Matt Breen

Brewers should: 1. Don't freak out as it's only May 1. Let the situation play out another month. You don't want to start arby clocks on guys like Hader and Woodruff quite yet. Plus, it's still early. Zach Davies was absolutely shelled last April (only 3-4 starts), but came around and was out most consistent guy. Any of the struggling guys might rip off 4-5 good starts in May. 2. Come June 1 make an honest assessment of the staff. Consider shifting Nelson and/or Peralta to bullpen. Consider cutting ties with Garza. If Davies has a 7.00 ERA, get him to AAA to figure things out. Look at the bullpen guys - Marinez, Torres, Milone - and make adjustments. I especially never liked Milone because it's not like he's a long term asset. At least Marinez is under control for five more years. And Torres at least performed quite well last year. But if they are awful, there's no point in keeping them around. To fill bullpen slots, look at moving a starter (such as Peralta and/or Nelson) to the pen, or add Scahill or Cravy or whomever from AAA. 3. Look at the minors and bring up guys for the rotation - Hader, Woodruff and Lopez are probably the main candidates. See how they do. 4. While we are .500, I think - realistically - this is still a year of a lot of experimenting. Now is the time to do such things. I certainly wouldn't give up any decent prospects for a reliever or two. Or a starter. We are just not at that point. 5. Have fun.

Thanks for starting a game thread. We appreciate people doing it when the normal process gets interrupted. Sorry the game sucks.

The Shelby Miller trade gets worse and worse for AZ. He will have TJ surgery. He will miss all the rest of 2017- and probably a chunk of 2018. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/04/shelby-miller-tommy-john-surgery-diamondbacks.html

My hunch is they would try some guys form the minors first. And then maybe later on towards mid summer they might make a move. I agree that they'll go minor leagues first. Scahill has pitched well. Cravy hasn't been bad. Plus, guys like Torres they're going to give more time to. I mean, he was good last year. And Feliz wasn't this terrible. They've not really pitched that much, so there's time to see improvement. If the club is doing decent come mid-season, I could see them take on some salary and get a reliever or two. But it would have to be the right circumstance. The club isn't going to give up decent talent just to rent a reliever. So you need a team that's happy to just unload salary - and not want prospects. The thing is to watch teams that are doing poorly and have assets that they are willing to get rid of without parting with good prospects. Unfortunately, all the contending teams will be doing the same thing. Pitching is always valued at the trade deadline.

Manny Pina has reached 130 ABs and is no longer eligible for our prospect poll. Well done, Manny. Keep up the good work.

Sky Sox Shut Out Iowa, 7-0 Offense strikes early as four pitchers combine to hold Cubs scoreless. By Robby Veronesi / Colorado Springs Sky Sox Hiram Burgos tied a season-high with seven strikeouts in five innings en route to his first win of 2017 Friday night. (Photo: Paat Kelly) Colorado Springs Box Score The Sky Sox scored four runs in the 1st, and Hiram Burgos (5.0 IP, 4 hits, 1 BB, 7 K, 0 ER) and the bullpen did the rest, shutting out the Iowa Cubs 7-0. The Sky Sox hitters had nine hits - as well as four walks - and were lead by Eric Sogard (2-5, 2B, 3 RBI), Yadiel Rivera (2-3, 2 BB) and Tyler Heineman (1-2, 2 BB. In addition to the fine performance from Burgos (who got his first win of the season), Wei-Chung Wang, Tyler Cravy and Rob Scahill held the Cubs scoreless over the final four innings. The Iowa Cubs went 0-11 with runners in scoring position. Garrett Cooper drove in two runs in the 1st with a double. He now has 21 RBI for the year, which ranks second in the PCL. Colorado Springs Game Log The Sky Sox took this one from the first at bat. Three hits and a walk set the stage for a four run 1st - and the Sky Sox never looked back. Col. Springs Top of the 1st Lewis Brinson singles on a line drive to center fielder Chesny Young. Eric Sogard doubles (5) on a fly ball to center fielder Chesny Young. Lewis Brinson scores. Ryan Cordell walks. Garrett Cooper doubles (8) on a fly ball to right fielder Bijan Rademacher. Eric Sogard scores. Ryan Cordell scores. Brett Phillips flies out to center fielder Chesny Young. Nate Orf grounds out, shortstop Ozzie Martinez to first baseman Jeimer Candelario. Garrett Cooper to 3rd. Yadiel Rivera singles on a line drive to right fielder Bijan Rademacher. Garrett Cooper scores. With Tyler Heineman batting, Yadiel Rivera caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Victor Caratini to shortstop Ozzie Martinez.

Feliz gave up 10 HR in 54 innings last year. That he's serving up taters again shouldn't be a shocker.

Off the top of my head I know Arrieta and Cueto are the best available . Cueto needs to opt out - which he'll do if he plays well. There's also Yu Darvish and Masahiro Tanaka (assuming Tanaka opts out of his contract - not a given if he has a poor year).

Starting Pitchers Brett Anderson (30) Jake Arrieta (32) Clay Buchholz (33) Madison Bumgarner (28) — $12MM club option with a $1.5M buyout Trevor Cahill (30) Matt Cain (33) — $21MM club option with a $7.5MM buyout Andrew Cashner (31) Jhoulys Chacin (30) Tyler Chatwood (28) Jesse Chavez (34) Wei-Yin Chen (32) — Can opt out of the remaining three years, $52MM on his contract Alex Cobb (30) Bartolo Colon (45) Johnny Cueto (32) — Can opt out of the remaining four years, $84MM on his contract Yu Darvish (31) John Danks (33) Jorge De La Rosa (37) R.A. Dickey (43) — $8MM club option with $500K buyout Nathan Eovaldi (28) — $TBD club option Marco Estrada (34) Scott Feldman (35) Yovani Gallardo (32) — $13MM club option with a $2MM buyout Jaime Garcia (31) Matt Garza (34) — $13MM vesting option/$5MM club option (can become $1MM club option based on DL time) Gio Gonzalez (32) – $12MM club option, vests with 180 innings pitched in 2017 Miguel Gonzalez (34) Jeremy Hellickson (31) Derek Holland (31) Ubaldo Jimenez (34) Ian Kennedy (33) — Can opt out of the remaining three years, $43MM on his contract John Lackey (39) Francisco Liriano (34) Jordan Lyles (27) Lance Lynn (31) Wade Miley (31) — $12MM club option with a $500K buyout Mike Minor (30) — $10MM mutual option with a $1.25MM buyout Matt Moore (29) — $9MM club option with a $1MM buyout Jon Niese (31) Ricky Nolasco (35) — $13MM club option with a $1MM buyout Martin Perez (27) — $6MM club option with a $2.45MM buyout Michael Pineda (29) Clayton Richard (34) Tyson Ross (31) CC Sabathia (37) Anibal Sanchez (34) — $16MM club option with a $5MM buyout Hector Santiago (30) Chris Sale (29) — $12.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout Masahiro Tanaka (29) — Can opt out of the remaining three years, $67MM on his contract Chris Tillman (30) Josh Tomlin (33) — $3MM club option with a $750K buyout Jason Vargas (35) Jered Weaver (35) Chris Young (39) — $8MM mutual option with a $1.5MM buyout https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/08/2017-18-mlb-free-agent-list.html

Brewers missing some chances. Tough.

I don't know whether this is the Brewerfan debut of the video, but it's been steadily going around social media sites and has been called to the Brewers' attention. They may have to get rights to broadcast it at Miller Park. Someone first posted the link to the video in an in game thread (I think) a few days ago. Otherwise, it's embedded in the 4th or 5th post of this thread.

Yup waaaaaaaay to rich for our blood, but I really want to take advantage of the old rules while we still can. Supposedly Robert has a $25M offer in hand already. That means $50M with tax. And the process has just started. Price will only go up. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/04/latest-on-luis-roberts-market.html

Cubs Rally With Three-Run Eighth in 9-7 Thriller Garrett Cooper records a three-hit night and drives in three runs in Thursday loss. By Robby Veronesi / Colorado Springs Sky Sox Garrett Cooper recorded three hits and drove in three runs, totaling 19 on the season for the first baseman. (Photo: Paat Kelly) Colorado Springs Box Score Sky Sox pitching failed on Thursday, giving up nine runs (seven earned) on seven hits and seven walks in a 9-7 lose to the Iowa Cubs. Josh Hader (4.2 IP, 4 hits, 3 BB, 5 K, 5 ER) was fine until giving up a grand slam in the 5th to Ian Happ. The Sky Sox would rally to take the lead in the 7th, but relievers Andrew Barbossa (0.1 IP, 1 hit, 2 BB, 1 ER), David Goforth (1.0 IP, 1 hit, 1 BB, 1 ER) and Andy Oliver (0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER) would give up a run in the bottom of the 7th, and then three more in the 8th. On the offensive side, the Sky Sox were lead by Garrett Cooper (3-4, 2B, HR, 3 RBI) and Ryan Cordell (2-5, 2B). Cooper is quietly having a nice season. The big right hander is hitting .329 with seven doubles, three HRs and 19 RBI. And he is hitting .400 on the road - so he’s not just been raking in the thin Colorado air. Colorado Springs Game Log The Sky Sox struggled on Thursday, including giving up a grand slam in the 5th. Iowa Bottom of the 5th Taylor Davis singles on a ground ball to left fielder Ryan Cordell. Ozzie Martinez singles on a line drive to left fielder Ryan Cordell. Taylor Davis to 2nd. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Todd Glaesmann replaces Jake Buchanan. Todd Glaesmann walks. Taylor Davis to 3rd. Ozzie Martinez to 2nd. Ian Happ hits a grand slam (8) to left field. Taylor Davis scores. Ozzie Martinez scores. Todd Glaesmann scores. Chesny Young grounds out, third baseman Ivan De Jesus Jr. to first baseman Garrett Cooper. Tommy La Stella grounds out to first baseman Garrett Cooper. Pitching Change: Michael Blazek replaces Josh Hader, batting 5th. Defensive Substitution: Kyle Wren replaces pitcher Josh Hader, batting 9th, playing right field. Jeimer Candelario hit by pitch. Victor Caratini strikes out swinging. Colorado Springs took the lead in the 7th, highlighted by Cooper's HR. Col. Springs Top of the 7th Defensive switch from right field to first base for Chesny Young. Pitching Change: Ryan Williams replaces Jose Rosario, batting 7th, replacing first baseman Taylor Davis. Defensive Substitution: Bijan Rademacher replaces pitcher Jose Rosario, batting 9th, playing right field. Eric Sogard grounds out, first baseman Chesny Young to pitcher Ryan Williams. Ryan Cordell singles on a line drive to center fielder Ian Happ. Garrett Cooper homers (3) on a fly ball to right field. Ryan Cordell scores. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Kirk Nieuwenhuis replaces Michael Blazek. Kirk Nieuwenhuis called out on strikes. Ivan De Jesus Jr. strikes out swinging. Despite taking the lead, the Iowa Cubs came back in the 8th, scoring three runs. Iowa Bottom of the 8th Mark Zagunis grounds out softly, pitcher David Goforth to first baseman Garrett Cooper. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Stephen Bruno replaces Ryan Williams. Stephen Bruno singles on a ground ball to left fielder Ryan Cordell. Ozzie Martinez reaches on a force attempt, fielding error by shortstop Yadiel Rivera. Stephen Bruno to 2nd. Pitching Change: Andy Oliver replaces David Goforth, batting 5th. Bijan Rademacher triples (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Kyle Wren. Stephen Bruno scores. Ozzie Martinez scores. Ian Happ out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Ryan Cordell. Bijan Rademacher scores. Chesny Young strikes out swinging.

I always love the proposals that people throw out with the caveat of 'the Brewers would need to send back some money' or something like that. Um, okay - how much? That's a huge part of the equation with any trade proposal. Without considering the money involved, it makes all these ideas essentially worthless.

I'm still amazed that Pavin Smith has a 3.0% strikeout rate. Jeren Kendall is at 25.6%.

The amazing Minnie Minoso. Check out his minor league stats as well. He played in the Negro Leagues for several years before coming to the majors, then he played in Mexico until he was 47. But he also got in a game in independent ball in 1993 and in 2003 (at age 77!). He walked in his final plate appearance for St. Paul of the Northern League. Of course, the latter two were complete stunts (as were his final major league at bats in 1976 and 1980 - thanks, Bill Veeck!). People remember Minoso for the weird at bats late in life - but he was a hell of a player.

Write up on Pavin Smith from John Sickels at minorleagueball.com http://www.minorleagueball.com/2017/4/17/14744472/pavin-smith-1b-university-of-virginia-2017-mlb-draft He's been doing write ups on lots of guys available for this year's draft: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2017/2/20/14668284/2017-mlb-draft-player-profile-index

Biloxi hitting .200 for the year. Pretty soon Uecker can give them some hitting tips.

Helps we're playing guys who just got out of AAA - or need to retire. But I'll take it.

Stormin' Gorman Thomas http://jssportscards.com/30%20Thomas0001%20(Small).jpg - Lead league in HRs (twice) - Lead league in strikeouts (twice) - Ran into many, many walls - Ran a bar (Stormin' and Vuks) - Drank too much - Ate too much - Long hair and bushy mustache - Looked like he should be at the end of bar, not on a baseball field - Loved Milwaukee - Helped Brewers get to World Series

ERIC!!!

As a note, the Dodgers have a .657 OPS vs left-handed pitchers. Against righties, it's .781. Puig has struggled against lefties this year (4 of 30), which is unusual. But the size is small - so he will likely improve. And Forsythe - another good right-handed bat - will be back in early May. Again, that will help them. But a big right-handed bat like Braun would fit in their lineup nicely. It's not something they have in their farm system either (Alex Verdugo and Willie Calhoun - the club's top hitting prospects at AAA - outside of Bellinger - are both left-handed). I'm not saying they'll trade for Braun. Just that his bat would look good for them. I will add that the free agent market for good right-handed bats is pretty weak for this off season. JD Martinez, Lucroy, McCutchen (if he is made a FA - but if he is, that means he probably didn't have a good year), and maybe Justin Upton if he opts out. Perhaps I missed someone, but the point is that it's going to cost them to sign a good bat. And all those guys have their warts (injuries, declining performance, age, etc.). Braun will cost as much, and is still hitting well. At his age, there is certainly risk. But he would fill a large need for LA - a need that isn't going to get much better without some kind of move from Dodger management.

I love this quote from Thames - with regard to the testing they are doing of him. "If people keep thinking I'm on stuff, I'll be here every day. I have a lot of blood and urine." He has now been 'randomly' tested twice in one week.

Michael Reed struck out three times tonight. 22 in 59 ABs. While he's only hitting .220, he does have 4 HR and 17 BB - so his OPS is at .835. He's always had a pretty high K rate - but not 30+%. I wonder if he's selling out his approach for more power. Was curious if anyone had seen many of his ABs this year - and wondered if you noticed a difference.

The closest thing I could find was Lou Gherig had 14 homers against the Indians in one season. Just think with 6 games, Thames is halfway there. Don't have your answer - but here's this tidbit. Brewers 1B Eric Thames joined Hall-of-Famer Willie Stargell as the only players to hit 8 HR in April against one team (Thames against the Reds, Stargell in 1971 against the Braves (via Elias Sports Bureau).