Moose Wallbanger

So I've decided the Brewers are now going to be the Yankees in my dream world: We just resigned Sheets to a 3 yr $60 million deal. Don't worry nobody else is offering him a multi-year deal. We just traded every good prospect we had for Jake Peavy and resigned him to a 5 year $100 million deal. We signed Adam Dunn to a 4 year $75 million deal. Oh and we just gave three ludicrous and contracts that would never happen to a #2, an Ace and an overrrated OF who strikes out, hits a HR or walks for $235 million. Or put another way, approximately 8 years and $185 million less than what CC, AJ, and Tex just got. Simply amazing the numbers that these guys were signed to. I hate baseball's salary structure. Of course we are all rooting against capitalism, but as has been suggested its beginning to look like a borderline monopoly. I'll give up two or three seasons of baseball to get an even playing field (salary cap) for baseball.

Not sure I like what i am about to propose but the Brewers need to do something about this pitching problem. I am HIGHLY concerned about the Brewers ability to compete with Gallardo and Parra as the aces. These are all predicated on each other happening. Let's try this grand scheme: Trade Fielder and Cameron for Hughes, Kennedy, Cano and Cabrera Trade Weeks, Parra and TGJ for Peavy (assuming he'd waive that no trade clause). Assuming this will get it done after what the Cubs were proposing. Sign Adam Dunn to play 1st (Lots of Ks, lots of BBs, lots of HRs) Gamel/Hall platoon at 3B Gives us this lineup: CF Cabrera 2B Cano LF Braun 1B Dunn RF Hart SS Hardy 3B Gamel/Hall C Kendall SP Peavy SP Gallardo SP Hughes SP Kennedy SP Bush

How small of a town Milwaukee is...I got these last Monday from my cousin and I'm in California. I swear everyone in Milwaukee knows each other somehow.

I would very much like to go to the flag pole Wrigley and hang an "L" Flag.

Victorino is a punk! Who runs straight at someone like that!

Maybe I'm just a traditionalist, but I wouldn't mind seeing the old format of two leagues, east and west, and adding 2 WC per league. I don't see any scenario where adding 1 works. I don't believe it dilutes making the playoffs. Yes four more teams make it, however, 8 out of 30 is an awfully low amount of teams making it every year, especially when you have the type of league without a salary cap that almost guarantees a Yankee and/or Red Sox presence every year.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=800588 Read the article about Selig possibly adding another WC to both leagues in the future. How would that work with only 1 additional WC in each league? 5 playoff teams means a bye for one team all the way to the LCS. I propose that MLB looks at breaking down the divisions one more time to possibly gain more races and adds two WC per league. As it stand right now only 8 of 30 make the playoffs, by far the least of NFL (12 of 32) and NBA (16 of 30...a joke by the way). If 2 WC are added, then still 12 of 30 is better than the NBA. With the top two teams in each league getting a bye to the next round. Proposed Realignment (NFL Style): NL East NL North NL South NL West 1. NYM 1. MIL 1. ATL 1. LAD 2. PHI 2. CHC 2. HOU 2. SD 3. WAS 3. CIN 3. FLA 3. SF 4. PIT 4. COL 4. STL 4. ARI AL East AL North AL South AL West 1. NYY 1. CWS 1. TEX 1. LAA 2. BOS 2. DET 2. TAM 2. OAK 3. BAL 3. MIN 3. KC 3. SEA 4. TOR 4. CLE I would love this for the NL and hate it for the AL. 2 divisions with 3 teams! Don't think that would work. Just to play out the scenario though, assuming division winners and two wild cards, playoffs would have looked like this: First Round Byes: NL (PHI, CHC) First Round Matchups: NL (MIL @ LAD, NYM @ HOU) First Round Byes: AL (LAA, TAM) First Round Matchups: AL (MIN @ BOS, NYY @ CWS) Even though it goes against my theory of having more races being created, the leagues could also realign back to East and West with the ability to have the two division winners and the top 4 teams after make the playoffs. Proposed realignment (old MLB style): NL EAST NL WEST AL EAST AL WEST 1. NYM 1. LAD 1. NYY 1. LAA 2. PHI 2. SD 2. BOS 2. OAK 3. WAS 3. SF 3. BAL 3. SEA 4. PIT 4. ARI 4. TOR 4. TEX 5. ATL 5. COL 5. DET 5. KC 6. FLA 6. MIL 6. CLE 6. CWS 7. CIN 7. CHC 7. TAM 7. MIN 8. HOU 8. STL Takes away some races but look at the playoffs: First Round Byes: NL (PHI, CHC) First Round Matchups: NL (STL @ MIL, HOU @ NYM) First Round Byes: AL (TAM, LAA) First Round Matchups: AL (CWS @ BOS, MIN @ NYY) Wow...surprisingly, either way, the only change if new teams are added is the Cardinals in for the Dodgers in teh second scenario and I think it is easy to argue that the Cardinals are the better team. Since most of you guys are more in tune with the pulse of the league and I'm an infrequent contributor, I would like to hear your thoughts on how you think MLB would proceed if additional WC were implemented as Selig said. Keep in mind, the article did only mention 1 more per league. Throw me a scenario...

Not that it is a big deal, but it is worth mentioning for discussion or opinion. The road uniform for the Crew has said "Brewers" since they switched uniforms before the 2000 season. Can someone refresh my memory as to why they do not have "Milwaukee" written across the front of the uniform like a majority of teams do? I personally like the uniforms the way they are, but am curious as to why they would not incorporate the name of the city on the front, instead of just on a patch on the sleeve. For those of who haven't seen what the scripted Milwaukee looks like, here is a link. Check the bottom of the page: http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080405&content_id=2495222&vkey=news_mil&fext=.jsp&c_id=mil 2nd question about the uniform. Since there is no longer a designated Retro Friday or Sunday this year, is there a specific time when the Brewers will be wearing the throwback uniform? Can anyone think of a team, prior to the Brewers using throwback uniforms as alternates? I think they started the trend as now Cleveland, Philadelphia, Toronto and Kansas City have now implemented throwbacks as alternates as well this year.

So I'm not trying to start the Brewers/Packers references again and maybe it's just me but after watching Aaron Rodgers press conference on Packers.com, I couldn't help but think of how much he reminds me of Ryan Braun (with a ridiculous mop on his head). Apparently, it is going to become a trend that the Packers starting QB has to resemble one of the Brewers bigger stars. First Favre and Jenkins and now Rodgers and Braun. I personally can't wait until the Packers sign the a 300 pound black QB to resemble Prince Fielder.

Albert Pujols... After Saenz shut them out a few yaers ago, Pujols said something along the lines of..."That kid wasn't that good he just got lucky." Absoultely classless. Instead of tipping the cap to a rookie, in his first MLB appearance, pitching great against a good team, he resorts to something like this.

I was only 15 when the Brewers moved to the National League and have always been curious about this, as I have never lived in Wisconsin. I spent every summer there for 3 months until I was 13, but only lived there for 2 weeks when I went to UW and decided it wasn't for me. But in all that time, I never remember the hate for the White Sox being anywhere near as high as what it it is for the Cubs. Why is that Wisconsinites? I know all about the hatred for FIBs and their big city attitude as I have recently spent much time back there. But I never recall the hatred being so high for the White Sox. I for one loathe the Cardinals, but don't necessarily hate the Cubs. Someone explain this to me.

I was bored at work today and started thinking about baseball and whether or not baseball could/should expand again and then realign one final time. I know what some of you may think, talking about the Marlins and D-Rays not being able to support the teams that they currently have, but I am willing to believe that a place like Portland could theoretically support a Major League Baseball team better than either of those cities can. Is there any other place right now that could, in your opinion, support another baseball team? My mind always looks at places that have the other 3 major sports (yes I still include hockey) and then go from there. The most obvious choice would either be Indianapolis or Memphis/Nashville. I think Indy is the more obvious choice, but I also gotta believe if Nashville can support the Predators of the NHL, they can support baseball. So assuming that baseball would expand, and go to an NFL-like 8 division, 4 team format, and the expansion teams would go in Portland and say for the sake of argument, Indianapolis, I would realign baseball in the following way: NL NORTH 1. Milwaukee Brewers 2. Chicago Cubs 3. St. Louis Cardinals 4. Colorado Rockies NL EAST 1. N.Y. Mets 2. Philadelphia Phillies 3. Washington Nationals 4. Pittsburgh Pirates NL SOUTH 1. Atlanta Braves 2. Florida Marlins 3. Houston Astros 4. Cincinnati Reds NL WEST 1. L.A. Dodgers 2. S.F. Giants 3. San Diego Padres 4. Arizona Diamondbacks AL NORTH 1. Chicago White Sox 2. Detroit Tigers 3. Cleveland Indians 4. Minnesota Twins AL EAST 1. N.Y. Yankees 2. Boston Red Sox 3. Baltimore Orioles 4. Toronto Blue Jays AL SOUTH 1. Texas Rangers 2. Tampa Bay D-Rays 3. Kansas City Royals 4. Indianapolis (Expansion Team) AL WEST 1. L.A. Angels 2. Oakland Athletics 3. Seattle Mariners 4. Portland (Expansion Team) Granted the AL South would be awful currently, the AL would have two expansion teams, and Colorado isn't exactly in the Central time zone, but I really believe that baseball needs to start exploring this idea. It would create a new buzz in baseball in certain new areas like Oregon and Indiana, and it is always possible to switch another team to the AL (say Arizona) and put Portland in the NL. I for one believe that it is time that baseball fixes the problem of one divison having 6 teams and another having 4. The only way to remedy this is to create two new teams or contract (since having 15 teams in each league would mean one interleague series at all times, which is lame), and contraction is never a good thing. So what do you think? Should baseball hire me as commisioner, or is Bud Selig God compared to me?

I think you guys are nuts to be perfectly honest. We really cannot afford to trade Capuano just yet. One, his value is probably at its lowest right now. Two, when healthy, he has pitched at worst, like a #2 starter. Why would we trade someone like this? Three, contending teams rarely start first or second year starters like Gallardo, Villanueva and Parra would be. Four, Suppan is the obvious choice. Suppan is a great guy who is great in the locker room. However, he is HIGHLY overpaid just like a lot of pitchers out there, and I know I would much rather give the $$$ to Capuano when his contract comes up. I will take Cappy and Bush over Vargas or Suppan any day of the week. Plus not one of them will bring us a top notch OF or C or OF/C prospect that would most likely be the target.

BALFOUR SUCKS! Good God we are awful on the road. I blame Ned for that bonehead move by not pinchhitting for Estrada in the 10th.

I have decided. The Brewers need is a LF who plays like Lyle Overbay. Doubles, average, and all the other things that Lyle did so well when he was here. Adam Dunn would have been a nice addition, but I believe we need average, hits and OBP (even though Dunn's is high) more than the power that Dunn brings. Who plays the OF, i.e. Left Field, that we can get who does all these things well? Do we have anyone in our system that also plays like this? Perhaps we have someone in our system who plays more like this than having to deal for someone like this, but if we don't, who is out there that we could get to do these things for us THIS season? (Wasn't sure if this was a trade proposal or major league discussion, so I posted here)

Whether we like it or not, the Cubs are coming. But let's be honest, did we all really think this team was going to run away with the division? We have an incredibly talented team. With the current players that we have on this team, we should win 87-95 games for the next 4-5 years. Given the fact that this team is still incredibly young, I am willing to accept that this in fact may not be the season that they win the division. This is not to say that I am being a pessimist, because I believed that the Brewers would win 87-90 games this season, but I really will not be all that disappointed if this team does win 87-90 games and doesn't win the division. Yes it will stink to not get to the playoffs, but come on guys....We have an extremely bright future, and a window of opportunity to win the World Series that is just opening this season. If after the next 4-5 seasons, we don't win the division multiple times, and go to the World Series at least once, than I will be disappointed. Plus whose future would you rather have? -Braun, Hardy, Weeks, Fielder or Ramirez, Theriot, Fontenot, Lee? -Gwynn, Hart, Hall or Soriano, Pagan, Pie? We are in great shape fellas.

I would be intrigued by us acquiring Conor Jackson from the D'Backs if available. If cheap, he is still young and it wasn't that long ago he was considered a major prospect in Arizona. As well as fitting a need for us in LF after this season, when both Mench and Jenks probably will be gone. What would it take guys?

I disagree. I think that I would be willing to let go of one of our position players at that time, for the ability to hang onto Sheets, who truly is one of the most dominant pitchers in the league when healthy. I am terrified of us having to face the Padres in the playoffs, if we both make it, strictly because of their pitching. Pitching will always prevail as the old adage says.

I would offer Gallardo, Zach Jackson, Gwynn and Mench for Oswalt. Maybe too much, but I cant imagine the Astros trading Oswalt within the division without offering a lot. Possibly substitute Villanueva or Bush for Gallardo. I would be extremely hard-pressed to trade Yovani or Villanueva, but Sheets, Oswalt, Capuano is a dominant 3 for the playoffs (assuming Cappy overcomes his recent struggles).

Checking out Yahoo sports today and I saw that Roy Oswalt could possibly be available and may be willing to waive his no-trade clause. In your guys eyes, what do you think of the following possibilities: 1. Roy waiving a no-trade to come to Milwaukee? 2. Houston wanting to trade Roy in the division? 3. Players it would take for us to get Roy? My own thoughts are as follows: 1. I believe now that people will want to come to Milwaukee and play. Young team, city starving for a championship, rising attendance. Regardless of what happens this season, playoffs or not, this team could realisitically contend for the next 5-7 years for a World Series. 2. I highly doubt they would, but the for the right package I totally believe that anyone will trade with someone within the division. Especially as close as the Astros are to rebuilding, the right package of players could help them rebuild quickly. 3. I would start with an offer of Yovani Gallardo, Zach Jackson, Tony Gwynn, and Kevin Mench. Too much? Too little? Anyways, after the deal, Sheets, Oswalt, Capuano, Villanueva, and Suppan is a pretty darn good rotation and we didn't touch our projected everyday lineup. What do we al think of the possibilities?

Welcome to J.J. Hardy's coming out party Cincinnati. 4 hits, a grand slam, 6 RBI...Hello Wisconsin!!!!!!!! MOOSE WALLBANGER

Not saying this game is over or anything, but I think it safe to say that Moeller has officially taken over the "I only hit HRs when we are being slaughtered or have a comfortable lead" title from Jenkins and Helms. MOOSE WALLBANGER

Bad back and all Jenks just keeps on hitting. Another RBI single, with a man in scoring position nonetheless. Unbelievable, considering the first half he had to be hitting .293 now is pretty impressive, even if he does strikeout too much and look horrible in doing so at times. MOOSE WALLBANGER