JJHardy7

Yeah, that and the credit cards with $50,000 limits. Those aren't frozen (or shouldn't be, at least). Should be enough to buy groceries and even make a mortgage payment, assuming that your house is not made of solid gold like Chester J. Lampwick. I'm pretty sure you can't use credit cards to pay a mortgage. This player wasn't smart. I guess I don't get how these guys don't have a financial guy that pretty much takes care of all this for them.

Building a team isn't about "ideal." It is about trying to put the best group of players available together while working within a budget. Fielder isn't "ideal" at 1B. The only ideal team would be a team of the best players at each position. I don't know why you're picking my posts apart. I think part of the reason some fans want to 'upgrade' CF is because he's not ideal. That's my opinion. If you want to bring up budget and such, that's a different discussion. Maybe not picking up the option and offering arby would've been better for the budget, but given the lack of players that the Brewers need in CF Cam was the best option. I don't understand how you think some of things I'm saying aren't important. This offense is going to be hot and cold. When the bats are connecting on doubles and home runs the team will win. When the bats are cold, the lack of obp of team will hurt this offense. Does this make Cam a bad player? Of course not. He's a good player. The Brewers will just have to make a huge effort in being patient and getting on base since they didn't upgrade that issue from last year. Building a team is somewhat about having the ideal players to fill a roster. Again, if you bring up budget the $10 million vs. what other guys got isn't the way to go. I guess you could've declined the option and signed a worse CF, but then used the remainder to upgrade somewhere else. I'm not a huge Cam fan due to how this team lays out, but it was the right move given the other options IMO.

How fast is TGJ? Do we have any comparable 60 yard (I think that's what they ran last year or the year before) times in relation to other Brewers.

Handedness is secondary to actually being a good player. None of the LH options that have been presented this entire offseason are any better than what we have. Again, I didn't say Cam wasn't good and I've also said there weren't better options out there. Cam isn't ideal for this team, but picking up the option was the right thing to do. The "free swinging" has nothing to do with it. We need better OBP to get more consistent. I guess I don't understand what you're saying here. If you're a bit more patient at the plate, you will get more walks. If you're swinging at garbage, chancees are you will walk less. I think "free swinging" does have a bit to do with it in terms of patience. Ok, so your alternative is to bring in Abreu, whose putrid defense would cost runs all season long (same for Edmonds, just not as extreme), over taking the solid production from the lineup we already have, and the good defense in CF & RF? I understand why people see Cameron & think it's a logical spot to improve and/or add a LH bat, but honestly some of the arguments made in support of non-Cameron options are a bit strange. I've stated that Cam was the best option...he's just not ideal. I'm not a huge Cam supporter, but given how the off-season played out I think the Brewers made the right move. It would've been nice to get similar defense, LH bat, and a high OBP guy, but to me that option wasn't out there...at least for a fair price.

Doesn't matter how he gets his offensive value. You may not like it, it may not be pretty, but it really doesn't matter. I think it does matter. If the Brewers offense struggles because they don't have enough regular LH bats, it does matter. I'm not saying the Brewers need a LH bat in CF or any particular position. I just think Cam's value isn't as much to the Brewers as it could be to other teams if that makes sense. The Brewers have a lot of free swinging RH bats...when they go cold we've seen how stale this offense can be.

I disagree. Cameron is a good player and every team needs good players. Oh I'm not saying he's a bad player. Cam is a good player. IMO he just doesn't have the offensive tool set that this team really needs and his skill set the team may have enough of at times. I don't think there were better viable options this off season.

This has probably been posted somewhere else, but if the Brewers did decline Cam's option could they still have gotten a pick? I'm not a huge Cam guy because he's not what the team 'needs', but I guess I can't hold that against him. I just don't see any other reasonable options. I think Braun in CF may have worked a few years from now, but he still has some room to grow in the OF. Cam did make up for some of Braun's growing pains last year.

I'll go with 77 wins. It's hard for me to predict a great season because I feel that it gets frustrating when that doesn't happen. For me, the season rests on Yo's arm. I worry probably more than others that he simply won't be able to pitch enough for this team and like most teams a drop off from your best pitcher to your number 6 can be a pretty big drop off. I know that'll only be a handful of losses due to that, but that would be banking on everything else going well. I think if Yo is healthy and doesn't miss too many starts this team will be in the playoff hunt. One thing I try to forget is just how streaky this team can be on offense. This means we'll need some solid pitching performances if this doesn't turn around.

I'm fine with this rotation. I'm very worried about Yo and Manny logging way too many innings this year. The whole season view it won't really matter what the order is after the first five games...kind of like a batting order to a certain degree (at least in theory...a lead off hitter is only guaranteed to lead off one at bat). The trick here will be the days off and such. I think some here fail to realize how little Yo has pitched in the bigs the past two years. We don't need to have him get hurt with a major arm injury. Parra also 'hit the wall' last year and it's better to be safe with him. As it stands, the Brewers have more than enough replacement types for say Suppan should he get hurt...they do not have any replacements for Yo or Parra. I also think the Suppan bashing here has gotten to the point where it coule be Yost like this year...or close. He was hurt the end of last year...let's not forget that. Is his contract ideal? No...but at the time that was the market. He's not a '#1 starter', but to me you really don't need those type of roles unless you're in the playoffs. The Suppan bashing I'm sure will continue, but to me it's not entirely true. His contract also comes off the books at a time when the team will need the money

I vote ewizabeff off the island. It's pretty clear her driving from Milwaukee to Nashville makes her too much of a Brewers fan for the rest of us to handle http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif and thus a 'bad' poster.

I guess what really set me off was some information I got about the first place recently. I know someone who works there and has been trying to get a different job there and has never once gotten a hold of someone there. She said that the HR department there is horrible. She's heard many complaints about them from other employees too, basically they just let the phone ring all day and won't answer it. I also heard from someone else who applied there that he first heard from them 3 months after he applied. He already had a job by the time they talked to him. I don't want to sound like a jerk...but why would you want to work at a place like this then?

I'd be shocked if Dillard makes the team so yeah I'd call him a dark horse. I think his odds are probably the lowest of anyone mentioned. Do you think that way because of his ability or the fact that he has an option left? If it's the option, that's fine. I just think a dark horse is one that isn't really on the radar and pitches/plays their way on the team. Dillard could very well pitch lights out and still not make it because of the option...not because he'll be 'coming out of nowhere'.

So do most people think that. Thats what makes him a dark horse candidate... I don't think that makes him a dark horse candidate to make the team. IMO he has the skills to be on the big league club. A darkk horse would more or less be a player who pitches themself on the team. Dillard would have to pitch lights out.

I didn't realize that Nelson and Iribarren were both out of options. Does anyone think either of those guys would clear waivers? I personally would like to see Iribarren win one of those bench spots this spring. If he doesn't perform, so be it. Can he play CF? If not, I would probably take Nelson and Nixon. I get the feeling that Jack Z. may pick up one or both if he has the chance. I don't know the Mariners project 25-man roster, but I'd imagine Nelson would be more of a fit in the AL.

I'm really surprised at how high Dillard's PECOTA numbers are... He is my dark horse candidate to make the pen this year. He's not really a dark horse. He just can be optioned to AAA so he probably will. Tim will play a big role in the Milwaukee bullpen at some point or another. He has MLB stuff and would put up a sub 4 ERA IMO this year. I just don't think he'll be on the club on opening day since he can be sent down. Basically he suggests. Swindle (Leftie who can pitch still vs. RHB) Stetter (Pure Loogey) and yep, Gagne. Stetter is not a pure Loogey. He can pitch multiple innings and at times like we saw last year can pitch well at the MLB level. If he's just a LOOGY for the Brewers, they'll be using him wrong. He did make some huge outs last year for the Crew. His major problem at times is control. I'd rather them just keep Stetter at this point and that's not a knock on Swindle. Things will shake out in the first month or so with injuries or performance that he will be needed. I'd rather keep veterans and see how it all plays out. This isn't a bad problem to have.

A poster on realgm, who has broken a ton of stuff on the Bucks before and is a CBA guru has said that Kohl absolutely will not pay the luxury tax next year unless the Bucks do something crazy, like win a round in the playoffs. So the chances of that happening are like .0000001%. I still would say we don't know for sure. Maybe he won't pay the tax because there won't be a tax next year. Was this the same guy on realgm who said the Alexander deal was done late last year? I honestly don't recall if it was, but if it was he's not 100% right all the time. I know Kohl isn't a perfect owner and has made mistakes, but if what you're saying is right the Bucks won't be in Milwaukee 5 years from now. It's as simple as that and Kohl isn't that stupid since that would essentially drive down the price he can sell the team for if people know he has to sell the team. No he's not. Redd, RJ, Bogut, Gadzuric, Ridnour, Bell, Alexander, Elson, Allen and LRMAM combine to make $64,412,000 million next year. You need 13 players on a roster, we have about $5 million to spend for three players. Yea you are right. I made the mistake of thinking this site: http://hoopshype.com/salaries/milwaukee.htm included his. I still believe (could be wrong here) that the Bucks could exercise the option at $4.6 and then extend him. Can they do that? Or do they essentially have to give him a new contract? No it won't. The luxury tax is based on the revenue of the league. With the economy the way it is, the revenue is going down. The luxury tax this year is $71.15 million, the projected luxury tax next year is $69.4 million. You kind of make my point. With most teams at or above next year's cap most teams will pay the tax. With the NBA struggling (despite what some league execs say), that could put several teams in financial jeopardy. If they don't change it, you're right. I just think for the simple economics of the game a change will need to be made or teams won't last. The NBA has several owners that made a lot of their money in the stock market or via mortgage industry (ie Quicken Loans Arena in Clev I believe). The owners simply don't have a lot of cash laying around and should the economy continue into next season attendance will drop and teams will be paying tax...there's a huge problem here. And combine this with teams like the Bucks needing a new arena and you'll soon have fewer teams. I don't see teams moving because there probably aren't any cities willing to build a new arena right now or contribute any of their money or taxpayers money.

So, to sign Sessions or Villanueva, I'm guessing the Bucks will be forced to trade either Jefferson or Ridnour for 3-4 players that combined add up to their salary... CV is included in your $64.6 million number. I've posted this on another page, but if they simply extend CV next year it'll be pretty easy (similar to Bogut's and have zero cap impact next year). I don't understand those calling for Hammond's head. Do we honestly think the guy is just thinking playoffs and doesn't have a plan for next year? Also, what about the $5.5 million (not sure on the for sure number) player exemption teams have? The Bucks could simply use this on Sessions maybe. That means they'd really have to make a move or two to avoid the luxury tax. My guess is that the luxury tax 'cap' will be raised next year. There's no way from an economics standpoint NBA teams are going to be able to survive since many of them are projected to be over the luxury tax cap next year. Now I don't think it means it will be 'uncapped', but my guess is they'll exempt a certain amount of it. One of the owners of the Celtics was on ESPN radio last week and he stated that the Celtics were doing fine, but he heard many other NBA teams were struggling financially and there have been more talks about moving teams. Out of the 3 major sports, the NBA will hurt the most from the economy IMO and if they don't make changes teams won't be moved...they'll contract.

If Kohl won't pay the luxury tax, we may not be able to sign either. Sessions can't earn more than the MLE for the first two years of his contract (probably around $5.5 million) and if Kohl won't pay the tax, that's all we'll have to spend. We don't know for sure that he won't. davgo mentions that in his post above. It won't be easy, but the Bucks can keep CV, Sessions, and draft their #1 (who based on where they may pick may not be huge dollars...if it's a top 3 pick that's a little different). They may have to pay the tax next year. The one thing that I think is getting missed with CV and Sessions is that they are restricted free agents. The Bucks could wait for a team to make an offer and given the current salary cap hell that most teams are in I don't see teams giving CV or Sessions huge deals. Everyone is waiting for the 2010 class and trying to figure out ways to clear cap room...not spend it. I'm not saying that CV and Sessions will both be back, but if the Bucks can afford to pay a bit of the tax they may be able to get these guys at well below market value IMO.

I think the Bucks will be able to sign CV and Sessions. Or at least one of them. With CV, they just have to do a contract similar to Bogut's. Pick up the qualifying option and extend him after that. So the big money will kick in 2010/11 when the team has $55 million ($16 million less than now) in salaries. The question is more with Sessions as to how much that'll take. If it's $5 to $7 million a year they can do that and then dump salary at next year's deadline. Now I know this would put them at a cap number higher than they want for next year based on Sessions, but there's plenty that can happen in the off-season or during the season to shed contracts.

I guess I don't see the big deal in this. I still think Kendall will start 140 games +. A 'fresh' Kendall and a Kendall at the end of the year aren't going to really change the offense value he has. Rivera has never shown that he's a big bat in the MLB -- maybe in a small sample he has. I do think there is a big enough difference in game calling and defense in Kendall vs. Rivera. If Rivera can play at his peak for awhile in '09, he does bring a lot more power than Kendall. I just dont' think resting Kendall more equals more wins or anything like that. I'd be down with giving Rivera the 5th starter and then resting Kendall more than last year. He shouldn't play as much as last year for the pure fact he's up there in years. Keeping Kendall 'fresh' won't make a huge difference though with his bat. I'd be more interested to play Rivera more for his offense. Rivera doesn't really have a track record with most of the Brewers pitchers -- a few in AAA, but Kendall has a lot more experience with not only the current pitchers, but the entire batters of the NL compared to Mike.

That link talked about Jefferson to Cleveland... I believe they've updated that story a few times. It talks about RJ to Cleveland, Portland and San Antonio. I have not seen Portland play much this year, but getting Outlaw would be very nice. He's still fairly young and I think the best is yet to come. We could get an expiring contract with LaFrentz and also some talent. I'd prefer not to dump RJ for just an expiring contract. I know the salary cap and that plays into it, but being able to get Outlaw and keeping Sessions and CV would be pretty sweet.

I like this move a lot. The Brewers are doing a good job of getting arms in the 'pen and hopefully pick the right guys to make the team. Gagne is a good guy and hopefully both parties benefit from this. I wonder what other interest he had?

I think at least partially his second half meltdown was caused by his frustration with regards to not moving up. And it wouldn't be the first time this happened with Brewers and pitchers in the minors.

Let's stop saying Gamel is Braun. I don't think you can strictly use minor league stats to prove anything in regards to defensive abilities. Gamel has improved and is improving, but I think he'd be a below average MLB fielder this year from what I've seen. He's close and IMO he'll be fine. I just don't want to be sitting here a year from now hearing the Brewers traded Mat or some other position player because they're not sticking with him at 3b.

Luis is relieved this is over with. I think everyone is going to be surprised what he can do with seattle. We were stunned he was taken off the roster but it's a great chance for him now. Josh - do you know why he struggled a bit last year? Was it related to any 'tinkering' from the pitching staff? Thanks as always for your knowledge.