UWRyan428

I was long of the opinion that Mike Cameron would be an ideal fit on our team, outside of his propensity for K's, much like our current CF. However, Cameron has a proven glove in center and is much more apt to take a base, which is something our team needs.

I just think few teams boast the pitching prospects we have. The Mets have some premium talent but it falls off fast after Humber and Pelfrey. The Yanks have Hughes, and then a lot of hopes. The Brews, I would argue, are a good mix between the two, with high ceiling hopefuls (Rogers, Jeffress, Pascual) mixed in with premium names like Inman, Yo, ZachJack, CV the Younger... And honestly, I am quite high on the Grand Salome, and think he is a top three catching prospect in the minors.

I believe we're in the 5-7 range, with great depth and a few true impact prospects like Yo/Braun/Inman...perhaps Rogers and Jeffress, though further away. Nevertheless, considering the graduations of Hart, Weeks, Hardy, and Prince, I am definitely impressed with our sustained success.

I would just imagine Cameron plays a better centerfield than Rowand. Then again, I'm no fan of the gritty foe of fences.

If Rowand goes to San Diego, does that make Mike Cameron available?

I'd most like to see Wise get a shot at closing. Nevertheless, with Washington's dearth of starting pitching and our plethora of young, cheap starters and the added bonus of our depth in the outfield, we should be able to find a happy median.

Jenkins is a very good lefty complement to the Regal One's southpaw stance. As I've said before, it would seem the most logical trade choice would be our former QB, not the gent who bears a striking resemblance to a current QB.

In the article, it says he is mistake-prone. I know the Brewers were also looking at him as a third baseman and he refused to move, which also speaks a bit about his makeup (putting your team before yourself). Nevertheless, I've never been that impressed with Troy, and after his best comp (Crosby) flaked last season, I have even more doubts.

My only guess on Braun is that Bryan thinks he is going to be a left fielder and slots him accordingly. If he is slick at AAA, Braun could be within the top three, if he's still eligible. Nevertheless, considering that Troy Tulowitzki could also be pushed off his position by his defensive deficiencies, I don't see how the two of them are so far apart either. Perhaps there is a Beer Goggle Bias...

Check that. Dice K doesn't even get a token mention, as he has now finished up the list on his site, baseballanalysts. I am quite surprised by Chris Young occupying a spot so high, but besides that, nothing too exciting. The Texan comes in above Phillie Hughes. Nevertheless, Andrew Miller and Tim Lincecum both are slotted in front of Yo which tends to rub me the wrong way. But I'll let our prospects' seasons speak for themselves.

Well looking at who was in the same company and the profiles that follow, those rankings don't make sense. Why is Braun behind LaRoche and Yo just barely in front of Garza and Pelfrey, who both are then questioned. Yo's profile doesn't state any weakness or deficiency. And they put a lefty who can't keep his walks down in front of the minors' K leader. His ERA and K's speak for themselves. He was a workhorse moreso than any other prospect in his class, and yet they continue to bring up his build. For all intents and purposes, we have the Latin equivolent of "Andrew" Dice-K! I already know it's a foregone conclusion we're going to see him atop the rankings, much like King Felix in years past with Bryan. Following the recent import sensation will be the latest New York media darling, who is openly praised as the superior pick to said blind lefty in the Dodgers' organization. And then behind Mr. Hughes will undoubtedly be the Communist Kerry Woods. You can already see the criticism of the Brewers' front office by the author as he openly wonders why the frugal Brews of Bud did not open their purse strings a bit for the Texan instead of signing a reliever out of Hockey-ville, Maine? Truth be told, I think we did draft the best Texan in the draft.

Giving up Bush is actually A LOT for me to give up for Baldelli. Basically, we would be trading Bush and Menchkins for Baldelli and CV the Younger...not such a profitable trade. My original intent with the trade was to upgrade at three of our biggest questions (as I still question Hall's defense in center) while minimizing our losses.

I wonder if Dave Bush might be enough to pry Phil Hughes from the Yanks. He has had success against the Yanks as well as within the AL East and he proved last year that he is truly an up and comer in the pitching ranks. Then again, if roles were reversed, I would be a bit hesitant. Nevertheless, Bush is projected to be our second best starter next year.

I'd want more than Damaso for Jenks, though if they tossed us Neil Walker, I'd listen. I know their hometown catcher has been quite a mediocre backstop as of late but he's quite young and still seems to be well-thought-of within the baseball community. Basically, however, outside of McCutcheon and their young guns, they're quite bare, much like the Padres.

I would say the main focus of this trade would be Koskie's health. If he can't go, that would precipitate this type of move. If he does go, then I'm all for seeing what we have in CV the Younger and Hall in center, as the need is far less if it is a need at all. But need I remind everyone that Hall is as wild a card as a joker right now. He's never had a year on par like this year. Now I'm not saying that I'm fearful that he'll quickly regress. I'm simply pointing out that there is a likelihood that he might not be Vernon Wells offensively in center, or maybe he will be as Vernon himself is prone to inconsistency. And as for those who say that Hall has more power than Ensberg; Ensberg, two years ago, was pushing Pujols for the lead in homeruns. Hall had to research the art of 3TO (while dismissing the idea of patience) to approach his current level. And Lidge may not even be the closer this year for the Astros so I find it hard to believe that he would be completely upset over being asked by the Brews to serve as set-up man. And also, as Lidge is our property for two years, such a move could also be a precursor for moving Coco, as it is quite doubtful that we will be able to retain him on the open market, given the price for BJ Ryan and Danys Baez (non-closer money). As for Rocco, he has injury questions but there are other options in case he does get injured. Jr. Gwynny and Laynce Nix will be relegated to AAA to begin the season and should probably be given tastes. Brady Clark will probably still be on the roster, as I would most prefer to trade Gabe Gross, as his value to the Brewers is higher in trade than in utilization at the Keg with Jenks and Mench entrenched in a corner. And as for those who would want a one month rental, ask Juice-loving neighbors to the south how a couple months of Beltran or Big Unit got them their WS ring.

Hall's career averages pale in comparison to the former fifth overall pick's numbers. And to say that Lidge v. Turnbow is a wash is also a bit of a stretch when looking at career numbers. Lidge, like Turnbow, has begun to fall into a slight slump. But given their histories, Lidge has a much better chance of pulling out of it. Truth be told, I would take Ensberg next year over Hall straight up, but that discounts control and cost being equal, which they are not.

Ensberg OR Baldelli could just as easily outhit Hall as he could outhit them. The difference is familiarity with their position. And Villy for Lidge, while a bit short-sighted, would definitely favor the Brews as Lidge's situation reminds me a great deal of CoCo's. Lidge would be an ideal fit in our bullpen and any day Sheets goes would be considered a shut-out on most days.

With the uncertainty of Koskie and the questions regarding Hall's acclimation to centerfield, I thought it might be prudent to again throw out the rumor that maybe we should trade our most sparkling trading chip. Milwaukee gets: 3B Morgan Ensberg CL Brad Lidge CF Rocco Baldelli Tampa Bay gets: CL Derrick Turnbow SP Carlos Villanueva Houston gets: SS/3B Bill Hall Tampa Bay wants ML ready pitching and could use a closer. Houston was rumored to be amenable to trading Lidge and Ensberg for a power-hitting SS. And investing in Ensberg would alleviate concerns over Koskie's health and allow us to flip him at this time next year if our phenom rips through AAA. And Brad Lidge could then be put back in his former eighth inning role so he can regain his command in hopes of replacing CoCo Cordero next year. And by adding Rocco, we are more able to put a round peg (leadoff hitter) in the round hole that neither Bill Hall nor anyone else on our team filled while allowing us to shift Rickie back to his premium spot in the lineup.

Also Brett Sinkbeil isn't eligible to be traded, as he was just drafted this past year. Trade for one of their A-Ball studs.

There are few pitchers like him in baseball. And he ran the gamut of symbols last year, from fan favorite to scapegoat...almost. But through it all, he continued to try and battle and I think it would be wrong to take him out, right Ned?

I just would rather have the proven commodity in Scott Linebrink. And while I am quite enamored with CV the lesser, we have other options and I am of the opinion that CV's presence could begin to block Yo's ascension as quickly as this coming year. Gross, to me, is a fourth outfielder but his stats this past year could convince others otherwise.

What if we packaged Gross with CV the Younger, and ask for Linebrink? We could reap the benefits of Jenks' contract year and as mentioned earlier, we have ZachJack who can be our #6 if needed. I just would say that Gross's trade would ease a lot of the pressure on that outfield to lose depth. As of right now, Gross' trade value is higher than his value to the Brewers.

For a fatty, he doesn't throw hard. I was always a bigger fan of Fatty Eveland and we saw how our GM viewed that gent. I'm just of the opinion that the Marlins should giver us more. I'd hold out for one of their high ceiling studs at A-ball, as we have no realistic need for another starter lingering in AAA.

Or perhaps we've moved onto Brett Myers... I change my vote to the wife beater.

I believe the more apt statement would be "The Nats are down."