Matt Breen

Jungmann has been fine. Not great, but decent. Certainly not disappointing (at least in my book). Bradley and Gindl are spot on. Both have struggled. Others have pointed out Heckathorn and Walla. I'd also list Taylor Green. Did he get a fair shake in Milwaukee? I don't know. But he certainly got a chance - 100 ABs - but his PT was erratic at best. Still, he did poorly. He knew his role and didn't seize it. And then when he returned to AAA he was mediocre - only a .753 OPS. I had expected more from him this year.

I just thought I'd bump this and say A-Ram has been great in 2013. I wasn't thrilled with the signing when it happened. I worried (and still do worry a little) that age will catch up to him, but the guy has been stellar - especially after the slow start. He's even looked okay defensively, which was a big concern for many people. Kudo to Aramis for not getting overwhelmed after the slow start. I hope he can repeat his performance in 2013 (and beyond).

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=3442823&topic_id=&c_id=mlb&tcid=vpp_copy_3442823&v=3 Here's a link to the play.

I'm thinking the team will go with Hart at 1B in 2013. That leaves Mat out of a starting spot. But I hope he can still make the team - playing 1B, 3B, DH, corner OF spots and PH. A quality lefthanded bat would be welcome on the bench. He could still get some significant ABs - figure 10-15 starts at 3B, another 10 at 1B, a few in the OF, 10 more at DH - that's 30-40 starts. And then there's pinch hitting. He could easily get 200 ABs. And don't forget injuries. He could get more PT if someone goes down for an extended time. Taylor Green could fill this role as well - but I like Mat's bat better. I think we could have a pretty decent bench next year if we go with the following: - Maldonado - right handed © - Gamel - left handed (back up 3B, 1B, DH) - Bianchi - right handed (middle infield) - this is assuming Segura - someone else - starts - Schafer - left handed (OF) - Reed Johnson - right handed (OF) - I'd sign a guy like Johnson - a right handed hitting OF who can play at least the corners (preferably CF in a pinch as well). I think it's a nice, balanced bench with a little bit of pop.

Goals for the rest of the year are as follows: Priority 1 - Win about 80% of the rest of the games and make the playoffs Okay, that being unlikely, here you go: - Get a feel if Bianchi or Segura can handle SS next year. If you're not sold by end of the year, they should bring in an insurance policy player (perhaps Gonzalez, assuming you can get him at a reasonable price and he appears healthy). - Get a look at potential starters and bullpen arms, including Henderson, Kintzler, Peralta, Thornburg. - Take a look at Veras, Loe and Parra and determine if you want to keep them another year. Each will probably cost $2-3 million. - Let Axford try and workout issues so he comes back in 2013 a better pitcher. - Evaluate Marcum and determine if he's worth investing in for 2013. I'm not talking about a $13 million qualifying offer, but a one year deal that's more in the $6-10 million range. I think the club will go with a veteran starter to round out the rotation next year (along with Gallardo, Fiers, Estrada, and one of Peralta/Thornburg/Rogers). A healthy Marcum would be welcome on a reasonable one year deal. - Give Logan Schafer some playing time to help evaluate him for 2013 (as a replacement for Nyjer). At this point, the team will want to play well and win games (as stupid as that sounds, I think it's important to the club that we win - the players, management and ownership want to end the year on a positive note. If we do well, it will help them believe we are only a few steps from contending next year.) We have a pretty potent offense - with SS the only major question. That means overhauling the bullpen and figuring out 2/5 of the rotation. Use the last four weeks to help determine who has a chance to be a part of the team in 2013, and who you are going to cut loose.

That's great about Narveson. If he can come back and contribute next year, that would be a bonus. Before he actually turned into a decent starter, I always thought he'd be a good LOOGY. From 2009-11, lefties had a .663 OPS (versus a .772 OPS for righthanders). The long ball has especially been a problem for his - righties hit 40 during that span (1141 ABs) while lefties only hit 5 (on 311 ABs). I'm not counting on Narveson. He never threw hard to begin with, and we'll see how he's throwing next spring. But if he can make a comeback, that would be great.

I would be more than happy if Rogers could be a 4.5 ERA starter for $500k/year. I think he's destined to be just an OK reliever though. I think we can all agree that he has an interesting upside, though. I've felt for a while Rogers throws too many pitches balls to be a really effective starter. I believe that instead of him throwing 3-4 pitches with spotty control, the club should put him in the pen and just have him learn to throw 2 pitches really well. Of course, maybe as a reliever he'll just end up with mediocre control on two pitches (think Veras). But I wonder what would happen if he could be told to stick to a couple of pitches. Let him try and master a smaller arsenal. If it works, with his smoke, he could be a very good reliever. I have a feeling that no matter how many pitches he learns, he's going to be a bit wild. But by letting him specialize, perhaps he could better control his pitches a little better.

Marco has great peripherals this year - except for HRs. He has given up 17 in 107 innings. But the good news is that he's gotten much better as the season has progressed. In his first 50 innings of 2012, he gave up 11 dingers. Since then he's only given up 6 HR. He's looking like a solid guy for the rotation next year. Lets hope he keeps building on his success.

Maybe we'll Izturis to take his place. Or Yuni. Or Both! Imagine the fun.

Yo Fiers Estrada One of Peralta, Rogers or Thornburg FA or trade guy The rookies who don't make the rotation go to the bullpen, giving it a much needed dose of youth and power arms. For a FA, I'd love Greinke, but I doubt it, even with his recent struggles. He'll get a big offer from someone. I'd be okay on a three year deal for a guy like Anibal Sanchez. I'd also be very open to bringing back Marcum on a one year deal if he looks healthy. I'm not locked into anyone, but would probably keep it under a $10-12 million a year commitment. I'd also look at trade options - like what Pittsburgh did with AJ Burnett. You get a starter for cheap who needs a change of scenery. Not sure who, but I'd make a lot of calls to see who might fit. If Narveson is healthy you can consider him, but he might be a great loogy for the pen.

This is correct. Crawford is having Tommy John surgery. I read it was 8-9 months for a hitter, which puts him coming back around May or so.

Cody Ransom is around, and might be around in 2013, because we need a person to rally around and fight about - and most importantly - devote pages upon pages of message board discussion as to why the guy is still on the team. After all, many of the big issues surrounding the team the last couple of years will be obsolete. Such as: 1. Still no Yuni 2. The Kottaras/Wolf battery is gone 3. Izturis is gone 4. Weeks is hitting respectable now (not maybe for the entire year, but for the last couple of months) 5. Gamel is out for the season and may be done as a Brewer (at least as a starter, if we keep Hart at 1B) 6. K-Rod will be gone 7. Tim Dillard is gone and likely won't come back 8. Morgan may be gone next year 9. Axford has a chance to rebound and be good again next year With so many contentious players gone - or on the rebound - we'll need a target for our wrath - even if he is a back up infielder. Cody fits the bill. No doubt someone else will emerge. Nothing stokes a debate like the 12th pitcher on the roster.

I noticed that Khris Davis has been hitting like crazy this year (once he got healthy). John Sickels did a look at him here: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/8/14/3242871/minor-league-prospect-note-khris-davis-of-milwaukee-brewers He sounds like an interesting prospect, and I was wondering what others thought about, especially those who have seen him play. Sickels says he's essentially limited to LF, which is (obviously) filled for a long time to come. I guess I'm curious as to what people think about his future in Milwaukee. Is he for real? Where would he fit in? Could he play RF? 1B? Thanks.

I think a 3 year deal at a reasonable rate would be beneficial. I guess it all comes down to what is 'reasonable' to the team and to Corey. I'm thinking in the line of what guys like Cuddyer ($11.5 million), Willingham ($9 million) and LaRoche ($8 million) got the last few years. I'm not counting the insane Ethier deal. That was just idiocy. If Corey is thinking $14-15 million a year - I'd let him play out his contract and let him go. I'd keep him at 1B. He should get better in the field with more and more time. I like that he wants to be here. That's a bonus. As a 1B he's certainly not great, but very solid. He's not hitting quite as good as last year (lower walk rate, higher K rate), which concerns me. But I have to give him kudos for the in-season move to 1B. He's done it pretty flawlessly. He's had some injuries in the past, but maybe the move to 1B would help him stay healthy. A three year deal would cover is age 32-34 seasons. He has a good chance to retain his value over those years. If he can produce 25-30 HR, hit .270-280 - that's a solid player. Perhaps the team feels that they can replace Corey with a cheaper player down the road. Hunter Morris would be one candidate, but I don't think anyone feels he's a sure thing. He's had a great season at AA. I heard he's shortened his swing up a bit - a major concern earlier in his career. We drafted some other young players as well - but they are a ways away. I'd say 3 years, $10-12 million a year. If he takes it, we are set at 1B (or RF) for the next four years.

No way A-Ram wins a gold glove. Wright will probably win it. He's won them before - even when he hasn't deserved them. If not, Zimmerman will. He has the rep. A-Ram's reputation as a mediocre fielder will cost him big time.

And we lose Houston next year - which means we won't have a AAA team to play regularly (not that we beat them that often this year).

This nails a lot about Marcum that scares me. I don't think anyone can question his effectiveness when healthy. But sinking money into him at this point is a risk. If he looks okay at the end of the year, I'm okay with a reasonable one-year deal - $6-8 million. Maybe even an option if he's open to it. But I wouldn't do more than that.

Doah! However, I think .346 was Izturis' OPS.

Here's some suggestions for a Hart trade: 1B Brandon Belt - Belt is a career .343 minor league hitter. That hasn't translated to the big leagues (yet). He's now got over 500 ABs in SF, and has a .748 OPS. Nothing great for 1B. But he's been modestly successful this year - upping his BA to .267 and OBP to .362. However, the power hasn't been there. Will it develop? Interestingly, while he's a lefty, he's hit southpaws better than righties. I believe he is supposed to be a good fielder - but that's just going by memory. Belt is a guy the team would have to look at, and determine if he's a good player who just needs consistent PT to be good. CF Gary Brown - not having a great year at AA, but was a monster last year at A+, hitting .336 with an OPS over .900. He reportedly plays a very good centerfield - and is very fast - Keith Law rated him an '8' on the speed scale (the best you can get). He's hitting .280 this year with a .346 OBP. Not great, but decent for a CF. He'll be 24 next month. He was ranked as the #38 prospect by BA coming into 2012. John Sickels has him at 43 coming into 2012, but dropped him to 68 at his mid-season review. Most of the reviews I've seen of him say he's a mature guy - and could easily be ready in 2013 if needed. Kyle Crick - Pitcher in A ball. Only 19. Supplemental pick a couple of years ago. Throws smoke - 112 K in 100 innings this year (but he also has 62 BB). Only given up 59 hits. He has a 2.34 ERA. Would be a nice guy down the road. Sickels has him as his 99th prospect in his mid-season review. Obviously young and it's only A ball - but I like getting big arms. These are just some interesting pieces. I'm not saying this is a trade SF would make. EDIT: Changed an OPS to an OBP

I only trade Gallardo if you get a package of near ready players, including at least one pitcher. I don't think anyone will offer that, but if it comes around, the team should listen. Yo is a nice pitcher - not great - but very good. With our rotation so thin, we need him the next few years. So you don't deal him unless the offer is exceptional.

This sounds more like a deal that would be done in the off season than right now. Jesus...I didn't read far enough. Why on Earth would the D-backs even consider giving up Bauer, Skaggs and Bradley PLUS Upton(two of the pitchers)? I wouldn't trade Bauer for Gallardo, must less PLUS another elite arm, PLUS Justin Upton. This sounds like a trade suggestion that Yankee's fans make on their board about trading for Ryan Braun. One of my favorite 'fan' trades was someone submitted to Keith Law at ESPN a question before last year about trading Tommy Hanson (a fine pitcher at least) for Fielder, Braun and Weeks. They guy submitted the question 2-3 times during a chat - and Law finally just said something like 'are you insane'. Homerism is not limited to NY. We all do it.

I don't think Gomez is ever really going to change. He is what he is. He's a .250 BA, .300 OBP guy with great defense. The main reason his numbers are better is a recent power surge. Can he sustain that? I don't know, but I think six weeks of nice play is premature to be talking extension. Plus we're talking Boros, who rarely gives discounts, and almost always pushes his players to the open market. So it's unlikely Gomez will be with the team beyond 2013 - even if you want him. I'd hope Carlos plays well the rest of 2012, then see if he can fetch something decent on the trade market while his value is high. I'd then role the dice with Schafer in CF for 2013. Maybe pick up a cheap veteran to play against lefties. I like Carlos. But I think it's too risky to extend him for big dollars. And the ability to get a reasonable extension is iffy with Boros as his agent. So move him while he has value.

John, this is so right. K-Rod is done after 2013. So why even pretend he's part of our future? Why not let a guy like McClendon get a chance to show what he can do with regular playing time?

I bet the team stays low on salary for 2013 - probably between $80-90 million. We are going to have a lot of questions - especially pitching. But management will still look to contend. It will take the positive development of some young players, plus a free agent or two. Not to mention good health. But having everything 'go right' for the club isn't something they should count on. What they'll do is make some modest additions in the offseason, and if things to 'go right', they'll have the flexibility to add payroll during the season, and fill in the holes as needed. I see on two areas to make major additions this off season: 1. We would need a starting pitcher. In free agency, you could go after a mid-rotation guy like Anibal Sanchez. Or target a guy in need of a change of scenery - like Pittsburgh did with AJ Burnett. You could also re-sign Marcum, if he's healthy, to fill the slot. This guy would fill out the rotation, which would also include Gallardo, Fiers, (probably) Estrada and one of Thornbug/Peralta/Rogers. 2. The bullpen could be drastically changed, depending on the fates of Parra, Loe and Veras. Are these guys worth $8 million? I'm tempted to dump them all and look at add a couple of more reliable guys (who those guys are, I don't really know - just speculation). No matter what happens with the above relievers, I'd put the losers of the rotation battle into the bullpen. Axford, (two of) Peralta/Rogers/Thornbug, Loe, Parra, Veras (if you keep those guys - and if not, their replacements), plus McClendon and Henderson will be in the mix. And we can't forget about Chris Narveson - just in case he's ready to return. The hitters are mostly the same - you just have decide if you are keeping Morgan (I say no), putting Hart at 1B (yes) and Segura at SS. No matter what, you aren't taking on a ton of salary. You can add other players, but they would be lower salaried types. It keeps the salary low, and if the team stays healthy and the younger guys produce - even modestly - you stay in the playoff race. You can then add players to the team during the season based upon need. If the team does poorly (a distinct possibility, as a few injuries can really hurt a thin team), you aren't saddled with loads of bad contracts.

What about Oakland as a destination for A-Ram. Their 3rd basemen this year have an OPS of .563. Don't know the Oakland farm system at all, so I don't know who we could target.