Jump to content
Brewer Fanatic

long ball

Verified Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    1,270

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Profiles

Forums

Blogs

Events

News

2026 Milwaukee Brewers Top Prospects Ranking

Milwaukee Brewers Videos

2022 Milwaukee Brewers Draft Picks

Milwaukee Brewers Free Agent & Trade Rumors, Notes, & Tidbits

Guides & Resources

2023 Milwaukee Brewers Draft Picks

2024 Milwaukee Brewers Draft Picks

The Milwaukee Brewers Players Project

2025 Milwaukee Brewers Draft Pick Tracker

2026 Milwaukee Brewers Draft Tracker: Picks & Bonuses

Store

Downloads

Gallery

Everything posted by long ball

  1. long ball
    I think Yelich has been better than Baez this year. Yelich currently leads Baez in fWAR, rWAR, and WARP. I don't think any iteration of WAR should be the only criteria, but it's a place to start. Undeniably, Yelich has been a significantly better hitter than Baez in 2018. Where Baez has the advantage over Yelich is that he's "fun to watch". Baez is a max effort swinger, aggressive base runner, and flashy defender. Baez being able to play above average defensively at 3b, 2b, and SS definitely has value, but is not in and of itself production. Positional flexibility enables production. Baez being able to step in for an injured Bryant at 3b and ineffective/inactive Russell at SS is going to be a huge part of Baez's MVP narrative. I do think Yelich bouncing back and forth between LF and RF on a nightly basis + filling in for Cain in CF is underrated in the narrative of the season even if it isn't quite as impressive as Baez's defensive versatility. The part of the Baez narrative that I hate is that he "carried" the Cubs offense at stretched this year. You can make the exact same argument in favor of all of the MVP candidates. Additionally, the Cubs have been a slightly better offense over the course of the year. Cubs have a 100 wRC+ with 4.71 RS/G and Brewers are at 98 wRC+ with 4.54 RS/G. It could change over the next week, but I think Baez is probably the slight front runner.
  2. long ball
    I think Counsell is certainly a believer in an analytical approach to the game. If he wasn't he wouldn't still be the manager. That's fair- the front office encompasses much more than just baseball operations such as ticket sales, spring training, facilities, finance, legal, marketing, etc. I generally meant Stearns/Arnold and their staffs.
  3. long ball
    Yeah, I think he did. I don't think any part of that line of thought is accurate. If they didn't like what CC was doing they would just fire him and put someone in place who thinks like they do. Generally speaking, the front office has very little to do with game to game strategy. I probably should have phrased my original speculation differently. What I was getting at is that the idea of not starting Anderson tonight and rather going with a bullpen game likely originated with the front office/analytics staff and Counsell was on board. Over the past 10-20 years the role of a manager has evolved. With the advancement of analytics and scouting information the manager/front office have more info than ever before. When it comes to writing out the daily line up card and which relievers come into the game that's probably still completely in Counsell's control. Everything else is likely a collaborative effort. For example, Anothopolous was just on MLB network radio this afternoon and was asked who makes the decision for the playoff rotation and whether guys will go on short rest. He said that it's a group effort between the front office and coaching staff to make these decisions. He did say that if the manager is strongly against something they'll usually defer to the manager. My point is that the front office staff has their hands in a lot of these day to day type decisions. Such as short leashes for the starting pitchers, structured rest for Hader and Braun, starting rotation, etc.
  4. long ball
    Why do you think this is the case. Do you know someone? LOL jinx again! I guess we both read that and did a double-take at the same time. I don't know anyone in the Brewers organization, but I don't think Counsell comes up with game strategy. The front office and the coaching staff work together to develop the game strategy and it's the coaching staff's job to execute the front office's vision. Do you think Cash came up with the opener strategy in TB? That definitely came down from the front office and Cash is responsible for executing the strategy.
  5. long ball
    Couple thoughts on this bullpen game: -This almost certainly wasn't Counsell's decision. This is certainly coming from the front office and Counsell will do his best to manage the game. -Wouldn't surprise me if Jennings is pulled once he faces Carpenter. The only other lefty who will likely be in the line up for the Cards is Kolten Wong. Solid hitter, but likely batting near the bottom of the order. Cards might move Carpenter down in the line up a little (3rd or 4th) so that Jennings has to face a couple right handed batters. -I'm interested to see if Anderson pitches at all in this game. -This feels like the most difficult game of the series since Flaherty is starting for the Cards. He's dominated the Brewers this season and been very good overall. -I wonder if they're "blueprinting" a way to beat the cards in a theoretical WC game and testing out their theory.
  6. long ball
    I would not have a problem with deGrom or even Scherzer, Nola, Freeman, and Corbin. They've all been fantastic. We just don't see very many pitchers win the MVP let alone on a non-playoff team. Your team basically has to make the playoffs to be considered unless you're a position player head and shoulders above the rest of the league. Entering the final week of games I think it's basically between Yelich, Baez, Freeman and Carpenter. Dbacks faded hard so Goldy is out. Freeman has faded a bit over the past month. Arenado slumped and Story got hurt. Cain doesn't have the counting stats. Machado probably should be getting stronger consideration, but since he switched leagues he'll be treated unfavorably.
  7. long ball
    No games tonight that have any real playoff implications for the Brewers. Might be a baseball free night for me. That hasn't happened very often in the past couple months.
  8. long ball
    Ideal situation. Chacin 3 IP Hader + Jeffress combine for 4 IP Knebel 1 IP Soria/Burnes/Cedeno/etc combine for 1 IP Don't really want this game to get to extras and I would expect Counsell to be very aggressive with pitching changes. If the starter can go 3 IP giving up 0-1 run I like the Brewers chances.
  9. long ball
    I wonder how many IP the Reds hope to get from Lorenzen. Regardless, a Brewers win tonight brings their playoff magic number down to 7.
  10. long ball
    What else can you say about Cain, Yelich, and Jeffress. All three are so good and so consistent. Nice to see Arcia with a good game and boy was that 2 rbi bunt double huge. Burnes was big tonight. He's really taken to the bullpen role nicely. He's really been a big part of this bullpen stabilization. The only negative thing I have to say about the game is that Soria has fallen out of my circle of trust. I hope they can win the series tomorrow because Williams has been absolutely dominant in the second half and he's starting for the Bucs on Sunday.
  11. long ball
    Glad they didn't go up 4-0 in the first inning. Those games don't end well for the Brewers.
  12. long ball
    Given Gonzalez has some GB tendencies I'm surprised they're going with this infield. I hope they bash some homers.
  13. long ball
    This would be my lineup as well. I would be very surprised if Granderson started over Braun today. Granderson has looked good, but it's also been about 15 AB. Braun is the better player and he's playing pretty well right now. Eventually the line drives will fall in. I won't be too surprised either way.
  14. long ball
    Here's my guess. Pina and Arcia started in the last Gio start. I'd take Grandy over Braun. Schoop over Aguilar today. Granderson RF Yelich LF Cain CF Shaw 1b Moustaks 3b Schoop 2b Pina C Arcia SS Gonzalez P
  15. long ball
    well, if it wasn't already official before today it probably is now. Brewers don't have to worry about the diamondbacks going forward since they'll be 7 back in the loss column in about 30 minutes. Additionally, Freeland left the game with an apparent calf injury. He would probably be their preferred starter if they play in the WC game.
  16. long ball
    I agree that home teams should not be able to change scheduled start times for competitive reasons. If they move start times due to accommodating national TV requests or definitive weather complications that's completely different. Having said that, I'm not going to get worked up about this. I'm taking great pleasure in the Cubs fans and writers complaining all over twitter about this stretch of days without a true off day. This stretch is brutal. No way around it. Even if it was just the original 23 games in a row (where we're at as of last night) the Brewers are still just 1 GB though.
  17. long ball
    Wild card game: C: Kratz, Pina 1b: Aguilar, Thames 2b: Schoop, Shaw SS: Perez, Saladino, Arcia 3b: Moustakas OF: Braun, Yelich, Cain, Granderson, Broxton, Santana SP: Chacin RP: Jeffress, Knebel, Soria, Hader, Cedeno, Burnes, Jennings, (either one of the SP just in case of long extra inning game or one of Williams/Barnes/Woodruff) If they get to the NLDS: C: Kratz, Pina 1b: Aguilar 2b: Schoop, Shaw ss: Perez, Arcia 3b: Moustakas OF: Braun, Yelich, Cain, Granderson, Broxton, Santana SP: Chacin, Miley, Anderson, TBD between Davies and Gonzalez RP: Jeffress, Knebel, Soria, Hader, Cedeno, Burnes, Jennings For the NLDS should they make it, I'm thinking I would want them to go with an 11 man pitching staff. 7 relievers and 4 starters. Sucks that Thames probably doesn't make the NLDS roster since he's been a big part of this team the past two years, but Granderson is just better right now. Thames could turn it on down the stretch though and change my mind.
  18. long ball
    I want Arizona to rattle off some wins leading up to that Cubs series next week. I want AZ to be on a little roll and still playing meaningful games next week so they're motivated to pound the Cubs. I think I'm just rooting for a split between the Cards and Dodgers. A fun day of late afternoon baseball aint a bad thing when the Brewers are off tonight.
  19. long ball
    Jeffress: yes Knebel: yes Soria: buy out Cedeno: yes Jennings: i would lean toward yes, but after how they non-tendered hughes after he was basically the decent rubber arm last year my guess is he is non-tendered. Lyles: buy out Davies: yes Nelson: yes Santana: yes Shaw: yes Moustakas: I don't think they'll exercise their half of the option. Perez: Given how last season's free agency went, I see not point in paying an arbitration raise for Perez when there will be plenty of utility types available for less. Saladino: non-tender Schoop: I definitely think they'll offer him arbitration. Additional: Guerra: I'd offer him arbitration. Worst case scenario they cut him during spring and only pay a portion of the salary. Pina: I'd offer him arbitration, even if they want to upgrade the position or give Nottingham more PT next year Pina still has a good back up skill set Broxton (assuming he has enough service time for arbitration 1): I'd offer him arbitration. He's the most likely 4th outfielder next season and he's good Cain insurance since he's fantastic in CF. Kratz: non-tender. He's been pretty useful this year and from all indications the Brewers really like him, but I don't see him back next year on a major league deal.
  20. long ball
    I'm guessing: CF Cain RF Yelich 1b Aguilar LF Braun 2b Schoop 3b Moustakas ss Perez C Pina P Chacin
  21. long ball
    It will be very tough for the Phillies or Diamondbacks to catch the Brewers. Obviously rooting for Pitt and Cinci are no brainers. Washington beating the Phillies is nice, but I don't think it really affects the Brewers much at this point. I think I'm rooting for the Rockies to win the division because they've never won before. I don't really want the Brewers to have to face the Dodgers in the WC game though.
  22. long ball
    2019 internal options: Chacin: $6.75M Anderson: $6.5M Nelson: Arb 2 Davies: Arb 1 Guerra: Arb 1 Woodruff: Minimum Peralta: Minimum Burnes: Minimum Suter: Minimum (likely out all of 2019, but possible late season option) Lyles: $1M opt w/ $250k buyout Houser: Minimum Wilkerson: Minimum I think the Brewers will add a SP whether it be through FA or trade. Whether they add one of the bigger FA SPs will likely depend on how high MA is willing to push the payroll during the off season. They've added a lot of salary mid-season and I assume they'll want to maintain that flexibility. I like Pomeranz as a possible Miley type signing during the off season. I don't necessarily think they need a "depth" signing, but a mid rotation or better arm would be very nice. Getting a healthy and effective Nelson (big if) would be the biggest get.
  23. long ball
    I don't really care where they play that Cubs Nats game on Thursday as long as they have to play it and don't make it an "if needed" on 10/1
  24. long ball
    Loving this team. A couple wins by 4+ would be nice here and there to keep my blood pressure in check, but I'm having so much fun.
  25. long ball
    I wonder if they would add Dillard as the permanent sideline reporter. I know they initially said Sophia would retain her sideline duties when the Brewers hired her, but maybe they transition her out of the sideline gig by next season and bring Dillard into her role. Dillard will do something for the Brewers. Maybe run their snapchat or something like that. He's too likable and has a cult like following here to let him get away to a different organization.
×
×
  • Create New...