Raw Biz

See, and to me, The Wire broke all of that. There's no reason to not be accurate AND tell a great story other than laziness IMHO. But again that's the least of my problems. The sexism in this particular show is mind crushing and has me tuning in to see just how bad it's gonna get. The Wire came to mind as well but that's like a once-in-a-generation show. Compared to other crap on tv (i.e. most procedural cop/courtroom dramas), I think The Newsroom is pretty good. And I'm not sure what sexism you're referring to (other than maybe Will "dating" a bunch of random chicks).

This makes me feel a little better. Basically Greinke said he just didn't feel right last start but thought he could go again. My guess is Melvin & Co. are being very very cautious here, so that Greinke can make one more start to prove he's fine and then trade him. Or at least I hope that's what happens.

There is a difference in the type of prospect you trade for though. In the past 20 years, the Brewers have been all about quantity or quality. That's because they are always trying to fill holes at multiple positions. Sure the Sexson trade was great because we got quite a few useful players out of it. But that was a quantity trade. Obviously not all prospects will make it. I don't think anybody assumes that. But when you use all the tools at your disposal (scouts, scouting reports, stats, etc.), hopefully you can judge who will be more likely to make it and have an impact. Sometimes things may not work out but you also need to be willing to take a risk at times. If you had a chance to trade for someone who was a high risk/high reward and you had to give up a guy like Hart, you probably wouldn't do it if you're contending. But if you don't think you have the pieces to contend for a year or two (at which point the contract will be up), then I say you go for it.

Not sure if you've followed the Royals at all this year but Escobar really seems to be turning it around. He's only 25 so there's still some room for improvement. And also not sure why you think Odorizzi is only a middle of the rotation guy. He's only 22 and has had a pretty great year so far (last year was good too). His WHIP is a little high so far in AAA but the ERA is still down and the K/9 and K/BB ratios are pretty good. And doing what's he doing at 22 in AAA is great compared to other highly thought of prospects (Miller, Teheran, Perez, his teammate Montgomery). Most scouts say Odorizzi is now the top arm in the Royals system and projects to be a 1-2 guy, much more than the 3-4 you're saying. And honestly, even if all they gave up was exactly what you described, its still a lot compared to losing Greinke for nothing (if that's the case, not counting draft picks). A young solid offensive SS with above-average defense who's controlled for 5 years and a "middle of the rotation" pitcher who's controlled for 6 years would be great right now. I'd do the Greinke trade all over again but I also would have had the plan to sell him in early July had this season not gone the way I envisioned (and it hasn't). Now we face losing Greinke for nothing more than hit-or-miss draft picks, which is not a great way to build a system (at least not as good as trading for young impact talent).

I don't mean to put you down but everytime somebody is said to be on the market, somebody starts a thread saying we need to deal for them. Not only do we not have the pieces to get Shields, we shouldn't do it even if we did. The Brewers should be doing exactly what the Rays are (and have been) doing, which is trading away their talent at its peak value in exchange for younger, cheaper, long-term talent. The Brewers need to stop trading away the farm for guys on one and two-year deals. Also, I highly doubt Maldonado, Bradley/Jungmann, and an A-baller gets it done. I don't know how much value defensive-first catchers have in the trade market. I know Maldonado has been hitting great up here and I actually like him but I'm not sure if he will keep it up, as his minor league career indicates he's below-average offensively. As for Bradley/Jungmann, they're great for the Brewers to have but I don't think they would be a centerpiece in a deal for anyone else. When they were drafted, they were taken because of the thought that they could help rather quickly, not because of their ceiling. They are probably #3 type pitchers at best, closer to back-end. Especially Jungmann because of his lack of Ks thus far. The A-baller would most likely be a throw-in (unless its Gagnon, who I actually like and think should be the type of guy we need to keep). Bottom line, the Brewers do not need to deplete their farm even more for a guy who wouldn't put them over the top. One guy most likely isn't going to be the difference in 2013/14 so they are better off holding on to the multiple pieces that are cheaper and controlled for longer.

Well I never watched Sports Night or The West Wing so I can't comment too much on that. I didn't mind Studio 60 and liked The Social Network and Moneyball, even if they were a little "wordy". Though I guess that is basically what Sorkin is known for. As for how unrealistic the show is, that's basically the same with every type of tv show/movie out there. Law & Order, CSI, House, etc. All those shows are pretty unrealistic in their portrayals of everyday business in those fields. If they were realistic, they'd probably be rather boring.

Not sure why you say that. I thought last night's episode was great.

First, its "Lucroy," not "LuCroy." Not sure why so many people keep making this mistake. Also, why in the hell are you trying to start rumors that he was drunk? That kind of stuff shouldn't be tolerated here. Go post at jsonline if that's what you're going to do.

Exactly. The goal should be to win the WS, not simply make the playoffs. They should also always be trying to sustain success, not just going after these "all-in" years. They really need to trade Greinke, even if they're not technically out of it. Organizations like the Brewers have to be smart with their talent and we can't keep trading away all our prospects and only getting draft picks in return, especially when we haven't done a very good job of drafting/developing since Jack Z. left

I'm not sure why its gotten negative reviews either. Its probably my favorite new show from the past year. I also think its a great idea how its set a few years in the past so they can use real news stories instead of making stuff up. I can't stand watching news shows (I think they're so often all about entertainment and ratings, like the characters on the show say) but I love this show.

Well even if he was on the list (and I'm not sure if he was), I don't think there was ever a chance that they would've taken him. It was between Brantley and Green from everything I heard.

I'm not sure Lucroy was on that list. I thought it was between Brantley and Green.

ARam for Lee & Gould. Greinke for Olt & Odor. Done. Thank you.

I agree that's not a great package, that's why I put them last. I figured I had to include some sort of package from them since they've shown interest. However, if the Brewers are looking at competing sooner rather than later, I don't think that'd be horrible since that package would probably help sooner than any draft picks.

i am optimistic the brewers will win .750 of the rest of the games They would have to go 58-19. Even ridiculously talented teams don't go on runs like that. There's optimistic and there's just plain crazy. Even a .650 winning percentage is pushing it but .750 is just nuts.

I want no part of Dee Gordon. He's fast but he doesn't really get on base to be able to use the speed, kind of like Gomez. But at least Gomez has some power and is one of the best defensive CF in the game. I'd ask for Lee or Eovaldi, maybe Gould. After that, I'm not really interested in anyone. Although I guess it would be nice to get rid of some of that contract, I still wouldn't give him away. Obviously the Dodgers have money so the contract isn't a big deal to them but I'd be willing to eat some of it to get a better player back.

I really don't care about winning the wild card, I think they should be focused on the division. I know they aren't actively trying to settle for the WC but I'm focusing on the 8 back in the division rather than the 6 back in the WC. I don't want to have to play a one-game playoff. If we did that and lost, it would be just devastating, especially knowing how many guys are walking away for practically nothing. Basically what I'm saying is after this stretch, if they think they have a shot at the division, then fine. But if they're only shooting for the WC because they're like 4 or 5 back of that (but 6-7+ in the division), then I'd sell.

I'm not positive that Dempster will keep it up in his age 36 season. I'd consider him a decent #3. As for the Looper references, that was the first recent FA guy who came to mind who was thought of as a back-end starter. I didn't include Suppan/Wolf because they were thought of as front-end guys.

Not really sure why this was started as a topic in the Transaction/Trade Rumors forum.

The optimist in me says Texas really wants to win it all so they will trade Profar, Olt, Odor, and Perez for Greinke, KRod, and Wolf.

I think you're just making it fit your argument by saying Izturis (or some other crappy player) is batting behind Braun. Not gonna happen unless some weird double switch. And in that case, it would most likely be one AB. Obviously there will be situations where Braun will be pitched around. But over the course of an entire season, it will have little effect.

What Adam said. I'm assuming Greinke and Marcum are both gone and assuming both will be replaced with in-house options. Even if they went with a signing, I think it'd be closer to a Looper-type 4-5 than a top-of-the-rotation guy. There aren't really any answers with the bullpen or SS either. I don't see why they wouldn't be able to go out and get a Dempster/Lohse type SP. Which if they do that, and upgrade the bullpen which shouldn't be too difficult considering how it can't get any worse, Idk if we'd be a playoff team necessarily, but we could be a 85ish win team. I don't think adding a Dempster/Lohse will significantly upgrade the team. I think they are closer to a Looper-type than a front-end, especially at their ages. Also, the bullpen can always get worse. I wouldn't just assume it's going to get better. For me, everything starts and ends with pitching. We tried for years with Prince/Braun/etc. and average pitching and it didn't work. We were lucky to finish .500. If we go back to that average pitching next year (and without Prince), I don't see how we could still be an 85-win team. That's why I don't think they will compete because their pitching will be below-average to average. Even a combo of Yo/Dempster/Fiers/Estrada/Narvy/Peralta/Thornburg would most likely be average.

HiAndTight, its really hard to take you serious when you're so condescending in every post. It's one thing to take a different view or even question something specifically said but when you start telling people they need to learn the definitions of words or to read a little closer, it is just inviting more personal attacks. You seem to do this in a lot of posts and it can easily derail a thread. That being said, obviously its only July but like you said, a lot of things would have to go right for the Brewers for them to make the playoffs. Sure they have potential but I don't think they will reach it. I'm not sure if you would be happy with just making the playoffs but anything less than NLCS/WS is a bust for me. I have no problem waiting a little bit to sell. However, I still think Melvin should at least be taking offers now to gauge interest and see what type of package he might receive. He may very well be doing that behind closed doors but we probably would've heard some rumblings if that were the case. If he decides to sell later, the return may not be as great because A) thats less starts for Greinke to make with that team and B) there was less time to negotiate/play offers against each interested team. Also, at what point do you sell? I'm not sure who all plays one another next but say the Brewers wind up 6 games back after the next 3 series. Then do you sell? Again, I'm not sure if this is possible with the schedule but what if they lose every series but wind up 4 games back with a month left due to other teams playing poorly? I guess it all depends on how well/poor they are playing in combo with the number back. I just think if they're anything more than 5 out and haven't won a bunch, then its time to sell.

I'd definitely take that as well, though it would be nice to get at least one pitcher. That article is what actually inspired me to make my hypothetical trades post.

What Adam said. I'm assuming Greinke and Marcum are both gone and assuming both will be replaced with in-house options. Even if they went with a signing, I think it'd be closer to a Looper-type 4-5 than a top-of-the-rotation guy. There aren't really any answers with the bullpen or SS either.