litesrn

Turns out that, even tho' the "friend of a friend" is connected, it was the beer talking. Doug did talk to the Dbacks about Haren just like the Angels did, but the matchups, as mentioned, don't really work and the cost would be prohibitively high.

I don't post here much because most everybody else here is more knowledgeable than I am - just something I heard from, as I said, a friend of a friend, and when I saw the Angels story at Ben Maller, it seemed to me that there might be some credence there. I'll be talking to the first "friend" over the holiday weekend - if I hear anything new, I'll post it in both places.

Maddux wants to stay on the West coast - his family and all his connections are there. He isn't going to waive his no-trade to go anywhere else at this point in his life.

Tonight's game is carried live by Fox Pittsburgh - channel 628 for those with DirecTV and the sports pack, at 7:30P Eastern. Replay tomorrow afternoon on NFL Network.

I agree - save the pen as much as possible. It sounds as tho' the heat combined with inexperience may not allow Parra to go much further, but saving the pen can't hurt. BTW, does Parra's performance today make trading Cappy or Vargas or Bush a stronger possibility? Just musing. I know that it's the classic "small sample size" but it's a nice problem to have.

I agree with the rest theory you propose. Two other thoughts: -The NL Rookie of the Year engraver might as well get started now - with Pence out, Braun seems to me to be almost automatic. -Nice to see Parra with a 94 mph fastball followed by a 75 mph changeup against Pujols. Good sign.

Very cogent point, briggs. Combining two topics, there's nobody out there that would agree to come to Milwaukee (Griffey as an example) or wouldn't cost way too much in a relative sense when compared to guys already available (Dye).

Agree, briggs - unless Sheets gives some indication that there will be a hometown discount, he may be the best candidate in terms of return.

Speaking strictly from a Brewer perspective, how many of those names are of interest, or even if they may be of interest are better than the "bird in the hand?" As an example, and IMHO, Griffey won't agree to come to Milwaukee, we don't need a 2b, guys like Contreras and Morris are no better than present candidates, and guys like Cordero are going to generate so much interest that the costs are likely too high. How many of those names really apply to the Crew? Maybe 5 or so at most?

It's likely to be TGJ in my opinion. Gross would already have been sent down were management convinced he couldn't help in some way.

So if we did that, which of Counsell or Graffy gets DFA'd, the guy who has the better glove or the guy with the hot (relatively) bat? Or do we carry 3 utility infielders? Huh?

I suspect that we've seen the last of Rickie starting for a while, and that last night was sort of a test that RW failed. (my apologies if this was already addressed - I didn't read the whole thread)

In terms of publicity and respect from opposing fan bases, the Crew is already getting notice far beyond what has been typical over the last decade or so. It hardly requires a WS ring to get that kind of respect - if we win the division, or even make the playoffs as a wildcard it will only increase. Add in the general acknowledgement across baseball that we're still young and likely to get better? What more do you want?

The Twins may trade Nathan? ttp://www.twincities.com/walters/ci_6408751?nclick_check=1 Would we be interested? Sounds more like a reporter's speculation, but another name to add to pen speculation, despite the price tag?

Agree fully - it's a ridiculous amount of $$$, but fully in line with league standards. I'd also like to "third" my vote for qrk's post as "best in thread."http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif