Ron Robinsons Beard

The bolded part is the only part that really matters. None of us truly know what their plan is for Nelson at the outset of the year, but I would imagine if he does the multi-inning simulated game thing the end of this week, then gets into game action next week, he'll likely start the season on the MLB roster. I imagine they'll have him on a pretty strict pitch limit to start the year (probably something like 75 pitches) for his first few starts. I'm optimistic as well. There's really no reason to poo on the hopes of fans who are excited to see progress from Nelson. If he doesn't make it back, it sucks ... but all signs right now are pointed to him making it back.

Along with Dee Ford. Having his OLB coach he is very close with & helped get most out of him doesn’t hurt. Nevermind Ford along with Clark, Clooney, and Lawrence all got Tagged today They only tagged Ford so they could trade him. They are switching to a 4-3 defense, and he's a poor fit. The Packers would have to give up a good draft pick to get him, though. I think I'd rather sign Houston and not have to give up any picks.

LOL! Ghost: Black Hole Nation is a Netflix show I would binge the heck out of. Although the pottery scene with Gruden would be pretty weird.

Now we have Packers version of HighHeat. Awesome! ; ) When I start throwing around ratios and percentages that a move is going to happen, I deserve to be banned. Honestly, nothing my buddy told me is really surprising. The Packers know they have a limited window, so it makes sense to get the most talent they can to surround Rodgers with. If in fact Brown and Beckham are available, pretty easy to connect the dots that the Packers would at least make a call. The only thing that hasn't bee out there was that tidbit that the Giants like Valdez-Scantling ... and there again, what team wouldn't like a 6'4" 24-year-old freak athlete that runs a 4.3 and makes league minimum? My buddy didn't give any indication that a deal was going to happen, or that something was even close. Just that there's been contact made, and the parameters have been discussed.

The downside would be that at 33 he does even worse than last year, and they still give him a bunch of starts waiting to see if he will come around. If he performs like last year, then that’s a huge addition. Even slightly less would be good. Did you think he sucked as a Brewer? He was actually extremely effective as a Brewer. Thought that needs to be taken with the caveat that he was regularly lifted at the first sign of trouble.

As a Steelers fan, where do you want to see him go? I think the idea of him getting moved is pretty much a formality at this point.

OK guys, take this for what it's worth, but I just got a tidbit through a source that the Packers have had preliminary trade contact with both the Steelers for AB and the Giants for Beckham. Their offers center on #30. The deal would likely be #30 straight up for Brown. Packers would need to add an asset with #30 for Beckham, and the Giants love Valdez Scantling. Again, don't kill the messenger, but this is what I heard from an insider source who is close to the team's front office. Personally, I'm not sure if either of those deals makes a ton of sense from the Packers' perspective.

I love Perez, but that's WAY too much risk. I think the best scenario would be for Nottingham to hit will in AAA this year and come to camp in 2020 looking to share time with Pina. That is provided, of course, the Brewers don't extend Grandal.

He looked darn impressive today. Would he be worth taking at #30 if he lasts that long? Or Smith? Hockenson? This looks like a decent TE class this year. I've expected Fant to be a 1st round pick for quite some time now. For all the love Hockenson gets as a blocker, Fant is the guy who stood out to me while watching Badgers - Hawkeyes games. (Though as I look at it, Hockenson had 125 yards on 3 receptions - with a long of 46, so even his shortest catch went for over 30 - while Fant had 2 TDs on 3 catches in 2018. Neither did much of anything in prior seasons against the Badgers.) With the Patriots having a potential need for a receiving TE when/if Gronk retires, I just don't see Fant falling outside the 1st round. If he's on the board at 30, it's going to make the case for an OL or Edge rusher (whichever we don't get at 12) that much tougher. Fant certainly has the speed you'd be looking for at the position. The thing that worries me, though, is that he doesn't appear to be very big, and is not known for his blocking. Hockenson has that prototypical TE "look", which is why he's getting the pub right now. He's got that Gronkowski/Kelce-type frame that makes it appear he's going to be a solid all-around TE. Fant is more of in the Evan Engram "oversized WR" mold ... which certainly isn't a bad thing, but would have to be utilized differently. If they really like Hockenson, it wouldn't surprise me if they pounce if he's there at #12. Otherwise if Fant falls to #30, I could see that too. I do not like Irv Smith. I don't know why, but he screams bust to me. Perhaps its the lack of ideal TE size, or just a mistrust of Alabama products.

Big power lefty who actually put up some solid numbers, including very good K numbers and decent control in the Blue Jays system. I am trying to figure out when the Jays never advanced him past high A ball. He's still young at only 24 (will be 25 in May). There's certainly a lot there to like. Considering the Brewers' lack of lefties in the system, I'd say there a solid shot that the Brewers aggressively place him in the pen at AAA San Antonio, with an eye toward a potential mid-season call-up. It's still early, though.

While this is certainly a bummer, it fortunately happened to the unit that is arguably the deepest on the team. This is going to give guys like Petricka, Houser and Jay Jackson a much better shot at if not making the team, contributing to the ML bullpen at some point in 2019.

The only way it makes even a little sense is if they really, and I mean REALLY like Kratz as the backup to Grandal. Because Pina is a substantially better hitter, defender and is 7 years younger than Kratz. Pina was arguably a top 10 catcher in all of baseball in 2017, and the only way I think they let him go is if another team values him like that. I doubt any do.

Bucks starting PGs since Sam Cassell: Gary Payton T.J. Ford Brevin Knight Mo Williams Earl Boykins Ramon Sessions Luke Ridnour Monta Ellis Brandon Jennings Brandon Knight Jerryd Bayless Michael Carter-Williams Matthew Dellavedova Malcolm Brogdon It's no wonder this team has been basically junk since those Cassell/Allen/Big Dog years. There is a lot of talent there, but a ton of different styles. No continuity equals a ship with a broken rudder.

I agree. Steelers aren't going to deal him to an AFC rival while their self-perceived window is still open. He's an electric player who is easy to market and will put butts in seats, so it isn't going to just be contenders who are interested. I could see teams like the Buccaneers, Panthers, Lions, Cardinals, 49ers and Seahawks all interested. Rams and Saints too if they want to add to their offensive riches, although I have no idea how the Rams would be able to fit him under the cap. I could see the Packers making a play if they truly think that there's a legit Super Bowl window in the next 2-3 seasons.

I initially thought the same thing, but are the Royals even trying to compete this year? While Pina is probably an upgrade on Martin Maldonado, is it enough for a bottom-dwelling team to give up anything of value for?

Going to be nice to see some stability at PG for the Bucks finally. That position has been a revolving door for the past decade. A very talented revolving door, but a revolving door just the same.

Just guessing? It does seem like the only team he's being connected to is the Braves. But the Braves are also notoriously cheap, so I could see the Brewers jumping in and surprising everyone. I'm sure Stearns and Attanasio are certainly not afraid to make a splash ... again.

That is ... nightmare fuel.

I don't think it really matters whether Guerra has an option or not. I don't see him going down to AAA at any point this year. I think he stands a really good shot of taking off as a shut-down leverage multi-inning reliever.

I think Alex Claudio is going to be fun to watch this year. Really nasty movement and mix of speeds.

With Harper going to the Phillies, do they also fork out money for Keuchel? Or will one of the other teams in on Harper (Giants, Dodgers, White Sox) go for Keuchel instead? Or ... do the Brewers swoop in?

Well, he got the contract he was looking for. I love Harper's fire and passion for the game, and would have taken him 10 times out of 10 over Machado. Still ... I wonder how many years it will be before he turns into Jayson Werth?

Welp, Phillies it is:

Hey now, you're a news-breaking all star?

I was thinking the same thing this morning. Jets want out of that spot after giving up a lot to get D'Arnold last year. I think if either of those guys falls, they would consider it. I'd love to see Bosa in Pettine's defense.