HarveysWBs

I understand that the OP is generally and vehemently opposed to the organizational philosophy of valuing prospects (in lieu of the money the org doesn’t have vis a vis the big clubs) and long-term viability over big swings and “all-in” moves. This has been litigated and re-litigated elsewhere, in addition to this thread, and I doubt anyone is going to change anyone else’s mind on this point (not that the attempts on all sides have not been valiant). What I find interesting is what started this round of the debate: Arnold giving a vague-sounding, wishy-washy answer to the media. Let us say, for the sake of argument, that trading whoever we need to in order to acquire a “big time bat” (however we want to define that) is the right move. In what universe does it make sense for Arnold to come out and essentially say to the world: “Our offense stinks on ice, I have no confidence in the players on our roster fixing that, and I am absolutely desperate for one, maybe two huge bats and I must get them—no expenses spared!”? I mean, I am loathe to re-ignite another Wisconsin sports debate that has been had ad nauseam, but being a general manager means, among other things, having to care about leverage (even writing the word makes me cringe after le affair de Rodgers). It certainly undermines one’s negotiating position to so blatantly advertise one’s motives. I would much rather they be cagey, as they have been traditionally. Stearns and company were usually working on their best trades when they weren’t saying anything of substance to the media. Long story short, if I were in agreement with @JefferyLeonard on strategy, Arnold’s answer is exactly what I would want Arnold to be saying publicly. I find this funny and ironic, since I don’t really want any of the top-3 prospects going anywhere for anyone but Ohtani.

Utter domination. You love to see it.

Two out magic!

Not exactly how they teach it, Miller, but you got the job done, I guess…

Dang it, again

Hahaha, Yeli

If I were the Reds manager, and now know that I probably won’t have to face Yelich or Frelick again, I’d be sorely tempted to not even use my A-bullpen…

Dang it

New strategy for the Reds: don’t swing at anything Uribe throws and hope the ump arbitrarily decides 4 out of the first 6 are balls…

Time for home plate ump to take two weeks off…then quit.

I mean, yes, this is true in the sense that the Milwaukee media markets are quite different than LA and NY, but I think this sentiment misses a ton of context. Would it really make sense for the Milwaukee beat reporters to grill the $100 mil dollar budget Brewers the same way one would a $350mil+ club? Are expectations for how these teams construct rosters and approach a trade deadline not rightfully a little different? Only speaking for myself, of course, I don’t find it all too surprising.

It’s been an interesting zone tonight, to say the least. Not that Burnes is blameless for losing the feel on most of his pitches in this inning, but the zone is a factor.

There’s some more lovely base running decisions with a catcher running. Cool.

There we go!

Haha, winker

Oh come on…

This is excruciating

Agreed. I’m just glad I’m not Arnold. I don’t want to have to try to figure out how many chips to push into the pot on this year, which is most likely our last with Burnes. That’s a tough call. My head says it isn’t worth it to go too big. But my heart always says, but maybe…

Hey, competitive inning from Mejia. So we got that going for us.

At their run differential (which is not the end all, be all, admittedly), I’m not sure how seriously they should consider themselves in the WS category. That being said, regardless of how today ends, I’ve been encouraged by their showing this weekend. They haven’t been completely outclassed, which was my fear. Maybe Woody, Ashby, and two bats would really change things. The postseason is a funky place.

Ooof. I haven’t been able to watch the game—has that outside corner been a strike all day?

Painful DP. Contreras has come back to earth in this series.

Dang it. Shouldn’t really expect 2 runs to beat this Braves offense. Or three runs, for that matter. Gotta score more.

Frelick and Monasterio watching middle-middle sliders on first pitch is not great. Guess they were looking to work the count.

I’ve seen enough. This kid can start in center and be our lead off for the next twelve years. Ink him. (Half blue…)