Raw Biz

And more stupid baserunning...

I might've said good decision if McGehee was still hitting 5th but with Rickie up, I would've held him.

Well the point is that Yuni never should have been the starter all year. He really shouldn't have been the starter at all but there weren't other options to start the year. Since Yuni played so poorly and Wilson was at least competent, then yes we can blame the manager now. And I never had an intense hatred for Yuni, I wanted him to get a fair shot. He more than got that shot so someone else should get the chance now.

Those are numbers for this year. If you looked at last year's numbers, JJ would look awful and Betancourt would look pretty decent (at least in terms of HR/RBI). Hardy has always had trouble staying healthy and I don't think I would've given him that contract. I think people also forget how bad he was the past couple of years (at least offensively).

Yeah, I think Haudricourt already said yesterday he was going to start back to back. I doubt Lucroy will ever catch Wolf again.

Actually the hole was created by trading Escobar in the Greinke deal, which I would do again. Do people forget how bad Hardy was in 09? He wasn't any better last year either. This year he's finally playing well again but by my count, he's had about 3 good years and 3 bad years. He was also injured which is part of his problems. And why do people consistently call Gomez garbage. Offense isn't the only thing that matters in baseball. Sure he's a pretty bad offensive player in terms of getting on base but he is easily a top 5 defensive CF. Plus, he has some power and when he does get on base, his speed can be deadly. I just don't understand how informed baseball fans (like most on here) can think Gomez is garbage when he is so valuable defensively. If he was always a #8 hitter (like he should have been), there would be a lot less haters.

I wonder how closely Attanasio follows the minors. I'm not usually for owners getting involved but he should know that McGehee has been awful all season and that Taylor Green is tearing it up in AAA. He should just tell Melvin to call up Green and get rid of one of Counsell/Yuni/Wilson or send down McGehee.

Do you really think the way Braddock was pitching that he wouldn't have allowed more guys to score? You can't put that on Loe, it's a lot harder to come in with runners on base and try to get guys out than it is to start a clean inning.

I would still use Axford as the main closer and KRod in the 8th, with the occasional save opportunity. And then I would still offer KRod arbitration. In this scenario, he probably wouldn't accept because A) he already waived the vesting option meaning he wants to becomes a FA and B) he would know for sure that he would be a setup man to Axford. If the Brewers split closing duties 50/50 or even 60/40 either way, I could see KRod accepting arbitration because it would be a sign to him that there is still a chance for him to close. Even then, I still think he would want to try for a multi-year deal. I just think 2 high draft picks (assuming nothing changes with the draft) are too valuable to pass up because there's a chance he accepts. If he accepts, we have another solid closer for one year or we trade him to someone and eat some money or we potentially trade Axford for a stud prospect.

Counsell could easily be 0 for his last 32 after tonight.

/blue?

I disagree with this. Gamel has said that he never really felt comfortable at 3B. He might get to more balls than McGehee but the amount of errors (throwing) would probably negate anything from his range. Not to mention how doing poorly on defense could get into his head and start messing with his offense. While we are "all-in" this year, we also have to think about next year and Gamel is our planned 1B so he should just focus on that in AAA. However, I actually would like to see him also get some time in the OF to perhaps help us in September/playoffs if we get there. He could be our power threat off the bench, as well as give Hart some days off. Also, Braun could get re-injured (really hope he doesn't) and I don't want to have to rely on Kotsay.

I think the easy call would be Braddock. Send him down to work on his issues while bringing in another lefty to take his place.

All correct and has been discussed in the KRod traded thread.

I think B, C, and D are all realistic options. We could take a risk on Furcal and hope he stays healthy. If Melvin calls up Green to replace McGehee's dreadful offense in the 6 hole, then I could see getting a defensive guy like Ryan. And I could also easily see Bartlett coming back as an offensive guy (using that term very loosely) if he will be keeping McGehee up.

I think it's dumb because I don't think he's worth the money it will cost to resign him (7-8 being on the cheaper end). Would I like to have him now? Well yeah because he's better than Yuni. But would I like to sign him to an extension for what he would want? No. A defensive stud that puts up a .750-.800 OPS? What do you think a guy like that is going to get on the open market? I think 7-8 million is on the low end for him, so I'm surprised you'd have a problem giving him that even. I also don't see Hardy as being the missing piece to put them over the top. Nobody said he was. I don't understand why people look at it this way either. It's not as if there is always that one player who just tips the balances. It's a cumulative effort. Hardy himself isn't going to put them over the top, but the question is, is he worth the contract. I think most would say yes, and looking at his production over his career, 7-8 million figures to be a steal for him. Sure they could sign Prince next year but they'd still have an aging, declining Guerrero (not sure what his contract is like), strikeout/mendoza line king Reynolds, as well as various other pieces that IMO, are overrated (or in some cases, just haven't played up to their potential). Adam Jones is a stud and Markakis has had a couple good early years but has struggled this year. Wieters is still young but is struggling to put up a .700 OPS in his 3rd year. Brian Roberts is aging and declining (and is owed a lot) and Luke Scott hasn't done much either. There are 25 guys on a team. There are always going to be lesser players. The question is does their core, with the addition of someone like Prince offer the potential to turn it around and contend. As for Markakis, he has several years in where he's been a stud and he's back up to .292/.342 this year, so...early season struggles aren't that important to me. If you read my post after I made that one, you would see that I changed my mind and said I probably would sign him for 7-8 mil (I also said that's the low end) if that's what it took because we have no one coming up. However, I wouldn't call him a defensive stud. He's above-average but I wouldn't say stud. The main reason I would be wary of giving him too much is because he has trouble staying healthy and I don't think he will maintain what he's doing this year. You say he's a .750 - .800 OPS guy but he did that in 07 and 08 and so far this year in ~250 ABs. He was .659 in 09 and .714 last year (as well as .711 rookie year and .693 in injury-shortened 06). I believe he is closer to a .700 OPS guy who plays above average defense. I would definitely take him for this year and I would resign him to a reasonable contract (3 yr/21 mil territory). But I would not be comfortable giving him 10 mil/year, which he could realistically get.

I personally don't ever really look at WAR that much. I don't think Loe is amazing but I do think he can be a solid bullpen pitcher when used correctly (against righties, not 3 days in a row). I wouldn't use him over Hawkins, Saito, or KRod (unless they've pitched multiple days in a row) but he is still a useful pitcher. And despite Kotsay's solid week filling in for Braun, I still think he is basically worthless, especially the way he is used on this team. So that's how I can deride Kotsay and stand up for Loe. One is useful when used correctly and the other has basically no use at all. On a side note, after wearing 75 last night, KRod has switched to 57. I wonder what Stetter will wear if/when he gets called back?

Like And That said, he was pretty solid last year, even if his WHIP was a little high (though WHIP can be a little higher with relief pitchers). I'm sure these sleep problems are still affecting him. He's had stretches where he's pitched well this year but lately he's been terrible. I would send him back down to work things out again. Also, and I'm not trying to attack you, but it seems like every post I read of yours is negative. You say that Braddock is awful and has been that way his whole career, which just isn't true. You called Greinke a "sally" in the game in which he was taken out after giving up 7 runs in 2 innings and blame him for hurting the bullpen, even though he easily could've pitched longer. Roenicke just took him out, while he left Wolf in a few days later to get beat up. You also seem to be negative toward the posters here as a whole. In the Cirillo thread, you passive aggressively said something about not having the same "silly opinions" you see here (as in on this board). And here's another quote from you "And I you are never allowed to get out with guys on base if you are disliked by brewerfan or you are awful as well." I'm not sure what that means but it seems to be another talking down to this board. You've also complained in the in-game thread about people who complain about Yuni/Greinke/McGehee's struggles. There have been other instances as well but I don't feel like looking them all up. I know you've also said some positive things but the negative stuff, especially the negative stuff directed toward people here, really sticks out. If you think everyone here are idiots or whatever, then why come and post? Some of your comments seem more suited to the jsonline board.

How is a closer a natural position? How is it any different than any other relief pitcher? Sure there might be a different mentality to it but I wouldn't classify it as a natural position over any other relief pitcher. Also, it's not like it would have to be all or nothing. I said in an early post (not sure if it was this thread or a different one) that if KRod struggled, the team could easily justify using other pitchers. They could also go to a bullpen by committee and still allow KRod to get some saves but also use other guys and claim they were going with matchups or wanting to keep guys fresh. They've already said that they were going to use matchups to determine who closes between KRod and Axford so why not claim to use matchups with KRod, Saito, and Hawkins. Grievances are difficult to win, which is why there are few filed. The burden to prove is on the filing party.

Am I reading this wrong or did they change the rules for an inning?

maybe I'm just overly tired from not sleeping well last night, but this question boggles my mind. How could K-Rod be pitching the TOP of the 9th inning when the Brewers are on the road? Never mind the losing part.As brewerfan82 pointed out, I think he just mis-typed and meant to basically say if KRod pitched the last inning, even if the Brewers lost, would it count as a finished game. Finished games have nothing to do with saves. You get a finished game by being the last pitcher used on your team, regardless of whether you won or lost (unless it's a CG from the starter).

I'm sure they could do that but I don't really know why the Brewers would (unless they are really scared of Axford getting hurt or something). The vesting option is entirely in the Brewers control because they can determine how to use him. The extra picks would definitely be nice, especially if he signed with a team in the top half of the standings (1st rd v. 2nd rd pick). Like others, I don't see him accepting arbitration because A) he's a Boras client, B) wants to get at least one more big contract, and C) he doesn't want to be a setup guy, which the Brewers could tell him he would be since they have Axford. Basically it would probably be beneficial to KRod to waive the clause because he might get more save chances that way (though I still think Axford would since he's pitched better the last two years) but wouldn't be to the Brewers because they would lose out on 2 possible picks.

I don't think you can really judge now whether Narv-Dog will get skipped or not. If he's pitching like he started the year (small sample alert), it would be hard to just skip a start from him. Plus, as some mentioned, getting a day off can actually help some pitchers (meaning extra day off for whole staff).

Maybe your XBox is like Surf Ninjas where the kid's Game Gear tells the future.

I wouldn't (and I don't know if that would even be enough from the O's side). Hardy would be a rental, has a hard time staying healthy, and I wouldn't want to pay what it would cost to resign him. And Reynolds hasn't been a very good defender, strikes out way too much for my taste (even if K's are overrated by some, 200 is a ton), and barely hits .220. I really like Green and think he can be a solid contributor at 3rd. We'll also need our pitching prospects if we can't resign Marcum and/or Greinke. And if we want to resign Hardy, at least one of them (if not both) wouldn't be resigned. Respectfully, I disagree about a few things. Hardy would not be a rental. The Brewers have zero viable internal candidates to play SS in 2012 or 2013. Hardy would be re-signed to a multi-year deal and I speculate it would be approximately 3 year $21-$24MM ($7-$8MM/AAV), a price worth paying given we have Gamel, McGehee and Lucroy in the everyday lineup making close to league minimum. Secondly, a re-signed JJ doesn't inhibit our ability to re-sign a Greinke or Marcum. Betancourt and Hawkins salary come off the books at the end of the year and they make $8MM combined in 2011. Plus Betancourt's buyout is paid by the Royals IIRC. I'd gladly give all those dollars straight to JJ. This should allow for the lack of Prince's $15.5MM to be targeted for Greinke/Marcum. Plus Wolf's salary is off the books after 2012, when Marcum and Greinke extensions would begin. I do agree though about Reynolds. I have zero interest. He'd be the Strikeout King of the Midwest. He reminds of Betancourt, similar glove with more power and the ability to draw a walk, but very likely a worse average. I'd gladly give up Green + one of Peralta/Rivas for JJ. I'd even do McGehee + Peralta/Rivas for JJ and call up Green to play 3B. (I'd probably trade for a backup plan at 3B like Casey Blake as insurance in that case though) First, I meant that in my scenario, in that trade, Hardy would be a rental because I wouldn't want to resign him for what he would probably ask for (I was thinking more along the lines of 9-10 mil/year). Second, I wouldn't do your first trade but I would probably do the second. As likeable as McGehee is as a person, he really doesn't seem to be anything special anymore. Maybe this year is a fluke but his minor league numbers suggest he's actually closer to this year's numbers than the previous year and a half (though he still could be a ..700-750 OPS guy). And since we're going all-in this year, our hole at SS would need to be filled so I'd trade one of our top pitching prospects not named Thornburg for JJ. Having JJ and Green on the left-side would be a huge upgrade. As far as resigning JJ, if it would take 7-8 mil like you said, I would probably do that since we don't have anyone coming up soon. However, I disagree that you can just say that money would basically equal Hawkins/Yuni's salaries coming off because there will be raises elsewhere (Weeks and Hart in particular, though losing Prince will offset some of that too). Edit- Re: ramssuperbowl's comments --> I know the O's probably wouldn't consider any of those deals. I said that in one of my previous posts. But I also said that even if they would accept that, I don't know if I would do the first deal. As for the second deal I mentioned above, yeah I would do that even though the O's wouldn't.