paul253

And for what its worth, Potawatami just built a hotel, there's the hotel by the Harley museum with an active bar as well. Neither of which are within walking distance of Miller Park and both of which would have been built regardless of whether of not Miller Park was built where it was. They were both attached to other, larger projects. I'm not sure what you are getting at by bringing these two projects up. I think first and foremost people from in and out of town want to be able to patronize a Bucks game, a concert or other event without the difficulties that downtown will have. I understand that and I agree with it. But you don't decide the location of a $300 million stadium based on what's most convenient for out of town guests. If you're going to get hundreds of millions of dollars from the taxpayers it'd be nice if there would be new tax revenue created in return. It's hard to say what would have happened with downtown Milwaukee had MP been built there because so much changed around downtown since then. But I'd be willing to guess there'd have been more development around the stadium then then there is now. Now I'm not saying that economic development is the only aspect to consider when building a stadium. But again if you're taking hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue it'd be nice if new revenue would be created to help fill the void. On a side note, again I am biased in that I work downtown, but do people here really avoid Bucks and MU games because the stadium is downtown? Downtown Milwaukee isn't exactly like trying to navigate around the loop in Chicago. You get on to I43, which you can access from any direction, get off on McKinley Ave, go east for about 3 blocks and there it is. I honestly don't think there could be a better location downtown if convenience is your goal. And as I said, there are at least 4 different parking structures and at least 1 surface lot with two blocks of the BC. Yeah you might have to pay $15-$20 but that's about what you're paying for parking at Miller Park anyway. I'm a little surprised that so many people seem to avoid the BC because it's downtown.

Paul. The bar across the street of The Bradley Center can't stay in business no matter who the owner has been. Your economic development is overrated. The BC wasn't exactly built in an ideal spot for development. When built, it had a freeway to the north that prevented any development that way. It had MATC to the west which wasn't going anywhere. It had the old Arena to the south which wasn't going anywhere. That basically left only the east, where of course a huge parking structure was built, open for real development. The bar that you refer to is attached to that parking garage, which on top of it being away from the cluster of bars on 3rd St, is I'm sure part of the reason why it doesn't succeed. But just because one spot can't seem to turn out a successful business doesn't mean that the whole argument is null and void. If I remember correctly the plans for Miller Park downtown were east of the river where there was much more space available for development. Where do you park during Bucks games and where do you live? I'm assuming that you don't park in the structure or if you have you have not stayed until the very end of the game. If I go to a game downtown (I don't usually go to Bucks games but Admirals games, MU games and special events like the NCAA tournament) I either park on the street (it's free after 6) or if I have to park in a structure I'll park in the one on 7th/State. It's kinda kitty corner to the one you park in. It's a little further walk than where you park but it's still literally one block away. I park there because I can enter the structure right from the interstate when coming from the west. To leave I just exit on 9th St, take that three blocks west to 12th, then 12th a block or two south to the on-ramp. The thing about the BC is that it's not like there is one structure to park in. There's the one you park in at 4th/Highland. The one I park in a 7th/State. There's one at 6th/Highland. There's one at 9th/State. There's a big surface lot on State between 6th and 7th. I remember the furthest I ever had to park was from the parking structure attached to the Grand Avenue mall. That was for the 2006 NCAA Hockey National Championship game that Wisconsin played in. But even then. Once you get out of the structure the walk is 5-6 blocks. That's really not that much farther than some of the lots at Miller Park. I can see the point of people who like it where it is though, especially out of towners. I go the Kohl Center in Madison every now and then for Badger Hockey games. I'm not familiar with Madison at all and usually park in the first structure I find. I remember one year I made the mistake of going to a game on homecoming weekend and i missed the entire first period because all of the structures were full. Even so though, I don't not go to games because of where the Kohl Center is. And honestly I don't think I'd go to any more or fewer games if the arena were out in sticks somewhere. Honestly if I am deciding to make the hour plus drive to Madison to go the game I am accepting whatever headaches come with it.

I can usually get from my parking spot to the freeway within 3 or 4 minutes and be home in 20 Really? You and I have vastly different experiences. It's been about 2 years since I've paid for parking in the Brewers lot, for a variety of reasons. I don't go to nearly as many games as I used to. I also think $12 to park is kind of expensive and would rather take a shuttle. Plus I don't like how long it takes me to get out of the lot. I don't follow the names of the lots but when I do park I park in the lot north of the stadium, between I94 and the Story Hill/Bluemound Road area. If I don't leave early, which I usually do just to beat traffic, it'll take me a good 10-15 minutes just to walk to my car. Then, with literally thousands of cars and one street to exit it's essentially a free for all trying to get out. If I can get out of the lot within 10 minutes I view it as a victory So all in all from the time I leave Miller Park to the time I get out of the stadium lots I generally find it to be 20-30 minutes at best. Now again, I work downtown and am very familiar with it so perhaps my views are skewed but I don't have any issues at all parking down there. I don't go to many Bucks games but when I do I park in the structure on 7th/State. You can enter the structure straight from the freeway if you're coming from the west. And when you leave you can get onto to freeway from any direction within 5 blocks. There are also two separate exits to the parking garage, one on 7th St and one up a level on 8th St. how is that even feasible? do you have to show them your drivers license at the ticket gate to get the discounted rate? What would stop everyone from saying they're from the 5 county area? Well the Brewers have certain dates where people buying tickets who live in the 5 county area get discounted prices. I assume they just show an ID so yeah I imagine you could just do the same thing at the parking gate. But the valley near Miller Park seems ideal to build a stadium with parking already there, land already there et cetera. I think for out of town people it is good because they aren't typically as familiar with the area and don't want to drive downtown. It's also good for tailgating. But in terms of economic development the stadium is essentially worthless. Miller Parkway may have seen some additional development because of the stadium. Maybe something on National Ave or Bluemound Rd.....I guess. But it's not like a hotel or bar can open up claiming their proximity to Miller Park as an advantage. You can't just grab a beer and then walk across the street to the game like you can in Chicago or Pittsburgh or St Louis. Yeah you can take a shuttle but even then it's not nearly as convenient as simply walking a block or two.

Maybe, if the Bucks weren't downtown I'd g to some games. I work downtown so I'm very familiar with it and perhaps I'm a bit biased but I don't find downtown all that challenging to navigate. The BC is right on the edge of downtown and usually you can find street parking within about 4-5 blocks of the stadium, especially during the week. But even if you do settle for a parking structure I'll bet you are a heck of lot closer to the arena than you are if you park in the general admission parking lot at the Brewers game. It doesn't seem as far because it's just a big empty lot but it's got to be the equivalent of 5-6 city blocks walking from the parking lot to the stadium, depending on which end of the lot you're on. Plus, I have just as much trouble , if not more, getting out of the lot at Miller Park than I do downtown. At MP there are like 9 billion cars and like 2 exits. Downtown you can go different directions depending on where the traffic is heavy and there are at least two freeway entrances going each direction within 5 blocks of the BC.

Parking prices have always been a bit of a pet peeve of mine. Yeah I get it. The Brewers need the revenue. But the fact is even though the taxpayers foot the bill for the Stadium somehow it was built where it is, not downtown where it probably should have been. And the area that it was built on just happens to be surrounded by a sea of parking lots that make walking to the stadium extremely inconvenient. Personally, I think prices should be lower for people in the 5 county area that is still affected by the sales tax. The $15 weekend and special game price should be the everyday price for people in the 5 county area.

The Brewers have done a good job at adding depth to their organization over the last two years. But they still lack the star power. They don't anyone who profiles as a #1 right now, and maybe not even a #2. And they don't have the Prince Fielder/Ryan Braun type prospect that profiles as an all-star player. They have a lot of major league potential to major league regular prospects and a lot of back end of the rotation players. I think that in order to make a significant jump in the rankings they not only need to the young guy to continue to progress but they need more high ceiling guys. I like what they did last year with Medeiros/Gatewood/Harrison. Hopefully that can pull of a similar coup next June.

The odds are far from Thornburg's favor due to his height. Fine.....but why not determined how good of a starter he'll be based on his actual results instead of simply writing him off because of his height? Can an organization like this really afford to do that? And with Milw possessing Garza, Peralta, Fiers, Nelson, Jungmann with Hellweg/Wagner/Pena with maybe Jed Bradley/Brooks Hall/Tyler Cravy maybe making waves in 2015. I'll take Thornburg over Jungmann, Hellweg, Pena, Bradley, Hall and Cravy any day of the week. Not just for 2015 but for a career. What, other than height and maybe groundball ratio, do any of those guys have over Thornburg? Bradley is built like an ox yet he can't stay healthy. Same with Hall, who only pitched 26 innings last year. Hellweg isn't healthy, nor can he throw strikes. Pena can't throw strikes and is much better suited for the bullpen than Thornburg. Cravy is a 25 year old who only has 3 innings above AA. Wagner hasn't pitched above A ball and Jungmann profiles at best as a #5. Thornburg outperformed all of them in the minors AND has already had success as a major league starter when given the opportunity. I'm not suggesting he's a Cy Young finalist or a consistent 20 game winner. But he deserves a shot. I think he could be a solid #4 starting pitcher.

Thornburg's Health has to be a concern and he will need to be accustomed to Relief Roles not Starting. Thornburg was starting his entire career up until last year. Did he health issues before? It seems like his biggest health issue came when he was switched to the bullpen. I don't think you put him in the bullpen just because of his size. All throughout the minors he had success as a starter. Then he comes up here and has success as a starter. If Roenecke hadn't been so infatuated with Marco Estrada Thornburg would have been given a fair shot at the rotation last season. I think he deserves a shot at the rotation now. Lohse Garza and Peralta are obviously shoe-ins. Let Fiers, Thornburg, and Nelson fight it out for the last two spots. I'm so sick of this organization complaining about how they are looking for more pitching when they refuse to give their own guys legitimate chances.

If I remember correctly that tax never went away like it was supposed to but instead got used for funding other things. What about using that here? The sales tax is still being used to pay for Miller Park. There is no way the 5 affected counties, especially Waukesha and Ozaukee, would allow it to continue for something else when the stadium is paid off. This is not going to be easy at all to pass. Remember Miller Park and what a battle that was. What people need to understand is that this money is gone either way. It is income taxes being paid by the players who play here. Without a new arena there won't be any players playing here. Without players playing here there is no income tax money. So either you use the money to fund a new arena or you lose the money altogether when the Bucks leave.....and they will leave. It's not like the average Joe from Eau Claire or Rhinelander is going to have to fork over tax money so the Bucks can have a new arena. That is the major difference between this and the Miller Park tax.

Two words: International Draft. It's kind of BS that this guy can hold out for the most lucrative offer when other players are subject to the draft rules. This guy is going to make tens of millions of dollars more because of where he was born. And probably 20-25 teams automatically have no shot at signing him just because of financial issues.

Probably a decent deal though obviously it's too early to tell. Personally I'd prefer they sign a veteran utility guy and let Sardinas start off in AAA. He was young for his leagues last year and it looks as though he needs to work on getting on base. Knebel could be a nice bullpen arm for years to come. Diplan is a good upside arm. It looks like he gave up more walks than hits in his 64 innings last season though and he needs to work on his command. I'm sure I am missing something, but what would you be disagreeing with? Not to get too far off topic but I think we're about one season away from having the Greinke to Anaheim deal being a complete bust. Hellweg showed zero ability to throw strikes and then went down and needed TJ surgery. Pena at best is a middle inning reliever and even that is not a for sure yet. And I'd guess that if the club was confident with Segura they wouldn't have traded for Sardinas. I have to think Sardinas is as much insurance for Segura as he is a platoon guy for Scooter. Meanwhile to prospect Melvin didn't get, Richards, had an amazing year last season before he got hurt. Also, I think Melvin got hosed in the Carlos Lee deal.

As much as I'd love to get my hopes up I'm predicting a reliever and a utility player.

If people just looked at Hart's numbers and not the fact that he played in Milwaukee earlier in his career would they still want him?

or whether Rogers is doomed to the same fate of never being considered. This. Just like Thornburg never had a chance at the rotation last season Rogers will never get a fair shot at first base this season.

Entire career of his as the Brewers GM we've averaged 80 wins per season....During the last five seasons we've averaged 82.5 wins per season.....Great by Brewers standards Great by Brewers of the mid to late 90's and earl 2000's standards. We need to raise our expectations. To me .500 and kind of in playoff contention until the last month shouldn't be good enough anymore. We won the division a few years ago and we got to within 2 games of the World Series. That was 3 seasons ago. Since that year the BEST we did is 13 games worse than 2011. This organization should be better than this. As far as I'm concerned we've hit our ceiling with Melvin and Roenicke. They are both veteran guys who are stuck in their ways. I understand the Mark A. is calling the shots but if all you do is sign the guys your boss tells you to sign then why even have a GM? The Brewers have been absolutely terrible at maximizing their player's value while simultaneously continuing to buy high on Free Agents and on the trade market. That's a terrible formula for a small market team. We can't keep relying on a roster full of expensive veteran guys who have already reached their peak by the time they come here. We need to building around young guys and then trade those young guys right after they hit their peak. It's how you continue to acquire players you can win with. If I were the GM of the Brewers the first thing I'd do is trade Carlos Gomez. Yes he's a great player and he's a key piece of the team. But he has 2 years left on his deal. He'll be 31 when his new deal starts (assuming he doesn't sign an extension first). And like all players he'll be looking for the biggest, longest contract he can get. You don't survive as a small market team by continuing to offer 4 or 5 year deals to 31 year old players. Why trade him now instead of next season? Simple. 1) The return will be higher because the team that gets him will have him for two years as opposed to one year. 2) If for some reason he has a down year or gets hurt then his value tumbles. Right now you have a golden opportunity to get something this organization hasn't had in years: a pitching prospect with #1 potential. I don't think you can pass up that chance, especially when, on paper, you're the 4th or 5th best team in your own division. I realize games aren't played on paper but as last year showed over the course of 162 games the good teams tend to win and the average teams tend to fall off at some point.

The Brewers have really upgraded SS and 3B over the last two years from really nothing to a few legit prospects. Catching I think is now the biggest black hole in the system. I don't like taking outfielders in the first round unless they are really ultra high ceiling players because outfield is kind of like relief pitchers in that almost anyone can be converted to a corner outfielder. If a catcher is available who is worthy of a first round pick I'd love to see the Brewers snatch him up. Otherwise I like how they are loading up on HS pitching.

Tough loss by MU. It may be a long season but the future certainly looks bright. They desperately need Fischer right now.

I'd make that move in an instant but obviously it would have to be accompanied by a move to free up a spot for Walker. A rotation built around Walker, Peralta and Nelson would be exciting to watch over the next few years. BUT it goes completely against Melvin's MO and as frustrating as it is to keep saying I would be shocked if he moved Gomez this year.

This trade was a steal. Even if Wren only ends up being a 4th outfielder Quintana likely wouldn't ever have made it above AA in Milwaukee's system. From what I've read his defense is already MLB ready and he steals a decent number of bases at a pretty good percentage. His BA and OBP have been solid in his two minor league seasons as well. Great move to obtain a organizational top 15 prospect for essentially nothing. Although it does highlight yet another top 5 round draft bust by Milwaukee.

my only concern is that you will be "kidded" to death for the duration of your cruise... This is my biggest concern too. I was hoping since we are going in between winter break and spring break that perhaps there won't be as many kids there since I would hope there wouldn't be too many parents taking their kids out of school for 3-4 days for a cruise. Is that just wishful thinking on my part? I guess as long as there is adult only dining and an adult only pool that should be good enough. My other big question. It looks like the two best options for us to sail out of either Miami or out of Port Canaveral. Has anyone sailed out of either of these places? Is one more convenient than the other? I'm not a big traveler and want to make things as easy as possible without having to find three different modes of transportation to finally make my way to where the cruise is. Finally, for those that can remember. How was the food on the Disney Cruise? Thanks for all the input. I think I'm going to try to talk her into maybe a Royal Caribbean cruise or something but as I said she LOVES Disney so I have a feeling it's going to be Disney.

My wife and I are thinking about taking a Disney Cruise next winter. She's a big Disney fan and I think a cruise could be fun. I am wondering if anyone here has ever been on a Disney cruise before. If we do go it'll likely be either the Bahamas cruise or the Caribbean cruise and we'll sail out of either Miami or Port Canaveral Florida. I'm just looking for feedback. Good idea? Bad idea? Tips? Advice? Anything would be helpful.

Tim Dierkes of MLB trade rumors predicts James Shields will get $95 million over 5 years. Even though he's older than Scherzer I'd rather the Brewers make a deal like that than to do what it would take to get Scherzer. I'm not saying I want them to do it but if it is one or the other I'd prefer Shields. He'll cost a lot less and won' take nearly as many years.

If it makes sense to deal Gomez at some point to enhance the teams chances in the relative short term, MA would do it. But he wouldn't authorize dealing him for low level prospects. And thus the problem. Mark A is ALWAYS thinking short term. And when you do that you eventually run low on resources and assets, which is exactly where we are now. I didn't come here to assess blame. I came to said what I would do to turn the franchise around. I think the best the organization could do is stop with the short sightedness and stop with the attitude that being in position to sneak into the playoffs is what we should shoot for every year. There is such a lack of high ceiling talent in this organization that it is almost laughable. And why is that? Because of all the shortsightedness. Let's draft Jungmann and Bradley because they can help us faster. Let's give up our first round pick to sign Lohse because he will help us win more games this season. Let's continue to sign expensive veteran FA pitchers like Garza as opposed to giving home grown guys a chance because home grown guys aren't sure things and may struggle. Let's hang on to every player we have for as long as possible instead of trading them for younger talent when their value is at it's peak, thus focusing on one or two more seasons now vs six seasons a little later on. Every move this franchise makes is about winning now. But we don't have the talent to win now. That is why we are where we are. An middling, .500 team with no real high ceiling talent anywhere close to the majors. And it frustrates me to no end.

At this point, extending Gomez and Lucroy is priority one. I disagree with extending Gomez. He'll be 31 the first season after his current contract runs out. Not old but starting to get past his prime. I saw someone this year that, while extremely talented, doesn't appear to be able to control his excitement. He makes stupid mistakes because he doesn't think. He doesn't alter his game based on the situation which drives me nuts. I've never ever seen someone swing out of his helmet and/or fall down swinging as often as he does. You like someone who puts forth the effort but at some point you just want to go up to him and say "hey Carlos chill out a bit". Most importantly though. For the first time since he's been GM, Melvin could actually trade someone whose value is at it's peak. It'll hurt to lose Gomez no doubt. But we're not winning with him and he could bring back something we still lack.....cheap, controllable quality arms.

I think they clearly have a handle on those beliefs. I don't think they sign 1-2 free agents every year at the belief that they are then the favorites to win a World Championship or field a championship caliber team. I'm not so sure Mark A. has a realistic view of where the franchise is right now. I think the moves they've made, particularly signing Garza, Lohse and Ramirez, were made with the belief that they would get them into the playoffs. I think they do their best every year to acquire talent and win as many games as possible. 2015 doesn't need to suffer to make 2017 great. That's what my problem is. Why spend all this money to go from a 75 win team to a 80 win team? Do they really think Brewer fans are going to be excited about that? If anything it's more frustrating because they give off this impression that they are signing guys so they can compete and yet they still finish in 3rd or 4th place. I have no issue with the Lind deal because Estrada is worthless. But if they now sign a guy to play the right hand side of the platoon vs just letting Rogers play I'll be upset. It would be like spending money just for the sake of spending money. GoGo can fetch you far more than one high ceiling prospect. You could get a MLB ready starter like Taijuan Walker along with another top 100 prospect and a mid level pitcher (potential mid to back of the rotation starter). I wonder if Seattle would be interested in Gomez and Gallardo for Walker and Paxton? We may have to throw some money in but a rotation of Walker, Paxton, Nelson, Peralta and Lohse would look pretty good for the future.