Matt Breen

As a note, per Adam McCalvy, Tyler Cravy is said to be 'not close to returning' from his DL stint in Colorado Springs. So don't expect him anytime soon. And once he's back, he'll likely need a few appearances to get back into shape. http://m.brewers.mlb.com/news/article/237241722/when-will-injured-ryan-braun-return-to-brewers/

The White Sox were reportedly holding out for a premier prospect for Robertson. Now, is that true? Is it still true? He's making $12M this year and is due $13M next year. And while we have a low payroll, it's still a lot of money. I think I would rather take that money and get a couple of decent bullpen arms. With Robertson, you're paying a 'closer' premium. For Milwaukee, I think a pair of solid bullpen pitchers would be more valuable than one 'closer' guy.

PADRES LF Allen Cordoba ® CF Franchy Cordero (L) 1B Wil Myers ® 2B Y. Solarte (S) RF Hunter Renfroe ® 3B C. Spangenberg (L) SS Erick Aybar (S) C Luis Torrens ® P Luis Perdomo ® BREWERS 2B Eric Sogard (L) 1B Eric Thames (L) RF Hernan Perez ® 3B Travis Shaw (L) C Manny Pina ® CF Keon Broxton ® LF Lewis Brinson ® SS Orlando Arcia ® P Jimmy Nelson ®

Shuckers lose second game of double header, 6-3 Jorge Lopez walks five in lose Biloxi Box Score Jorge Lopez took the brunt of the damage for Biloxi in the second game of a double header with the Mobile BayBears. The Shuckers were defeated 6-3, with Lopez giving up five runs in 5.2 innings of work. His control was clearly not there as he surrendered six hits and walked five while taking lose. He is now 3-6 with a 5.40 ERA for the season. The Shuckers managed three runs despite only getting five hits. Michael Choice (2-4), Jacob Nottingham (1-2, 2B, BB) and Wendell Rijo (1-2, 2B, BB) were the top bats for the Shuckers. Mauricio Dubon (1-4) stole his 30th base of the season in the 2nd inning. After being rained out for three straight games, the Shuckers managed only 10 hits in today’s doubleheader - losing both games. Biloxi Game Log Biloxi managed too score twice in the 6th inning to pull within one run of Mobile. However, the BayBears would add a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning to quash any hope for the Schuckers. Biloxi Top of the 6th Pitching Change: Jeremy Rhoades replaces Alex Klonowski. Michael Choice singles on a line drive to left fielder Zach Gibbons. Jacob Nottingham doubles (16) on a line drive to left fielder Zach Gibbons. Michael Choice scores. Blake Allemand hit by pitch. Pitching Change: Greg Mahle replaces Jeremy Rhoades. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Angel Ortega replaces Art Charles Jr. Angel Ortega out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Jose Briceno to second baseman Sherman Johnson. Jacob Nottingham to 3rd. Blake Allemand to 2nd. Clint Coulter grounds out, shortstop David Fletcher to first baseman Zach Houchins. Jacob Nottingham scores. Javier Betancourt flies out to left fielder Zach Gibbons. Mobile Bottom of the 6th Angel Ortega remains in the game as the third baseman. Defensive Substitution: Dustin DeMuth replaces third baseman Javier Betancourt, batting 8th, playing first base. Jose Briceno grounds out, third baseman Angel Ortega to first baseman Dustin DeMuth. Sherman Johnson singles on a line drive to right fielder Clint Coulter. Alberto Triunfel strikes out swinging. With Bo Way batting, Sherman Johnson steals (1) 2nd base. Jorge Lopez intentionally walks Bo Way. Pitching Change: Tayler Scott replaces Jorge Lopez. With Michael Hermosillo batting, wild pitch by Tayler Scott, Sherman Johnson to 3rd. Bo Way to 2nd. Michael Hermosillo walks. With David Fletcher batting, wild pitch by Tayler Scott, Sherman Johnson scores. Bo Way scores. Michael Hermosillo to 2nd. Missed catch error by pitcher Tayler Scott. David Fletcher pops out to third baseman Angel Ortega in foul territory.

Baseball history is littered with guys who have a couple of years of brilliance - and then nothing. The Scherzer/Price/Kershaw guys are so rare. Doesn't mean I think Arietta is going to bad forever. Just that I've seen a lot guys leave the stage in a hurry rather than hang around for a long time.

Shuckers drop game one in pitcher's duel to BayBears Aaron Wilkerson suffers the tough luck loss on the twin bill opener By Biloxi Shuckers (Photo: Biloxi Shuckers) Biloxi Box Score After three straight rainouts, the Shuckers came back cold, managing only five hits and one run in a 2-1 lose to Mobile. Aaron Wilkerson was solid on the mound for the Shuckers, throwing 5.1 IP and allowing only two earned runs on seven hits and a walk. He would take the lose. Offensively, the Shuckers just could not get big base hits when needed. They were 1-6 with runners in scoring position. Javier Betancourt (2-3, 2B) lead Biloxi’s offense with a pair of hits. Johnny Davis (1-2, BB) also got on base twice. Biloxi Game Log Biloxi had a chance to do some damage in the 5th inning when they got two runners on with only one out. But Mauricio Dubon struck out and Dustin DeMuth grounded out to end the opportunity. Biloxi Top of the 5th Dustin Houle strikes out swinging. Javier Betancourt doubles (9) on a line drive to left fielder Bo Way. Johnny Davis walks. Mauricio Dubon strikes out swinging. Dustin DeMuth grounds out to first baseman Jared Walsh

Hypothetically couldn't he join the T-Rats and DH, and by the time the playoffs come round send him to the OR, so he's ready for spring. I like the idea of him getting his feet wet in pro ball this season, and depending on how he's doing he could jump to Carolina or stay in Appleton next year at 100%. Why are we performing TJ surgery on someone who doesn't need it? He only had a partial tear, those can and have heeled on their own. Tyler Thornburg had the same thing and didn't get TJ, and he's a pitcher. I don't think anyone knows if he needs surgery or not. Hiura had a platelet-rich plasma injection in April. He hasn't played in the field since, so I don't think anyone really knows how well his injured arm is doing. He said it doesn't bother him - but you never know what will happen until he gets into game action. I'm guessing they will assess the arm once he signs, they will do an assessment and go from there. Tommy John surgery recovery usually takes about 6 months for a position player. If they decide TJ is the best thing to do, and time frame is the estimate for Huira, you have the option to put off surgery until the minor league season is over - getting him a couple of months of action in 2017 - just playing DH. You do the surgery, then Huira has six months (September-Feb.) to recover before spring training. Of course, that's cutting it close, and assumes no setbacks. The other option is to do the surgery right away, and give him 8-9 months to recover - so he's ready to go without any issue come spring training.

It was pretty sweet. When you can have a guy play that deep, and still make the throws to 1B in time, you're going to steal a lot of hits.

I think the most realistic thing we could 'buy' at the deadline is some bullpen depth - which is a tread in of itself. The other areas could be a catcher if there was an injury. And maybe a starter if there were multiple injuries. One thing the club has is depth in most places to cover things if there is an injury. Aguilar at 1B if Thames gets hurt. If Arcia or Villar is hurt, Sogard goes to 2B (Villar could shift SS if Arcia was down). Perez could fill in at 3B for Shaw. OF depth is Phillips and Brinson. Catcher might be the only position the team would look outside the org as Susac is really struggling at AAA. As for starting pitchers - it's Woodward. After that, they would maybe pick up someone if a couple of starters went down. But the club might still turn to the minor league guys instead - Jungmann, Lopez - or shift Hader back to the rotation. Relievers are the biggest area would could probably make a deal for. We have lots of young options - Suter, Lopez, Hader, Wang, etc. - but the club might want a couple of more proven guys. Drake, Peralta, Torres, Hughes, Barnes - none of these guys is doing great. If someone tanks, I could see some depth added (especially if the team tries some of the minor league guys and finds them lacking).

I'm just guessing on this, but it might be that St. Louis can be really, really friggin' hot and humid by this time of year. Perhaps it's simply to avoid the heat. Again, just a guess.

I don't doubt Peralta is on thin ice, but as noted by others, Stearns has said he's going to give him some time. How much time, who knows. The good thing is that we've made some moves - Espino and Hader (and even Woodruff - until the DL stint) thus far - but it allows the Crew to use Peralta in garbage time and not in critical situations. It can give Milwaukee some time to evaluate the new guys - and hopefully get other guys on track.

Even before the season, the lack of star power was the Brewer system's biggest flaw - at least in the eyes of many analysts. We had a lot of good prospects - but there were no really, really great players - no can't miss guys. Brinson was/is probably the closet thing we had to that - but even he has his warts. That system assessment is probably still true. I think the most disappointing thing for people on this board has been the poor seasons of Erceg and Diaz. Both looked great last year - and everyone hoped they'd build on their previous success. Personally, I'm disappointed in Clark's year. I thought he'd rebound now that he was healthy. I'm cautiously optimistic about Ray, but the K rate spike is concerning. I do want to point out that last year Diaz had a .232 BA and an OPS of .679 in the first half of the year. The point is that we still have over half a season to go - and so much can happen (both good and bad). Sure I wish he was hitting .300 - but it hasn't happened, and let's just hope he (and others) can get back on track.

As we look at various relievers, I want to point out the Zach Duke trade from Chicago to St. Louis last year as one way of looking at how much a player may cost in trade. Duke was a good reliever from 2014-16. At the time of the trade last year, he was 33 years old, and had produced a 2.63 ERA in 37.2 innings. So, not to shabby. Duke was in the second year of a three year deal that paid him $5M annually. The Cardinals traded for Duke at the deadline last year - giving up minor league OF Charlie Tilson. Coming into 2016, Tilson was ranked 16th by John Sickels in the Cardinal Top 20. He was not ranked in the Top 10 by Baseball America (I don't know his exact spot - as they only post the top 10 guys to the public each year). He was hitting .282 at the time of the trade at AAA. He had a career .293 batting average - so that was pretty good. But he doesn't hit for power. Most scouting reports pegged him as a 4th outfielder type. He was a solid prospect - Top 20 guy - but not Top 10. I know this is just one trade - but I think it shows that the team can get a decent reliever or two without giving up a Top 10 type player. The Cardinals took on about $7M in salary - and while Duke ended up hurt this year - it was not a huge package they gave up to get a decent relief pitcher. Heck, they gave Cecil $30+ million in the offseason they were so desperate to fill a bullpen void. The Brewers can take on some salary - and even another year of a player - if necessary. The big thing is that we don't have to acquire a superstar reliever. We'd love to have Andrew Miller - but that's not how we should operate at this time. If you could get a pair of guys like Neshak and Madson - you're filling some huge voids in the pen. I'm sure teams will ask for a lot for guys at this time - but I'd avoid overpaying. I know it's hard, but we have to be patient and wait for the deal that's right for us. I think our ability to take on salary can be a huge asset.

I would suggest looking at Ryan Madson of the A's. He's 36, so the guy could go off a cliff - always a risk. But he's pitching well, and has another year beyond 2017 on his contract (he makes $7.66M a year). I doubt he costs as much as the higher profile guys - or a young stud pitcher - plus Milwaukee can easily eat his salary. I honestly don't know what a guy like Madson would cost. He makes a lot - but not that much. He's older - but not that old. He's good - but not great. Ultimately, I'm just not sure how much he fetches in a deal. For Milwaukee, I'm wary of giving up any top player - but I'm okay with a fringe player and taking on salary.

Thanks, guys, for all these updates and articles and links. It's appreciated.

Stearns knew some moves had to be made. "Time to get a couple of new arms in there." http://www.brewcrewball.com/2017/6/14/15804364/gm-david-stearns-brewers-bullpen-may-look-at-trades

Nice come back by the Crew. Lots of hits up and down the lineup. Good win.

Just saw that Enlow is going to get $2M from the Twins. That's about $1.3M over slot. The Twins reportedly agreed to a deal with the top pick, Lewis, for $1M under the $7.7M slot - so that's where they got the extra cash. http://m.twins.mlb.com/news/article/236268358/twins-expect-to-sign-blayne-enlow/

Yeah, I agree. I mean, you have Phillips. Let him play. Phillips was sent back down for Shaw. Oops. My bad.

Sadly, HLHS - Hypoplastic left heart syndrome - is a complex and long lasting condition that may ultimately require a heart transplant. Let us hope for the best for Travis and his family. They have a difficult road ahead of them - let's pray it is a smooth as possible.

Yeah, I agree. I mean, you have Phillips. Let him play.

I read "Lutz is expected to be signable if drafted in the first couple of rounds." http://www.minorleagueball.com/2017/6/5/15732616/tristen-lutz-of-arlington-texas-2017-mlb-draft How Sickels knows this, it doesn't say, but no reviews of Lutz seem to indicate he's going to be a tough sign. I'm guessing that he threw out a number - say $1M or $2M or whatever - and said to teams that was his price to skip college.

And I totally laughed at the post. It was good, because we did miss every pick.

I'm not going to pretend I know much about these college and HS players. I have scouting reports and lists to view, plus discussion boards like this one, to learn about the players. At times, I have had players I've read about and locked on and said, "Hey, that's my guy," but in the end, my knowledge is pretty limited. Therefore, I don't really have a lot of skin in the game about our picks. I don't get freaked out when we pick Player A or don't pick Player B. I just have to assume the team is doing their job. Of course, those in charge have to be held accountable in the long run. I just hope we do well in the end and we get some quality players from the draft.

UWM catcher Dalton Varsho went to Dbacks in the 2nd phase of the competitive pick round.