MadThinker88

It is also an opportunity for Ray to be playing against a higher level of competition. There are roster filler types across all levels but with fewer clubs in the Fall league (& multiple organizations making up each team), the number of roster fillers drops.

You may or may not be right long term ... but this is just a weird thing to say right now. He just finished his first full season and was a 1.3 WAR which by definition means he was above replacement level and worthy of a bench role this year. I would also be looking for a stud in order to seriously contend - but don't say silly things just to make a point. Its not a silly thing to say. Jesus has a career 0.3 WAR after posting 1.3 WAR last season. I've been a supporter of Jesus for years, ever since he & I chatted for a few moments between innings as he got ready to bat during a Midwest League game in 2011 (BTW he went deep yard shot to left field in that at bat). For a guy that could drive in runs by the boatload in the minors, every chance Jesus got in Cleveland was a struggle/ letdown. Personally I am happy he performed well for the Crew last season. Maybe this is a case of changing scenery/ league that works out. Although a fan of his personally, I would not bet on that success being sustained.

Its fine during a rebuild phase & when determining what are best outcomes in other areas of need (even optimistically there are still multiple areas of need w/ the Crew). However, if this club is looking to contend, it needs a better option at 1st or at least a better platoon partner for Thames. Jesus is the definition of AAAA player. Some short spurts of success here & there but barely replacement level over the course of a season/ multiple seasons.

Issue of trading for Robertson was the demand of taking another contract with him (Todd Frazier). It was a package deal in the eyes of the ChiSox.. There is also the matter of cost ... what prospects to send back. ChiSox wanted/ got Blake Rutherford in the return package plus other pieces. Yes the Brewer system is much improved but the Yankee system is on par (or better depending on the source). Looking for equivalents, the Brewers would be sending Corey Ray (& I have written in many threads I am not a fan of Ray) plus other pieces.

I feel if someone is eligible for the 2018 ROY then they should be on the list. If player is not eligible for the award then they should not be part of the ranking. Any insight from the Brewers themselves (via back channels) if Hader or Woodruff would be eligible??

While I agree, Biloxi would be smaller capacity (5k with ability to add 1k more) than all other AAA parks, there are already 7 (including Colorado Springs) under the 10,000 person suggested capacity. It might be worth it to work with them to update and increase the capacity in order to move 'closer to home'...

After reading the article, my mind dreamed up one more possibility. Definitely "out of the box" but worth kicking the tires on. ... The idea: The Brewers hook up with a different Carolina league site for 2019 as Carolina moves back into AA (was noted in the article) and Biloxi moves up to AAA. If Biloxi is in the PCL, the PCL would need to juggle the divisions around to make sense. If Biloxi goes to International league, someone else shifts to PCL & divisions get realigned..

I see no issue with (nor do I read anything into this) situation. Simply having them follow the idea "Hope for the best, plan for the worst" is a strategy well established and successful over time.

Anthony is due raise & most likely a multi year deal. I think it is more likely he gets a 2 or 3 year deal at $4M per year..

To me, that makes it even more frustrating... Seems like we often played up or down to the given competition. That will have to change, winners don't play to the level of their competition, they play above them. I agree with another poster it will be interesting to watch what DS does this off-season. That said, I think part of the ground work related to playing up/down to the competition has already been started in the minors. Using items from Baseball America in 2017, the Brewers had the 11th best overall record for the 30 organizations (across all levels). Their best showing since 2007. In 2016, the Crew finished in 29th (of 30). In 2015, they finished in 28th (of 30). In 2014, they finished in 14th (of 30). In 2013, they finished in 28th (of 30). In 2012, they finished in 26th (of 30). In 2011, they finished in 29th (of 30). In 2010, they finished in 17th (of 30). In 2009, they finished in 22nd (of 30). In 2008, they finished in 26th (of 30). In 2007, they finished in 2nd (of 30). I can go on with this listing. Many people on this board seem to have an issue with the Cardinals. I suspect that part of that is rooted in the aspect that the Cardinals always seem to be relevant and produce players thru their system. Lets look at the Cards during the same period of time. in 2017, they finished tied in 3rd (of 30). In 2016, they finished in 10th (of 30). In 2015, they finished in 11th (of 30). In 2014, they finished in 4th (of 30). In 2013, they finished in 18th (of 30). In 2012, they finished tied in 15th (of 30). In 2011, they finished in 6th (of 30). In 2010, they finished in 1st (of 30). In 2009, they finished in 24th (of 30). In 2008, they finished in 8th (of 30). In 2007, they finished in 23rd (of 30). Say what you will how the Cardinals got their results in some cases, the fact remains they developed and maintain a general standard of success thru the minors over the years that players are expected (& in many cases) continue in the majors. As the Crew continues to turn around its own farm system, I believe that maintaining success on the farm with help the Crew achieve and maintain periods of success in the majors.

link to the Garza story (for those interested).... https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/09/matt-garza-does-not-have-2018-option-will-become-free-agent.html

Just a FYI & another name to put into the hopper - Jason Kipnis Cleveland might be looking to move him during the off season. Jose Ramirez has proven himself to be as good or better than Kipnis defensively at 2B & is under contract at a much more reasonable cost. Jason had an injury filled 2017 & 2014 but its hard to knock his seasons in 2015 & 2016.

A move of Knebel might be worth considering. 1) He has NEVER pitched this much in a season previously, 2) He has NEVER pitched this well for a season previously, 3) His value MIGHT NEVER be any higher. Am I pushing for him to be traded? No. All I am saying is do not dismiss a deal of him without giving the proposal due consideration.

The view on MLB network seems to be more of the ankle than foot. Either way, I suspect something broke in there...

I would at least look into this as well. Do you look for established talent (Archer, Fulmer, Stroman, Rodon) or do you try to trade for a prospect knocking on the door (Buehler, Honeywell, McKenzie)? Allow me to update the prospect target list & add another 'established' name for consideration. I have struck thru the name of Triston McKenzie and here is why. a) McKenzie isn't knocking on the door yet. He hasn't even pitched in AA yet so he is not even a thought for a 2018 roster. At least the others have pitched in the majors or AAA post-season this month. b) McKenzie is conversation stopper for Cleveland. He isn't going anywhere. Triston was untouchable in talks for Lucroy and for Andrew Miller in 2015. Nothing has changed in that regard. In fact the Tribe is likely looking at him as an successor to one of Kluber/ Carrasco in a few seasons.. As for an established name, I submit Danny Salazar. In his favor Salazar still has three years of club control (per Baseball Reference, FA after 2020 season) and when 'right' he is absolutely filthy and dominating as a pitcher. To be honest, I don't know how 'right' he is anymore. In the past medical tests would show something & it would be addressed. Now those tests come back clean/ acceptable and he will do well for a stretch. Then he will get touched up & not be as effective. He will suggest arm/ elbow issue & get tested again. Medical reports come back ok so is it an issue between his ears? Possible. Just as possible he needs a fresh perspective. At this point there is no guarantee Salazar makes the 2017 post season roster for Cleveland, let alone as a starter. There is even a chance he is out of the Cleveland rotation in 2018 (Kluber/ Carrasco/ Bauer/ Clevinger/ Tomlin) so Salazar might be available in a trade.. Its worth a phone call/ conversation..

It was a fun run while it lasted. Oh well. 22 in a row is nothing to sneeze at...

At least my buddy had an extra ticket for the Wednesday afternoon (game #21) so I could see in person the A's/ Moneyball get knocked down a notch. I really started to think today (Thursday) would be the end of the streak as Tomlin is the weakest rotation link. Now that the Tribe has won, its really going to be interesting WHEN the streak might end. The final 3 of the homestand against features: Bauer on Friday night & he has finally turned the corner & taken the step forward many hoped he could. Carrasco goes Saturday late afternoon (been steady all season long) & the shadows will make him even harder on the batters. Then its Kluber on Sunday (on a Cy Young mission) before an off day on Monday & west coast trip to LA for the Angels & then Seattle for the Mariners. This is a fun ride... PS: with the game today we no longer have ANY player that played in all 22. The only one left thru 21 was Giovanni Urshela and he was the last position player on the bench for Tito tonight..

I would encourage you to make the trip to see Trout against the Twins. He is a special one. As for seeing the Tribe, I am sure there is at least 1 weekend tilt in Chicago against the White Sox that could work..

Very surprised the game was moved to Miami but completely understand the reasoning to relocate the series. Torts made a great call above: all ticket revenues should go to Hurricane Irma relief or related programs...

It is the lone inter-league match-up that final weekend It might be a competitive advantage if the Crew is still competing for a spot. Cubs play the Cards & Pirates play the Reds that final weekend... Unless something drastically changes the Tigers might be on pace to lose 115 next season...

Tribe gets a 4 games set with Crew. 2 games in May in Milwaukee. 2 games in June in Cleveland. Tues/ Weds for each set..

Brewers/ NL Central will match up with the AL Central for inter-league games. Granted the Crew already plays the Twins (finally starting to contend again), but it also means ChiSox (rebuilding), Detroit (rebuilding), KC Royals (likely entering a rebuild), & Cleveland (WS/AL champ contender).

Other options for a neutral field besides Chicago (ChiSox are at Detroit): Baltimore (they are in NY vs Yankees), NY (Mets are in Atlanta), Pittsburgh (Pirates are in Cincy), St. Louis (they are at the Cubs), Texas (Rangers at Angels). Got to think its one of those 6 if games are moved away from Miami....

Scooter had a habit of forgetting to touch 2nd base on double plays. That's pretty embarrassing. I would think this qualifies as a solid example (from earlier in the thread). Thanks Jericho..

Its unfortunate that he will be out but I will point out 2 silver linings of it happening now: 1) better now than after it completely goes (tears/ snaps) due to a pitch/ delivery 2) better now (late in season, leading into off season) than during spring training or early in a season when much more than 20 or so games is missed