1e Corbeau

There were so many deadlines mentioned, as far at the PTBNL portion of the trade, I'm guessing that the Brewers can deal any of the players that are part of the list after a certain date, which has probably passed already. I don't think they'd enter into terms that would hamper them from making other deals to help the club.

Recommend a comment. It's a way to "vote up" or show a support for a comment. The one I'm picturing has an appearance of [+22/ -3], which would indicate 22 users recommending a comment or post and 3 users hiding the post. (In this case, hiding would be on a per comment basis, rather than a global hide user.) Some Scoop powered collaborative blogs have this feature. I can't say I've actually seen it in a forum setting, but I don't visit any besides BF.net and a Ning community I created for bibliophiles. edit: and my "Interact" feature isn't working in Safari 3.1.1 with OS X 10.5.3...

While I totally think it's appropriate to raise this concern, I personally am totally fine with the hour lock on that thread, as I think it was consistent with the below: I, too, come for the information and discourse, but I hope for nuanced comments, opinions and analyses. In that thread, new information was my premium. It was annoying to see people ask the same questions repeatedly, a result of not checking back a page or three. And while one-liners can be funny at times to different people, it just doesn't add much, in my opinion. In general, I think the mods do a very admirable job of knowing when to clamp those. It isn't easy, I'm sure, but it's appreciated. (Sometimes, I think "more-established" posters get the benefit more than "newer" folks, but I digress.) That said, I can always skip over the avatars I can reasonably guess aren't adding anything to the discussion. I wish Yuku had a hide feature and a "rec" comment feature, too. It could make BF feel like more of a friendly place without the need to say, "yeah, I agree with what XXXXX said" as much.

I haven't put enough thought into where I'd slot the guys after Gamel and Escobar (Jeffress, Salome, Lucroy, Brantley, Green), but I would have to agree that Lucroy has slipped ahead of Salome for me, too. I think I trust Salome's bat more, as what he's doing at AA in Huntsville peaks louder than what Lucroy has done to date by a good enough amount. And, while I believe that Salome believes he can be a good defensive catcher and that he's got the work ethic to give it a real chance of happening, Lucroy already catches well and likely has a far more refined approach to calling a game. I've enjoyed supporting and cheering for Salome since Helena; but, I think I'd seriously consider finding a team that believes he can stick behind the dish and would consider him as a centerpiece for a young ML pitcher or a AA pitching prospect with an uber-high ceiling. Obviously, it would take more than Salome alone, but, if you think he's a catcher, he's got serious value.

Maybe they'd listen to a LaPorta/Brantley/(Cain?). Anyway to get Green out of the deal. I've liked Brantley's approach since draft day, but I'd rather keep Green. His slowly developing power and the question of whether he can play CF make Green (and his defense) more valuable, IMO. And Bill and Brian are really hammering this "gee-whiz-big news day for the Brewers" shtick hard.

Per a link from Crossface in the Gargantuan CC thread: http://cbs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/9203984 The Jays have been offering starter A.J. Burnett, and a source said they had talked to the Brewers about Burnett, hoping to get either Escobar or J.J. Hardy. Burnett and the Brewers linked, with the rumor having Toronto coming to us. I don't think Hardy/Escobar would be dealt for a potential rental (if he declines) with a history like Burnett. Would they roll the dice on Bill Hall? I'd guess not a chance, but doesn't hurt to ask... Of course that blows a hole in the Hall/Branyan platoon, but maybe they can expand it for Rolen (in my fantasy world).

Ditto on the confused. I can't find it on BF, either. I'm pretty sure it was from the FSL All-Star game, but now I can't find anything in a recap that mentions it. Are you thinking of a video that Mass linked to in a thread, where you had to scroll to a certain time mark? That's what I'm remembering...

I believe you're thinking of the FSL All-Star game... Check the back pages of this forum, I'd suggest.

This "restructuring their offer" business sounds like revisionist journalism... ESPN could just be covering Olney's butt, since he reported Escobar and Hardy as being parts at times. It likely was always LaPorta/Green/2nd-tier OF; this blurb just puts ESPN in line with the eventual outcome.

Splitter: After you reading that Olney post from the CC thread, I'm less excited about LaRoche and DeWitt. Knowing that LAD is also looking for pitching help, it seems this might not be the best fit for us to add an arm. That said, how about a Hall + for Lowe + with us giving a bit more, maybe throwing in a Welch or Wright for an A ball pitcher. Or Brad Nelson to get a bit more back from them. While this does have LAD giving up a proven arm, they could recall Kershaw, whom they just returned to AA. He's be fine, if not spectacular, in his MLB stint. I'd love to find a way to get them to overvalue an "all-star" like Hardy into landing Billingsley or Kershaw, but 1) I don't see Coletti being that stupid, and 2) I don't think DM is in a mode to roll the dice on Escobar and Billingsley/Kershaw getting us into the postseason this year--no matter how much this helps over the next three years. Obviously #1 is the bigger hurdle, by far.

I agree with this sentiment, Sheets being more likely/preferable to CC long-term. That said, I don't know that paying any player $17M/per is ever going to happen with a $80-$100M payroll. I think Team Canada is more likely to go the retool route by trading a Fielder for a near-ready SP high-ceiling prospect in the offseason. This is why they are looking to go all out for a 3 mo. CC rental. They know next year might be a prep for 2010. BC only played one game of a scheduled DH on Thursday. Thus, Cody was bumped to Jeffress spot. Jeffress should pitch tonight, rather than Butler. I'm wondering why Errecart came out. Nothing in the wrap.

Don Cherry was added for analysis late in the playoffs this year, but he's never leaving Hockey Night in Canada and the CBC. And the continued existence of the universe was threatened each time Melrose and Cherry were on screen at the same time with their swanky suits of matter and anti-matter. Buccigross and Levy are the hockey guys, as Bill Pidto is on ESPNEWS. I could see them bringing in Darren Pang again or Ray "Chicken Parm" Ferraro. Unless Brendan Shanahan retires; then it'll be that salty old ice dog. And that.

Seriously, TH should not be giving lectures on "fact checking". At the game today with my dad, we were sitting in front of the press box and I pointed out TH. I told my dad about emailing him regarding his offseason article in which he wrote Angel Salome was suspended for steroid use - not generic PEDs or a banned substance, he wrote steroids. Since there had been a bit of a debate from "Coach" and a few others, I thought I'd follow up, as other source had confirmed the actual substance. So, I asked him if it was steroids and he replied something to the extent, well everyone pretty much knows it was steroids but you never get confirmation on these things. (That's a paraphrase from memory, hence the absence of quotation marks.) Regardless of what substance it was, I personally thought it was irresponsible - and perhaps inaccurate - to print such a thing without, well, "facts" to back you up, podunk or not. Edit: My original message to TH, in part: "I hope all is well. I noticed that you wrote Angel Salome was suspended for steriods in your article from jsonline.com, posted 11/24, which I assume ran in the 11/25 print edition. I am following up to verify that the performance enhancing substance was indeed steroids, as it has not been previously verified, I believe. " here is Tom's response, from my email... "I was told the substance was some sort of steroid but you can't ever get verification of such things because all of that info is confidential. Officially, it was a "performance enhancing" substance." I can't find an copy of the November 25th article (posted 11/24/07), but I don't really think that's necessary for this case.

Stosh, for sure, if there's much out there on him. To a lesser extent, the higher guys with three pitches: Adams Romanski Lasker

I could be just as easily wrong, but I don't think it was a result the extra picks. Sure, Frederickson is a high risk/reward guy, but he was soaring up the boards and they had him in for a pre-draft workout at MP that went really well. Late in the regular season, he went toe-to-toe with Matusz (I think, or another top-five pitching talent) and pitched a great game. I guess I don't see the pick a necessarily being out of context for the Brewers (late riser, high risk/reward power arm) or for a college guy with control issues (Hochevar, for one, but I'm sure you could find a dozen college arms drafted around between mid-1 and mid-2 in the last three years with BB/9 over 4.5; granted Frederickson is higher than that...).

Wow, seems like plus makeup kid. But 111 pitches on three days rest - then coming in for an inning the next day! He's a competitor, putting the team above his own aspirations, but you have to wonder if he even gets on the mound in Maryvale this summer. It sounds like you might have to wrap him with tape and stick him in a locker to keep him off the field, but I'd rather see him in Appalachian Power Park next April than try to dominate R ball and end up with a dead arm or some slight injury. Am I just conditioned to worry about 1st round HS righties?

I was *so* excited about him. In fact, I was just thinking about whether he had been released or not yesterday, thinking about the draft. I'd assumed as much, but this re-dashes the hopes! C'mon, Hitaniel Arias!

I don't know if you can call them "sleepers", but the guys from the double-digits I'm intrigued by thus far (thanks to colby's magnificent updated-by-the-minute scouting reports) are Miller, Sherrill, Stosh and Jeffers. Interesting combinations of velocity, athleticism and secondary stuff, all to varying degrees. Seems like a solid mid-round draft. I'm hoping they can sign Stosh due to the Lawrie/Team Canada connections.

Yeah, I'd be more worried about Lawrie's competition situation if he didn't crush Extended Spring and Dominican Summer League pitching - with wood bats, to boot. Plus, being the Canadian national team ensures he's played even more high-stakes tourneys and competition. Perhaps his HS (or SS) not having a baseball team is ultimately a very good thing in regards to this. It never seems like Jack Z. is shy about taking HS kids from the northern half of North America. There's Rogers, obvisously - and one could argue the merits/results of that decision - but even Odorizzi being from IL could have this comment applied to him. It seems that MO is if the kid is athletic (Rogers in hockey and soccer, Odorizzi as a WR and also at shortstop, Lawrie who sounds more like a man than a kid, and the speculated interest in Hewitt), they aren't too concerned about the competition.

I don't believe in jinxes, so having Melville and DeVall still around at 28 with the Crew up at 32 and 34 has me very optimistic about the next hour http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif Will and Steve who?

Any chance DeVall is there at 32?

Count me on the Lawrie man-crush bandwagon. Last year, I feared the Canadian. This year, I embrace the Canuck. As always, I don't have any expectation of guessing right, though. I do know it'll be a fun afternoon, though. I was a big Brett Anderson fan in 06 and was sad to see him go in the second before we had a chance. This year DeVall is my LHP HS'er. I'd love to find him at #32. Any word on who has interest in DeVall?

Rec'd. This was a really great interview. Also, it sounds like FSNW/Brewers Live are getting access to the war room, per Jack Z and Coshun. Jack Z made sure to note that they'd rearranged their mag-board before the anyone was allowed to enter. :-) Thursday cannot get here fast enough.

Wasn't the RoadRunner sign then the Cingular sign? areacodes almost got that ball off the bounce. I got shoved by an obnoxious and uneducated Cubs fan. Ah, the memories...

That's an interesting point to ponder. Another interesting comparison would be that Jack Z & Co. were able to get Parra in the 26th as a DFE and Scarpetta in the 11th. I know it's easiest to laud after the fact - and to ignore the busts - but Parra's transaction looks particularly astute, as he signed for 1st/2nd sandwich money, IIRC, which is almost like an extra pick in between Jones and Hardy (2001) or Fielder and Josh Murray (echo...) in '02. To avoid this being a total non sequitur, it bodes well that we have such high picks to gamble with, rather than 11th round or now-defunct DFE candidates. I'm not sold on Bucholz or Ellsbury, so I think Jack Z can do better, even with a shallower class.