paul253

I'll bet that Milwaukee finishes outside of the top 10. It's the attitudes of the owner and the management that will continue to play their best players as opposed to their young players. I know I know, Davis and Gennett are every day players. But that is just because there are really no other options. Tyler Thornburg should be in the rotation. I also wouldn't mind seeing Gomez given two or three days off a week. He's clearly not 100% and if he is indeed a core player for the next few years I see no point in risking his reinjuring his knee. Finally, why not save Lucroy's body a bit and play Martin Maldonado more than once every five games? I was so excited when they were fairly solidly locked with a top 5 pick. They could finally get that player who would profile as an ace or as an all star caliber player. Not it's looking like another middle of the pack selection.

I was just looking at the standings and my very quick (aka possibly incorrect) glance shows 11 teams (Milwaukee, Cubs, SF, SD, Philly, NYM, Colorado, Toronto, LAA, Minnesota, Seattle) within about 4 games of each other. This means that it is almost as likely the Brewers end up with the 4th pick as it is they end up with the 14th pick. That is quite the difference. On a side note I give credit to the White Sox for their absolute tank job. Very impressive.

Wonder what SD is looking for in return.

Lets please keep this to discussing Khris Davis and not about the state of the franchise, trading Aoki, the 2014 roster, the 2014 rotation, or anything else that there is already a thread on and discussion ad nauseum. I mean no disrespect but any discussion about Khris Davis as a full time player is going to have to involve discussion of how exactly he'll get that chance. I do think this is yet another advantage the AL has over the NL. If we were in the AL there wouldn't even be a discussion. Davis would be our DH. Unfortunately if he is going to get any significant time one of three things will have to happen 1) Braun will have to be moved to RF. This would actually be a great PR move by Braun. Voluntarily moving to RF to make room for Davis would show the fans he's about the team, not himself. 2) Of course this isn't an option unless Aoki is moved 3) Or Davis could learn to play RF. However almost everyone agrees he is not a right fielder.

Ha I remember when I had this guy penciled in as the Brewers future #3 starter. He was right up there with Luis Martinez and Ben Hendrickson.

Remember how Maldanado and Fiers did last year? How about this year? I think if Davis gets consistent at bats he'll continue to hit. Hitting has always been his strong point. Maldonado did ok for him but it's not like he was putting up all-star numbers. And I think everyone knew Fiers was pitching over his head. He really tailed off towards the end of the year. I'm at the point with Melvin and Roenecke where I won't believe Davis will play every day next year until I see it. Roenecke quickly threw cold water on Tyler Thornburg's 3 very successful starts and I expect he'd do the same with Davis. These guys just seem dead set against playing younger players unless they have to.

Yeah there is really no reason to have Thornburg in the bullpen. Roenecke was interviewed recently about the whole three starters for two spots thing and his explanation was borderline pathetic. He basically said Thornburg had some good starts but we can't forget about what he did in Nashville. And we need to get a better look at Estrada to see what we have in him (because apparently 94 career appearances with Milwaukee, including 46 starts, isn't enough to know what kind of pitcher he is).

I can't imagine Khris Davis would bring back anything significant. The only person whom we can expect a good pitcher in return for is Gomez (unless we trade Segura, Braun, or Lucroy). I'd consider moving Braun to RF. How hard can it be? If he has the arm for it why not? I don't see how the Brewers could trade Weeks for "nothing" without paying at least half of his contract next year. If they basically give him away, maybe throw in $2 or $3 million I'm sure some team would be willing to take him in hopes that he returns to form. It's only a one year risk. The Brewers also need someone to take over as the face of the franchise for casual fans to identify with post-Braun, and Gomez is an exciting player who could fill that role. That could be very valuable in terms of revenue from casual fans. I disagree. The Brewers need to win. Most fans don't come to see a specific player. They come to see a good team. I've been very leery of Carlos Gomez ever since he signed his extension and I'm afraid Melvin is going to pull a Melvin and completely miss the opportunity to trade him for a significant return.

If I could see anything I'd like to see the following: 1) Trade Gomez: The guy started off really hot but has been coming back to Earth lately. I think the time is right to move him. His value will never be higher. I'd trade him to Seattle and I'd demand Walker in return. I think it's a fair offer. 2) Trade Weeks for.......anything. Seriously. The guy is done. I'd give him to any team that will pay his salary 3) Let Aoki walk....move Braun to RF 4) Let Axford walk. I'm so sick of this guy and his Jekyll and Hyde results. 5) Re-sign Corey Hart to an incentive laden one year deal Lineup: 1) Segura SS 2) Gennett 2B 3) Braun RF 4) Ramirez 3B 5) Lucroy C 6) Hart 1B 7) Davis LF 8) Schafer CF Rotation 1) Gallardo 2) Lohse 3) Peralta 4) Walker 5) Thornburg (pipe dream I know) Bench: Green/Gamel/Maldonado/Gindl/Bianchi Bullpen: Henderson/Gorzelany/Estrada/Narveson(or another lefty)/Badenhop/Kintzler/Wooten

What have you been watching?? My comment was half sarcastic (and not a knock on Heckathorn but on Roenecke) but to answer you question I've been watching a Milwaukee team whose manager is being forced to play his young players despite the fact that, in my opinion, he doesn't want to. If Braun weren't suspended and Weeks and Gomez weren't hurt we would not be seeing Davis, Schafer and Gennett playing at all, let alone full time. I've also been watching a Milwaukee team whose manager has no problem flip flopping one of his better pitching prospects (Thornburg) between the rotation and the bullpen despite Thornburg having three very good starts in a row. His reasoning? "I know he has started and had some nice games for us but I don't think you can forget what he did in Triple A. Three or four starts, it's hard to tell on somebody". So apparently the best way to "tell on" somebody as a starter is to move him back to the bullpen. And forget about what he did in the majors. Let's focus on his minor league numbers from earlier on.

I have completely lost faith in the Brewers' handling of their prospects. While Heckathorn has had a solid yard in Nashville in relief I'd bet the Brewers either completely ignore that or promote him and tell him to start games again.

I'm sorry but this is an ugly list. The Brewer's system needs major work. As far as the list goes, I think Jungmann is ranked way too high. I view him, if he even makes it, as a #5 starter who will put up an ERA around 4.5 (a Marco Estrada type prospect). If he is our second best prospect then we are in trouble. Taylor and Arcia could be really nice players if they continue to develop. I actually wouldn't mind seeing Arcia back at Wisconsin next season to allow the offense to catch up a little bit. I liked Coulter a lot heading into this year but injuries and inconsistent playing time seemed to have made for a lost year (he should be in Helena right now too). And if Roache can keep up these power numbers while cutting down a bit on K's and hitting in the .270-.280 range he could become our top position prospect. The Brewers really, really need a strong 2014 draft.

1 earned run over 18 innings in his last three starts. Yeah sending Thornburg back to the bullpen makes plenty of sense.

3 more hits tonight. How much longer does the 25 year old DVO need to spend in High A before he sees Huntsville?

The fact is that the Brewers are going to have to build through the draft to be successful year in year out. The more picks we have, and the higher those picks are, the better chance we have of hitting on someone. Yeah there is a chance that that second round pick is going to fail. but it's a chance we have to take. The Brewers are not a franchise that can continue to rely on expensive free agents to solve their problems. Beside, who is this expensive free agent we are going to sign? The free agent market seems underwhelming this year.

If even if we do fire Seid hiring a competent replacement probably won't show positive effects for years. We need young pitching now.

I'm far more concerned about how poorly Seid has done since taking over the draft than i am whether Gomez is traded Don't get me wrong I'm all for dumping Seid. But Jack Z didn't develop any pitchers in his time with Milwaukee either. Maybe he has learned something new since being in Seattle, but as GM he probably has less say in drafting and developing pitching than he did in Milwaukee. He may do better at developing hitters than Seid, but if I am going to hire a new scouting director I'd rather they go after someone in TB's or St. Louis' organization.

I didn't mean that I wanted Jack Z. back. I meant I'd be all over him as in calling him and saying "hey if you don't get better soon you won't have a job. So......Carlos Gomez.....". I don't know how much outfield help Seattle is looking for but maybe they'd be interested in Aoki as well. He'd certainly be a fan favorite. Gomez and Aoki should help out the offense some and bring a pretty good return (at least 2 of their big three pitchers). Gomez, Aoki, and Bradley/Hall/Gagnon/Burgos for Walker, Hultzen (or Paxton is Hultzen isn't healthy), and Capps (a nice looking bullpen guy)? Or since this involves so many guys how about simply Aoki for Paxton?

The teams the Brewers have played since Braun got suspended are something like a combined 58 games under .500. Now that we are playing teams like Texas, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh we'll see if this team is actually any better.

I'm not optimistic at all about next year because I'd bet my left thumb that the every day lineup at the beginning of 2014 is going to be the exact same as it was supposed to be this year. 1B Hart 2B Weeks SS Segura 3B Ramirez LF Braun CF Gomez RF Aoki C Lucroy. I think we are going to be relying on a lot of older players who won't be able to stay healthy and/or won't produce. The rotation will still be an issue. We will have to hope Gallardo pitches better and Lohse doesn't fall off. We will have to hope Peralta can maintain his consistency. Then despite having younger, higher ceiling options like Nelson, Thornburg, and Hellweg, our rotation will have Marco Estrada and Tom Gorzelany in it. I'm not optimistic about next year because I don't think DM and MA believe this year's team is a bad team. I think they believe they are just unlucky. Gindl, Schafer, Davis and Gennett are not getting looks this year with the hope they can contribute next season. They are getting looks because Roenecke has nobody else to put out there. Once he does those guys will resume their role on the bench.

If I were the DM I'd be all over Jack Z in the offseason. Seattle is in the lower half of almost every offensive category in the AL and Jack's time may be running short. I'm not sure if a one-for-one would be enough return for Gomez, but maybe something like Walker and Paxson for Gomez and one of our spare outfielders (Gindl or Davis)? I'd even settle for Hultzen, assuming his shoulder looks ok, instead of Walker.

The Brewers better be careful or they are going to be "good" enough to end up with the 12th or 13th pick.

Please, I beg you to do some reading on statistics. Especially sample sizes. You're right there is no point in discussing this further. I think Weeks is an average at best hitter and you obviously disagree. I am a little baffled by this size statement though. Pretty everything I've mentioned as far as Weeks goes are career averages. Hardly a small sample size.

Just wanted to bump this thread. Reed is more than holding his own in Wisconsin as a 20 year old. A line of .313/.399/.436. He can steal some bases but gets thrown out a lot. I also see he is still listed as a CF but plays LF when he and Taylor are in the lineup together. Just a few questions for anyone who has seen him play this year. 1) How does he look in CF? Can he handle it on a full time basis? 2) If not does he have enough power to be a full time corner outfielder? 3) Is he a top 10 organizational prospect now after a solid year? 4) Is Michael Brantley a fair comparison for him?

It doesn't matter how often you can get a hit if they are all singles and you almost never walk What difference does it make if you get a single or draw a walk? Is a single not better than a walk? A walk doesn't drive home the runner on third base. A walk doesn't move the runner from first to third. A walk doesn't score two runs with the bases loaded. Who cares if you can draw a walk if you get a hit instead? Over the course of 500 at bats player A has line of .330/.330/.450. Player B has a line .200/.330/.450. You are going to argue player B is just as valuable as player A because player A didn't draw any walks? 65 hits instead of 65 walks means absolutely nothing? I'll mention in a bit that while it's possible it means nothing it's also possible it could mean a lot. It is all about total production added with the bat. Batting average is worthless if that is what you want to know. So it is about TOTAL production but how often you get a hit is worthless. To me those statements contradict each other. Interesting note, I would say Ichiro was roughly equivalent to Weeks as a hitter over their careers. This is not a knock on you, but I think there is such a thing as over analysis. Too focused on stats. And that's what I think you are doing here. For instance, when Funketown said "There's not a big difference between a player who hits .230/.400/.450 and one that hits .350/.400/.450" that is an instance where simply looking at the stats doesn't paint the whole picture. If the .350 hitter is only getting hits when the bases are empty, or when there is a runner on first who only moves up one base, then no there is no real difference. But if in any of those cases there is a runner in scoring position, or there is a guy on first who advances to third on the hit then there is a huge difference between the two. I know the old adage says "a walk is as good as a hit" but that's not always the case. A guy on third base, two outs, pitcher on deck. You're going to say a walk is just as good as a hit? Simply going by OBP it's just a good but in real life it's a lot less likely to get that run home. Likewise, people always argue strikeouts mean nothing, but again, it depends on the situation when the strikeout happens. A strikeout with a guy on third and one out is a lot worse than a strikeout with the bases empty and two out. When you have a guy like Weeks who strikes out so often, undoubtedly there are going to be a lot of cases where those strikeouts are lot more damaging then an outcome, say a flyout to CF or or a ground out to second base, would be. Finally, what about situational hitting? It doesn't always show up in OBP% or SLG% but it's important as well. When looking at getting guys home from third base with less than two outs, Weeks has a lower career % (43%) than pretty much all of the Brewer's regulars (Braun, Ramirez, Hart, Aoki, Lucroy Gomez, even Yuni). That's another case of where the "eye test" can be used. Looking at Weeks in those instance it just doesn't look like he is able to adjust to the situation (either that or he just doesn't want to). It was said earlier that you have to look at the TOTAL production. I think if you do in fact look at total production Weeks is average at best offensively.