Raw Biz

So did Bill Hall do steroids too because he never came close to matching 35 HR? Sometimes players have years like that, it happens. Just because it happened during the "steroid era" doesn't mean someone was necessarily roiding.

Exactly how I see it. If your argument is that almost everyone was doing it, then wasn't there basically a level playing field. As much as I dislike the players who used, the steroid era is a part of baseball history. And the Hall of Fame is about honoring the best players in baseball history. I don't see how you can exclude all these players from a 15-20 year span, especially when a lot of their numbers are mind-boggling and historic. Sure they might have had help getting there but as long as the record books say those numbers stand, then they should be treated as such and used to decide whether a player is worthy or not.

I'm not so sure. The Rumble is for sure. Usually the winner of the Rumble gets a match against one of the champs. They could have someone win and cash in for the WHC instead of the WWEC. But considering the WWEC is more prestigious and Ziggler hasn't cashed in yet (I think he will cash in for the WHC), I don't see that happening. It wouldn't surprise me if Cena won the Rumble and Rock beat Punk, setting up a rematch of last year. I would absolutely hate that.

Franchise mode.

I look at what Choo and Shields brought back (I know there were other pieces but still) and the deals that Ross/Upton signed for and I think teams would be willing to give up a pretty good package for Hart. Even if it meant throwing in another A/AA guy, I'd do it if it meant getting back a better package.

I'll echo TLB in that I'll respect your opinion but I'm very skeptical that the Estrada/Fiers/Peralta/Rogers can replicate what they did last year over an entire season. I don't think the Brewers should completely rebuild but I would definitely look into trading off older guys like Hart and/or ARam, both of whom could bring back a very good package. You seem to be one of those who thinks you can win with all offense and average pitching (or you think we actually have an above-average staff) and that's fine but I think you can never have enough pitching. I honestly don't think replacing Hart or ARam with Gamel/Green would mean that much over the course of a season, especially taking into account any potential upgrade we could receive back in trade, hopefully in the form of pitching. I'd sacrifice 2-3 wins this year for multiple years of a potential #2-3 starter (if we could snag one) since realistically, they are probably fighting for the 2nd WC with the Cards, Phillies, Braves, DBacks, even Pirates and whoever doesn't win the West out of the Dodgers/Giants. I just think most of those teams have more talent, especially pitching than the Brewers so it might be best to see what you can get by selling a few pieces.

I'm not willing to take a step back with the offense at all, and why should I? This offense that is currently constructed is a top 2 offense in the NL, if not the best, and is really needed until our pitching prospects develop to where they need to be. The offense "will" take a step back should Hart not be apart of it, and how much of a step back is unknown, and that's a risk I don't believe they need or should take at all. I hate to beat a dead horse here but where exactly did a top 2 offense get us the past 10 years (if the Brewers are even a top 2 is another debate). The Brewers have been a top offense, middle-of-the-pack pitching for basically the past 10 years. We got 2 playoff berths, but both were more because of pitching (C.C./Sheets and Greinke/Marcum/Yo). As constructed, I don't see how this pitching staff can even compare to those two staffs. I also think the offenses of those years were better as well. I would much rather take a step back offensively to move forward pitching-wise (or even for a younger hitter with more years of control). I think a top 6 offense and top 5 staff is better than a top 2 offense and top 10 staff. Those numbers are just thrown out there but you get my point. Pitching and multiple years of cost-control should be the philosophy of this team. We really need to start thinking like the Rays (and even Marlins to an extent) and trade guys when they become expensive and/or only have a year or two remaining, especially if we're only project to be middle-of-the-pack. I think this offseason is the perfect time to trade Hart because I really think you could get a great package for him.

Honestly, I'm surprised people still buy cds. Then again, I still buy dvds.

1. One Direction: Up All Night 2. One Direction: Take Me Home

I see this a lot on here. And I always think about our stud offenses of Hardy, Hart, Braun, Prince, Weeks, etc. We made the playoffs twice with most of that group but one of those times was outstanding pitching. The other time we had a historic second-half by one man (C.C.). I really think the focus should be on getting great pitching and average to above average offense, not the other way around.

Go for Trumbo. That be a nice 3-4-5 Trumbo a huge downgrade from Hart. Would have to be some good pitching. I wouldn't call going from a 30 year old .840 OPS to a 26 year old .810 OPS a huge downgrade. That being said, I'd rather not give up prospects for Trumbo and just trade Hart for pitching while plugging in Gamel/Green. I think a lot of people think we need a top 3 offense. I'd settle for a top 10 offense if we had top 5 pitching.

there are still a lot of starting pitchers out there, even established ones. Yeah but he said after Dempster, they were basically done. I know you're not always supposed to believe everything a GM says but in this case, I think I do.

For only two years, that isn't a bad deal. I would've done that, especially considering we are looking at Estrada as our #2 (and perhaps Fiers, Peralta, Rogers behind him). I would have felt a lot more comfortable with another established guy in there, especially at only a 2 year commitment.

If Dempster really wants a 3 year deal, give him whatever you would pay for 2 years (25 mil?) and say we'll give you the 3rd year but only an extra mil or two. I would do 3/27.

Well yeah I definitely agree with that. Like I said, Season 2.1 was pretty weak until the last episode.

I watch both of those shows so I'm not sure what your point was. I love SOA, probably one of my favorite shows right now. I agree that The Walking Dead could be a lot better, though I don't think it's all because of character development. All I'm saying is I think people are being a little too picky because I actually have seen more character development this season than last. So I think the show is definitely trending upward. Are you not sure what my point was or you just don't agree with it. I think I made my position pretty clear but if you are confused I can expand on it. I guess your point was those shows have better character development so they are more powerful? I don't know, I took that comment as you assuming I don't watch those shows but I do. And like I said, SOA is one of my favorite shows on right now. My point was you don't necessarily need great character development to be able to enjoy a show. I think sometimes people analyze stuff like that too much. But to each their own I guess.

I watch both of those shows so I'm not sure what your point was. I love SOA, probably one of my favorite shows right now. I agree that The Walking Dead could be a lot better, though I don't think it's all because of character development. All I'm saying is I think people are being a little too picky because I actually have seen more character development this season than last. So I think the show is definitely trending upward.

I think ultimately all I care about is being entertained and The Walking Dead is able to do it. If you need more character development, then so be it. But I think the show has been good to great almost its entire run (except for most of the first half of season 2).

He was the PCL Pitcher of the Year for the Sounds in 07.

It's been discussed a few times before here. On paper, it looks like a decent match. But I don't think the O's have quality pitching (Arrieta, Matsuz, etc. are not very appealing). I know Hart only has one year left but he still has more value than what we'd get in return. That being said, I would definitely trade Hart if the return was good. I think we have enough offense to cover his loss (I think any combo that includes Gamel/Green/RH would be fine). I think pitching is key and I'm not sold on all our young guys repeating last year's success.

Honestly, I think people are being too picky with the character development stuff. I never read the comics so I don't know how everything went down in them but it's a show about zombies. I'm just grateful something different (i.e. not a cop/legal procedural) is on tv. I'll admit the first half of season 2 was really slow but this season has been 10 times better so I think we're just being a bit too picky at this point.

Honestly, there is really no reason to believe this. Obviously you never say never but I say there's about a 1% chance it happens.

The Show is only available for PS3 so that's your only option if that's the game you want. I personally only have a 360 so I'm limited to the MLB2K series but I've heard good things about The Show. If you were going to get a new system, I might lean toward the ps3 because of the built-in blu-ray as well as the Uncharted series which is only available on ps3. The 360 has kinect (which doesn't need a controller to hold like the wii or ps3's move) but that's about the only thing going for it. It also has the Halo series but I never really got into it.

Yeah, he had a small part in Love Actually.

Except first you have to get there and to do so, you usually need talent. Then from there, anything can happen.