Ron Robinsons Beard

I'm good with this deal. According to a source I have that is familiar with the situation, while Pettine was willing to give Randall a chance, McCarthy was done with him, and he's been on the market all offseason. They wanted to be rid of him, and consider him a cancer in the locker room. They would have released him if no one came calling, so to get some value for him was good. The team has already contacted Sherman, and look for them to be in contact with most of the top FA corners come next week. They like Malcolm Butler, but know he's going to be pretty expensive. Trumaine Johnson is a good fit in Pettine's defense as well. Corners are going to want to play in this defense, because it is geared toward highlighting their play and making them look like superstars. King, if he returns from injury, is going to be a stud in this defense.

What is he supposed to do? Way different market for his services than there was in 2016. I doubt the A's were his top choice but he can only take what is offered. Exactly. His market was light. Who knows if anyone else was even interested? Stearns already said the Brewers weren't, and they were where he arguably made the most sense.

I am still about 85% sure they'll sign a starter, most likely Cobb. Then it will be between Miley, Guerra, Suter and Woodruff for the 5th spot. I personally hope Suter or Woodruff get it, knowing that more than likely it will go to Miley If they don't sign a pitcher, I'm hoping Suter and Woodruff, but realistically it'll be Miley and Guerra

Just gave up a hard HR to Khris Davis in the 1st. I don't think the ball got more than 10 feet off the ground. Just hammered. Not looking good for Yo, part II.

Agreed. I wonder if the discount contracts over the last 24 hours may tempt some teams previously not "in" on these top free agents to make a play?

As has been alluded to time and time again, there is really no need to bash, however veiled you think it may be. I really don't think it's bashing, just playful banter. No different than the ribbing another poster got over the years for promoting a certain lefty pitcher he liked. Plus, you can expect to get some ribbing when you quit, come back, quit, come back, go to twitter, quit, repeat. I mean, come in and offer what you have to offer, or don't. But all the back and forth drama and demanding everyone agree was/is a bit much. It's not playful banter, though, and entirely different than Clancy's love for certain guys. It's just taking jabs to take jabs. While I agree that the drama is a bit much, the bashing just seems to always lead to more drama. And there is really no reason or means for it.

He compares favorably to Vogt offensively, and really can't be any worse defensively. He's be a couple million $ cheaper. It depends on how they view Vogt's intangibles (clubhouse chemistry, leadership, handling of the pitching staff, etc.) Is that worth his more advanced age, higher salary and injury risk? Also, Bethancourt is likely substantially better defensively than Nicholas. If they feel that he can his well enough to be 2nd or 3rd on the depth chart, than maybe Nicholas wouldn't be an option

Talib is as cancerous as it gets, and he's 32. Someone else can have that headache. Sometimes the end just doesn't justify the means.

As has been alluded to time and time again, there is really no need to bash, however veiled you think it may be.

Hey guys, just remember to get all your pets spayed or neutered

Nicholas would effectively replace Bandy and Vogt. Net gain of one 40-man spot! You should like that!

I get that you are excited, but I think in everyone's best interest you need to just chill. Whatever happen will happen, but begging for more info isn't going to get anyone anywhere at this point. And I doubt there is anymore info to be had.

I consulted with my friend Occam and he confirmed by suspicions. LOL, touche sir. Too many assumptions when it comes to this offseason has just made me look like an idiot.

If we could get him for that, I'd be very happy. That is more than fair for both sides. I'm hopeful we will hear some good news soon. If he was available for that someone would have signed him by now. Perhaps he's lowered his demands? Perhaps that's just what the Brewers offered, and he hasn't agreed to anything. At this point, who knows? I'd be happy with that deal, but I'm not going to get my hopes up too far until Attanasio and Stearns have a cheesy press conference announcing it.

Same philosophy has worked out pretty good so far with Pina.

That's what we're getting Cobb for? HH man, dont leave us hanging like this!! Patience, grasshopper

If we could get him for that, I'd be very happy. That is more than fair for both sides. I'm hopeful we will hear some good news soon.

Yuck. I'd personally rather roll with Woodruff and Suter.

I wonder if the Padres losing Alex Dickerson likely for the year moves the needle on them going after Broxton?

Agreed. Any time there is a game of chicken, there are inherent risks for both sides. There is always the chance that closing time comes, the lights go on, and the Brewers head home empty handed. But at the end of the day, these guys want to play baseball, and the Brewers continue to make the most logical sense for one or even two of them. We all know that a good starter is eventually going to go down with a long-term injury for a contender somewhere. It happens every spring. That would certainly increase the leverage these guys have. I hope for the Brewers' sake those instances are rare, though, because as of right now, they are one of only a small handful of teams where a high-profile pitching signing still makes good sense.

The mid-90s MB logo was retched. So blocky and unappealing. It was the Mike Matheny of logos. Actually, it fit those mid-90s Brewer teams perfectly. Maybe I'm just waxing nostalgic, but the ball & glove logo is so perfect, and continues to hold up today. While I love it used with the new color scheme as well, the throwback games are still the best. It is a reminder that, while baseball is a business, it is also at heart a kids' game that is supposed to be fun. The players really seem to dig the ball & glove logo as well.

Thumbs up. Some of you think like agents, "Brewers are in win now. Let's fleece em" is the agent thought process. The best way to counter that thought process is to make them wait. Crew has shown their interest. No agent is going to make a deal without at least contacting the Brewers at the last minute. Every day these teams make a player wait it benefits the team not the player. Also look closer, Cobb, Lynn and Arrieta all maybe the best out there but their still not the cream. Brewers are playing a wait and see approach with their current starters. Injuries, effectiveness and a players willingness to take less will determine the Brewers acquisitions. It's dynamic with many moving parts. Stearns does not make irrational and emotional decisions. However, He will buy when the price is right. Be patient. This. My feeling is the Brewers are interested at their price. If none of these guys are in that price range, you move on. I would guarantee Stearns is examining every avenue for starting pitching, including free agency and multiple trade candidates. I'd love to see them grab someone before the start of the season, but it's also important to establish rotation depth right now, which is exactly what they are doing with Miley, Guerra, Gallardo and the cast of other characters they are auditioning for rotation spots. Who knows ... maybe there is another Anderson in that group. Then once they have a firmer handle on the rotation depth, they can strike on a free agent move to firm up the rotation. It's frustrating to wait, but at this point it is what it is. I'm more worried about the positional logjam, but there's still 3 weeks of spring training, which means there's still time to sort that out. On a side note, glad you're back, man! Stick around for awhile and talk some ball. March is the time for optimism.

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means. A+ reference, Senior Montoya. Bravo!

Well, Oakland makes a lot of sense. San Fran does as well. Dodgers don't need him. San Diego would make some sense. Not the Angels. I wonder if someone like Cotton would be in play for Broxton and maybe Aguilar?

Yep, and right now it seems that the Brewers have the leverage advantage, as there just doesn't seem to be a ton of interest in these guys at the numbers they are looking for. While it's frustrating for us as fans to wait, it makes really solid business sense for Stearns and the Brewers to draw a line in the sand and not cross it. I suppose it is also giving them the chance to really take a look at the starting pitching depth (or lack thereof) that they really have.