Matt Breen

Yuni is available.

Omar Infante, a guy with better stats than Barmes (and younger), got 2 years and $8 million as a 2nd baseman. That's a pretty good comparable to Barmes. Most predictions I read on Barmes was starting in the mid-$3 million area, topping out at $5 million. I'd go $4 million. Maybe $4.5 million. Barmes is an average player. A big upgrade for us, but still average. I like him, but you shouldn't overpay for guys like this. Houston said they probably won't sign him so they can save money.

Well, Reyes would be perfect for the Brewers. I just don't see us dropping $15+ million on him. It just hamstrings you financially for a long time. And the injuries are kind of scary. He's missed 36, 29 and 126 games over the past 3 seasons. But, man, he'd be perfect at the top of the order. Plus fill the empty SS spot.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/st...land-indians-sources-say The Braves are eating $10 million of the $15 million they owe Lowe. The Braves get left-handed pitching prospect Chris Jones.

Here's a nice rundown on why the Sox are considering Sveum as manager: http://www.weei.com/sport...candidate-manage-red-sox

From Ancestry.com: Spanish (Canary Islands) and Portuguese: from Béthencourt, the name (with many variants) of the first conqueror of the Canary Islands (1417), a knight of Norman-French origin. This name is also common and widespread in Latin America. So the name is French in origin, but is mostly found in Spanish-speaking Latin America. Probably why you have various pronunciations. Some families have probably kept the more 'French' pronunciation (with a silent 't') while others haven't. I love tangents!

The silent 't' in Betancourt is likely French in origin. France controlled Cuba in the late 1700s and early 1800s, so there are some French elements in Cuban culture. I believe there was a major influx of French-speaking immigrants into Cuba as a result of the revolt in Haiti (which was around 1800, if I recall correctly). France lost control of Haiti after a slave revolt, and most of the colonists of French descent fled the island - many for Cuba, which was now controlled by France.

One guy the Brewers could consider next year as a right handed bench/platoon type would be Casey Blake. I would see Blake playing mostly 1B, and possibly some 3B. This only works if the following occurs: - The team goes with Gamel at 1B - The team goes with Green at 3B - The team feels Blake is fully recovered from last year's injuries - The team feels he's still a decent player, even at age 38 - The team is comfortable with Blake as a 1B (he's only played a handful of games there, but a couple of things I've read seem to feel he wouldn't have much problem handling the position) Blake is 38, so he's not a young guy. But he would fit in well as a right handed bat to platoon with Gamel at 1B, a backup at 3B and a pinch hitter. His OPS the past few years against lefthanders is .780 in 2011 (but only 51 ABs, so not a big sample size), .895 in 2010, 1.005 in 2009. He's shown the ability to hit lefties well, with last year being, by far, his worst showing, but with only 51 ABs. Perhaps he is washed up - I didn't really see him play in 2011, so I can't say. But I think he'd be a guy you could go with and get decent results if you limited him to a platoon role. - The would allow the Brewers to limit Gamel's exposure to lefties, thus setting up Gamel to succeed in what would, undoubtedly, be a difficult year having to replace Prince. - Blake shouldn't be too expensive - no more than a $1 million or $1.5 million. - Gives the team a bench bat with a little pop from the right side. Not Russell Branyon pop, but the guy had 17 or more HR from 2003-10. Not too bad. - Gives the team some 'veteran' presence, which RRR and Melvin seem to like. - Since Blake could be the 'veteran' bench guy, it allows the team to add a younger guy - such as Gindl or Schafer as a back up outfielder - Blake could inherit more playing time at either 1B or 3B if either of the rookies falters I would also bring back Hairston, who could get a couple dozen starts at 3B against lefties, not to mention back up SS and 2B as needed. I think it would be an okay squad. C - Lucroy and Kottaras/Maldanado 1B - Gamel 2B - Weeks SS - FA/trade (I would like barmes, but the club has to sign someone or trade for someone) 3B - Green IF - Hairston 1B/3B - Blake LF - Braun CF - Morgan/Gomez RF - Hart OF - Gindl/Shafer I'm a bit wary of too many platoons, but I see it as a good safeguard for breaking in two rookie starters. Also, Blake has to be healthy and the team has to feel he's still got something in the tank. And finally, they have to feel he's going to be decent at 1B. All are legit questions.

I'm good with Barmes, but i'd rather roll the dice on Gamel at 1B. Gamel is a risk, but if he comes through, he could be a 20 HR, .280 hitter. And at 400k - not $10 million. Pena is what he is - an aging, good d, low average, high K, 25-30 HR guy. It's unlikely at his age he's going to get better. Most likely he'll get worse. We need to play for upside at this position - not mediocrity. Yes, Gamel could be bad or mediocre. But he could above average. I'd rather take that risk. The team might really believe Gamel isn't the answer. If so, I guess Pena would be an okay option.

Brewers need to forget about yuni if only to improve productivity in Wisconsin, since we could prevent thousands of wasted hours posting on message boards. Myself included.

Barmes it is then.Barmes is by no means a great player. But I feel that he is a solid one. Average to bit below average with the bat, above average in the field. Make for an average SS. I'm very happy with that after last season's results (which I think were terrible). Some of his success as a batter (23 HR a few years ago) is probably helped by Coors field. But last year he had a .698 OPS in Houston - and with a terrible lineup around him. That's pretty average. He's also had some injuries, so you probably need to make sure you have a good back up (Hairston would be my choice). I tout Barmes because I think he's a realistic option. I just don't see spending $15 million or more on Reyes (and the years). And we'd lose our #1 draft pick. It will only take one team to go insane and offer him far too much for our means. I like Scutoro, but it looks like Boston will keep him. For Barmes, a two-year deal at about $4 million a year seems fair. Maybe put a 3rd year option in there. But I say get it done early, while other teams in need of a SS (Cardinals, SF, Braves, Dodgers, Houston, Twins, Reds, Phil., etc.) are fighting over Reyes and Rollins. Also, Barmes is not going to cost a draft pick, so that's not a concern. We can offer a good team with a chance to win next year. With our lack of quality SS prospects, Barmes doesn't have to worry that a young kid will take over his job. I think it's a good fit.

I'm surprised nobody brought those numbers up before, but I guess they just reinforce my feelings all along. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect the combination of Green at 3B, Barmes? at SS, and Gamel or Comparable at 1B to his about that well with much better defense. To reiterate, losing Fielder sucks, but the money can be better spent elsewhere. I agree with funketown on this one. have said so before. it was nice seeing the monty put the numbers together. Getting a trio of players at the SS, 3B and 1B positions to produce a .750 OPS will be a challenge, but I think it's in reach. Combine that with better defense, and you're talking a wash. Can a trio of players like Barmes/Green/Gamel produce .750ish OPS? I think so. Certainly not a lock, but possible. Fielder's presence is going to be impossible to replace. Just being in the lineup changes how people think about facing us. But having Yuni and McGehee also affected how teams pitched to us (and not in a good way for the Brewers).

"I ran out of gas. I had a flat tire. I didn't have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn't come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car! There was an earthquake! A terrible flood! Locusts! It wasn't my fault, I swear to God!" For those who want to see the original

Anyone have a clue what happened to him last year? He had a really nice 2010, then just pulled a Casey McGehee and imploded in 2011. He's a good fielder, takes a ton of walks. Mediocre power - at best. What happened to the BA last year? Just curious if anyone had any insights. He'd be an interesting 'buy low' if you think Gamel is too risky to give 1B. Interesting that he has struggled against right handers, even though he is a lefty. .761 OPS in 2010, and a .533 last year.

To me Baltimore looks like the perfect place for Prince. The O's need a big power hitter in the line up. And a 1B (they can move Reynolds to DH). Fits the bill perfectly. Adds to a nice nucleus of hitters: Weiters ©, Prince (1B), Hardy (SS), Markakis (RF), Jones (CF). They tried to get Teixiera two years ago - so they they are willing to spend the money. Prince would pound the ball at Camden. Perfect park for him. He can transition to DH in a few years. He's a good friend of JJ Hardy, who signed an extension last year. The key is would Prince be willing to risk that the O's young pitchers mature enough to compete in a (very) tough division. If 'winning' is really important, he probably won't sign here.

The key thing about Belt is how is his future as an OF? Because he's the future 1B if they don't think he'll stick in the OF. If they feel he's going to be okay in the OF, there's no point in dealing him. He's cheap, he's young, he's going to (likely) improve. But if the Giants think he's strictly a 1B, and they go sign Prince, that's the only way they trade Belt.

I've read some things that indicate Fukudome has slipped defensively. UZR has him really dropping over the past 2 years with a -5.6 UZR in 2010 and -11.5 for 2011. When I saw him this year, he didn't look anything special - but it was only a few games on TV.

Funny. Albert blames the media for taking so long to talk to him - although he was gone before they were allowed in. http://espn.go.com/mlb/pl...ic-skipping-media-game-2

Florida gave omar infante - a 30 year old (in December) 2B a 2 years at $4 million/year. Infante had a .696 OPS and a 2.7 WAR. He has a 2.6 WAR in 2010. Barmes is older - he'll be 33 on opening day - and plays a more demanding position (SS). He had a .698 OPS and a 3.1 WAR. He also has had some injuries, missing the first month of last year. He's also been a bit inconsistent - WARs of 2.0, 1.7, 0.6 and 3.1 over the past few years. I think the infante contract is a fair starting point for Barmes. I see them as similar value players. And while Barmes plays a more difficult position, Infante has been a little more consistent, and younger. I'd say 2 years and $8 million. Maybe offer a third year option at $4 million with a 500k buyout or something.

Truth has hit my feelings on SS as well. However, I really like going to Barmes over Carroll. Carroll's going to be 38 next year - not the guy you want at SS for 130 or 140 games. And he's not a great fielder, so that will only get worse. I like Barmes' glove a lot, and the 23 HR he hit a few years ago makes him intriguing in the power department. I wouldn't expect a high OBP, but a .700 OPS with good fielding would be welcome. Also, I love Alexei Ramirez would be awesome. The key is are the Sox willing to deal him, and for what. They seem to be in the rebuilding mode (at least from initial comments from Kenny Williams), which means they'd want a good young player or two (or three). We don't have many of those to spare, and I hate the thought of stripping the farm club even more. I wouldn't mind Furcal, but we'd have to have a good player - Carroll or hairston, for example - on the roster for the inevitable injury.

my question is what happens if he hits the market and finds that the best deal is something like 3 years and $21 million. Would he take that over 1 year and $12 million - which is what he'd likely get if he want to arby? There are a lot of closers on the market this year. Heath Bell, Jonathan Broxton, Matt Capps. Francisco Cordero, Kyle Farnsworth, Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, Joe Nathan, Jonathan Papelbon, K-Rod, Soriano got a big deal last year from the Yankees, but that seems to be the exception rather than the rule. Seems like guys have been getting $7-8 million at the most.

Nice article about Taylor Green's prospects: http://www.rotohardball.c...aukees-solution-at-third The more I think about it, the more I say cut the cord with Casey.

I loved tonight's game. Go rangers!

Well, Melvin said a lot of good things at his press conference. But also, it's more about what he didn't say: http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/132172268.html He praised his team - even the bad players. It goes with how he and RRR run things. So yes, he's being positive about Yuni and Casey. I expected that. But he never commits to Yuni or Casey (or pretty much anyone). He didn't poo poo Hart going to 1B - just said he hasn't wanted that in the past. He made some nice comments about Gamel and Green. His comments about Gamel were pretty positive. Never commits to him, but says the team has to seriously consider him for next season. Leaves the door open for Saito and Hawkins. Talks about how valuable Hairston ways and how the team needs players like him. I think all good. NOthing shocking. I didn't expect him to trash anyone. And he didn't. If anything, he could have said something about 'getting better defensively' - but he didn't. I was most happy to hear him be positive about Gamel and Green. Again, nothing too deep, but acknowledges they have to be seriously considered for 2012.

well, if hart is okay with it, great. i like the team to have the flexibility. as someone said, i guess until we hear it from Corey, there's a chance he's open to it. maybe hart doesn't want to be a 1B when he comes up as a FA. A free agent OF is more valuable than a FA 1B.