HOF4canrake

1) Segura - Best option; Best OBP in minors among other options; 2) Lucroy - Since Braun won't be moved here, his bat plays well; Solid OBP/Pop; Hits behind runner; Segura running to stay out of DP 3) Braun 4) Ramirez 5) Gomez - Doesn't have to change his mentality; If OBP drops to career norm, not an issue with same power 6) Davis - Another power option; Will allow Gomez to run; 7) Reynolds - His plate game plan not affected by hitting in front of pitcher. High K's but big power in lower third 8) Pitcher - Normally PH for in late innings, so extra ABs not a concern; clear him one batter before top 9) Gennett - Doesn't have to hit in front of pitcher; Another hitter before the top guys; Weeks might - just might - be a better hitter this year. However, his defense is historically bad and he's been the worst second baseman in the league, by far, by the metrics.

How about if Carlos Gomez is part of the package? Under control 3 more years at a great rate compared to his 2013 numbers...

I had wanted them to target J.P. Howell last season and give him a 2-year deal. I think their concern, along with other teams, was his injury a couple years ago. Well, he had another stellar season in LA, is another year removed from surgery and is still only 30 years old. He had a 1-year, $2.85 million deal with the Dodgers for this season. His price tag I'm sure will go up a touch. He's a LH who has been good at getting RH out as well (save for his 1st year back after surgery). I think he should definitely be a target if the plan is to try to win next season. If they're simply rebuilding (which I doubt), then you stay all young guys.

Everyone knows the Tigers bullpen has struggled all season. Omar Infante (2B) just had a setback trying to return from injury. Miguel Cabrera and Torii Hunter are banged up. Detroit is in full "go for it" mode. Could the Brewers potentially dangle a reliever and Weeks, getting Detroit to take most of his contract? I realize it's uncommon for a team to trade a starting pitcher when they're in the hunt, but I'm still intrigued by Rick Porcello, who by all accounts, was on the trade block before the season. While his ERA is at 4.49, a majority of his other numbers are better than his career average, single-season career bests or both. Weeks can play 2B. Infante can be a utility player that fills in at 3B, 2B and the OF. Weeks can supply some added power to the lineup. Fielder, I'm sure, would push hard to bring Weeks in. I'm not going to pretend to know which reliever they'd like, how much they value their own guys or what a fair swap would be - in terms of money and/or players - but I figure some of the more in-tune individuals on this site could fill in the blanks. I believe Detroit could be desperate enough to bite, ridding the Brewers of a sizable chunk of cash and returning a - what I see as - a decently priced, solid starting pitcher. Any thoughts?

Two thoughts... 1) I find it humorous that people blame Molitor. Sure he got more money from Toronto, but he alsosaw a chance to win a championship...something we all say we want from our players. On top of that, Bando initially offered him less money than what he made the previous season. Imagine being an All-Star, 10th in MVP voting, 1st or 2nd in most categories for a franchise you've been invaluable to for 15 years...and getting a pay cut. Bando was banking on Molitor just staying because he was with the Brewers for so long and being a poor judge of what the market would pay for a Hall of Fame hitter who hadn't slowed down at all. I hold no ill will toward Molitor and believe Bando had some sort of ax to grind from when both were players. 2) According to MLB Gameday, Lohse only threw 6-7 sinkers which is the biggest reason he has been so successful the past couple of seasons. I wonder if throwing that pitch at full speed (not in a bullpen session) was hurting his elbow or difficult to throw due to the "irritation."

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/204620931.html The rule being applied here is not "batter's interference". It's simply that the batter becomes a runner once he is not legally in the box. He must have 2 feet in the box to legally be in the box. If he's not (1 foot) and makes contact with the ball, he is out.

The bolded part you're mentioning is right within the same rule (g). I'm looking at the MLB Rulebook online. Google MLB Official Rulebook and you should be able to bring up the PDF.

I think the umpire actually got this right. 6.05 A batter is out when— (g) His fair ball touches him before touching a fielder. If the batter is in a legal position in the batter’s box, see Rule 6.03, and, in the umpire’s judgment, there was no intention to interfere with the course of the ball, a batted ball that strikes the batter or his bat shall be ruled a foul ball; 6.03 The batter’s legal position shall be with both feet within the batter’s box. Therefore, one foot in the box means he is not legally in the box. Thus, he would be out.

At this point, it doesn't matter if it's a "slump" or whatever. He's not hitting and they've been somewhat fortunate to win with Weeks hitting cleanup.

In regards to Roenicke being "handcuffed" lately with his relievers, it's because he's mismanaged the bullpen from game 2 on. There is no way you should have an 8 man bullpen with a "long man" in Narveson (he just got hurt), Gorzelanny who can toss 2-3 if needed, Kintzler - Badenhop - Figaro who can all throw 2 innings, plus the other 3 and have a "beat up" bullpen as he put it. Sure the starters were not going deep, but they weren't out in the 3rd either...Plus they had an off day after Game 3. The players need to perform - obviously - but Roenicke has made things far more difficult. Serious question...have his back problems caused some poor decision-making? Uncomfortable, medication, lack of sleep - these all affect people at work, even if he is managing a baseball club. http://www.brewersmix.com/2013/04/roenicke-needs-to-shoulder-some-blame.html

The difference for the Brewers vs. the Cubs is, this "second window" can be extended by the young pitching should they come through. They will have younger, inexpensive guys for a while - mainly pitchers (Peralta, Fiers, Burgos, Thornburg, Segura, Schafer) and they can look to shed some money in the next couple of seasons with Ramirez, Weeks, Hart... and they have tradeable contracts if it's deemed necessary in Gomez, Lohse, Estrada, Narveson...all depending on what the overall plan involves and the progression of the young hurlers. There are still plenty of options for the Brewers moving forward.

I personally like Schafer quite a bit, but the deal made a ton of sense for the Brewers. To me, it keeps options open, including hanging on to Gomez for good value. However, it also gives them the chance to deal him - perhaps this offseason - to improve the team. While Schafer doesn't have an elite skill, he is a solid player overall. He is a plus defender in terms of range - less speed than Gomez, but takes better routes. His arm is not as strong as Gomez, but he is more accurate and makes the right decisions. His power is not close to Gomez, but OBP ability much better. A good baserunner - again not the speed or stolen base threat of Gomez - but less prone to mistakes.

I personally like Schafer quite a bit, but the deal made a ton of sense for the Brewers. To me, it keeps options open, including hanging on to Gomez for good value. However, it also gives them the chance to deal him - perhaps this offseason - to improve the team. While Schafer doesn't have an elite skill, he is a solid player overall. He is a plus defender in terms of range - less speed than Gomez, but takes better routes. His arm is not as strong as Gomez, but he is more accurate and makes the right decisions. His power is not close to Gomez, but OBP ability much better. A good baserunner - again not the speed or stolen base threat of Gomez - but less prone to mistakes.

Earlier in this thread it was mentioned that there was no proof that steroids helped baseball players...really? First of all, strength does matter - the reason a 12-year-old can't swing a 34 oz. bat as quickly as a 25-year-old ball player. Yes, there are other factors, but strength is a big one. Secondly, so it's just a coincidence that the average SLG from '96-'06 was .425...Meanwhile, from '90-'95 it was .399 and from '07-'12 it was .411 as a league average. Also, we just happened to see major spikes in HR, including larger numbers of players hitting 50, as well as 60+ and even a couple hit 70+. All just a big coincidence that it happened during a period where steroids and other drugs were somewhat common? Finally, certain drugs and chemicals are said to help with or improve eyesight - sort of a big deal when it comes to seeing and hitting a baseball. And, of course, why would guys continue to take these and risk ridicule and possibly money if they don't do anything?

Not quite sure how I made a generalization or attacked you. You said that the games are boring, especially when they're 4 hours long...I'm not sure how this post season has been boring at all with the drama, comebacks, surprise heroes, etc. Of course, it's your opinion about it being boring, but unless you don't like baseball, it's hard to imagine these games being considered boring when players and experts alike are talking about it being one of the greatest post seasons ever, already. The comment about retracting teams because it's the same teams all the time anyway...my point was that it happens across all leagues - it's just a part of sports, even the most beloved sport in America has most of the same teams, so I'm not sure why that matters, really. And if you're looking for "parity," the magic word the NFL uses, since 2001, MLB has had 9 different World Champions while the NFL has had 8 different World Champions...I just don't get your argument here. Finally, I phrased my last question as just that - a question, including the word maybe. I don't know you or your interests, but it sounded like maybe you aren't a fan of the sport of baseball, hence I was asking you...not attacking or generalizing. I have conversations all the time with people who don't like baseball - including my brother - and while, of course, I'll give them my reasons for enjoying the game so much, but in the end, you like what you like.