JJHardy7

The thing your missing is that by releasing Nelson, Iribarren gets an oppurtunity to prove something at the MLB level. He's a better player than Nelson, why shouldn't he get that oppurtunity? Nelson will be a minor leafue FA after this year, the Brewers could pick him up if they want, but they will likely pick up one of the several minor FAs that would profile better as an MLB bench player. He's getting his chance because Weeks is on the DL.

One thing you can't do running a franchise is to get emotionally attached to players. Fans that follow the entire system naturally pick out players they like and hope to see succeed. It's laughable that some say Nelson didn't get a chance. He got 8 minor league seasons and over 3600 plate appearances. During that time, dozens of his teammates were released. Most if not all of those guys might have a better case that they didn't get a chance than Nelson has. If you don't realize going into professional baseball that it's a cut throat business, you learn pretty quick. Any chance you get, you have to take advantage of. Now Nelson is back at AAA which is where he belongs. He's playing baseball for a living. We should all be so fortunate. He should enjoy it while it lasts. I don't think I'm being emotionally attached. I've stated that it's not the end of the world for the team. I just think it was a dumb roster move. I think losing anybody on the 25-man roster (well except Julio) for Gamel to sit on the bench would be dumb.

Look at Portland. They traded all of their high priced vets and went young. They lucked out and got the #1 pick, but they also got Roy in a draft day trade for Foye, they got Aldridge in a draft day trade for Tyrus Thomas, they cleared a ton of salary, buy draft picks from teams who want to stay out of the luxury tax and overall draft well. Is Oden going to live up to the pick? When was the last time the Bucks ever did something like the Blazers or Thunder? I understand what you're saying, but I think it does have some risk with it. First you need to find two teams that would take Redd and Jefferson. The teams you mentioned all made the moves in a different economy. Teams aren't going to take on big contracts and most teams are close to the 'cap'. That's why we've seen players traded for nothing (Camby comes to mind). In other words, it was a lot easier to clear cap space a few years back. The Bucks did shed Mo Williams contract last summar and Bobby Simmons. I know they took back Jefferson, but to me I'd still make that move. I don't think the Bucks are as bad as their record is either. If they're healthy, come back with the same team (I know not likely), and add a player or two, I don't think it's out of the question that they could win at least 10 - 15 more games next year. That would put them in a nice spot. I'm mixed on whether or not they should trade the veterans. I think they should stand pat and wait for the contracts to expire due to the fact that I don't see a lot of teams wanting to add salary due to the economy.

How did we add more payroll to next years bench? We didn't even add more payroll to this years bench. We'll pay Catalanoto the same as we paid Nelson. Next years bench will include minimum salary guys like Iribarren and Gillespie. Having Gamel on the bench last night gave the Brewers a chance to win the game. Gamel and Nelson do not compare as hitters. We don't know how next year's bench will look. We very well could go the cheap route, but losing Nelson doesn't help that. Cat could suck. The Hurricane hasn't proved anything at the MLB level either has Gillespie or Nelson for that matter. I guess I will be disappointed if we have a crappy bench next year that we pay too much for. It's not easy to find those guys for those roles IMO. I also think we need 2 reserve OFs for next year. I don't know if we'll be able to get 2 from the minors (remember the Hurricane has barely played in the OF in his career). I'm not comparing Nelson and Gamel as hitters...at all. Gamel should never have been called up given the 'role' he's been given. I don't see Gamel as a bench player. Again, I'm not upset just because we lost Nelson. It's how we lost him. We lost him for nothing. That doesn't mean we could've traded him. For example, if it was determined that Hall would be benched and we called up Gamel to start...that makes sense IMO. Gamel's handful of at-bats don't justify getting rid of Nelson IMO.

Outstanding work Mass Hass. It really shows the people running things here know their business. I agree with X for the most part (it is great work Mass no doubt). I think the point is for a small market team you need to fill spots say 22 - 25 with cheap players. You can spend more money on other positions. Nelson was fairly young, cheap, and just raked in ST. It's not like he's been the worst hitter in the world to make the bigs. I'd rather have a guy like him as my PH and once in awhile fill in at other spots. You could also argue that Nix could be a mistake -- he was somewhat given a chance though. I'm not really upset over the guys we've lost in terms of guys starting. I do think though you need to keep some of these guys for bench type roles or you have to pay veterans to come in. The board here was somewhat upset over signing Counsell to a $1 million deal this year. It will take more in future years to get a guy who will stay. We've gone through so many bench guys lately and it'd be nice to have a cheap option. Is Nelson that guy? Maybe or maybe not. I think he deserved more given how he was let go. Gamel has been on the bench still...the move still doesn't make sense. Hopefully the Brewers will be able to find guys for the bench spots. Again, they won't lose a ton of games because of this. Long-term though you need to extend/trade/decide on guys like Fielder, Weeks, Hardy, Hart, Yo, Parra, etc. and find bench guys. I'd rather find cheap young guys like Nelson, Nix, Sarfate, etc. to fill those back spots instead of having guys like Cat and Julio on the team. Again, I'm not saying Nelson should start everyday and I have yet to read a post that says we lost an all-star. We have now IMO added more payroll to the bench for next year. Most likely Cat and Counsell will be gone and maybe Duffy too. I just hope my point is clear. We haven't lost all-stars, but we have lost guys that could fill roles on a team. I just hope we don't spend $3 million on bench guys next year.

Building around an oft injured "superstar" that can't create his own shot and doesn't play defense isn't ever going to win in the NBA. Again, according to some resources Redd is a top 20 player in the league. Look back in this thread for the links. I also don't know if I'd call him 'oft injured'. He's really only missed significant time two times. I would imagine if this team was healthy all year they would've made the playoffs pretty easily. I think they actually could've gotten at least a 6 seed. trwi7...I think the problem with your reasoning is that you really can't rebuild in the NBA. There's no point. You could lose a bunch of games and then get screwed like the Kings and get the #4 pick in a bad draft. I think the missing piece from this Bucks team is a stud PF. I know they're hard to find, but with Sessions, Redd, Jefferson, stud PF, and Bogut that would be a pretty darn good team. CV is a good player. He's more of a SF to me though and the Bucks have/had enough of those types on the team this year. I was hoping against hope they'd get Griffin. You add Blake to this team and I personally think they're a top 4 team in the East if healthy. I think Blake is going to be that good and Bogut would have a career year playing next to him. The major issue IMO is the health of Bogut. I'm starting to wonder if he's going to be counted on in the future. I really like him and his numbers have gotten better every year. I think he's close to being an elite big guy (there aren't many of them in the NBA...so it probably makes it easy for him to get there), but he's going to have to stay healthy. Redd's injury also worries me a bit. We're essentially on the hook for $18 million after next year once he picks up his option.

Is it me...or does Prince not look as 'skinny' as he did in spring training?

Great interview! FTJ -- are you alive? Brooks said he LIKED Yost!

It makes sense to shop Fielder in the offseason or 2010 trading deadline to an AL team with a pitching surplus. Of course the Rays come to mind first, but other teams could fit the mold. Perhaps the Jays would offer Halladay type package or the Royals would offer a Greinke type package. Neither probably will happen, but that is the type of demand that the Brewers need to put forward for a top shelf bat like Prince Fielder. That will give us a chance to retool for 2010, 11, and beyond. I don't see either of those two deals happening. I'd assume the team would try to get a younger 'ace' in order to save payroll for Yo, Hardy, etc.

Also keep in mind that Redd is a FA after this year and the bucks may need to get a 2, like Henderson or Ellington. He has a player option after this year, which I have to believe is a slam dunk for him to pick up.

Jack is on his death bed, Kim comes to a last minute rescue, Tony is dragged away kicking and screaming that Jack is a wuss after revealing that he turned bad to avenge his dead wife and unborn son, Wilson is in custody and Renee is ready to go "Jack" on him, Olivia is in custudy for her role in the killing of Hodges, and the President's personal life is falling apart because her son is dead, her daughter is arrested and her husband is really PO'd because she chose to do her job instead of his bidding. What more could you want? Well we have to wait until January for that. That's the problem. Next season looks like it could be good, but this season ended pretty poorly IMO. Jack isn't going to die. It's been obvious (at least to me) that it won't happen and it's not going to happen. I would've like to see more 'action' the past few weeks instead of setting something up 8 months from now. I really like 24, but season 5 was my favorite season and it seems like season 6 was the worst. This past season wasn't 'bad', but it seems the past few weeks have been more filler than anything else.

But this season, I'm willing to give up on the promise of a "decent bench player" for a one year fill-in that can hit right now (Cat). Not that Nelson would torpedo our playoff or WS chances, but every little bit helps. If Nelson fills that role, you're set for awhile. After 20 some odd at-bats, getting rid of him is just strange. Cat could fill the role, but now there will be a revolving door the next few years. It's hard to find players that can fill those specific roles who actually fit the roles well. It just seems odd that the Brewers put him on the 25-man at the start of the year and after 20 some at-bats they've changed their mind. Again, it's not going to crush the Brewers this year. It will just mean they'll likely have a few bench spots to fill next year and they will most likely cost more than the minimum contract Nelson had. I personally would like to see Nelson type guys on the bench if it helps to extend our starters or go after free agents that could fill other voids.

I know some will say "but that will take development time away from him playing 3B", but he's been playing 3B forever, what difference is 1 more week gonna make? I just don't know the point of Gamel playing 1B at all this year unless Prince is traded. Is it really 'worth that much' to have Prince DH for a few games and Mat play 1B? I just don't see how this would benefit the Brewers at all except for a few plays here and there in a handful of games. Again, if Prince is going to be traded that's fine. I would guess the Brewers already have an idea of what type of 1B Gamel would be. I just don't think it makes sense to have him play 1B for a handful of games. Prince doesn't appear to be going anywhere and I don't think Mat playing 1B or DHing really makes a huge deal at all.

Safe to suggest that Jack isn't going to die before next season? He has one more year on his contract. He'll be back. Once Jack dies the show dies. I think next season will be the last and they'll maybe make some movies. I did think the season started really well, but the last few episodes weren't that great. Especially the ending of the last episode. It really wasn't 'edge of your seat' or anything like that.

I really want Lawson. He was one of the best 3 point shooting guards in basketball last year and from day one will be one of the fastest players in the league. He does have his questions though since his size may limit what he can do on defense and his injury history is a bit clouded.

They'll take a PG in the first. The Bucks can't afford to be cheap this summer. I know most think they will be, but if they have a poor year I get the feeling they'll be closer to leaving Milwaukee. I hope Herbie isn't going to let that happen. Make a few nice moves and get some fans back in the seats...or else this team will be gone in 5 years.

We have had some early round successes to be sure, but the Brewers have had great success in later rounds as well... Hart, Parra, Gamel, Salome, Brantley, Gindl, Green, Cain, and Scarpetta all come to mind off the top of my head. Not to be picky TheCrew07. We do agree on most things with the minor league guys, but the only proven MLB guys on the list are Hart and Parra. I do hope the rest are MLB players. I'm most concerned about Salome right now.

Escobar's starting at 2B tonight in Nashville He will be playing more 2B. I'm afraid it might be too much. On the JS blog they quoted Melvin something like 'He'll play two days at 2B then a game at SS'. I hope they're not talking about 2 at 2B and 1 at SS for awhile. Escobar's bat just isn't ready. He's a very young player so it's not a bad thing. He's able to get hits off of AAA pitchers without really hitting the ball that hard yet this year. He started slow and is rebounding a bit, but until he's hitting the ball a little better I wouldn't be thinking about calling him up. I do wonder if Escobar playing 2B means that Hall is staying at 3B and Gamel will be sent down after the AL games. Wouldn't Hall be the logical choice if say Casey goes down?

I didn't like the Gross deal either since we needed a LH bat and he was ok in the field, but he's hardly irreplaceable. I agree in part with what you're saying. Gross can be replaced as a player, but it's difficult to find guys as good as he is that are fine being bench players. That's why I think letting a guy like Nelson go was somewhat dumb. He's not a starter. I understand that. How many starters are you going to find though that will want to sit on the bench? Sure a guy like Nelson can be replaced as a player...the problem is finding a player with his talent to take his spot and to keep that spot filled. I think that's the same case for Gross. Is he a starter? Probably not, but for his role on the team he's pretty talented...if that makes sense. You can't expect a guy as talented as say Cam to be on your bench. That's why they're bench players. A perfect example is Counsell. I know at times he's not all that well liked and some were against signing him, but he's almost perfect for his role.

Did you read my original post. The reason still is because it hurts him defensively in the OF. If he was 25 pounds lighter, he might have gotten to a few balls. Would you want Mike Cameron playing with a 25 pound weight on his back? I did. I just don't think that's a reason as to why Nelson can't be a productive PH. I also don't think he's as overweight as Prince is either though. I've said all along that Nelson could fit in the OF and as a role player. His defense is good enough to give Braun or Hart a day off each week if that was the plan. The problem might be the Brewers had two #5 OFs and lack a true #4. He's far better defensively in the OF than Nelson is. In fact he's above average for a corner guy. That's high praise for a player that's played around 10% of their games in the OF before this year and for a player that played little OF this year. I'm not saying he'd be a bad defender in the OF...I am saying he doesn't have enough experience out there to replace an OF at the MLB level for a long period.

I don't think that entirely true. Iribarren is a much better defensive OF than Nelson, and has a higher career minor league OPS. Gillespie is heating up right now too. Nelson has had 1 season with an OPS over 800 since 2002. He's replacable. Nelson at his best is a 750 OPS guy, and he's a bad defenive OF. The Hurricane would not be starting in the OF for a long time in Milwaukee if there's an injury. He's not ready defensively for that. My guess is TGJ is called up.

Princes weight has hurt him bigtime defensively. Also, with Nelson I specifically mentioned the fact that he a fringe player, theres lots of guys like him, he needs to maximize himself. Why do you point out Nelson's weight though? Yeah, you've said that a few times now, and haven't gotten much support with it. The Brewers called up Gamel because he makes them better. The Brewers are trying to win. I have gotten support. Was losing Brad worth one Gamel PA? I can't imagine it is. Now if they moved Nelson in order to get Gamel on the roster to start...that's a different story. That wasn't the original 'plan'. I don't see how adding Gamel as a PH compared to Nelson makes them that much better. Putting Gamel's bat in the everyday lineup does make them better. Your saying your mad because we lost Nelson because we cut him for Gamel, I'm saying we cut him because we had guys that are better options. If Nelson had accepted assignment, he still would not have gotten the call over Iribarren. If this was 2003, we'd need Nelson, but we're deeper than that now. Nelson is a better fit for an AL team, or at least a team that has a good 4th OF so Nelson would only be needed to PH. I'm saying there was no reason to lose Nelson for one PA for Gamel. I'd much rather have seeing Casey go than Brad. Maybe I'm not clear here. If you call up Gamel and lose Nelson, I would hope it's because you want Gamel to start everyday. That wasn't the plan. The plan was for Gamel to sit on the bench until the AL games. Why not call up Gamel right before the AL games? Having him sit on the bench was pretty dumb and losing Nelson was even worse. If they wait a few days, they can add Gamel and still have Nelson. I don't think losing Nelson is the end of the world or will cost the team the playoffs. I just think it was a move to make a move or something along that line. There was no plan. At the rate Gamel was improving his defense, there's just no reason to have him sit on the bench.

I believe my point was that I valued Nelson as a LHB off the bench that projects (MLEs) to OPS around .800 against RHP. Instead of having to comb the waiver wire or find an unemployed vet (a la Catalanatto) each season, having that role filled cheaply over the next few seasons would have been nice. I'm not sure if Nelson needed more regular ABs or not to find success... he had some success in the same role in 2008. I just think we cut him loose for nothing... and for no real reason. The only reason I can think of is that Melvin wanted Brad to have a shot at more PT, which obviously isn't a move made with the Brewers best interest in mind (not that I really find anything wrong with that if that's how it happened). Agreed. Usually the Brewers operate like they have a plan...this wasn't one of those moves. There's nothing wrong with Nelson if he's a bench player in the MLB. He's cheap and IMO would produce. The team will for sure have a few bench openings this off-season.

Iribarren has hit just as well in AAA this year as Nelson did last year. Iribarren has a higher career OPS. Plus, Iribarren is more versatile, and offers speed on the bases. I have no use for a fringe player who plays 25 pounds overweight. That really limited him in the OF. We're better off now. Nelson was fine until something better came along, and we have more where that came from. I get your point X, but there's no reason to compare Nelson to Iribarren. My point is they gave Nelson up to have Gamel sit on the bench. That doesn't make any sense. You don't get rid of a young, cheap bench player in order to have your best hitting prospect on the bench. That's not smart. I also think Nelson's weight has zero issue here and I'm not sure why your brought that up. We've all seen Prince Fielder the past few years...

I think the only one we're really going to regret getting away is Matt LaPorta. No doubt you do that trade every time, but La Porta could be a monster bat for the next 8-10 years. Long after Prince is gone he could still be playing 1B for Cleveland, hitting 35-40 homers a year. I don't know if I agree that he'll be that good, but that's my opinion. I think it will turn out to be a pretty good move by the Brewers (selling high). Regardless of my opinion I think the real interesting thing to watch will be LaPorta vs. Gamel. IIRC the Brewers chose to give up LaPorta and not Gamel. I think that was the right move, but I guess we'll find out the next few years.