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SandyTolan

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Everything posted by SandyTolan

  1. SandyTolan
    I do think they need to make at least one bold move bullpen now, and that would be cutting Feliz and bringing up Hader, or maybe Taylor Williams, as you say, adambr. Because if their starting pitching can hold up - if Nelson is for real, Anderson can stay good (even if not THIS good), Guerra is what he was last year, Davies continues to come around, and eventually Woodruff can replace Garza - then they have a legit starting rotation. Then, when Braun comes back, they really have a shot at a wild card or even the division. So, they need to make some moves now to shore up the pen. Starting with Hader and Williams, and maybe eventually Wang, Blazek, and/or Cravy: That could be a very decent bullpen to go with a solid rotation and strong offensive unit. Who'da thunk it?
  2. SandyTolan
    Actually swing+, the Super Two cutoff has come and gone. Brewers are in the clear on that...
  3. SandyTolan
    Yes and in the meantime they can make some bold internal moves that could lead to significant improvement. Hader and Taylor Williams, who is smoking in AA, with a 1.16 ERA and 11.6 K/9 (and received huge praise http://archive.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/294570031.html from Ryan Braun) could replace Feliz and Hughes right now. Next in line, Blazek and Wang, or even Cravy, all doing very well in CS especially under those circumstances, could take over for Torres and Drake, if they continue to struggle. That could result in a remarkably better bullpen by late July, and no need to pay for an upgrade with prospects.
  4. SandyTolan
    Yes and in the meantime they can make some bold internal moves that could lead to significant improvement. Hader and Taylor Williams, who is smoking in AA, with a 1.16 ERA and 11.6 K/9 (and received huge praise http://archive.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/294570031.html from Ryan Braun) could replace Feliz and Hughes right now. Next in line, Blazek and Wang, or even Cravy, all doing very well in CS especially under those circumstances, could take over for Torres and Drake, if they continue to struggle. That could result in a remarkably better bullpen by late July, and no need to pay for an upgrade with prospects.
  5. SandyTolan
    Fine, but rebuild the pen from AAA, not with trades that give away prospects before it's time to make a major move. As indicated above AAA arms like Hader, Wang, Blazek and even Cravy would likely be serious upgrades over Feliz, Hughes, and Drake. Improve from within; give the CS guys a shot and hang onto the big prospects. I don't care if they go and sign some Indy ball guys to come in and give it their all. Doing nothing is completely a joke at this point. It's not like they haven't done anything. They cut Milone and Mariñez. They moved Peralta to the bullpen. And no doubt more moves are coming. I think Feliz goes next, then maybe Drake.
  6. SandyTolan
    Fine, but rebuild the pen from AAA, not with trades that give away prospects before it's time to make a major move. As indicated above AAA arms like Hader, Wang, Blazek and even Cravy would likely be serious upgrades over Feliz, Hughes, and Drake. Improve from within; give the CS guys a shot and hang onto the big prospects.
  7. SandyTolan
    >>> Williams may have the best arm in the system and Ryan Braun has even been quoted as saying that. He has been very good so far this season being eased back in from injury. <<< What adambr said. That alone is reason not to let go of this guy. He could be a phenomenal reliever, and he is smokin it in AA now. No reason to think he can't be up at the big-league level by next year. Would be crazy to let him go at this point.
  8. SandyTolan
    Not sure why you'd give up two very strong prospects for 1.5 years of control, when the Brewers aren't ready to really go for it yet. Seems like a big waste. Taylor Williams especially seems not worth giving away like that. Given how strong he looks at AA now, he may be ready by next year anyway.
  9. SandyTolan
    Agreed, but IMO that's quite a qualifier. Contrary to the opinion of some here, I think a lot can be done from AAA to improve the bullpen dramatically going forward. Hader could be a powerful LH option. Blazek and Wang are having exceptionally good years, especially for Colorado Springs, and there are reasons to believe both could be dramatic upgrades over Feliz, Hughes, and Drake. For one thing Blazek has actually been very good at the MLB level; . As for Wang, he keeps improving and seems to deserve another shot. So, for starters, I'd ship out Feliz, Hughes, and Drake, and bring up Hader, Wang, and Blazek. That could result in significant improvement. Then if Torres or Scahill have more struggles, Espino, Crazy, or Suter could also be upgrades, if not dramatic ones.
  10. SandyTolan
    It's just not worth getting into buy mode at this point. Promoting from below and adding from the DL can do the trick. Right now the bullpen of Knebel, Peralta, Barnes, Torres, Oliver and Hughes can be excellent. With Garza reborn, Davies coming around, Guerra coming back and Nelson looking good - that really can be a decent rotation. I'd say, stay the course.
  11. SandyTolan
    At this point, with the Brewers in first place and Garza (small sample alert) their most effective starter, there is absolutely no reason to trade him at the deadline, unless they are out of the race by then. If they want to deal him it can be done over the winter. Keeping Garza would be equivalent to trading for a starting pitcher at the deadline, except of course it costs nothing. That is, of course, if he keeps pitching the way he has been. Possibly a big if.
  12. SandyTolan
    Guerra, Davies, Garza, Nelson, Anderson, maybe Lopez or Woodruff -- the way they've pitched lately (not including Guerra), that is a pretty decent rotation. Knebel as closer, and Peralta eventually as a strong setup guy, with Barnes, Torres, maybe Hader... I'd say that's looking pretty good. I would not give up top prospects for a guy (Quintana and his 4.4 ERA) who is struggling this year - he would likely replace someone who is doing just as well or better, and at a great cost. I'd say stick with what you've got, possibly promote from AAA/AA, until late July, then see where we are. No need to trade Garza now if he's learned how to adjust and really pitch, rather than relying on being a power pitcher.
  13. SandyTolan
    >>>I would rather DFA Aguilar than Franklin. Neither can hit, but at least Franklin is versatile.<<< Only thing is, I think Aguilar CAN hit, but that he's just in a terrible slump. He did hit 30HR in AAA last year, had an astonishing spring, and started the year 7 for 10. Yes, he's had but one hit since, but I'd like to see him stick for at least a few more starts. Franklin, it appears, really can't hit at all. But if we were to get rid of them both - maybe Reed and Cooper take their place. As someone pointed out, all Cooper has done at every level is hit. And he has played a bit of corner OF and a tiny bit of 3B.
  14. SandyTolan
  15. SandyTolan
    A series of solutions, in answer to the thread's question: UPGRADE #1: Replace Peralta with Guerra. Move Peralta to the pen, where he can be groomed as closer if Feliz continues to blow leads and give up dingers. UPGRADE #2: Send Nelson to AAA, replace him in the rotation with Lopez. UPGRADE #3: Release Mariñez and Hughes (with his 1.8 WHIP), replace them with Suter/Wang and Espino who stay stretched out and ready for a spot start. UPGRADE #4: DFA Franklin, replace him with Reed or Cordell. As soon as possible (by the trade deadline at the latest): UPGRADE #5: Trade (or if necessary DFA) Garza, replace him with Woodruff. And if Davies doesn't get it together (which I think he will), send him to AAA and replace him with Hader. Short term the rotation looks like this: Guerra Davies Anderson Garza Lopez By late July it's this: Guerra Davies (or Hader) Anderson Lopez Woodruff And Peralta can be your closer
  16. SandyTolan
    If we were getting offered deals like that Braun would have been shipped out long long ago. I don't expect teams to suddenly start offering Top 50 prospects. That Rangers deal is ridiculous and never going to happen, ever. Yeah I'd say neither of those deals are gonna happen. Quite possibly nothing will. I think the likeliest time for a deal, with SF, LAD, or whomever, would be in late July, given that May 14 is too early, considering how well the Brewers are playing so far.
  17. SandyTolan
    Honestly, since the Crew has Thames through the 2020 season, why not just hang onto him at least through 2018 and see how things are shaping up? They could still get a gigantic haul as they head into contending years, or have him be a huge part of that.
  18. SandyTolan
    That's what I assumed too, but then found this interesting bit from Jim Callis, the Dodgers' beat writer at MLB.com Bellinger has experience playing all three outfield positions in the Minors, seeing more time in center field than on the corners. He moves well for a big man and has solid arm strength, and he's expected to see action in both center and left for the Dodgers. So, maybe they put him in CF and there could still be room for Braun in LF? Seems doubtful but you never know. Also doubtful but not impossible: That the Dodgers are trying to get the Brewers to lower their price for Braun.
  19. SandyTolan
    But there is something to be said for the loyalty of fans to particular players. For example, I predict Thames very quickly will become an immense, Prince-like favorite, and I think it's right to consider that when factoring in whether to trade him or any guy. The fan's connection, young or old, should be respected. Not to the extent of really hurting the team, but if they start dealing favorites and guys that are super-important to the team while they're still in contention, that can and should be a problem. I would argue that that's the human factor beyond sheer numbers.
  20. SandyTolan
    That would be a mistake. Same mistake they made in 2015, believing team was better than it was. Even if they're in 1st July 31st, stay the course. In no way does it mean rebuild ended. Ah, you mean they'd have to destroy the team in order to save it? Prediction: If the Brewers are in first place on July 31, and they deal Braun, Brewer fans (with the exception of a few on fan boards) will go crazy. And not in a good way.
  21. SandyTolan
    I recall that when I was a kid lo these many years ago, the "gentle giant" Frank "Hondo" Howard clubbed 10 homers in a week. Actually, in six days according to this piece in the Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55573-2005Mar21.html In May 1968, the Senators' most popular player went on a record-setting binge, belting 10 homers in 20 at-bats over six games. He ranks among the top five home run hitters of the '60s -- with Hank Aaron, Harmon Killebrew, Willie Mays and Willie McCovey.
  22. SandyTolan
    Another interesting possibility: If the Crew is somehow still in contention at the trade deadline, then rather than dealing Braun, Peralta, Guerra, etc., they could wait until the offseason, knowing they can stock the team from the farm (Brinson, Hader, Woodruff). Or if they look out of it on August 31 perhaps they could swing a stretch-drive waiver deal or two.
  23. SandyTolan
    The only thing is, the Thames/Braun combo is looking pretty unbeatable right about now, and if the Brewers are still within spitting distance of first place or even a WC slot on May 24, Stearns would probably have to be absolutely bowled over to deal one of the linchpins of a still-contending team. In late July the situation could be quite different, so I agree at this point that is more likely.
  24. SandyTolan
    No way will they option Barnes, who has become a very reliable 7th inning guy. They are not tanking, and they won't do this. Maybe, just maybe, they'll release Garza. Doubt it, since Stearns will want to try to get at least some value in return, but it wouldn't shock me.
  25. SandyTolan
    Meantime Braun is OPS-ing over 1.000 and the Brewers are in first place. Not super-motivated to make a deal now. They have leverage.
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