paul253

Sadly this pretty much tops the "depth" he acquired last season in Chase Wright and Nic Green. I do like Capuano though. I think he can still be a productive MLB pitcher.

Im not here to spell everything out for everyone. I'm sorry, but I have to add something. While I am in the group who appreciates the information you give, I've always gotten this sense of "I'm better than you because I know more than you do" attitude coming out of some of your posts. I remember awhile back when discussing the player to be named later in the Sabathia deal this attitude really came out. It was awhile ago and I can't remember the specifics, but it was something to the extent of you knowing who it was but you wouldn't tell us....and then I said something like why even bring up the fact that you know if you can't tell us, as if you just wanted everyone here to be aware of the fact that you knew something the rest of us didn't (and not to sound like a jerk but I got a message from another poster who said he got the same impression of you). I guess all I'm saying is, if you aren't going to/can't fully comment on a specific subject, then don't chime in at all. I'd rather have no information than some vague "trust me because I know" response.

I have a 2008 Corey Hart Retro Uniform all fan giveaway bobble head, w/box, that I'd like to trade for the sausage bobble heads from 2007 AND 2008. I'm not sure which ones they are (polish and chorizo??), but I have the Bratwurst from '09. I do not need the boxes for the sausage bobble heads. If you'd like to instead buy the Corey Hart retro, I suppose just make me an offer. I'm located in Milwaukee and would prefer to meet up to do the trade. Thanks!

I know its probably not what you're looking for, but I have a Playstation 2 with some games I am looking to unload for a very reasonable price. Let me know.

If anyone is selling two, possibly 4, tickets to the MU game this Saturday at a REASONABLE price, I may be interested. I'd prefer something on the lower level or the middle parts of the upper level. Send me an a message if you have some you're looking to unload. Thanks.

So your mistake is assuming that no trade is made. No, my entire argument is based on the idea that he is not going to be traded. I said if they move him to the outfield they are probably not going to trade him. I concede that if they are looking to trade him they should keep him at third base, but if they are not going to trade him then why not move him to a position where he can get in the lineup every day? And that brings me back to my original argument, which is if he is not going to be traded, why is everyone so concerned what his trade value is?

The bottom line is the system is starting to look pretty grim. I'm sure some of the guys at the lower levels will develop and Braddock and Lucroy are looking like the real deal in the AFL but other than that I don't see much except stop gap type players at the higher levels. I think hitters are starting to seem few and far between but thats because of the heavy focus on pitching the past few drafts. Pitching wise I think we are as deep now as we have been in years. Even though a lot of them are still pretty young, its getting to the point where after this next season we'll hopefully be able to rely on some of our own pitchers for once. Jones, Butler, Braddock, Anundson, Rogers, Rivas, Scarpetta, Peralta, Arnett, Heckathorn, Odorizzi, Bucci. Even guys like Wooten, Jeffries and Aguilar may be able to contribute in two or three years. Yeah its not ideal and none of them are top 20 prospects, but it certainly looks better than it did 2 years ago. One or two more good drafts and we can replenish the hitters as well. We still have a few good ones in Green, Lawrie, Gindl, Lucroy, Gamel, Schaeffer and Salome.

Because a 3B that can hit has a lot more value than an OF. Again, to me this argument only holds water if you are planning on using his value to trade him. If you have someone who is going to post the exact same numbers at third base or in left field, then yeah, you'd probably rather have him at third. But if you already have a third basemen and can upgrade your offense in the outfield, then you put him in the outfield. Corey Hart had like one half of a good season, so I don't think he's entrenched anywhere. I don't really know how to explain my thinking about "value". I guess all I can say is I think you put your best 8 players in the lineup. I don't see why it matters what position they are playing as long as they can play it. 25 home runs is 25 home runs. It doesn't matter if they come from the third basemen, the left fielder, the catcher...whatever. Its all the same. I understand what the argument is....that a left fielder that can hit is easier to find than a third basemen that can hit, so if we keep him at third base he'll be worth more. But again, we already have a third basemen that can hit, and it doesn't matter what his "value" is to other teams if you aren't going to trade him.

Gamel's most valuable if he sticks at third, whether it's with the Brewers or in a trade. I've never liked these kind of arguments. Yes, his trade value is higher if he plays third base instead of the outfield, but if we move him to the outfield its because we aren't trading him, so what difference does it make? Has Ryan Braun's value diminished at all because he is no longer at third base? The quick answer is who cares because we aren't trading him. Gamel's value to the Brewers is highest if, wherever he plays, he allows the Brewers to put the 8 best position players on the field. We have a third basemen who is cheap and produced very well last season plus another top 10 prospect capable of playing third base very soon and very few outfielder prospects near the major league level. I don't see why at least trying Gamel in the outfield is such a terrible idea.

I think you are over stating the importance of the corner outfield spot. Braun and Bay are both serviceable outfielders who can get by out there. Gomez I guess is a good fielder who can cover a lot of ground. While it's true that defense it important, I think offense is more important, and offensively I wouldn't even put Cameron and Bay in the same league. Imagine what Bay could do, RBI wise, hitting behind Braun and Fielder.

Offensively, Salome did better in AAA than Lucroy did in AA. I don't understand why, if you're going to use one of them as a part time MLB player next season, it would be Lucroy. I think we all agree Lucroy is a better all around player. So why not let him continue to progress at a normal pace and let Salome, who at least has faced more advanced pitching, play the part time role in Milwaukee? Heck, I wouldn't be opposed to letting Salmoe start in Nashville, Lucroy in Huntsville, and use Rivera and some cheap backup in Milwaukee to get them both some more time.

No way would I trade Gamel and Lawrie in the same deal. Those right now are our two best hitting prospects, by far. This team is going to need some young guys to come in soon, just like the way Weeks, Hardy, Braun, and Fielder came in, to replace some of the more expensive guys and keep the payroll managable. In general, I don't like the idea of trading Gamel or Lawrie. We have a lot of pitching on the way soon and we need some hitters to compliment them. Right now I'd consider Lawrie untouchable, but if we can get Hamels, I'd consider offering Gamel if they absolutely insist on him.

What's laughable about stating that a premium defender at a premium defensive position, with top-10 offense at his position, is more valuable than a terrible defender at the easiest defensive position aside from 1B? If you could have the option of either Jason Bay or Mike Cameron on our team next season, who would you pick? We'll even assume for argument's sake Carlos Gomez wasn't acquired"?

Jason Bay. I know it would be a long shot, but I heard Boston is considering offering him a 4 year $60 million dollar deal. If we go maybe $2 million a year above that I think it'd be a possibility. Its probably a risk, but offensively he is still a stud. It would require a trade of Corey Hart, but I don't think anyone here would shed any tears over losing Hart. He'd be the perfect #5 hitter behind Fielder. With the departures of Cameron and Hardy and probably/hopefully Kendall, plus next year's departures of Riske, Hall, Suppan, and likely Fielder, we can afford to take on a big salary and signing a hitter is a lot less risky than signing a pitcher.

I still think the Brewers are very unlikely to make the move for pitching they need to to win. Right now they basically have no #1 starter and no #3 starter. They have a 2 (Gallardo), and a bunch of 4's and 5's (Parra, Bush, Suppan, Looper if they bring him back). They are not going to sign Halladay, and they are not going to sign Lackey, which pretty much means they can't sign a #1. They don't have enough to trade for a #1 unless they trade Fielder, which I'm sure they won't. To me all this means they are going to have to hope to win with offense. Although I agree Bay is a longshot, he'd be an ideal player for our offense. I still consider him to be somewhere between a very good to an elite offensive player (.921 OPS last season). He just turned 31 so I realize he's not getting any younger but I think he can stay productive for a few more years. And if you sign him to a multiyear deal it would certainly soften the blow when Fielder leaves. I'd offer him a 4 year deal somewhere in the $15-$17 million a year range. On top of the savings by letting Hardy, Cameron, and hopefully Kendall go, the Brewers also have a ton coming off the books next year in Suppan, Hall, and Riske (and maybe Hoffman). I think we can take on a huge contract and still have enough money left to sign two pitchers to one or two year deals.

What next? Its apparent Mike Cameron won't be back. Hopefully Jason Kendal is next to go. I doubt that Melvin will be able to get Lackey, so it's probably going to be 2 free agent pitchers who are somewhat risky. I think the offense is going to have to carry us again in 2010. One name out there that I like a lot is Jason Bay. I think he'd be a perfect hitter to bat behind Fielder. This would involve trading Hart and probably moving Braun to right, which shouldn't be much of a problem. Presuming either Gomez or Escobar bats first, you'd assume Weeks would bat 2, then Braun, Fielder,and Bay. McGehee/Gamel #6. Then the catcher 7th and the other one between Escobar and Gomez who isn't leading off 8th. I don't want Melvin to spend any money on a catcher. The fact is he Kendal has been putrid offensively and you can talk all you want about him being able to call a good game, but tell me how much good that did us last season. Two of your top 5 prospects are catchers and both could probably survive on the roster now, so why waste money on a catcher. Rivera/Salome should be the duo with Lucroy in Nashville. I'd say if the Brewers sign Mulder, Harden/Sheets and Bay I'd be ok with the offseason. There'd have to be some additional moves for depth (Counsell, another outfielder) plus a trade of Hart for hopefully some minor league pitching, and maybe sign a journeyman starter to throw in Nashville in case of injury. The main portion of the bullpen appears set with Hoffman, Coffey, Villanueva, Stetter, Riske, and Defilice. Suppan could be the long man.

You can clearly hear the cops snapping the handcuffs on the victim and then they continue to beat him. How is a individual who has been tased, beaten, placed on his stomach, and handcuffed a threat to multiple officers? The video does not show what the victim did prior to the video footage, but that does not excuse the brutality of the officers once the victim has been restrained. You can also clearly hear someone, who I believe is the guy who is making the video, yell "Shut up and listen to them" right at the beginning of the video. When you say "they continue to beat him". I watched the video a few times and could only really see one officer who appeared to strike the subject with a baton, and he only appeared to hit him one time after the handcuffs were on, or maybe even as they were trying to get the handcuffs on, I cant exactly tell because at that point the subject's hands were not on camera. Also, your premise that any time someone is placed in handcuffs they automatically stop becoming a threat is just wrong. Plus, tasing someone doesn't always work. If only one wire attaches or if the person being tased in on drugs then the effect isn't always what you'd think it would be. Again, I am certainly not standing up for any of these officers because I was not there. But to say anything is "clear" is, in my opinion at least, jumping to conclusions. I feel as though you are acting on emotion because you either feel sorry for the guy or because you have a general disliking of how police handle situations in which force is necessary. I would wait until more comes out about this before I rush to any judgement. I would like to know a) what exacly he did to get the cops called on him b) what, if any drugs or alcohol were in his system and to what extent c) how many times total he was struck/tased and how many of those times occurred after he was in handcuffs and d) what his actual injuries are (I realize the injuries themselves do not matter as far as whether or not the cops were doing something they weren't supposed to be, but I believe they would speak of how hard or "brutal" the strikes were. I would think someone who suffered multiple broken bones or needed stiches would have a better case than someone who had a couple of bruises).

While I am in no way what so ever justifying what they did, I would venture to say this doesn't even approach the brutality that Rodney King was. From what I remember of Rodney King, he was struck repeatedly by multiple officers, including many times after he was handcuffed. Absolute brutality, he was not a threat at all. Just to play devil's advocate here, I'd like to know how from that video you can claim he wasn't a threat at all. There was no video of what he did when the cops got there and how he even ended up in the position. When the video does start, you could hear the cops tell him repeatedly to roll over, which he obviously didn't do right away or else they wouldn't keep saying it. I don't know if they had determined by then he was unarmed, but he did have a knife in his possession at one time. If he still had it with him, he could have easily stabbed any officer who attempted to get him into position (apparrently by him rolling over) to handcuff him. Even if they knew he was unarmed, a cop isn't just going to walk up to him as he is screaming, ignoring demands, and whatever else and just attempt to roll him over. He could walk right into a punch, a kick, or this guy could spit right in his face. Whether we like it or not, if someone doesn't cooperate with the cops, then the only way to get him into custody is to overpower him, which sometimes takes 3 or 4 officers and usually looks a lot worse than it is. Like I said, I am by no means defending any action any of these cops took. But to me, this video isn't nearly as clear cut as the media makes it seem. Just because the guy is screaming and was unarmed doesn't mean he wasn't a threat. If it is determined that the blows were unnecessary and done for no reason, then they should lose their jobs and be prosecuted like any other citizen would be. I would just caution about comparing this to Rodney King, which was one the worst cases of police brutality in decades.

Just so you know, in the past for the 2008 playoffs you were able to get one game in the Divisional Series, and one game in the League Championship series. You were not able to get a World Series game with a 20 pack. I had a 20 game pack the year they made the playoffs, and you got all the playoff tickets, including the World Series. Maybe you're thinking of a 9 game pack? If they did change it I will be very unhappy, to the point of not renewing.

I'd risk Salome and Rivera. I have a feeling it would pay off. I agree with this. Offensively they can't possibly be worse than Kendall was the past few years. Defensively, everyone says Kendall call a great game, but that didn't seem to do much good last season as the Brewers compiled one of the worst pitching staffs in the majors. I'd really hate to let Salome rot away one the bench, but something has to give with him and Lucroy anyway.

I would be thrilled with Gallardo, Sheets, Harden, Parra, and Bush, mainly because you'd still have Suppan, Butler, Jones, Narveson, etc as depth. You probably can't count on both Sheets and Harden to stay healthy all year, but unless they have injuries which causes them to miss a two to three months, I think you can get by with that depth. You'd also probably have a few other options because they will presumably trade Hardy for some pitching. Doug Melvin has to be willing to take a chance on pitching this offseason. Brandon Webb, Sheets, Harden....whatever....but he has to get someone with a high upside because this team needs more than a #4 pitcher to win. With Fielder quickly approaching free agency, the time to take a chance is now.

The Royals would be dumb to trade Greinke for anything right now it is not like the AL central is some strong division that they need a lot of talent to win it. I think the Royals are closer than people think to competing again now only if their GM would wise up and stop wasting money on bad free agents. The Royals would not be dumb to trade him. They were supposed to be close this season and they took a HUGE step backwards. They don't just need a player or two to improve, they need a lot. Alex Gordon in quickly fading into oblivion (37 career HR's in 1200 at bats, with a .331 OBP) For as good of a year as Greinke had they still lost 97 games. If they trade him now they'd be maximizing his value and could get 4 or 5 very good players in return. I don't know what their system looks like so I don't know exactly what they would need in return, but Gamel and Salome are two really good prospects. People are so quick to write off Salome but look what he did in Huntsville a year ago. And I know he finished really strong this past season too because he got off to a horrible start and ended up with decent numbers. I'm not sure about Parra and Hardy going, but I'm sure they'd be willing to look at some of our pitchers like Rivas, Anundsen, Scarpetta, and so on if thats what they need.

Maybe KC will just turn around and trade Hardy to another team.

I'd love to see Melvin sign Bedard and Sheets to one year deals. I'd overpay to sign them both to one year deals actually. What is does is 1) immediately improves the pitching staff or 2) If either stays healthy they can be used as trade bait if Milwaukee isn't looking like they are in it around the trade deadline. Quite honestly if both stay healthy it would be hard to see how we wouldn't be in it, but I guess you never know. If either of them suck it up or get hurt, you let them go next season, no harm no foul. I just hope Melvin does something. He didn't do squat for the pitching staff last year and I would be very disappointed if he makes the same mistake two years in a row. Sheets, Bedard and/or Harden....i think he has to get at least one of them.

Is anyone here going to the Dane Cook show this Sunday in Milwaukee that's interested in a parking pass for the structure attached to the Bradley Center? I bought tix from someone who included the pass, but I already have free parking close enough. The price on it says it's worth $18, so I was wondering if someone wanted it for like $7 or best offer???