dadofandrew

Yep, I've been pimping Branyan for a few weeks, since Hinske decided to stay in ATL. A power bat on the bench, be it Aybar or Branyan, is all they're lacking from being a prototypical well built roster.

He can join them, as far as I'm concerned. Irresponsible behavior, be it drinking and driving, or randomly shooting a gun into a crowded shopping center, will garner no sympathy from me. He made the decision, and he can bear the consequences.

Schafer is a prototypical CF, good defender, runs well, even his long, lanky build. Komatsu just looks like a bench guy to me, though I like his ability to take walks, which Logan does not. I hope they both turn out great, but I like Schafer more, as long as he comes back healthy.

Pure evil. If you drink, don't drive. If you drive, don't drink. This is like 1st grade common sense. That scum bag has no sympathy from me, as I'll save it for those who suffer needlessly, are molested, or suffer health problems far too young. Eternity is a long time to spend in hell, but he deserves every second.

Wily Aybar would be a near perfect fit, though having a pair of switch-hitters on the bench may cause some to wet themselves...I can't recall ever having a single one.

I've mentioned Branyan on Ramblings a few times. He's the only Hinske like player left. That said, he isn't much of a 3B anymore, and he is unlikely to play 1B at all.

All hitters are going to have a worst month of the year. That's not a slump, that's just math. A month is a small sample, so worrying about it is short-sighted.

Rogers had 126 in his first year of health in forever. Expecting more is more hope than actual expectations. If you were a linemaker, his over/under on total IP would have to be set at about 110 or less to balance out the money. He's more likely to throw 50 than 150. I'd have him start in the bullpen and then if he's not needed in the bigs, have him go 4-5 IP a start in June and July, to build up his stamina to get to 6 by August and September

If he'd sign for 1y/$2M, he'd have many offers to be a set-up man. As a closer, his appeal is limited. At $5M, even moreso. It's up to him. A reunion with SD makes too much sense.

Gindl will have to prove himself at every level. That said, his lack of height doesn't scare me a bit, it doesn't matter in the field or at the plate. Schafer looks like a far better prospect than Komatsu to me. Also, that's a pretty deep list to me, especially when people are saying how weak the system is.

Basically a cheap ROOGY, he struggles vs. LH bats. On a make good deal, no harm in trying.

A switch hitting Brady Clark has a lot of value, especially as a cheap 5th OF.

Benching McGehee for Gamel would be similar to a Bogut/Larry Sanders swap...one has performed in the bigs, one has not, though they seem to have all the prerequisites to someday shine. If McGehee was expensive, or 35, or had any real warts, it would at least be understandable. However, Casey has two "faults," below average speed and below average defense. At best, Mat is shaky in the field, and has had his work habits questioned by several in the organization, including his manager of the past two years, who, despite being a grumpy gus, has rarely criticized effort in the past. Many of us felt Casey's knee was a reason his defense was so shaky in '09, and his UZR number did improve immensely in '10, along with the health of his knee. Granted, a single season is a small sample of defense, but he did appear more comfy, and anyone who has had a bad back or pain knows it affects how and what you do. Mat has shown himself to be a fine hitter in the minors, and dominated AAA for a month or more late least year. That said, the idea of benching a guy who has performed admirably for Mat, at this stage, is premature, at best. Also, the fact Casey is not much of an "athlete," just a ballplayer, keeps him from having value to many teams, just like having a low OBP was not a way to get noticed by the A's a decade ago or so. One of Macha's best lines was that "the players make out the lineup," if you play well, you'd get more time, and the opposite as well. Cain played, Gomez played for a bit, then Lo again. No one ever plays 1B or LF, barring injury, because those guys are good...even if someone is hitting in Nashville, or whatever. No one looks to see what Farris is doing as long as Weeks is doing well. Ditto for McGehee. When Mat is out of options, a decision will have to be made. Until then, he's depth.

Counting on Rogers to throw 160 innings and then repeat that in '12 is likely pie-in-the-sky optimism. If Wolf can duplicate his '10, have a low 4 ERA, and start every 5th day, he might well outperform Marcum or Greinke (or Yo).

That's correct, pitchers tend to be healthier after 24/25 or thereabouts.

Lopez is worse than Betancourt at SS, using UZR. Harris has started 3 games at SS in his career. Cruz makes Betancourt look like Cal Ripken offensively. Escobar was good defensively last year, especially after the first couple months. McGehee was barely below average as well, as he seemed to show his knee caused many of the problems in '09. The Brewers were 15th in MLB in defense last year, per UZR. The rumor they were well below average started out as a common complaint (similar to the law that says catchers that can't hit are good defenders), and still continues, despite evidence to the contrary. Of course, there are a dozen metrics out there that measure D, but many of them vary wildly from year-to-year. A season is a small sample on defense, but all the UZR numbers make sense if you watched the games.

No solid, proven SP is going to sign without a promise of being the 5th SP. That's why Capuano and others recovering from injury have merit, as they are unlikely to be guaranteed anything. That's why I wanted Brandon McCarthy, as he is good, but not good enough to earn a promise like that. Millwood on a 1y/$2M deal would be fine. Almost any proven SP on a deal like that or less would be. Those 5 ERA guys look mighty good when your best SP at Nashville has a 4.50 ERA in AAA. Heck, Wayne Franklin won a lot of games with a good offense behind him and a 5ish ERA.

At TRU and Michaels, often the number on order was an offshoot of 144, even if it was 7200. It's still used in ordering and sales circles. It's less now, as computers keep track of everything easily. But, old habits die hard.

Francis, Capuano, whoever, I'd just feel far more comfortable with a solid 6th and 7th SP on board. Add up the top 5's actual IP, and in many cases, your number will be 500-600. I did not expect adding 2 arms like Greinke and Marcum, but I was hoping Narveson would be the #6 guy, as that would indicate good depth. I still do.

Add in Rogers, there's 3 solid SP prospects in AA or AAA. Been a long time since they had that.

Dickerson and Counsell will play some, Kottaras might be the backup C. They were 4th in the NL in runs LY with just Prince as a lefty bat much of the time, so I can't see it as an issue. I'd rather have a good RH bat than an average LH one.

Damon could be a -10 run guy in CF, but he's also off the chart bad in RF. With no DH, he'd basically be Braun's backup and a PH. Also, are his numbers any better than Dickerson's anyway? If they did sign another OF, it'd be great if he had HR power and the ability to play somewhere else. I don't see Damon as a fit.

Rogers started last year, and did well. Given his injury background and age, it's tough to see him as a frontline SP for the next few years. He's far more likely to pitch out of the bullpen or spend a lot of time on the DL. Pitchers flame out a lot even if they are healthy.

I don't think it's nearly as bad as some think. Peralta and Rivas are solid pitching prospects at AA, and both might be SP's. When was the last time the Crew had a pair of true SP types in the upper minors? Parra and Yo?

That's 10 gross of shirts. Seems like an odd amount until you figure that out.