thumperden

Right. Baseball Prospectus (same report) projects the Brewers to have about 75 wins.

Now is as good a time as any. Baseball Prospectus Playoff Odds Report lists the Brewers' chances of making the playoffs at 1.14%. A week ago it was about 2.25% after a decent winning trend. The White Sox have worked their way back into contention of late and their chances have grown 5% in the last 7 days to 22%, which is still only 6th best in the AL. IMO, the Brewers will have to duplicate what the White Sox have done for twice as long to be even considered a contender. It is time to sell, and there are plenty of veterans to chose from.

It makes perfect sense to put him in there and work on locating his fastball. I'm guessing that was the purpose of bringing him in at all. I haven't seen to many games this year. Does anyone know what pitch he's getting hammered on? If it's his fastball, then it's pretty easy to figure out why he pitched nothing but fastballs.

I don't understand how a stress fracture would earn a 4th rounder a pink slip. I'm sure we'll get more information as time passes, but this is a baffler at this time. I'll take a pitcher who can hit .333 with extra base skill to boot.

April Fool's........please?!

I am absolutely stupified that Gary Sheffield's name hasn't been mentioned yet. I know he was traded and that, but the thread has been trended toward the all hated Brewers players instead and he is Brewer enemy number one. It's not even close as to whom number two would be.

Ahh! You got me! Good one.

That's what I'm afraid of too RyDogg. There are too many if's on this roster to be considered a contender at this time.

Bring him back for depth, send him to AAA and hope he refines his secondary pitches. I think he's a little better than Villaneuva at least.

Bring him back for depth, send him to AAA and hope he refines his secondary pitches. I think he's a little better than Villaneuva at least.

I too like the idea of batting Gomez in the 9 hole. Gamel has a good eye at the plate, but from what I've seen last year, he needs to make an adjustment in the batters box...a small one. He's too close to the plate and gets eaten up on anything on the inner-half of the plate. When he extends his hands, they're over the plate. I'm really surprised that he didn't make the change all of last year. Right-handed pitchers would destroy him with a slider, which shouldn't be the case. If he will make the adjustment, he will be a plus hitter at the major league level.

I'd like to see Shouse brought back for depth. There probably isn't room for him, but if it's even a remote possibility he's brought in, whom does he replace or would he accept a AAA invite? 1 ER in 10 IP, 6 K's/1 BB this spring.

I will say a prayer for him. I had the chance to talk to him just before he was released from the Brewers back in (02-03?). After seeing him in person, he didn't look like he was in good shape at all. He was carrying around a lot of body fat. He didn't even look athletic at all. Best wishes and best of health to him.

That's because the Senators/Twins is the same franchise. It's not like the ridiculous Cleveland Browns fiasco where the new expansion Browns keep the former Browns franchise records and the old Browns move to Baltimore and leave their history behind.

Oh please, Dougie pull the trigger! That's the only solution to make the best of a bad situation and that.

Thanks End! I'm familiar with baseball reference and hardball times, but not the other two. Much appreciated. Thank you too Logan. Very helpful indeed. My research is mainly about developing a wins above average formulae as opposed to a wins above replacement player. I believe a (WAA) statistic is a more easily understood concept to the lay person. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I'd like to compile a list of statistical websites for a research project I'm working on. I know of a few, (baseball prospectus, fan graphs, etc.). What ones do you have saved in your favorites? Thanks much.

Ouch! That'll shorten a career and affect quality of life after. Arthritis is right around the corner. Didn't Andre Dawson have the same problem for years and still played in the N.L. with no DH? There are other examples, but none come to mind.

Does Dukie hack on 2-0? If he doesn't, there may be an icecube in Hades chance he'll get a 2nd chance...I don't think Milwaukee is the place for it for all the above mentioned reasons.

A little bourbon behind the ears never hurt anybody. That scene from Major League when he puts the booze behind his ears like aftershave made me laugh hysterically.

Thanks JB. I forgot it was his hamstring. Have you seen any recent health updates?

Is there something physically wrong with Ryan Freel? I've seen he's had pretty bad numbers the last couple years, but used to be a speedy, versatile player. If he's healthy, I'd like to see him with a non-roster invite. Thoughts?

So, now with Bill Hall in Boston with Mike Cameron, who's going to play center field?!http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/tongue.gif

Agreed, yoshii. It's gonna take a fair share of luck to be a contender in 2010. Your point about improvement in the bullpen is valid. The rotation needs at least one more proven starter for me to feel more comfortable. The lineup appears to be a downgrade so far. Defense is probably a push overall. My interpretation of this thread so far is that there isn't enough proof to make us believe that the off-season moves are enough to make the Brewers a bonafide contender. It seems that it's more of an if this or that happens scenario(s). There does not seem to be a vast majority of confidence at this point, and I think that's a fair assessment. It appears that the Brewer brass has signed on to the theory of throw as many pitchers at the wall as they can and see what sticks. There's nothing wrong with that theory at all regardless of market size. I just hope that a nugget or three is found in that mix.

This back and forth banter gets re-hashed every off-season with the same predictable points and counter-points. Let's get over the worn out method of pitching success being judged merely by wins already. This poor beaten horse has died and decayed long ago. One player (pitcher) out of nine on the field does not and should not deserve the tag of win or loss in a team game. If the game was chess, tiddlywinks, pin the tail on the donkey, in a one-on-one matchup, then and only then should that individual get credit for the individual result. PW=S/L2 Pitching win equals skill divided by luck squared. Maybe I'm giving the pitcher too much credit. How about PW=S/L9...? I hope you get my point. Are we done yet? I write this with no sarcasm, just frustrated that I caught myself reading the same 'ol, same 'ol and I'll never get that time back again. The comparison of the Rockies and Brewers earlier in the thread gives credence to the theory that 10 runs equals a win. Colorado netted 121 runs better than Milwaukee and finished the season with 12 more wins. I'm sorry...I meant team wins. I'm of the opinion that the Brewers aren't better with the off-season transactions as of now, but there is still time before the season begins so let's hope. I believe that most of the improvement, if there is any would come from rebound years from many that had a disappointing 2009 season. I just don't see where the off-season transactions have improved the team to this point. Certainly not enough to be regarded as a contender yet. Hope springs attorney. Happy New Year to all.