Joseph Zarr

Me waiting for the vaunted 'Jericho Sims Era':

Let me state the obvious: Giannis missing the next 2-3 weeks with the calf strain is going to hurt the Bucks playoff chances. They are going to need Kuzma and Porter Jr. to play well and more efficient than they have, well, ever in their careers. The season outlook, already bleak, just took another one to the chin. Ouch.

For any subscribers (yes, subscription firewall), here is the page: 31-40 ranked Brewers

A day removed from the Deadline. Any emotions subsided. Core thoughts: I absolutely hate to see Midds' career go the arc of the hobbled vet 'Show the young guys how it's done' leg of his career on a perennial loser of an org. Granted, Warshington has made efforts to improved their basketball ops on both the Wizards and Mystics side - I grant them that. Really don't like losing AJ Johnson in the Midds deal. Just do not like it. Having watched the Herd off and on throughout their season, Johnson's light began to turn on in the past few weeks. He can legitimately beat pretty much any man cover 1 v 1. That's a huge asset. This being said, his overall offensive game is at best a 50/50 proposition. He put up some of the most ungodly bad numbers in the pre-season. His numbers certainly didn't improve enough in the G-League. He is still likely years away from realistically making an impact in the NBA. BUT, regardless, that's a massive lotto pick grab for the Wizards. And, I have an extremely hard time believing this was the Bucks plan exiting the draft. This gets me to: I struggle to see a clear vision for this Bucks team. I think this speaks to a convoluted decision-making process across the org. I have no inside information to back this claim. BUT, I lived through the Kohl years. Their ongoing process stinks of too many voices in the room. I see a GM who appears to be consistently over-ridden by ownership and now a highly-paid coach - the third coach on their payroll. This doesn't even get to GM Giannis. I just think it's a dysfunctional process across the board and I see it in the draft and in how this deadline played out. I continue to have a very hard time seeing Pat, Bobby and Brook all on this team post-deadline. And, well, here we are. Is what it is. I think over-investing in some vision whereby Kyle Kuzma turns back the clock to his Laker days is quite a bit pie in the sky thinking. Could it happen? Sure. Do I hope it happens? Absolutely. I think his offensive numbers this season are skewed because of a disconnect but it's poor form to think those offensive numbers aren't what they are: extremely poor. I think he can be a plus defender and a plus rebounder. But, I struggle to embrace his overall sub-par career percentages from distance. I struggle embracing the massive loss of efficiency and shooting productivity with Midds out the door. I hope he surprises. That's all I have there. But, in the end, I can't help but think the move as an objective move just speaks to another vintage Bucks maneuver where they waited til the last minute and immensely devalued a one time premium asset. And, they had to over-pay to do it because they had already crippled themselves beyond the second apron. It's very fair to say: it is flat out poor process all the way around. I don't over invest in any of the hoopla around KPJ's off the court issues. I have no idea what happened. It is reported he is still under investigation but there is no resolution and I was not there. So, I won't virtue signal any part of this story whatsoever like many many other fans are doing and have done. Basketball-wise, I think KPJ is extremely talented and continues to have untapped potential. He is a measurably (and I do mean measurably) better basketball player than Marjon. He has length, top-tier athleticism, and an extremely good handle. He could very easily step into a back-up PG role for the second unit - or share those duties should they sign Rollins to an actual contract. As a player for player swap, all outside distractions and concerns aside, this is a massive basketball win for the Bucks. I like the Jericho Sims maneuver. We have lacked a true athlete at the 5 (outside of Giannis, obviously) - back-up or starter - in quite some time. He is young, has massive hops, and can defend some. Offensively, this is a poor man's Gadz. However, you could do much worse in this department and I think he can offer some minutes - likely in the single digits or bordering low double digits. I doubt he's a regular rotation player but he can fill in. IF I were to honestly opine on the best value deal in this entire deadline I'm going beyond all these deals and easily choosing the swap of Hugo Besson for Mathias Lessort. In a vacuum, this is the best value-for-value win. Will Lessort ever come stateside? Likely no. He also is recovering from a major leg injury from this past year and isn't currently playing. But, as someone who has a pulse on Euro ball, Lessort is absolutely the best offensive rebounder on the French National team. He is a bit of a man beast and a vastly underrated player as a whole. Let me put it plainly: IF he came over, Lessort would very very much play minutes at the 4 next season for the Bucks and I would not blink. He is 29 years old, however. IF he did (and, again, it's a big if) they maybe get 2-3 years out of him. But, as a raw swap for an undersized guard who isn't really an NBA-caliber talent it's a pound for pound pure win of a maneuver. Nothing left to do but see how this all plays out. The Bucks moved under the second apron but didn't really do anything with that maneuverability for now. As a whole, I give their deadline a C-. Hope it all works out.

Thank you for the update. Appreciated.

RHP Luis Aguayo formally announced and assigned to the DSL Cerveceros Dos. That leaves us with one signing announcement remaining, yes?

Thanks for that update @ARobsBrewCrew. It would also appear the Brewers have formally announced (on the transactions wire side of things) the signing of Mexican RHP Luis Aguayo. Fist pump from this superfan. I believe we are now only waiting on one (?) officially announced signing from this year's class? Aguayo, as we know will pitch his 17-year-old season this summer as a part of this year's International FA Class. However, I also know several of us have been waiting for an official announcement as many of us were quite excited about a young such as Aguayo's - pitching up welllll beyond his years. Here was a clip of some K's I posted in the International Signings thread: 45K views · 495 reactions | LLEGA CON TODO 😌 El derecho Luis Aguayo... WWW.FACEBOOK.COM LLEGA CON TODO 😌 El derecho Luis Aguayo poncha al primer bateador que enfrenta en la LaMP...

Bon voyage Down East media blackouts. 2025 is indeed their transition year. Gods bless us all. And, man oh man, seeing the spatula and pickle logos...I can not help but feel we absolutely won the new Low-A affiliate competition with the Wilson Warbirds. What is this ?! 😅

Sheesh I think several of you are unaware of Khash's continuing On/Off impacts even without his prime physical health. He is still very clearly a net positive influence on the basketball court. Yes, even with his inability to stay in front of a stationary folding chair (shout out to Yi), the Bucks have been a better team overall when Khris is on the court. This is backed by most every team-oriented Advanced statistic.

Hey now...not only is Tyler Thornburg back and making his coaching debut BUT so is 2021-2022 Sounds 'legend' Matt Lipka! This is awesome.

I like this take. I appreciate your calm wisdom as I deal with my own ineffable, and honestly uncharacteristic, emotions post-trade. I can start to see some of why this happened - tho, man, I have a hard hard time 'looking forward' to anything Kyle Kuzma brings to the basketball court in his current form. If he can find that semblance of form (with an improbable up-tick in efficiency) as the Laker 3rd Man version? Maybe we're getting upside. Also a team chock full of AJ Johnsons may end up with the lowest cumulative FG% by a team in NBA history. BUT, boy, would there be some amazing fast break and alley-oop dunks.

Oh, I know I know. I understand the 2nd apron portion. I am mainly suffering from cloudy post-taken to the woodshed brain drain. I also understand this move may also open up avenues to execute more moves (tho, honestly, I tremble in 'fear' at what Horts may also have up his sleeves). I understand Khris' best basketball is likely very very distant in the rearview mirror with the injury issues - the 'defense' this year has been borderline comical (and sad). I will always love Khash Money. Always. Such a likable Buck. Such a soft-spoken humble guy. The perfect underdog. A fantastic and vastly underrated basketball player throughout his career. However, this entire ordeal simply reeks of a vintage Bucks move of old. This reeks of my never ending experience in the Kohl years. The main difference, obviously, is we have two stars we are practicing incompetence around. I do not know how we can rationalize a career inefficient player who has never played basketball in an intelligent and savvy way, who is older now in the midst of his worst season as a pro - literally a net -21 player on THE worst team in the NB of A. He is shooting woeful numbers across the board. AND, what, we're hoping he magically turns it around? I suppose that is possible. I certainly hope that happens. BUT, it feels like a giant stash of hopium. And, to avoid losing our 2031 1st rd pick outright we were forced to sweeten the deal by throwing in AJ Johnson who, quite easily, has the most upside potential in any of the young players within the org. He just started to see that light come on down with the Herd. Things really picked up the past two weeks for him - I've been tracking the Herd for the majority of their season. He is playing more controlled. The G-League game, at least, started slowing down for him. And, then he had a career game at OKC. Just felt like that ship had turned to smoother waters. Will that light ever fully come on? I do not know BUT to throw in that type of upside and unknown with his raw athleticism, handle, and ability to literally beat any defender off the dribble is an incredibly bitter pill to swallow. Mainly, man, I'm just sad that this is where we came to. I hope there is more in the bag before this day is over. BUT, more than anything, I just see an overmatched GM trying to patch hundreds of leaky holes on a sinking ship with only his 10 fingers. The bottom seems near certain. And, well, that just makes me sad as a lifelong Bucks fan. I sincerely hope I am wrong and am over-reacting because of feeling dirty that this is how the Middleton story arc ends with the Bucks.

I am literally in a state of disbelief at the incompetence on display here. Walking around like a drunken amnesiac as I sip my coffee. How we got to this point is beyond my comprehension.

This trade is an abomination. That's all that needs to be said.

All I know is, by my rigorous mathematical trade models, post-Luka trade... The Bucks send out Khash Money and their unprotected 2031 1st Rd pick and they receive SGA and a OKC's 2031 2nd in return. OR, as recent rumors hint at, they could continue to pivot to the Jordan Poole of SF's in Kyle Kuzma. My Magic Eight Ball still reads "The future is unclear."

It would appear 2024 mid-season Biloxi Shucker's pick up (and, honestly, a huge spark plug for the line-up at the time) OF Connor Scott has signed on with the Kansas City Royals organization. He has been assigned to their Double-A affiliate in the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Best of luck, Connor and thank you for helping those Shuckers back into the playoffs!

Can confirm. Having watched the vast majority of Black's Brewers Minor League career, even in limited exposure (when considering the number of infield innings played), when he mans the OF grass it is the only defensive positioning and in-game output I consistently come away thinking "Hey, this could really work at the MLB level." He has the range. His glove plays 10x better out there - his hands aren't the problem they are in the infield. I don't know about the arm, honestly, because he really hasn't had to unleash it from that distance - I suspect it is average (ie, good enough but not plus) tho given what we've seen on the infield dirt. We also haven't seen enough work there on sinking liners where a charging catch or diving/sliding catch or pull-up is warranted. He just hasn't been given enough exposure there - if you recall when they first put him into CF with High-A Wisconsin he injured himself for the season on a fantastic ranging diving catch into LF. He was then given no OF innings in 2023. With a lack of upper levels high-caliber OF depth and with the trade of Wiemer and 40-Man promotions of Hicklen and Collins, the Sounds staff (surely, with input from the Brewers higher ups) began using him in LF and CF regularly. AND, I am telling you: it is a 10x more comfortable viewing experience from this ol' codger. He has real ability out there whereas I legitimately feel like any and every play on the infield dirt is a 50/50 proposition. I know the data likely won't scream this to you. I am telling you: near everything on the infield dirt is an adventure. He could go from making an insanely athletic diving stop at 1B in one inning to completely missing a routine stab at head height on a bang-bang play and throw from across the diamond to open the next frame. It just does not engender trust. What the Brewers have at Triple-A Nashville and Double-A Biloxi today is vastly different than the start of the 2024 campaigns. They have new Rule 5 additions in Nashville - unknowns within the org. The Biloxi OF is a massive unknown at present. They lost the in-season addition of Connor Scott (as of now). Sparks is gone. Cargo is with the Braves. Lara and O'Rae are not ready to face MLB pitching. Black is absolutely, as it currently stands, atop the list for MLB depth considerations on the OF grass. His bat, and his wheels, have a legitimate chance to stick. I think this is all fairly obvious.

Man he had some obscenely tough luck in the BABIP department at Triple-A. I think I read it was in the low to mid 0.300's? With a decent underlying barrel %, one would think he had some awful luck overall.

It would appear the Brewers have signed former 10th Rd Yankee sinker baller LHP Josh Maciejewski to a Minor League deal: He did have some success last season in 7 some Big League innings. He's a low velo guy across the board. In addition to the 89-90 mph sinker he has a change-up and a breaking ball, I believe.

Agreed. Unreal. "You have ice cream in your beard. Let's turn two!" 😅

I would have to think given what we saw in limited snaps as a rookie - it was a pretty historical season for the rook when all was said and done - he's a shoe-in Day 1 starter next year. He was dominant and pretty much moved and reacted at a different speed than every other Packer in the front 7. There might be lingering size and nagging injury issues in the years ahead but that can't deter from the fact he was special when healthy and getting consistent snaps. The Quay thing is sure a thing. The Packers obviously love him and believe in his abilities - first rounder and consistently pushed into that starter role even when underperforming (which I think is just plain easy to admit: he has vastly underperformed given his draft status). He flashed in the latter portion of the seasons and was playing his best ball and then, well, got injured. I think he has a boon playing in Hafley's defense and I certainly hope the end of this past season is a sign of things to come. Hard to say if the light turned on. We just haven't seen anything of lasting consistency at any phase of his career. He is young. He is insanely strong and athletic. We just have to hope he continues to learn to play at the speed he innately has. If he can? That's a game changer. Up til now, I think it's fair to say the Walker experience has by and large been predominantly fool's gold. I have absolutely zero idea what their plan is in terms of adding depth. As @CheezWizHed alludes to, they still have a coveted draft investment in Hopper so they obviously loved him heading into last year's draft. You have three young athletic guys there. As to the vet additions or continuity, I think you could do worse than McDuffie and Wilson. I think they're fine for what they are and they even flash from time-to-time. They seem like very likable vet locker room and ST guys as well. But, truthfully, I have no idea what their plan is there. Do they grab another LB in this year's draft?

It doesn't feel great to lose the LB coach who helped Cooper show out like he did. He also seemed to play a part in Quay starting to flash like we'd never seen him consistently flash before. Here's hoping they keep that ball rolling. The early speculation saw the likelihood of an in-house replacement via Hafley's former BC LB coach (and, ultimately, assistant D-Coordinator with BC in 2023 apparently) and current Packers defensive assistant in Sean Duggan.

Daniel Jeremiah's Top 12 Senior Bowl Practice Week Standouts (Both Green and Zabel in here)

Mannion promoted to FT QB Coach. Packers get their DL coach. The strength of the coaching staff would appear to get even stronger.