UpandIn

Eh...probably some nerves. The additional context provided by da Twitta helps and also does not make me want to see "robot umps." On the other hand, if it gets rid of Angel Hernandez, I'm pretty much open to ANY other alternative! But a ball 4 on a pitch clock violation and then a ball 4(both on 3-2 counts) that one digital strike zone had as a strike and the robot umps didn't, it paints a rosier picture than just 1/3rd and 4BBs that show up on the line. Most importantly, he looked good, throwing 100 with good late bite on the curve. So, I'm about ready to call this one. Future deGrom on our hands here!

I don't have a real good feel, but I like Burkett quite a bit. He's...not likely to go on and become the next great NFL QB from Wisconsin, but he has a feel of Brooks Bollinger type QB. Probably more athletic. Got a chance to watch him play and I was impressed. It's so hard to project some players to the next level, but he's athletic, he's got a decent arm and it seems pretty accurate. If PC will deviate a bit from his offense and incorporate more RPOs and get him on the edge, I think with our usual OL play and RB play, they could win because of him. Not exactly the excitement and the possibilities that Mertz came with...but it's what we've got. Watching Kendrick Pryor and Danny Davis both have really nice camps, one on a 53, the other potentially on his way to a PS before injury, Cephus in Detroit playing well and then looking at how little they did(plus Jake Ferguson) it's beyond frustrating that we can't get consistently good QB play. Who knows...maybe Mertz will break out this year... It's nothing short of a miracle this program can...on occasion, put together 13-1 type seasons where they lose a 6 point game to OSU in the B1G Championship game with Alex Horningbrook as their QB. But hey, they keep churning out studs at LBer, some guys like Hunter Wohler(who I think is going to have a huge breakout season this year) and the Taylor, Allen's of the world and we keep chugging along as a top 15 program.

Makes sense. A bit of a logjam. I've thought I'll be interesting to look back at the 2020-2021 NFL, MLB, NBA drafts and see how they compare to normal years. Will we see more prospects who went later in the draft, guys who...say in the NFL would have risen if they'd have the combine process, or UDFAs from the last year in Baseball(or maybe 4th round picks from Cincinnati) exceed expectations. 2020 is going to have lasting implications for HS kids who didn't get a Sr year of sports, for fringe players who couldn't catch onto a practice squad and prospects who weren't invited to the alternate training site and ended up in independent ball. all stories I'm sure we'll hear about in the future. But it'll be interesting to follow.

Makes sense. A bit of a logjam. I've thought I'll be interesting to look back at the 2020-2021 NFL, MLB, NBA drafts and see how they compare to normal years. Will we see more prospects who went later in the draft, guys who...say in the NFL would have risen if they'd have the combine process, or UDFAs from the last year in Baseball(or maybe 4th round picks from Cincinnati) exceed expectations. 2020 is going to have lasting implications for HS kids who didn't get a Sr year of sports, for fringe players who couldn't catch onto a practice squad and prospects who weren't invited to the alternate training site and ended up in independent ball. all stories I'm sure we'll hear about in the future. But it'll be interesting to follow.

I didn't even think about this, but with no Rule5 draft last year...anyone think it's more likely there is a bit more movement this year when it comes to the Rule5? Not with our prospects necessarily, but just in general.

I didn't even think about this, but with no Rule5 draft last year...anyone think it's more likely there is a bit more movement this year when it comes to the Rule5? Not with our prospects necessarily, but just in general.

Thanks. Makes sense. I guess I'll hope he's re-signed after the rule 5 deadline then. I'd imagine given how new he is to pitching and the upside he's already shown(albeit not great command) teams will be interested. Not sure how interested they'd be in rostering him for a full season on the 40, but we'll see.

Same, but I am hoping to see Ruiz at some point. He'd give us another weapon vs LHPing...maybe. .395/.511/.816 this year vs lefties. Inflated from his time in El Paso and SA I'm sure, but he may be the only guy in AAA who can help us with that particular weakness. And he's on the 40.

That's pretty bold. I really disliked trading away Antoine Kelly as I thought(and still think) he has a lot of upside...but man, Gasser has been incredible. I WOULD be shocked if they added him to the 40 man now or brought him up for Sept, but he has really looked great so far.

Yes...I get they can just put him on the 40 man roster. I'm saying if he's a free agent, I don't believe they have to do anything other than simply try and re-sign him to a minor league deal and he doesn't go through the rule5...though I'm not certain.

I really don't think it makes much of a difference other than how aggressive the response is. If it's "I'm really surprised that they...." it's invariably, "I'm sure they know better than you." -Yes, of course they do. If it's, "I wish they hadn't done X, that didn't work out," or "I never understood that," it's "It's always easy in hindsight." It's a pretty consistent refrain and it's just kinda ultimately blindly agreeing with the moves of either team(the Bucks as well) or it's like you get a scolding. Both teams are run well, fans still have strong opinions and...I'll leave it there as I suspect we won't reach a consensus on this and the season it starting and we have better things to talk about.

Yeah, it's just fun to guess and follow the young guys, watch them develop. A forum like this is a way to kinda BS about the Packers on a higher level than just the "so Packers look good this year, huh," line. We get invested in this team...and by extension the players. And a guy like Caleb Jones or Yosh Nijman. One Packers beat writer said something like there were a lot of "nervous hours spent waiting," in the front office to see is Caleb Jones would clear...so he's a guy they obviously wanted, but they've also got excellent depth(which is why that Yosh idea may yet make sense). Oof...I don't root for former Packers to fail...save for when they wear Purple. I also don't blame a player for taking more money, but the man, when you go from prime Aaron Rodgers to Christian Ponder...you should expect you're not going to see much of that deal. He went for more money...which, all power to ya! You have a short career. That said, he had 800 and 750 yards with....Christian Ponder and Joe Webb or whoever at QB. MAYBE had he stayed in GB, he'd have actually earned more money as he wouldn't have gotten cut. As an aside, I wonder what he'll say about Wilson taking a 5 year 245M dollar contract extension. Is he also being selfish? Ah...whatever, media needs to stop asking him about Rodgers and he needs to stop talking about him already...

Really good article. They haven't QUITE gotten the dominance out of their top 2, they've lost Woody and Peralta to injuries. Lauer...I though he'd kinda helped keep us above water the last two months(or at least stopped us from completely going under). 2.98 his last 10 starts, but he had a rough stretch. The top two not being just quite as good and injuries have played the biggest role. Ideally, Houser would be your #5 and Ashby would be available to throw 2-3 inning up to 3 times a week or being used in any number of roles. Also, I had high hopes for Ashby to take that next step and become a little more dominant this year. Not that I'm disappointed with his performance per say...it's just frustrating WHERE he's making his mistakes. A guy with his type of stuff should NOT be at his worst statistically when it's 0-2 or on the 1st pitch. That 97 MPH fastball with movement, the slider. The only thing I wish he could do is take a bit more off that change. 96 to 89 isn't quite the change of speed you'd like... Anyway, I still see the potential for a big Sept run. My biggest concern at this point though is close games late. Devin Williams just FEELS shaky, Bush and that straight FB gives up HRs. Rogers has looked better. I think it's gonna take someone stepping up. If that's Cousins or Box, IDK, but I still like this teams chances.

Yeah, but he won't be getting the same as he got this year or just 1-2.5M more. I think you're still looking of a floor of ~16/17M if you go to arbitration with Hader. So you'd have to on-tender him, THEN try and work out that deal. Or just try and work it out before the deadline...and there's no real reason for Hader to do that.

What's the realistic list of teams that's paying 18M for Hader? NYY LAD SD-Because they traded for him and they'd look just bad giving up on him. NYM Philly Houston Tor/LAA/Bost-MAYBE they'd pay. They're all capable, but Toronto has a closer and they're already pushing their payroll(they could obviously push more). LAA needs someone other than Ohtani who can pitch the first 5 before even talking about the last one. Boston seems in this no-mans land with their spending where they're not really willing to match what what TOP players are getting. They have to figure out Xander and Devers contracts. They're either gonna be handing out 70M a year for those two players, or...they'll trade Devers(and 70 may be conservative). No NLC, no ALC team I don't think Not many teams can pay a closer 18M and even fewer can do so on a longer contract. There's always a team that jumps in out of nowhere like Minnesota did for Correa. Baltimore could be that type of team, but they've got a closer now who's pretty damn nasty and they feel like they're probably still a year away from really competing.

No, I'm not. I'm not a fan of Pujols. He never tested positive, but I believe he was a steroid user. His personal trainer and all that. Which...to be fair, most of baseball was on roids at that time, but he did the holier than thou routine and...I just don't believe it. I don't think he's any different than Bonds, other than Bonds, he just comes off as Griffey.

Do they have to protect him with him being a minor league Free Agent? I thought Minor Leaguers who were free agents were not subject to the rule 5 because...well, they were free to sign with anyone. In either event, I hope they bring him back.

Man, it's a good thing the Packers and Brewers have such a guardian who is always at the ready should someone disagree with the front offices! Or...even just the whiff of someone, maybe, might, kinda having a different opinion as well! Keep fighting the good fight... =

Maybe they think Douglas can just rotate and move seamlessly from CB to Safety. Perhaps he'll play that star position that...I'm still really not certain what it does exactly in this defense, but it sounds like a little bit more of a slot corner/roving safety. I probably should know by this point, but I've just heard them talk about who was going to play the star without much detail about. I know at different times Savage, Jaire, Amos, and King have played it. I think that's exactly what it means. They tried this a few years ago and it was during a time when Clark wasn't playing well. Maybe '19, could have been earlier in '20. Back when Clark was kinda hot to start the season and then just good the middle of the year, then turned it up later in the year. A lot people...pundits and fans(and PFF FWIW) chalked it up to him just being a natural NT. Then last year with Slaton flashing, they started playing Clark more as a DE and he played really well. This camp it seemed like he was playing almost exclusively as a 3 technique in the base and then moving around in the nickel(which they played about 90% of the time from what it sounds like in practice). I think it's a product of the depth we've got. If you have a NT who can hold his ground in Slaton...and he looked like he'd taken a big jump in year 2, and then Lowry with how well he played last year, Reed, both of whom are more natural 5 techniques. I think it's just a way to free Clark up to find the best matchup. I don't know if Ford actually has much to do with it, but, in any event, they seem like they're giving Clark more freedom. Toure...I agree, he looked really smooth. ALMOST like a Greg Jennings type. I know that's probably a bit of a reach(and his name is banned around here) but he just looks smooth. At the start of camp, I thought between Ford, Carpenter, Toure and Walker...I just didn't see all 4 making it. Other than Toure, I think you could argue either way on the other three. Walker just played the one game, Carpenter appears to be a STs specialist and Ford was the 8th best DL we had. But they obviously see the upside in each of them.

I had the same thought on Davis. The knee injury could explain it though. If he was gonna miss a month or more, he probably wasn't worth putting on the roster. Hill- He did look like the future replacement for Aaron Jones. I like Goodson, but he's not breaking many tackles...even arm tackles. Good in the open field, definitely worthy of a #3 RB, but sure, Hill looks different. Ford-That was easily the most surprising 53 man spot for me. I thought he looked good and I think he's solid vs the run in so much as he doesn't get moved. He's not blowing plays up or getting into the backfield, but he'll stand a guard up. But again, they look like they'll play so much nickel, 3 NTs? As always, I'll defer to the experts...but this seems like maybe favoring him a bit more because he was a draft pick. I mean...we are mocking the Vikings for cutting so many of there picks. One of FOUR 7th rounders is a bit different than 3 of their top 4 picks, but I think GMs want to see their picks click. Hanson-Again...I see it the same as you, but he's their starting RG on their initial depth chart. We're apparently just not seeing the talent. Royce Newman by the way, starting RT. I don't know if that's an official depth chart, but it'd mean that we're starting the year without Bahk(expected), Jenkins(a little less expected given his progress, but it sounds like he aggravated something) and Zach Tom is still not starting. We'll see how it plays out, but after this pre-season, I'd be VERY surprised of he is not one of their 5 best OL and Hanson/Neman are. Yosh/RB-You might have come up with the Nijman idea. It is a sound idea. Particularly if you think Bahk, Jenkins will be back and that Tom, Newman, Walker and now Jones(who I'm very happy cleared waivers) provide depth. The 2 RBs...that one's been going around for a while now. Andy Herman suggested it a month or so ago...and is taking his victory lap on that one! Either way, you were right...and it made a lot of sense. Hill's on track, Rodgers CAN play some RB, Deguara if we're in an emergency situation can help out in pass pro and I didn't yet see everyone who cleared waivers, but I'd be very surprised if Goodson and Taylor don't. So go week to week and you'll have 3 until Hill comes back. It just...didn't really dawn on me. Nor did trading our starting LT, but they make sense. Carpenter-I don't really know what he is yet. Definitely an in the box safety. I have no doubt he can play SS. A nickel safety maybe? If Quay ends up being our 3rd edge rusher a good chunk of the time...that could be helpful. We are dangerously thin in the secondary. As good as our starters are, we'll likely have to address that depth issue at some point. And yes...the Vikings. I REALLY loved Rick Spielmen as their GM! I thought he was doing a GREAT job! Why fire the guy? He did draft Justin Jefferson!

Ok

Maybe, but there are always head scratching trades made...like DeAndre Hopkins. Certainly the Packers...as well as every other team in the NFL would have offered more if Bill O'Brien would have actually shopped him. I always wonder when a player goes for this much less than his perceived value, did the poorly run team trading him actually communicate with other teams? Was this potential trade going back to the CVL trade? Meaning did they discuss a player for player trade? Keep in mind, this was the team that blew up the WRer market by giving Kirk 72M over 4 years. Maybe the Packers believed he'd simply be put on waivers? A 23 year old WRer who they were very high on just 2 years ago who's had two 600 yard seasons?

I've been lukewarm on the whole OBJ idea, but...sure, if they can make it work. I wanted Julio, but he chose Tampa Bay. Shenault bugs the hell outta me as he is so perfect for this offense, but what can you do. If Logan Ryan or Anthony Harris are actual cuts, not just roster manipulation, both would be great additions...but I suspect they were both agreed upon before hand and will both end up back in Tampa and Philly respectively. You're absolutely right. They cut Kellen Mond, the 2nd round pick. Wyatt Davis, the OSU Guard who many had ahead of Josh Myers and then Chazz Surratt, a LBer who was also a 3rd round pick. Just...terrible. They cut 6 of 11 picks from last year and then it was something like of the last 46 players Spielman drafted from '19-'21, they've only kept 20. So in 3 years, 46 players were drafted and they decided 20 of those were worthy of putting on a roster and 8 are projected to start. To be fair, they traded down a LOT and they had 15 picks in one of those drafts, but that is still a terrible rate. Thompson didn't have a great end of his tenure(particularly '15 and '17) but...he was never THIS bad.

This tracks with my opinion of Counsell. He's a great manager, however this year in particular though...I haven't been as big of fan of some of his moves. I've seen people suggesting he should and or would get fired if this team fails to make it to the post-season. Not just trolls, I've seen it on here and by actual Baseball people speculating. I say speculating because I can't imagine they have a source that would back up such utter nonsense. Counsell to me has this job for as long as he wants it. I full expect him to be the manager in Milwaukee for another 10-15 years. He's Bobby Cox, he's Tom Kelly, I'd say Sparky Anderson, but he was fired in Cincy, but Sparky in Det. The Brewers are having one of the most frustrating years in the last decade when you look at expected performance vs actual performance. I thought this was another ~100 win team that could compete for a WS. Things happen. Adames has struggled. We've played poorly. As mentioned, I've disagreed with some of CC's moves and what should be a reliable BP(despite the loss of Hader) has been disappointing with someone blowing the lead seemingly every night. And we're 68-60 the last day of August and in a playoff race. That is how David Stearns...who's also made the occasional bad deadline deal, Matt Arnold, Tom Flanagan, Tod Johnson, among others...have given Counsel varying levels of talent and they've always played up to it. And I say always as this year is not yet over. Remember the names Sal Bando, Ron Roenicke, Ken Macha, etc... This also doesn't mean you can't question why he's not starting Keston Hiura vs RH'ed pitchers just to be clear. Just appreciate we have one of the best in baseball and a manager can do but so much.

This tracks with my opinion of Counsell. He's a great manager, however this year in particular though...I haven't been as big of fan of some of his moves. I've seen people suggesting he should and or would get fired if this team fails to make it to the post-season. Not just trolls, I've seen it on here and by actual Baseball people speculating. I say speculating because I can't imagine they have a source that would back up such utter nonsense. Counsell to me has this job for as long as he wants it. I full expect him to be the manager in Milwaukee for another 10-15 years. He's Bobby Cox, he's Tom Kelly, I'd say Sparky Anderson, but he was fired in Cincy, but Sparky in Det. The Brewers are having one of the most frustrating years in the last decade when you look at expected performance vs actual performance. I thought this was another ~100 win team that could compete for a WS. Things happen. Adames has struggled. We've played poorly. As mentioned, I've disagreed with some of CC's moves and what should be a reliable BP(despite the loss of Hader) has been disappointing with someone blowing the lead seemingly every night. And we're 68-60 the last day of August and in a playoff race. That is how David Stearns...who's also made the occasional bad deadline deal, Matt Arnold, Tom Flanagan, Tod Johnson, among others...have given Counsel varying levels of talent and they've always played up to it. And I say always as this year is not yet over. Remember the names Sal Bando, Ron Roenicke, Ken Macha, etc... This also doesn't mean you can't question why he's not starting Keston Hiura vs RH'ed pitchers just to be clear. Just appreciate we have one of the best in baseball and a manager can do but so much.