colbyjack

Think along the lines of the Dan Haren deal that is what it would take to get Peavy. The Padres tanked pretty hard, and while the NL West is an incredibly fluid division, it's not surprising that the Padres are following the A's lead with Haren to get the most while they can for Peavy, who while signed to a relatively solid deal, is still making a good chunk of change through at least 2012, and possibly 2013. That said, as others have already noted, he's 27 years old, has a Cy Young award under his belt, and is a legitimate staff ace. If the Brewers gave the package they did for 3-4 months of Sabathia, I don't understand the resistance for trading a similar package, even if it is slightly better, to acquire Peavy. I really like X ellence's idea of trading Fielder to the Rays for pitching prospects (to the Padres) to land Peavy, although you have to believe the Padres would be looking at either Hardy or Escobar in any proposed deal with the Brewers. While the Padres have added a ton of talent into their system the past year between the draft and the international free agent market, they have a severe need for a SS.

Yeah, the Gold Glove is all about reputation, and if you don't play CF you better be Ichiro-esque on a corner.

One thing my wife and I try to do when our son is throwing a tantrum is to start singing. Quite often he'll say "no, stop that," to which we respond "if we can't sing you're going to have to." It is surprising how often this works. I pulled this yesterday morning when he was mega-crabby, and he responded by humming/muttering the Sesame Street song in a very disgruntled fashion, of which it was very hard not to laugh or even break a smile. The times he doesn't say "no, stop that" he will usually sing and/or dance with us. Now, I'm not sure if this works effectively because we sing a lot (or at least more than mentally stable people do), so you may have to alter this to something that works for you. I agree, don't resort to rewarding him for bad behavior. I don't think you'll ever break those habits, as the other comments have noted that you'll probably just have to wait for your child to outgrow them, but there are clever ways to re-direct his attention. You have to stand your ground, even if that is in a public place when bad behavior can make it that much more frustrating. Do you use time outs? We don't use them much, and of course they're harder to do when you're short on time, but they are effective.

Jeremy Jeffress goes 3.1 innings, giving up 5 hits, 3 BB and 3 ER while striking out 3. It seemed as though his starts during the regular season followed an on and off sequence as well. Finding the strike zone was his biggest issue on the day, as only 36 of the 67 pitches he threw were for strikes. As noted above, Taylor Green hit a home run, a 2-run shot, which accounted his first home run and his first 2 RBI in the league. Overall he went 1-4, scoring a pair of runs, walking once and striking out once. He is now hitting .333 and hopefully sees more regular playing time through the rest of the league's season. Omar Aguilar closed out the game for the Javelinas while picking up his first save. He did give up a hit, and struck out a batter (interestingly enough his first strikeout in 3 appearances), but was finding the zone hitting the zone on 11 of his 14 pitches. http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/s...008_10_16_msswin_perwin_1

i agree that Zduriencik has been more responsible for the teams success, that doens't mean i'd just let Jack Z be the GM and let Melvin walk. Bottom line is Melvin has extensive GM experience, has pulled off some huge trades. Zduriencik has a great eye for talent and is an excellent scouting director. I don't see that being a direct correlation to being a great GM. There are money decisions in the horizon for the brewers and I'd rather let Doug make them then Jack. I agree 100%. If Doug Melvin were to walk, I don't think I would want to see an inexperienced GM take over to try and sustain the team's success coming off of the team's first playoff appearance in 26 years. That just doesn't seem like a good recipe for success to me, and that isn't meant to criticize Zduriencik at all. Jack Z. IMO is more likely to land a job like the one in Seattle or the one he was passed up for in Pittsburgh last year where the focus will be to start grooming talent from the ground up while also allowing for more on the job training. I would guess that the Brewers would be more likely to pursue someone like Pat Gillick should Melvin depart, which doesn't sound as though it will become as issue per Haudricourt.

I'm a Davey Johnson fan, but if the team and Doug Melvin are intent on making their decision soon, I'm guessing Sveum will be back, which I'm not opposed to.

USS Mariner seems to think Tony LaCava is the best fit: http://ussmariner.com/200...0/16/lacava-dipoto-or-ng/

Logan Schafer went 0-2 with a pair of walks and a stolen base, while Caleb Gindl went 1-3 with a run scored. They're hitting .162 and .209 respectively. Mike Ramolow gave up 2 ER in an inning of work, striking out a batter, giving up a single and a triple and allowing the 2nd run to score on a groundball out. http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/s...008_10_15_honwin_wocwin_1

http://www.nmnathletics.com.edgesuite.net/pics21/640/PL/PLQEFJJSUZTGKDO.20080924134912.jpg Minnesota WR Eric Decker is having a huge season as the Gophers most dynamic player, leading D1 in receiving and receiving yards, while being 3rd in yards/game and 4th in receptions/game. It is going to be very interesting to follow his career. He is only in his junior year of eligibility, and may choose to stick around for another year at Minnesota if he doesn't project to go very high in the NFL draft (he isn't a burner, which likely will effect his draft status). If he played at Notre Dame, his exploits might be getting more attention right now.

Rain postpones tonight's West Oahu/Honolulu contest. Don't stay up for updates on this one http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif.

http://aflbrewers.mlblogs.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-172081-250x250.png I've been having issues with MLB.com related sites recently, a problem I resolved this evening, so I apologize for not catching this feature before, but Taylor Green is blogging as part of his AFL experience, and his entries can be found here: http://aflbrewers.mlblogs.com/ Also, regarding my post from earlier today, Periard ended up pitching only that one, scoreless inning, and Jeffress never found his way into the game, so hopefully he goes tomorrow.

In Progress: Phoenix 0, Peoria 3, after 4 innings http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/s...008_10_14_pddwin_perwin_1 Gameday feature: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/ga...008_10_14_pddwin_perwin_1 Alexandre Periard came in the 4th inning to pitch. The first game Periard pitched, so did Jeremy Jeffress, so you may want to keep an eye on this game this afternoon if you're looking for a way to kill time between now and the end of the work day. If Jeffress doesn't go today, you can be sure to follow him tomorrow, as the Javelinas will take on Mesa during another 1:35 CST starting time. The starting lineup is Brewer-less. Also, getting back to an earlier question, I can't seem to find any links or information about having any of the games broadcast on the internet. The championship game will be broadcast on MLB TV.

There is a nice feature on Jeremy Jeffress currently on BA's homepage (link for subscribers only): http://www.baseballameric...l-league/2008/267023.html http://www.baseballamerica.com/images/jjeffress08428309bm.jpg Jeffress is working on throwing more strikes, keeping the ball down, improving his 2-seamer and improving the command of his secondary stuff by taking a little off of his curveball early in the game to get a feel for it before he started to snap off his harder ones. He was praised for his work ethic, coachability and mechanics, with this quote from the Javelinas pitching coach (Ted Power): ""That's a good, young strong arm with very smooth mechanics. Somebody has worked with him and really gotten him into a groove."'

FYI, the HWB was off on Monday. West Oahu resumes play today against Honulu for a day game, 3pm HT (8pm CST).

A post of mine got crushed by Yuku maintenance before, but I just wanted to point out that today's Javelinas/Desert Dogs contest today featured a pretty interesting matchup between top pitching prospects Phil Hughes and Max Scherzer. Neither factored into the decision despite going 5 strong innings, and Cain's single did come against Scherzer, who saw significant time with the D-Backs this past season.

Don't get me wrong, Gillespie could still develop into an everyday player. His age obviously is the biggest thing working against him, but he has hit at every level he has played at, with people often dismissing his production because he is older than guys like Cain, Brantley, etc. That doesn't mean his production or overall talent level is any less legitimate. As I noted above, for the Brewers in particular Gillespie may have a hard time getting a chance to prove himself.

Before this gets particularly nasty, I just want to point out that I appreciate the insight from both wvpowerblkwel and SunGrasses. I don't think it is particularly fair to pick on wvpowerblkwel, as he seems to be getting singled out for some issues with the hosting process in Charleston, and he doesn't go out of his way to criticize the players he has had the opportunity to watch play. It is unfair to assume that he is part of this problem, and from what I can tell based on what he shares with us, he is not. We have had other people affiliated with other teams in the Brewers chain (such as the person who followed the Helena club this past summer, who wasn't shy about criticizing some of the players on that team), and it is always nice to have those opinions shared with us, good or bad, since 99.9% of us don't get to see any of these players, or take in the individual team experiences, in person.

Ben Badler of Baseball America is doing a really nice, division by division recap of the international free agent signings. As guessed, the Brewers didn't get involved with any of the higher profile players (players that require a 6-figure bonus), but he does have some info on the players the Brewers did sign. Subscribers can view the details here: http://www.baseballameric...-affairs/2008/267022.html Here's a summary of the players they did sign: Luis Chirinos - Venezuelan corner OF signed for $90,000. Turned 16 in late August. Jaime King - 6'4", 210 pound 19-year old Dominican RHP. Touches low-90s with CB and CH. Jose Ramos - another 19-year old Dominican RHP. Also touches the low-90s.

I've been one of the biggest proponents for Cole Gillespie, and I think Toby put it best in his P50 comment, "The quietest 858 OPS in Southern League history?" However, even I will admit that at 24 years old it seems unlikely that he develops into more than a platoon player. He has been compared to Matt Murton in the past, a comparison that I think is spot on. The biggest thing working against Gillespie in the Brewers organization is the fact that he bats right-handed. With an all RH hitting OF this past year (which doesn't look as though it will change anytime soon), Gillespie might have a hard time sticking with the Brewers and may end up finding success with another team. Lorenzo Cain on the other hand I think is one of the most talented Brewers prospects that people don't seem to be hyping up as much as they could, although that can be justified since the statistical success hasn't been as pronounced the past two seasons. That IMO has to do with his production in the FSL, which really took the wind out of his sails following a very good year with West Virginia in 2006 (which followed up his MVP season in the Arizona Rookie League in 2005). Again noted in the P50 comments, Cain progressed in some key areas this past year, and here is his year-by-year breakdown: 2005: .341/.408/.507 in 229 AB (most at Arizona) 2006: .306/.383/.423 in 527 AB (record-breaking year at WV in Sally League) 2007: .276/.338/.344 in 482 AB (power was surpressed the first year in the FSL) 2008: .279/.356/.448 in 484 AB (similar ABs as 2007, but the patience and power really improved) Career: .294/.366/.422 in 1,722 career ABs Plus, he's 94 for 123 in stolen base attempts (a 76% success rate). Cain reminds me a lot of Randy Winn, a career 'tweener in that he doesn't have the ideal range to play CF but excels in RF. A player that has been miscast as a leadoff hitter at times during his career but has thrived in other spots of the lineup. A player whose power isn't ideal for a corner spot, but at least has matured to a respectable level. Winn has always been a solid, reliable and durable big-league player (and one that actually would be a very good fit for the current Brewers lineup), even if he has been overpaid the past few years. I bring this up because players that profile in a similar fashion to players like Randy Winn and Matt Murton are just as important for the team to develop internally as players such as Ryan Braun or even Mitch Stetter, and I'm encouraged by Cain's and Gillespie's development so far. Hopefully Cain really turns the corner next year while Gillespie stays pretty much as steady as he has been with them both starting to knock at the big-league door. Cain figures to be the better fit to the Brewers future OF since he profiles better in CF than Gillespie does.

FYI, for those of you looking for boxscores and other AFL news, the league was off today.

http://mlb.mlb.com/images/2008/10/12/pVvaoKek.jpg Chris Cody http://mlb.mlb.com/news/a...ws_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb Chris Cody allowed one hit over five innings before the West Oahu CaneFires rallied in the eighth for a 1-1, 10-inning tie with the visiting Waikiki BeachBoys. Cody (Brewers) and Waikiki starter Mitsuo Yoshikawa dueled for five frames before both clubs turned the game over to their bullpens. Cody struck out two and held the BeachBoys to a run on one hit and a walk. Yoshikawa, who played for the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters this season, allowed two hits and a walk. He struck out three. Yonder Alonso drew a two-out walk in the top of the first inning, stole second and scored when fellow Reds prospect Todd Frazier lined a double off the top of the wall in left-center field to give Waikiki (6-7-1) a 1-0 lead. Frazier, the Reds' supplemental first-round pick in 2007, had both of Waikiki hits. West Oahu (6-7-1) knotted the score in the eighth, 1-1, when Mark Hallberg (Diamondbacks) hit a double down the left-field line to plate Marlins catcher Chris Hatcher from second. The CaneFires bullpen kept the game within reach for five innings. Brian Parker (Orioles) and Pirates farmhands Harrison Bishop and Moises Robles each tossed a perfect inning before Cliff Flagello (Orioles) allowed the BeachBoys' second hit over the final two frames. Cubs prospect Jeremy Papelbon worked a scoreless 10th to secure the tie for Waikiki. David Pfeiffer was charged with his first blown save after allowing a run on two hits in 2 2/3 innings for the 'Boys. Box Score: While Cody had a strong start, Caleb Gindl and Logan Schafer both return to the lineup and each record an 0-4 game. http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/s...008_10_12_waiwin_wocwin_1

Gindl and Schafer both had the night off, and no Brewers pitcher took the mound for West Oahu in the HWB.

Brae Wright made his second AFL appearance last night, tossing an inning and giving up a hit and 2 walks with one strikeout, and yet he managed to get out of his inning of work without giving up a run (he did so by striking out first round draft pick Gordon Beckham with the bases loaded). Omar Aguilar worked the 9th inning and gave up a hit and a walk, but like Wright, managed to squeak out of the inning without any runs crossing the plate. Aguilar did so with a runner on third base (Beckham) with nobody out. As twobrewers noted, playing time has been hard to come by for the Brewers bats. http://www.minorleaguebas...008_10_11_peswin_perwin_1

I can't remember if Mel Ott played a corner spot or CF, but he and Kirby Puckett would be examples of sub-5'9" OFs that had significant power. For a current comparison, Jason Kubel might be a fair expectation. He's listed at 5'11" but I've heard that is a generous listing.

Just when you mention him, he shows up. Mike Ramlow pitched very well in last night's game as West Oahu faced Yankees top draft pick Jeremy Bleich and the Waikiki team. Ramlow worked 3 innings, allowed 3 hits and struck out 3. Logan Schafer and Caleb Gindl both went 0-4. Gindl had a pair of Ks.