JJHardy7

Either Wang is gone tomorrow or Brewers have no idea what they are doing. They gave up a chance to compete tonight after Wang gave up his first HR.

I think the NFL is very sustainable if they get rid of the rules regarding head shots, etc. I think with these rules in place over time it could hurt the sport since there will be more hits on legs that have more serious consequences (in the short-term). I honestly feel like they should have never changed the rules. These guys make a ton of money. I do think that players from other generations do deserve their fair share for head injuries, but today guys know the issues. If you don't like it, don't play and get a 'normal' job. I do think at the same time that MLB and NBA aren't doing themselves any favors to gain market share...so it is the NFL's to lose at this point and that could very well happen over time if the rules get more and more conservative. EDIT: I do want to clarify that at younger levels I think concussions and proper coaching is huge. I am specifically talking about guys in the pros, but work needs to continue to be done to ensure young kids, high schoolers, and college folks are coach appropriately.

Vegas has/had the Bucks project with the 7th worst record in the NBA (over/under 28.5 wins). Looks like if some things go the losing way we could potentially have the 3rd worst record (5 games away). http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/10/28/5037930/vegas-odds-nba-over-unders-2013-14 I am very interested to see folks reaction to the article below. Here's the interesting part regarding the merits of tanking: Van Gundy's point is well-taken, but the main reason I've changed my stance is a conversation I had Tuesday with David Berri, a professor of economics at Southern Utah University and one of the biggest critics of the NBA's ever-popular tanking tactics. Berri says losing to win is a mathematical long shot and points out that only twice since the lottery was instituted in 1985 has a team that had the No. 1 overall pick gone on to win the championship. Both times, it was the San Antonio Spurs. Berri has worked the numbers since the lottery was instituted and has figured out that only 10 percent of the teams who win 25 games or less in a season are contenders within five years. In contrast, 20 percent of "mediocre" teams – those teams that record between 34 and 49 wins – are contenders five years later. In his blog at Freakonomics.com, Berri defines a contending team as any team that wins at 66 percent of its games. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-10-29/sports/os-mike-bianchi-nba-tanking-1030-20131029_1_orlando-magic-strategy-jeff-van-gundy I tend to agree with the information above, but not entirely. I think the main thing the Bucks need to do is find a stud and build the team around that stud. It could be via tanking, trade, dumb luck (most likely at this point), etc. The most frustrating aspect of the Bucks is the fact that it often appears they have no plan. I'm excited for the start of the season. I don't think the team will be great, but we may actually have a team of guys that actually don't mind playing in Milwaukee and that could be refreshing.

What order did waiver claims work for this? Worst record to best? Did Gamel really get claimed that early? I would have kept Gamel...no need IMO to throw in the towel on a player at this stage (I am under the assumption a roster spot wasn't needed). The injury bug was very unfortunate for him...a shame really.

Milwaukee Brewers ‏@Brewers 2m The #Brewers today traded @JohnAxford to St. Louis for a player to be named. Alfredo Figaro has been recalled. Interesting...

@TopherTalks

I think a jersey exchange would be a great idea. Who wants to have a jersey for a player that won't play the rest of the year and has brought so much shame on the Brewers? More importantly...I think it would be a great way to market other Brewers. Should Braun fall off a cliff or get busted again, the Brewers need a #2 player of the franchise. Who is that?

Did Ryan not lie? I guess I'm a bit confused at those comments. I get that we're not sure what he took, etc, but the worst part in this is that he did lie IMO. Could MLB suspend him for PEDs without him taking it? He bet his life that the substance was never in his system...and Rodgers bet his salary he didn't do it... This stinks, but I feel like if this was player X on team A the reaction here would be very different. I think on top of all the great points in this thread...what does this do for Brewers in free agency? Are guys going to want to play with Braun? Are we going to become the Bucks in free agency and have to over pay for guys to come to the team?

Looks like ESPN was right....ugh....

I don't really care if ESPN is breaking the story, has an ax to grind, etc, etc...what I do care about is the fact that whatever the case might be it is more and more clear that Braun put himself in a position he shouldn't have. That's disappointing and honestly moves him down quite a few pegs in my book. What would be the reaction around here if it was a Cub, Cardinal, etc?

He's been called up. Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeymanCBS 8m K-rod is being called up by #brewers today. was opt-out day.

Trading for Segura looks like it could go down as one of Melvin's better moves. I really like him and was thrilled we got him from the Angels, but I do think it is a bit early to given him an extension. I think the Brewers should kick the tires and discuss with Jean and his agent. I think this will give them a sense of what they want...Segura deep down believes he'll be an all-star every year he may not want to sign the deal. Also, I hope I'm 100% wrong, but I really don't believe he can sustain this success over the whole year. If he doesn't, why would you give him an extension when he might be at his highest value? That doesn't make a ton of sense unless it is a player like Braun....so in other words...is Segura = Braun?

Curious how we mishandled him other than him probably not being major league ready right now but close enough? I don't like how he was called up last year and I felt like we didn't really have a plan for him (same with Thornburg). I'd rather keep the true prospects on a schedule and call up minor league veterans in situations like that...if that makes sense. If we're going to call up a top prospect, I'd prefer they stay up and play on a regular basis.

I guess I don't get what expectations were for this rotation pre-Lohse... Yo - We know what we have here. Fiers - I really like the guy, but struggled big-time down the stretch last year. Narveson - Coming off a rather significant injury. I like him much more in the bullpen. Rogers - He's hurt...my guess is he'll never start a game in the majors again. Relying on him anything more than a #6 IMO is questionable. Estrada - Might be the #2 of the group...that kind of scares me. Peralta - I think he's going to be a legit #2/#3...but the Brewers mishandled him so far. So...with that said...why is signing Lohse this terrible idea? I get that he is old, washed up, we stink at signing guys, lost a pick, etc, etc. We did draft Eric Arnett. I'm not a huge fan of this signing, but I am ok with it. We took took many chances in the rotation and they would not have worked out. Now we limit the risk by one spot...and I think this is a huge deal. Yo, Lohse, and Estrada pitch like they did last year we're solid. I do think Narveson's days as a starter are gone. We will need to find 2 other solid guys and I'm guessing Peralta and Burgos will have to be the answer. Still rooting for Fiers. Side note...there were a ton of Brewers scouts at Sunday's game. I was joking with the people I was with and folks around us that if Rogers looked hurt still (he did) and Burgos didn't pitch well we'd be signing Lohse the next day...

BB's in-game coaching left something to be desired...it was pretty horrible IMO. He can recruit, but I think he's in for a rude awakening in SEC country. The blunders he makes will be all the fans will talk about...especially if he's losing.

I'm with Mass Haas...he'd get claimed. He's had some good games in MLB and you can teach velocity. There's only one way he doesn't make the opening day roster, but I don't want to jinx him so I won't mention it.

I'm with Mass Haas...he'd get claimed. He's had some good games in MLB and you can teach velocity. There's only one way he doesn't make the opening day roster, but I don't want to jinx him so I won't mention it.

I'm with Mass Haas...he'd get claimed. He's had some good games in MLB and you can teach velocity. There's only one way he doesn't make the opening day roster, but I don't want to jinx him so I won't mention it.

I give Ron credit for not having his team quit on him. How does he not get some credit for that? I think it's hard to blame or credit him for individual performances, but some managers may not have been able to be calm and keep what appears to be solid chemistry. I know we can't quantify that, but I think it exists. It'll be interesting to see if we actually come all the way back to claim the wild card...we'll see!

ESPN is one of the biggest hype-builders out there. They did it with Tim Tebow, and he became a near national obsession. The same thing happened with Harper. If ESPN is responsible, that's awesome. Like it has been mentioned, Harper was hyped much more by SI than any other market. He was like what...15 or 16 when he was on the cover? People love to complain about the Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, etc coverage...now I guess we can add the Nationals to that list. I like the coverage he's getting...since it is the Nats. Much better than hearing about the Yankees. ESPN is also hyping Trout as well. I don't see a problem here. I think it's showing if anything America has a thing for young phenoms...regardless of where they play (i.e. LeBron in Cleveland).

I agree with this. There was a quote today or yesterday from one of the Angels coaching staff about him being a beach person. [sarcasm]Link or source? He seems more like an ice fishing guy IMO.[/sarcasm]

TLB - Good points on his free agency and Boras being involved. I think they should give CarGo the starts in August...see how he does at that point and then make a decision on Logan in September based on what CarGo has or hasn't done. I understand CarGo has tons of at bats, etc and hasn't shown it yet...but I would feel terrible if we give up on him only to have him develop those skills somewhere else. If CarGo does well, you can maybe sign him to an extension or trade him in the off-season for something decent. Side note...if we dump CarGo...how bad does that JJ Hardy trade look? I get we somewhat forced our hand there, but that will have to go down as one of the most recent worst trades for the Brewers (especially given our lack of a SS).

Lucroy at 2B??? Whoa. I'm not saying Lucroy couldn't ever be moved to 1B or corner OF, but it would be item #873 on my list of things to consider for 2013-2014. I said 'maybe'. Some guys have made the transition to 2B from catcher (i.e. Biggio). Not common and not saying Luc could do that, but if he could that would be more valuable than him playing 3B/1B/OF IMO. Like others have posted, leaving him at catcher is the way to go until he can't play due to injuries, etc. Also, I don't think we should attack the question of the thread. It's a fair question and worth discussing given the fact that in short time Luc has gone from one of our worst hitters in the lineup to one of the most valuable.

I get it, it's easier to dismiss every young MiLB player than try to analyze each guy individually. To each his own. I just prefer to not apply such a blanket policy. TLB - I respect your views quite a bit...but how do you think Logan and Carlos compare? I've seen Logan a bit in spring training and Nashville and I think he has a future in Milwaukee. I'm by no means a scout, etc, but Gomez's defense is pretty amazing. I know Gomez can toy us a bit with his bat and we may have to live with that. I just think Gomez on a short term deal for $3 or $4M doesn't prevent us from trading him should Logan show he can handle it. I do think Logan should get a long look in Milwaukee the next few months. Let's see what he can do at the MLB level.

I do like Schafer a lot, but what is the gap in defense between Gomez and Schafer? I'd have to imagine it's a decent gap on what I've seen (not a knock on Logan...but Carlos is awesome on defense). I guess I don't see a risk on a short term deal for Carlos. Either way...he should be our everyday starter the rest of the way. Maybe it'll figure itself out.