinker88
    I thank those that have responded before me & made my point. That trade proposal is way out balance & the Tribe would not make that deal.
  18. MadThinker88
    Remember that 2019 & 2020 had been option years on the previous deal. Those salary's had been LESS before the performance ecalator (for the 2017 Cy Young finish) moved up the amount. The 2023 option is rather interesting right now. Saw it listed as a VESTING option (which is a HUGE concession for the Tribe) as it would be tied to some performance measurables and ZackM is reporting it as a CLUB option with a $3M buyout.. Not sure how a buyout would work with a vesting option
  19. MadThinker88
    Today is a happy day for me as I really like watching Cookie pitch in Cleveland. When word leaked about the Tribe might deal a starter I fully expected Kluber or Bauer to be the guy getting dealt. The effectiveness of Cookie along with his reasonable cost made him too important for the Tribe to consider dealing him and why I thought of the 3 it would cost the most to get Cookie in a trade.
  20. MadThinker88
    I thought I heard/ read somewhere that the Marlins wanted both top prospects from the Astros (Kyle Tucker, OF & Forrest Whitely, RHSP) in a deal for Realmuto. Yes, that is asking for the moon in return... Time to focus somewhere else if an upgrade is sought,,,
  21. MadThinker88
    Tribe held onto Salazar & got him signed to a deal ($4.5M) for 2019. Salazar has 1 more year of club control after 2019 before being a FA.. It will be interesting to see IF Salazar rebounds from the shoulder surgery he had during 2018 & if that allows him to return to the rotation or moves to the bullpen.
  22. MadThinker88
    Actually, due to Cy Young finishes in 2017 & 2018, Kluber is up to $17M , $17.5M & $18M. There is also additional money owed & changes for picking up the options if he is traded. Meanwhile Carassco is $9.75M & $10.25M due to his 2017 Cy Young finish (believe he was 3rd in voting).. It would likely cost the most to get Carassco of those 3
  23. MadThinker88
    I don’t mind, like Gatewood but you have to be a 100 lose team to take a chance on a bat like Gatewood. He is not ready. I don’t know how it works with injuries but tore ACL in July/August as a position player probably keeps him out to June. They can’t just add him & throw him on 60 day correct? Bigger story I think is how all those trades last year impact our situation this off season! Handful of those prospects just got added. We would have had some real tough calls Yes, a R5 selection can be put on the DL (either regular or 60 day version). However, time spent on the DL does not count toward the number of days a R5 selection needs to be on the active roster in order to fully control the player and not have to offer him back (before sending him to the minors).
  24. MadThinker88
    I think Karsay was a good hire for the Brewers. I recall meeting him and talking about a few things in 2013 when I took in the Lake County/ Wisconsin Timber Rattlers series. Karsay was PC for the Captains at that time & 1 of the LC pitchers had just completed a bullpen session an hour or so before the 1st pitch on Sunday. There are some great observation points at Fox Stadium for watching the bullpens. I must admit I was surprised and disappointed the Tribe hadn't elevated Steve to the big league club for the 2018 season. After the '17 season, Callaway left to become Manager for the Mets and then bullpen coach Jason Bere left when he was told he was not in the running for the open pitching coach position. I though Karsay would get 1 of the 2 slots on Francona's staff but instead the Tribe brought back Carl Willis (again, 3rd run with the organization) and shifted Scott Atchison from a pitching support role (organizing the scouting reports and some of the analytics) into a defined coach for the bullpen. I have to suspect that Karsay was disappointed getting passed over for both roles and he likely felt it was time to move onto greener fields. Cleveland's loss is Milwaukee's gain in this case..
  25. MadThinker88
    Those 2 players alone would not be enough, especially compared to trade packages other teams would offer if MadBum was put onto the market...
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