Matt Breen

I think the signing shows how much the team thinks of Schafer as an everyday player. I'm not judging Schafer. I honestly haven't seen the guy enough to do that. I just have stats and online reports to view. Most scouts have pretty much seen Logan as a platoon or 4th OF in the majors. But you have to just believe that the team doesn't see him as anything special. Just my interpretation.

I don't think this is any kind of big 'steal' on the Brewers part. But it's solid. Carlos will pretty much always have some value due to his defense and baserunning. But his hitting has been all over the place the last few years. And even at his best, his hitting has been limited by a mediocre batting average and a bad walk rate. It's a risk, to a degree, on everyone's part. If Carlos hits in 2013 like he did in 2012, he's probably getting a couple of extra million a year in the free agent market. But that's no guarantee. The good news is that even if Carlos hits less than he did in 2012 - say .240-250 with 10-12 HR - he's still a solid player to have. His speed and defense are great assets - and those should not change much (unless he's injured) for the next four years since he's only 27 now. We'll get his prime years, which is encouraging. I'm good with the deal - especially since the alternatives aren't that great looking.

Maybe Lohse is next. We are getting cozy with Boros all of a sudden.

$7MM in 2014, $8MM in 2015 and $9MM in 2016 3 year, $24 million. I have to admit, I didn't see this one coming either. I thought Gomez was gone for sure after 2013.

The first thing I thought when I saw this thread was how much you panned Barton's attitude. Yours isn't the only opinion I've heard of Barton to essentially say he's a jackwagon. No thanks. If he were a good player, I could look past the personal crap. Interesting. I didn't know anything about Barton's makeup. Certainly a big reason to stay away. The Brewers have done well by keeping jackasses away from the roster, spoiling the atmosphere. If he's as much a jackweed as you guys say, I'd avoid him.

Great story. I was 16 at the time. I remember Bostock - how he signed with the Angels as a free agent, gave away a month's check because he was doing so bad - and then the murder. Thanks for the post.

I know Daric Barton has been awful the last two years, but I wouldn't discount the idea of getting him without first taking at look at the guy. I'd review film, get some scouts out to see him, etc. You'd have to feel as if he could get his swing back - if not, forget it. As pointed out, Barton's 2010 was actually really, really good. He was a 5.0 WAR player that year. No, he doesn't have a lot of power, but he has exceptional on base skills, and he's a great fielder. He is only 27, so he still has the chance to 'figure it out'. He's shown the ability at the major league level. I guess the key comes down to if the team feels he's salvageable. A change of scenery might be exactly what he needs.

Furcal is having Tommy John surgery. I assume he will miss the season, but that's just a guess. Cards have taken some hits this spring. Always a danger with an older team. http://espn.go.com/mlb/spring2013/story/_/id/9026686/rafael-furcal-st-louis-cardinals-tommy-john-elbow-surgery

Great interview. As a note, here's Arnie's stats: http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=costel001arn He walked 148 guys in 100 minor league innings. Had a 7.11 ERA and a 2.280 WHIP.

I know Porcello's only 24, but he's got four seasons under his belt and has never lived up to the hype. His best year was his rookie year, and since then, he's been pretty bad. Add that he'll be a free agent after the 2014 season, and I think I'd look for something different. Now, if they'd trade Castellanos for Axford, that may be a different story. Put him back at 3B in AAA, and we'd have a much better outlook for the future. i'd do that in a heartbeat.

One of the guys at Disciples of Uecker wrote this about our starting pitching: My rotation would be: Yovani Gallardo Marco Estrada Mike Fiers Mark Rogers Wily Peralta It will be an uphill battle for the Brewers to reach the postseason, and this potential rotation would be best for two reasons: (1) it’s the highest-upside rotation the Brewers possess, giving them the best chance at a postseason run if everything comes together, and (2) it would allow the organization to assess several young pitchers and put together a comprehensive plan of action for 2014. http://disciplesofuecker.com/twitter-mailbag-morris-rotation-win-totals/8092 I guess I have to agree - although it scares me. We are not a loaded club and you're looking for a back end guy who will minimize downside. We need upside in the rotation. I'm really worried about putting two rookies in the rotation, but the alternatives have become very mediocre. Lohse would be a fine addition, but not at the cost (money and draft pick). I guess I'm on board with going with potential.

St. Louis is just really stacked with good prospects. It's depressing considering they don't have top draft picks. You look at Pittsburgh and the Cubs and you'd expect some top guys because of the high picks the two clubs have had the last few years. St. Louis has done it without that luxury, making their haul even more impressive.

Baseball Prospectus has their top 100 minor league prospects: https://baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=19694 Peralta comes in at 68, Thornburg at 100 (just made it!).

Shelby Miller - one of the guys the Cardinals feel could take Lohse's place - was injured. He reported having 'shoulder tightness' - no further details. This could be nothing, but if it is cause for major concern, the Cards might want to revisit bringing back Lohse - even on a one year deal. Even if it's something serious, the Cardinals have some nice depth (even with Carpenter's injury). But they might be more comfortable bringing Lohse back for another year. I would think most of Carpenter's salary would be covered by insurance, so a one year deal at around $10-12 million would be good for them. Perhaps they can agree not to tag Lohse next year, thus making him a 'free' free agent. http://www.minorleagueball.com/2013/2/20/4009192/cardinals-prospect-shelby-miller-sidelined-shoulder-tightness-injured

I have met some amazing men and women who are journalists. Most are honest, hardworking and dedicated to their craft. Unfortunately, most of the 'journalists' we see are people aiming for ratings and not the truth. Lumping them all together is doing them a disservice.

Narveson's WAR is quite different between Fangraphs and Baseball Reference: fWAR 2010: 1.8 2011: 1.6 bWAR 2010: -0.4 2011: 0.6 I tend to think he was better than bWAR rates him, but that's just me. No matter what you think, I believe it's hard to think Narveson can be ask good or better than his 2010-11 seasons. He is 31 and coming off an arm injury. I would simply be wary about thinking he can return to his pre-injury form due to both factors. It doesn't mean he can't, but the odds are probably stacked against him - at least to some degree. Still, it's pretty early to be assessing the guy before anyone has even seen him in a game. Perhaps he'll be back to form in no time. No one can say until it happens. Even if Narvy isn't up to snuff to be in the rotation, I always thought he could be a good loogy. He has pretty significant splits - the last three years righties have hit him for a .783 OPS vs a .640 OPS for lefties.

With Carp to Boston, I imagine that Overbay will be cut loose. It would be foolish for Boston to keep both of them. I bet Overbay is with Milwaukee by this weekend.

I know Daric Barton has been awful the last two years, but I would discount him right away. I'd take a serious look at him, review film, get some scouts out to see him, etc., and see if the team might be able to help him get his swing back. Because Barton's 2010 was actually really, really good. He was a 5.0 WAR player that year. No, he doesn't have a lot of power, but he has exceptional on base skills, and he's a great fielder. He is only 27, so he still has the chance to 'figure it out'. He's shown the ability at the major league level. I guess the key comes down to if the team feels he's salvageable. A change of scenery might be exactly what he needs.

Interesting outcome for Bourn. Option for a 5th year based on 2016 playing time. http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8938263/michael-bourn-gets-4-year-deal-cleveland-indians

Jim Breen at Disciples of Uecker has an article about why Braun isn't proving he hired Bosch: http://disciplesofuecker.com/why-wont-braun-prove-relationship-with-bosch/7854 It's pretty interesting. Some is a rehash of the thing Wendy Thurm reported on Fangraphs, but there's some more info, going into detail about the problems he could incur if he handed over information. I'd read it, but here's the wrap up:

PEDs in my house, for a week, run about $4 for a 12-pack of Diet Coke and about $8 more for a bag of decent coffee.

This thing is still way too early to bury anyone - even clowns like A-Rod. Braun, at least, has issued a statement and given a plausible argument as to why his name's on the list. Let's hope he backs it up with invoices or emails or whatever to prove that point. I will be honest in that I read the original article, but not a lot more. All of this seems to hinge on a handwritten ledger of a shady PED pusher who seemed to like to brag about himself and his connections. Let's give it time. Things like canceled checks, emails, phone records and so forth will emerge - assuming it's all true. I'm not defending Braun at all. I'm just saying it's way too early to pass judgement on any of these guys.

I don't see a problem with Law's viewpoint. I think it's very valid. A team needs above average players to contend (kind of obvious). You mostly get those players by drafting them (or getting them in trades before they have a chance to make in the bigs). These players are cheap. You control them during a time frame (roughly ages 25-29) where they will produce their best seasons. You even get the chance to extend the very good ones beyond the normal six years of control (such as Braun). It's stupidly obvious in some ways - but if you don't produce above average talent through your minor league system, you will be saddled with - at best - an average team. Depth is great - but it doesn't make you a contender. And it's much more readily available (trade, free agency, minors) than an all star player - who Milwaukee usually has to get via the draft. Sure, the Brewers can occasionally make a trade or sign an all star free agent - but that's the exception to the rule. Our all-star talent has been home grown. Buying all-stars usually means you over pay - both in salary and in years - and you're often buying the years of declining productivity. I don't think Law devalues depth so much as he knows it's critical for a team like Milwaukee to develop it's own all-star caliber players. We have some guys with the ability to be really good - but no one is anything close to a sure thing. I do think 29 is probably too low - but I don't know the other systems, so I can't really say for sure. As for Coulter and Roache - perhaps he simply doesn't believe in either guy yet. Where will Coulter ultimately play? What about Roache's injury? I think those are legitimate concerns - and he might think neither guy will pan out.

I bet Carlos retires to his Texas ranch and weighs about 300lbs within a few years.

Well that's done. Nice addition. Assuming the knee is okay, he provides nice depth and can step in and start for a while if needed.