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Matt Breen

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Everything posted by Matt Breen

  1. Matt Breen
    Yes I would rather give Matt Clark and Rogers an opportunity to whack away at left handers. Matt Clark slugged 4 bombs last season in not many plate appearances. Let's see what he can do for us at $500,000 instead of the strikeout king Reynolds. Matt Clark is lefthanded, so I'm guessing he's not going to platoon with the lefthanded Lind. Right handers Rogers or Jimenez are probably the current plan (although Jimenez 1B time is limited).
  2. Matt Breen
    I don't recall recent off seasons to be so crazy with trades. I have to admit, it's kind of fun to see players being dealt like a fantasy league gone wild (even if Milwaukee has remained above the fray). What's made things so volatile? Any thoughts? Is it parity - having so many teams thinking they have a chance next year they are all making moves to try and bolster their chances? Just curious what people may think as to why so much activity in the trade market.
  3. Matt Breen
    Briggs, sorry you've lost one of your favorite under dogs. Keep pushing the Matt Clark bandwagon!
  4. Matt Breen
    To me, Reynolds is the perfect guy NOT to have back. The recent trend of the expanding strike zone (specifically the lower edge of the zone) has killed players like him. From what I saw last year, he's getting killed by low pitches. He can't lay off them like he did 5 years ago. He has to cover the strike zone, and the result is more guessing and weaker contact. At age 31, he's not going to suddenly get better reflexes or increase his bat speed. Perhaps there's some pitch studies that prove or disprove my theory. But I think guys like Reynolds have floundered because they can't sit on pitches in the wheelhouse like they used to. They have to cover bigger strike zones, which limits their effectiveness. To Reynolds credit, he looked like a very good fielder last year at 1B. I just don't think he's going to hit well again.
  5. Matt Breen
    It's reboot time in Cincy. All their guys on verge of free agency should be moved - Cueto, Leake, Chapman, to name a few. They have some good young players, and a few in their farm system, so they should simply restock for 2016-17. Too bad (for them) they won't be able to unload Votto or Bailey or Brandon Phillips.
  6. Matt Breen
    Porcello, Masterson and Wade Miley. They'll go with Kelly and Buchholz. It's a solid rotation - nothing great, but solid. Boston has a few nice arms at AAA (Owens, Ranaudo, Rodriguez) who could potentially help during the season and take a slot or two in 2016. For Boston, I like how they kept their top young players such as Betts and Swihart, and avoided burdening themselves with long term deals for average talent. At this time, Gallardo and Lohse aren't really options. Boston got a bunch of similar types on their roster.
  7. Matt Breen
    I guess it wouldn't hurt to see what he could land the team. It's kind of hard to value players right now. I guess if a team really likes him they might overpay. It all comes down to whatever you can get. There's also the long term question about how to cover OF in the future. Parra and a guy like Denorfia would probably be adequate for 2015. Beyond that, there's more questions. Coulter is likely an option down the road, but he hasn't even played past low A ball, so to count on him just yet is a bit much to ask. Also, I believe Davis would have 5 full years of control.
  8. Matt Breen
    We all want improvements, but it costs resources to make improvements. The club is probably pushing around $105-110 million roster. That's as high as it's ever been. Unless the team is willing to go higher, we really can't do a lot. That mostly means we're trolling the waiver and free agent bargain bins. I wish we had money to do more, but the reality is we don't (again, unless ownership is willing to increase payroll). We could free up money by dealing some guys - Gallardo or Lohse is a common idea. Other options include dealing Parra or Broxton.
  9. Matt Breen
    Even if they lose, the Cardinals are the classiest team in the division (probably in all of baseball). Just ask their fans. They are, after all, the best in baseball.
  10. Matt Breen
    The Cubs are approaching things pretty much as they need, but I'm not ready to crown them contenders just yet. They have a lot of young hitters that simply will need time to adjust to the major leagues. While Bryant might come up to the bigs and rake, he could also struggle. Same with Baez and Solar and Russell. I think the Cubs could be contenders in 2016. If they add another top flight starter next off season, such as David Price or Zach Greinke, give their young guys time to settle in, etc., they could be very good. No question, they'll be a fun team to watch next year. I just don't think they'll be playoff contenders quite yet.
  11. Matt Breen
    The Astros added relievers Luke Gregerson (three-years/$18.5MM) and Pat Neshek (2-years, $12.5MM and a third year option) to their bullpen. Gregerson and Neshek were two of the best non-closer relievers available in free agency. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/12/astros-to-sign-luke-gregerson.html http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/12/astros-closing-in-on-pat-neshek.html
  12. Matt Breen
    Cubs get Lester - 6 years and $155 million. Also a 7th year that can vest that's worth $15m. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/12/cubs-to-sign-jon-lester.html Giants reportedly offered more, but Lester must have liked the Chicago situation better.
  13. Matt Breen
    Other moves? Look no further than the man below. Can platoon at 1B or 2B and back up SS, 3B, plus DH and PH. Gets lots of extended playing time when A-Ram gets hurt or Segura struggles. I bet he can play OF as well as he plays SS if we give him a try. http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/mlb/players/full/6218.png&w=350&h=254
  14. Matt Breen
    Moss had a torn labrum in the right hip. Injury expert Will Carroll told Fangraphs that most players return fine from the injury. Chase Utley and Alex Gordon both had the same surgery following the 2008 and 2009 seasons, respectively. One person who didn't return from the injury was Carlos Delgado, but he was 37 at the time. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/indians-buy-low-on-brandon-moss-move-one-step-closer-to-contention/ Certainly can't dismiss the injury, but it might not be that big of a deal. Moss' left handed power bat should play well in Cleveland. Just getting out of Oakland should be a big plus.
  15. Matt Breen
    Red Sox GM Ben Cherington said the club is totally open to acquiring a starter with one year remaining before free agency (such as Lohse and Gallardo). "I think there's actual some real value in a guy who's not signed long-term, if they fit in the rotation, because it gives you a chance to get to know him and see if it could be a fit...'' More: http://www.csnne.com/boston-red-sox/sox-willing-acquire-pitchers-headed-free-agency
  16. Matt Breen
    Totally agree. The guy came up three years ago and did great for three months, then has been awful ever since. Pitchers basically know he swings at junk, so he doesn't get any good pitches. Even minor league pitchers have figured this out (.277 OBP last year at AAA on 104 ABs). He's got Yuni-esque on base skills and they've only gotten worse.
  17. Matt Breen
    I think you're spot on, JohnBriggs. Bullpen needs to come together, Segura needs to rebound, and players have to stay healthy (not just Braun and A-Ram, but the rotation, Gomez, etc.).
  18. Matt Breen
    Stop that thinking right now! We have an optimism thread for such thoughts.
  19. Matt Breen
    On the whole, I respect what Beane has done of the years in Oakland. But the Donaldson, Moss and Samardzija deals seem really forced with underwhelming returns. Again, Oakland has won doing this kind of thing, so I won't discount anything. Perhaps he's really focused on specific players he feel are undervalued. It just seems like he could have done better.
  20. Matt Breen
    White Sox have agreed to a 4-year for $46 million with closer David Robertson. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/12/white-sox-to-sign-david-robertson.html The move continues the ChiSox's aggressive off season. 1b Adam LaRoche has already signed, and the Sox reportedly have a deal in place for Samardzija with Oakland.
  21. Matt Breen
    I have some some concerns about Davis as well, but I'm willing to roll the dice on him because he has solid potential. I could see Davis hitting 25 HR with an .800 OPS. But I can just as easily see him being exploited by pitchers (specifically his inability to hit breaking balls) and end up a .210 hitter. Last season Davis hit .136 against breaking balls when he put the ball in play - 5th worst in the league. He hit .229 after the all-star break - was that just the nagging injuries or did pitchers simply figure him out. I don't know, but those thing concern me. Still, if Davis can improve - even a little - he's a very valuable player. 25 HR right handed power types don't just grow on trees these days. I say we let him play, do everything to help him adjust to how pitchers are attacking him, and hope he continues to develop. Milwaukee NEEDS Davis to develop if they are going to contend next year. Here's a look at Davis' issues with hitting the breaking ball: http://thefirstoutatthird.com/2014/11/29/khris-davis-cant-hit-changeup-brewers/
  22. Matt Breen
    I think it's a worthy gamble keeping him. If Kintzler looks bad in spring training or we have a bunch of guys step up and pass him up on the depth chart, you let him go and you owe him 1/6 of this salary - around 200k. If he rebounds to 2013 levels, he's a great addition for the year or trade chip. All and all, not a bad risk.
  23. Matt Breen
    If you get a deal that makes you better, you don't flinch. I like Parra a lot, but he's still Gerardo Parra. It's not like we're giving up Mickey Mantle. If Milwaukee is going to contend this year, I think depth is important. Braun has some obvious questions. But Davis and Gomez do as well. They each had some minor issues last year. If you do deal Parra, getting someone who can step in and play respectably is important. Freeing up $6M offers us some options, and should be considered if we get something decent in return.
  24. Matt Breen
    Seems like a really light return. He would have been a nice fit in Milwaukee. Oakland has supressed his numbers (.905 OPS on the road the last three years vs .776 in Oakland). Maybe the hip injury is more serious than people realize. But I'm still shaking my head wondering why make the deal for only Joe Wendle, who doesn't look like a big deal. MLB has him ranked 14th on Oakland's top 20. Sort of the no man's land of prospects. Most teams have a bunch of guys like this. Oakland must think he's ready for a breakout. Odd move.
  25. Matt Breen
    I think the Brewers are mostly done. I see them adding a low cost reliever or two, and monitoring potential reserves - but nothing big. They'll let Rogers and Jimenez fight it out to platoon at 1B/back up 3B. They'll have Herrera and Gomez battle it out to be the back up middle IF (with a healthy dose of starting at 2B vs lefties). Rotation: Garza, Gallardo, Peralta, Fiers and Lohse Relievers: Broxton, Jeffress, Smith, Kintzler and Nelson are probably locks. Henderson, Thornburg as well if healthy. Then there's Wooten, Pena, Blazek, Goforth and other fringe players to fill in. With the relievers, I could see the club add one or two players. A lefty for sure. But nothing huge. Our payroll is pushing towards $110M. The only thing big that could happen would be one of the starters (Lohse or Gallardo) getting dealt, and Nelson put in the rotation. If that happens, they could use the money for a more expensive reliever or two. Otherwise, it's watch the bargain bins. Does this mean this team is 'in trouble'? Probably. It's just not that good. It's solid. You have starting pitching depth, which is nice. Gotta hope we stay healthy, and guys like A-Ram, Segura and Braun rebound.
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