Matt Breen

Jayson Werth is a 4-5 WAR player for four years running. He got a $17 million a year - at age 32. Weeks had 6.1 WAR last year. If he does that again, could he equal that? I mean, he's only 28, and if he has another good year, why not. It only takes one team to go crazy. Why not the cubs?

I don't see a problem with Kotsay as a player, I just don't know if we need him. If you lock in Dickerson (which might not be the right thing to do), Counsel, one of the catchers - that leaves two spots. Kotsay is a lefty, so if you keep him, you probably need to add an IF who bats right handed, since you'd have no righties on the bench. If that happens, that puts Gamel at AAA (which might be the plan all along). You then need a decent right handed hitting IF to balance out things.

I can put my finger on two games. The last game of the '82 season - watched it on TV and remember being so pumped up. I got to go to the fifth game of the world series that year as well, and while that was amazing, it wasn't do or die. I barely remember game 6 of the series, and remember game 7 as a letdown. Perhaps since I was 18 at the time I saw a bunch of playoff appearances in our future (little did I know). But of all those games, that last game of the year was the one that sticks out most. That leads to the last game of 2008. Friends of ours (Cub fans) gave us tickets - saying 'it meant more to you guys than us'. I took my 10 year old son. I have to say this was electric. I was so nervous. I had sat through 26 years of crap, and we finally had a chance. I think that made this game so crazy - before, during and after. Being able to experience it with my son made it all the more special.

To be honest, I was looking at him as well, but I'm not sold. He hasn't played tons of SS, so samples are a bit small. His UZR is pretty average (+3.9 last year, -0.8 in 2009, -2.0 in 2008). Again, he didn't play there every day, so samples haven't been huge. His hitting is nothing special the last couple of years (2008 he was great, but that seems to be an aberration from the rest of his career). If you thought his fielding could stay above average, he'd be better than Bettencourt. But they hit about the same. I'd love him as a super utility guy - he plays everywhere - but I don't know if he's that much better than Yuni. And Counsel already has the super utility fielder role. He's not a bad idea, especially if the price is right and there are no other options, but I think we can keep looking.

Right now, Cubs and Baltimore are the teams that really fit for Fielder. I think Baltimore is the best fit. He'd crush at Camden - a great field for left handers. And they have some good young pitching coming up, so they appear to be on track to making some noise. Of course, it's the AL East, and all the teams look pretty good, so he might not want to play for a 'losing' franchise - even if they have some promise. The Cubs could use him desperately. They need a left handed power bat, they'll have a hole at 1B (assuming Pena is gone after 1 year), and I don't think they have any big bats coming up through the system at this time. And they'll have the money available.

The only guys that aren't going to be there are Fielder, Loe and Bettencourt. Nice that Greinke is showing. I heard he doesn't like these kinds of things.

I guess a lot of things come down to this: Is Gamel better off playing full time at AAA (at whatever position(s) the team envisions him playing), or is he better getting a couple of hundred at bats in the big leagues as a utility type guy? Don't know that answer - just posing the question.

You're just comparing the system against an arbitrary standard, though. If the criterion is "Do I like the system, personally?", then you can answer any way you like. However, when you compare the Brewers' system to the other MLB systems, which is obv. how they're ranked 1st to 30th, you see that it's a bad system right now. Basically every team has the quantity & quality of players the Brewers have right now, but just about every team has more of them &/or better quality. I'm sure down at the bottom there are probably a handful of systems you could argue are the worst, just like at the top there are probably a few that could be ranked #1. But when making a list & ranking the systems, someone has to come in last. There are really zero impact bats in the system right now -- Kentrail Davis is probably the best pure bat right now, & there have been a lot of questions about just how much power he'll hit for as he progresses (fwiw I like Davis). The clear-cut best arm in the system has a looong injury history, & questionable mechanics in terms of long-term health. I think you're vastly overstating the talent in the minors. The talent the Brewers have is talent that every organization has, essentially, and they lack any true impact-type prospects. It's really not surprising to me that the system isn't highly regarded right now. TooLive gets this totally right. We have talent - but everyone else has this kind of talent level and more. It happens. We've graduated/traded a lot of guys the last few years. We've had lower picks in the first round. We lost last year's top pick to college. It takes its toll. We get a couple of good picks this year. We'll get a couple of extra high picks in 2012 assuming Prince leaves. Four picks if Weeks has a good year and leaves. We can reload with some high level guys. Plus, the lower level guys will either sink or swim as they advance up to the higher minor league levels and show their true potential. The system will be very different in 3 years. The big issue is that outside of Rogers, there isn't a potential impact player coming to Milwaukee for several years. We can add those kinds of players in the upcoming drafts, but what we are going to develop over the next 3-4 years are back of the end rotation guys, some relievers (maybe some very good ones), and a couple of potential starting infielders and outfielders - but no one really extraordinary - more fringy type starters, back ups. Nothing wrong with these types - every team needs them. There are no bats like Ryan Braun or Prince Fielder or Rickie Weeks in the pipeline (Gamel could be very good, but he's technically not a rookie). But I think that's the realistic outcome of these guys.

I'm not sure if it's wise due to he'd be learning a lot on the job, but it would be interesting to see Gamel on the major league roster, playing multiple positions. I'd say he's the first guy off the bench to start in LF, RF, at 3B, 1B (or have Hart move to 1B and have Gamel play RF) and DH. Even without major injuries, consider he could get around 50 starts: DH - 15 games 1B - 5 3B - 10 LF - 5 RF - 10 Total: 45 starts, plus pinch hitting. He could probably get 250 ABs. Dickerson backs up CF. Counsel backs up SS/2B - and if Yuni is our SS, I bet Counsel gets quit a few starts there, so he's not as available to play the corners or PH. All this would leave room for a good hitting, right handed pinch hitter. As I said, I don't know if it's wise to be moving Gamel around a lot. Maybe he would just crumble over learning new positions, not having a set schedule, etc. I do like the idea of having a guy on the roster who I feel can be - in 2011 - as good of a hitter as half the regulars. Plus, he bats left handed, something we lack in our starters, and giving McGehee and Hart the occasional rest against tough righthanders might help us tremendously. I also recognize that Prince will likely be gone in 2012, so the team needs to prep Gamel if they feel he is the replacement. If that means 2011 at AAA learning 1B or RF (and then move Hart to 1B) - or even just getting better to replace McGehee (who could move over to 1B) - then I'm okay. I feel bad for Gamel - as I think his time could easily be now.

Monkeyman, I think the Cubbies will chase Prince huge time after this year. Pena will be a FA, and they don't have left handed power, so it's a perfect fit. Not to mention it would be sticking it to the Brewers. I also see Baltimore going after him. I think this is the best fit. Prince would crush as Camden Yards, and the O's have some young pitching that will be ready. And the O's seem willing to spend for the right guy - like when they chased Teixiera. And Prince could eventually slide into the DH spot if necessary. Prince would be perfect for them.

I think Sickels is just fine on his reports. Sure you could argue Rogers should be higher, but considering his injury history, limited track record (he has only pitched 200 innings the past 2 years) and his high walk rates, there are questions. There are lots of great, positive signs with Rogers too, but as I said, lots of questions. I think that guys like Sickels have learned to be conservative with guys with an injury history - not to mention the high walk rates.

I'd say dump Yuni for whatever you can get - or cut him. Trade for a guy like Adam Everett - he's with Cleveland on a minor league deal so he won't cost more than case of beer - or Paul Janish or Brendan Ryan or Jack Wilson. Assuming they are healthy and don't cost much to get (and we don't have to pay them their full salary, in the case of a guy like Jack Wilson), add them to the team, have them anchor our defense. I'd even take Nick Punto, who I've always hated because he's so darn gritty people in Minnesota have far too much affection for him. You can pair them with counsel, so neither guy gets overused. The articles posted by Ennder are what we are getting. I don't want a lazy, selfish guy poisoning the clubhouse. get a guy who wants to be there. Our defense at 1B and 3B is suspect enough, and a quality fielder would be awesome. I'd rather get rid of Yuni now instead of waiting to see how he does. Instead, let's get the team set, get them working together in camp, get them working toward a goal to win.

Adding Greinke and Marcum obviously improve our pitching in many ways. One thing many of us have noted is that the new pitchers should cause less strain on the bullpen. How much? Here's a quick look. First, let's replace Davis, Capuano, Parra and Bush (64 starts) with Marcum and Greinke (also 64 starts). The four-headed 2010 pitchers tossed 342 innings in their 64 starts. Marcum and Greinke tossed 415 innings between them. That's a 73 inning difference. Using 2010 starts and innings for Narveson, Gallardo, Wolf, Marcum and Greinke nets you 974 innings in 157 games. Add in five more starts at roughly five innings per start, that would put the Brewers right around 1,000 innings for their starters. In the NL, only SF (at exactly 1,000 innings) and Phil (1035) threw that many innings in 2010. The Brewers' starters threw 921 innings in 2010. This means the new staff has the potential to eat up an extra 80 innings in 2011 (assuming I figured this all out correctly). 80 innings is nothing to scoff at. It means, roughly, that every other game we need one less reliever (assuming a reliever throws 1 inning each time out). Or you can think of it as each reliever having to pitch 10-15% less than needed last year. This means our relievers are less taxed. Their weaknesses are not as exposed as much. Teams don't get as familiar with them. And it gives the manager more options in the pen on any given night. Of course, this all depends on players staying healthy, not imploding, etc. And Marcum and Greinke were in the AL last year, meaning the DH might have kept them in the game longer since they were not pinch hit for (or you could argue they got smacked around more with the stronger line ups, but that's the point here). But an overworked bullpen often gets exposed down the stretch. Hopefully, the new starting rotation will help prevent this, and make the pen better in 2011.

Best of luck. Sad to see you go. Thanks for some great years and great memories.

SS is a much more pressing need than CF.Totally agree. I can live with a crappy hitting CF who plays great defense. But a crappy hitting shortstop who plays crappy defense isn't my cup of tea. Hopefully we can improve the position.

McCalvy says Saito has a base salary of $2 million. The less risk the better. http://twitter.com/AdamMc...status/19518344486985729 Saito's base salary will be under $2 million. I'm working on an updated story for Brewers.com right now.

Maybe the Mets new front office is reading BF.net for ideas.

I have to agree here. Plus, we already have two lefties in the rotation (wolf and narvy), and two in the pen (braddock and Parra). Plus Stetter is around, and while he stunk last year, his previous success makes him a bounce back option. I just don't see room for cappy. I imagine someone will give him a chance to compete for a rotation spot. I'd like him back, but I think he wants to start, and that opportunity just isn't in the cards right now.

It's up. http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/112513899.html EDIT: It appears they were out of town, that's what took so long. Jim Breen at Bernie's Crew has a story on this up 2 1/2 hours before the JS guys. Haudricourt and Witrado better watch it or someone else will be doing their job! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/laugh.gif http://www.jsonline.com/b.../fanblogs/112506124.html

Axford, Braddock, Loe, Parra, Saito, Hawkins all seem like locks. That leaves one spot open for Kintzler, McClendon, Green. Maybe DeFelice or Stetter. Someone is bound to be hurt, so the depth is great. I like that the team is looking at high strikeout guys - Axford, Braddock, Parra, Saito all struck out more than a batter an inning. And Kintzler and Mark Rogers offer the same type of player (should the team use Rogers out of the pen this year). We need that with our mediocre defense. If I wanted to take a flyer on a guy, Juan Cruz always interested me. The guy simply could bring the heat. Don't know how he is now after missing most of last year. These guys do have something to prove - Axford and Loe started the season in the minors. Parra was good in the pen, but sucked in the rotation. You just hope he can keep it up. And Hawkins and Saito have some injuries and age issues. But relievers are always a crap shoot. I hate overspending for them, and this bullpen can be had for around $11-12 million. That's the way to make a pen. One guy getting hurt or having a bad year in the pen won't ruin the group.

Note on the signing - Saito was a Type A free agent, but the Braves didn't offer arbitration, thus he does not cost us a draft pick. Just thought I'd point this out in case anyone was wondering.

"Sy-ee-toe" would be the pronunciation going by general Japanese linguistic rules, but since Schroeder becomes ShRAYder here in Wisconsin, I'm sure we can mangle it a little! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif I would agree with Brewcrew5 - 'Sy-ee-toe'. The other option I think would be 'Sy-Toe'.TAKASHI SAITO (ta-KAH-shee Sye-toe) source: http://blogs.riverfrontti..._names_pronunciation.php

"Sy-ee-toe" would be the pronunciation going by general Japanese linguistic rules, but since Schroeder becomes ShRAYder here in Wisconsin, I'm sure we can mangle it a little! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif I would agree with Brewcrew5 - 'Sy-ee-toe'. The other option I think would be 'Sy-Toe'.

I see Hawkins and Saito switching off the 8th inning. Saito doesn't look like a 75 game guy, and Hawkins probably shouldn't be either at his age and coming off an injury.

Saito offers some nice insurance to closing if Axford falters, and the team is worried Braddock isn't quite ready for the job. I am not a fan of signing old relievers, but I'm okay with Saito since it's a one year deal. His numbers have been really good for his five years in the majors. Let's just hope he holds up. I like that there's no more than one year to commit to him. At age 41, anyone can break down. It's a good risk.