Ron Robinsons Beard

I agree with you on Peralta in the rotation and Woodruff to the pen. Disagree that either in AAA To get stretched out, we don’t have that luxury, not with our daunting schedule to begin the year we’re going to need all of our bullets. Tomlin in AAA as filler til Nelson. Tomlin likely has an early opt-out if not in the majors, so they may not have that luxury. Not that he'd be a huge loss if that happens, but it would affect overall depth.

I would say that if Woodruff is in the pen, it isn't that he fell behind so much as he's proven that he can be an impact arm in the pen as well. Burnes was great out of the pen as well, but Peralta doesn't have a track record there. You're right ... these are rare, strange times we're in having not only depth, but quality depth in the rotation.

If only "stuff" and results were always 100% compatible ... This is what makes baseball great. We can all sit here in mid-March and try to predict outcomes, but no one really knows that's going to happen until the games are played. Yes, statistics and analysis can lead to some pretty educated guesses, but the games will tell the story. I think that we can all agree, though, that having an effective Jimmy Nelson, and even having an effective Chase Anderson, gives this team a much greater chance of success.

I don't disagree with the idea behind a value Kimbrel signing, but to base it on Jeffress's health would be a mistake I think. If they sign Kimbrel, it would be to strengthen what is already a big strength, not to replace a guy that, as of right now at least, looks like he may miss the first week or so of the season. Reactionary signings are rarely a good idea. But if they determine Kimbrel is a good enough value, and he fits into what they want to do, then sure, why not?

If I remember correctly, about a year ago, you were on the front lines of "We don't need to add a pitcher because Chase Anderson has been pitching like an ace for his last 200 innings bandwagon", no? Actually, I think I was on the "Sign Cobb because he's the ace we need" bandwagon, so take that as you may LOL. But yeah, I had high hopes that the Chase we saw in 2017 was the real Chase. Chase wasn't horrible last year, but he was a far cry from what he did in 2017. He regressed to average. I have no qualms admitting I was wrong.

I think you're right. But I also think the Brewers are going to find ways to stretch the limits of the new rules in order to give themselves a tactical advantage as well. Smart ballclubs roll with the punches, and we finally have a smart ballclub.

MLB needs to stop picking on pitchers to speed up games. How about the hitters that step out between every pitch and take 30 seconds to spit on their hands, adjust their gloves and find their stance in the box? That's why it's so much fun to watch guys like Miley and Suter work, because they work quick and mess up those hitters' stupid mid-pitch habits/routines.

I get the feeling that perhaps the Brewers say the writing on the wall, which is why they acquired (and actually paid a pretty high price for) Claudio. He's a lefty that has the capability and is used to pitching to multiple hitters. This is why you didn't see them make any attempt to hang onto Jennings or Cedeno, despite the two of them putting up decent numbers overall last year.

This is a message board on the internet, every argument is tired. Still, that is what outlier means so, yeah. I don't know why one third of the sample would carry more weight than two thirds of the sample. The problem I have here is that you are actually the one putting this in a vacuum. The context here is baseball, which we all know is built on the bones of "one hit wonders". Guys who came out of nowhere and had a great season and then disappeared only to be remembered fondly in threads just like this one. In that context, yes, 2017 is certainly the outlier for Jimmy and in no way is that trumped by the notion that the other two years don't count somehow. I've not once said he won't be 2017 Jimmy. I desperately hope he will be but given the actual context (which does include a serious shoulder injury), there is ample reason to question whether we will get 2017 Jimmy. I think a cautiously optimistic approach is far more reasonable than the sentiment that he is fully back to being a front line ace that some are espousing. Even more so, the notion that "he was an ace two years ago so he is an ace now" is far more tired than anything else. Ok then. Jimmy finished ninth in the Cy Young voting in 2017 so yeah i’d say he not only turn the corner but he was an ace. And I don’t think I’m the only one that thinks barring injury that he will be that pitcher again at some point in 2017. Based upon the evidence that I’ve seen I would say that is being “ cautiously optimistic “. Chase Anderson also put up ace-type numbers in 2017. I would say that was much more of an "outlier" than what Jimmy Nelson did in 2017, simply because he had proven to be an average major league pitcher over several seasons previous to 2017, and he returned to that mean in 2018. I don't think Jimmy Nelson had enough of a track record, though, to even have an "outlier" type season. If Nelson comes back this year to post similar numbers to what he put up in 2015-16, then yes, I would feel more comfortable saying that 2017 was the abnormality. But that history is yet to be written.

Sorry, but I have OCD when it comes to editorial stuff. Can the title of this topic be changed to reflect that this pitcher's name is Craig Kimbrel, not Kimbrell?

I view this as LaFleur doubling down on his commitment to the running game. Lewis is probably one of if not the top blockers in the league. He's a solid receiver who was underutilized in that department by McCarthy. I am getting more and more excited to see what a TE corps of Graham/Lewis/Tonyan and a drafted rookie can do in an innovative offense that plays to their strengths.

I hoped the same, but expected basically what we’ve seen. Save the 2nd half of 2017, watching Chase it seems there is a simple problem here. He’s just not a very good MLB pitcher. Doesn’t throw hard, doesn’t have great stuff. He’s an ok #5 or decent replacement rotation piece, but not much more. I will be rooting very hard for him to prove me wrong, but I just don’t see it. He was such a glaring sell high candidate after 2017, but the total lack of rotation depth precluded that unfortunately. Another negative result of the Nelson injury. They needed Anderson to be the team's ace, and that backfired.

Not ideal, that's for sure. Apparently channeling Nolan Ryan via YouTube isn't going too well. In all seriousness, I was really hoping Chase would attack this spring training with a chip on his shoulder after being benched last year, but he's been very inconsistent again.

I agree with this statement. The big question would be whether he would be any better than the options the team already has available? Perhaps playing for a contender would energize him like it seemingly did for Verlander, but it could also be argued that Bumgarner has also fallen off more and for a longer sustained period than Verlander did in his last year as a Tiger.

With Tyrell Williams going to the Raiders, it is possible/likely Jordy Nelson will be released. Get ready for an influx of reunion talk.

I think Wilkerson is probably the first player dropped as soon as they need a 40-man spot. The upside just isn't there anymore, and he's probably sitting 9th or 10th at the most in the rotation pecking order. I would think there's a very strong possibility that he makes it through waivers if they are interested in hanging onto him.

Right!! Agree with your assessment of brewers starting pitching. Just heard heyman say he thought Keuchel had some good offers and would sign soon but Kimbrell was in trouble. Signing Kimbrell would be the final piece. Relief depth is also very good, JJ or no JJ. Obviously Kimbrel would make it better, but I think they are fine there as-is. I wonder if there is some underlying reason Kimbrel hasn't signed anywhere yet? Something health related?

I'm growing more and more convinced as each day passes that the Brewers aren't going to add anyone else. The fact that they have already decided that a seemingly healthy (albeit a little behind schedule) Nelson isn't going to start the season on the active roster is proof that they like where their starting pitching depth is at. Even with Nelson starting the year in extended Spring Training or on a rehab assignment, they still have Chacin, Anderson, Davies, Woodruff, Burnes, Peralta and possibly Tomlin to fight for 5 spots. Houser is either going to get a spot in the MLB pen or be in the rotation at San Antonio, so he's close as well. Then there's Derby and Brown who are next up. I wish one of those guys pitched with their left hand, but other than that, the depth is pretty dang good. But guys like Kimbrel, Keuchel and Gonzalez gotta sign somewhere eventually, though, right?

Cobb is a tough one to peg. 10 years ago he would have gotten 3 years and $25-30 million pretty much based on his name, but GMs have wised up to a degree and are starting to look past name and reputation and more toward actual performance and upside. While Cobb should technically still be in his prime age-wise, it is important to remember he was drafted extremely young (he had just turned 21), so there's a lot of wear on those tires. He was never especially fast, either, but quick and shifty. Now with the injuries he's had, the little speed he did have has diminished, along with some of that quickness. Can he still be a solid player in the NFL? Yes, I believe so. He's smart and still shifty. Also small slot receivers are en vogue right now. I could see a deal for Cobb from some team like the Bears for 2 years/$14-16 million. Right around Jordy Nelson money.

Closest equivalent would probably be either Josh Jones or Kevin King, and I'm not sure either of those guys is a great comparison. I had earlier said what I heard was #30 and Valdez-Scantling, and the deal the Giants ended up getting is significantly better than than. #12, a 3rd rounder and Valdez-Scantling might have done it.

He ended up going for more than I thought he would. That Browns team has a lot of talent, though. They are going to battle for a playoff spot this year. Honestly with the money the Packers spent today, any chance of acquiring Beckham had sailed.

I hesitate to compare any safety to Nick Collins, as that guy was an absolute stud who I believe was headed toward a Hall of Fame career if his career hadn't ended early because of injury. If Amos can even provide something in between what Collins and Burnett provided in their primes, he's going to be a terrific signing.

From the descriptions, people have of Amos (here and elsewhere), I don't think its all that off base. Burnett was a non-flashy, dependable, always-in-position type player until he was about 25. Then it seems he fell off a cliff and the MB we had the last 3 years (and Pitt last year) wasn't the same player. So hopefully Amos doesn't follow MB's path... That's what I saw as well. But according to NFL personnel expert OldSchoolSnapper, it was WAY off. Because rather than focusing on the Amos signing, all we got was a diatribe on how Burnett was trash, and only blind Packer fans thought otherwise.

Basically I was looking for a Packers historical player to compare to Amos, and Burnett was the first name I came up with. Perhaps there just isn't an apt comparison.

OK, fine ... I deeply regret the comparison to Morgan Burnett. Forget it ever happened. I think we gotta see the forest through the trees here. They signed Amos. He's a good safety. Yay!