aracko

I thought alot about this over the weekend. I really think 6 starting pitchers was a necessity that Doug and Mark discussed. They dont want what happened last year to happen this year if they lose a starter. There is definatly no plan to trade any of our starters. Should we lose sheets, bush, Suppan, Capuano, or Vargas the team can survive pretty well by plugging Villaneuva into the rotation. In the meantime, he can go back to AAA and work on perfecting his trade and becoming a better pitcher.

Randy Johnson could get the ultimate treatment in Zona. Sleep on his own bed only have to travel when he will pitch on the road I would imagine. Randy Johnson to me seems like the kind of guy that could pitch till he is 47 years old as a closer and I think a move to the BP would be easier on his back. Maybe this is what Zona is thinking. I cant imagine trying to hit a fresh Randy Johnson in the 9th Inning.

But I wonder if the 2 clubs can still talk about Mench or Jenkins to Baltimore but this time for one of Baltimores pitching prospects? I think the Brewers are on the cusp of something special right now and having players like Jenkins and Clark(to a lesser degree) on the bench will do us no good. Moving these guys for prospects is the way to go. We need to keep our farm system stocked. The Suppan signing really enforces my belief that we are going to have a difficult time with money downt the road and need a stronger minor league system to keep the momentum going. Would Jenkins or Mench bring us Radhames Liz - Who is sure to be a future dominating force in the BP?

First let me say I am working on Christmas so I have way too much time on my hands because there is nothing to do. So yes this is fantasy and yes its probably not going to happen, but it has helped me pass time. Clearly Florida needs a backup catcher, CF, and a Closer. . Most dont think of the Marlins as a team to pick up salary, but they were authorized to raise payroll by about 5 million over last year and as of yet have added nothing. Obviously this deal the Brewers would have to pick up some salary but that shouldnt be too much of a problem. I think that if the Brewers offered Damian Miller, Tony Gwynn Jr, and Derrick Turnbow, along with about 2 Million dollars it would be enough to bring us someone like Yusmeiro Petit (yoos-mir-O) The knocks on Petit were that while dominating he might not be able to get guys out at the next level. Those fears seemed to be somewhat justified last year where Petit posted a 9+ ERA. But that was in just over 26 innings. He showed glimpses - striking out 20 batters. I think that he just moved up the ladder too fast and some more time in AA is what he needs. The other piece the Brewers would acquire is Brett Sinkbeil marlinsminors.mostvaluabl...-sinkbeil/ Basically - the thinking behind this deal is to get rid of some guys who are not going to have much of a role this year in Milwaukee and get very solid guys who will be ready for the majors in a year or 2 back. Gwynn isnt going to play in Milwaukee, Milwaukee doesnt need Miller any longer, and Turnbow needs another chance at the closer position. All 3 players help the Marlins quite a bit and it helps Milwaukee LOOSEN a logjam in the OF. Even without the Brewers picking up 2 mill it puts the Marlins at 25 Million - which is right on their targeted goal. Free agency is not an option for the Marlins - if these players were FAs they would be good values for their potential and Miller gives them a Veteran Catcher to work with their ultra young staff.

I would anticipate this move causes Vargas to convert to the BP, which is a role I think he might be really effective in. I would not be surprised to see him slide into the setup role, because I think his hard stuff is perfectly suited. I think he could be what we envisioned with TBOW.

Not to be smart but if every player can hit 2-3 more HRs this season we will score more runs. Finding the meduim in your heart of the order guys is the key and the Brewers because of their youth are directly on pace to do so.

I dont see the point in acquiring Rios. Sure he would be a nice bat to add, but we have too many OFs right now to talk seriously about acquiring another one. If Melvin would get rid of Clark and Mench and Jenkins, then maybe............... I dont Envy Mr Yost this season. He has a very hard situation on his hands. Bill Hall is going to be playing every day. Cory Hart needs to play every day. Geoff Jenkins thinks he deserves to play every day. Gabe Gross should be playing every day cause he is too good to be a 4th OF. Brady Clark has played every day in the past and gets paid like an every day player. Gwynn Jr needs to play every day if he is going to fulfil his potential. There is going to be alot of opportunity for Ned to Yost this up.

Deeswan - I agree 100% with you. LaRoche is an amazing hitter. .354 OBP, 32HR, 90RBI, .915 OPS. The only downfall is his high strikeout rate, but I think the Pirates can live with that in order to get his bat in the middle of that batting order and give Jason Bay some protection. If this proposed deal goes down and the Pirates dont have to throw anything else in, I think they made just a huge stride here.

I happen to think if Sheets was a Free Agent this season he would have been regarded as the top arm on the market and gotten paid over 15 Million per from a team like Boston or LA, NY - any large market. Not to mention the amount of perks the prestige of working in a market like that would bring him in endorsements, status, chics, etc. I dont personally think they would care about his record. What more can he do - he pitches great games and is our best bunter.

If we were to sign Suppan to 4 years 44 million - is Ben Sheets going to be demanding a new contract? Quite honestly - as much as I think Suppan can help the team - if It were my money - I would take that 4 year 44 million dollar contract and put it in front of Capuano first. Locking him up is something that needs to be done before he hits the market.

Pirates also will get a prospect. I wish the Crew would have gotten involved for him. Bay and Cabrera still puts Pittsburg a player short in their OF. They could really use Jenks!

I dont see anything about Crisp that makes him suited for the leadoff spot. I like him as a player but I struggle to see him hitting leadoff with any success. Can anyone explain why they think he would be an ideal leadoff hitter? I am not challenging anyone just asking a question.

9 pages of threads about weather or not he would be good for the team and I dont see any discussion of whats in his tool shed. What is suppan working with?

Enough about Huffs defense. Its better than Carlos Lees and I think we would take carlos back if we had the chance(and money was not our business). As far as hitting goes, Huff might just be as good of a hitter as Lee was. Maybe not quite as much power but I have no question that he would hit 25+ In Miller park with some major league hitters protecting him.

Id like to see Suppan in the rotation next year. Save Zack Jack and Villaneueva for the rotation if we have an injury to one of our starting rotation. This is a guy who has started over 300 games in his career, and pitched over 1800 innings! He doesnt walk batters (which makes me like him already), amd most importantly seems to have put something together over the last 4 seasons where his ERA was never higher than 4.19. Id like to get a scouting report on Jeff Suppan. I really dont know what he throws other than a Sinker in the low 90s and a pretty decent curveball. You dont survive in the starting rotation 11 years if you only have 2 pitches so can somone please educate me?

Id like to see Huff in LF, Jenkins in RF, Billy Hall at 3b and Koskie on the Twins for a real nice BP arm. Give me Gabe Gross in CF and give me a batting order that looks like this 1. Gross/Hart 2. Weeks 3. Prince 4. Hall 5.Jenkins 6.Estrada 7.Huff 8.Hardy I think that lineup offensively stacks up with any in the league. Defensively that OF might have a few problems, but TO ME the positives outweigh the negetives.

That would work for me.

Unless its part of the puzzle to acquire Jason Jennings?

Not that its worth much but this is Barmes 2005 scouting report from Baseball America when they named him the 10th best prospect in rockies baseball. 10. Clint Barmes, ss Age: 26. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 175. Drafted: Indiana State, 2000 (10th round). Signed by: Ty Coslow. Background: Viewed as a utilityman entering 2004, Barmes had the best year of his career and capped it by hitting his first big league homer off Carl Pavano in August. Strengths: Barmes doesn't have an overwhelming tool, but his solid all-around game grows on you. His competitiveness is obvious at the plate. He makes contact and uses the whole field in the mold of a traditional No. 2 hitter. Barmes is strong enough that he can drive balls on the outer half if he stays on them. He has good speed and even better instincts on the bases. Weaknesses: Barmes will need to draw more walks to bat near the top of the order. He's not flashy in the field, but his hands and footwork allow him to make routine plays. A center fielder at Indiana State, he possesses a strong arm, positions himself well and takes charge of situations. The Future: Barmes will have the opportunity to claim Colorado's everyday shortstop job this spring. If he hits as expected, he'll give the Rockies more offense than they've ever gotten from a shortstop.

With all due respect sir - I do not believe that Coors makes a .100 point difference in average and OBP. I do think that he was more comfortable at home and I do think colorado is a hitters park, but that big of a difference - I find that hard to blame on altitude.

Barmes was running away with ROY honors 2 years ago before he fell and got hurt. He had a very bad year last season but was projected to be a .300 hitter with 20/20 potential. Barmes isnt trash but I dont know why melvin wants to make this move. Once again - if true - Melvin seems to always be sniffing around the 27-28 year old players. That said - I write this up to be internet rumors. I do wonder though if Counsell or Graffy might be involved in this deal. Maybe the Rocks arent comfortable turning over SS to Troy next generation Tulitowsky(sp) yet or just want a veteran backup?

Id much rather have Barmes.

This season that would cost about 13 Mill per year.

I would like Redman and then to put him in a long relief role.

Were they in trade discussions for Marcus Giles at one point and very close to pulling the trigger? I cant possibly be making this up.