JJHardy7

The extra players also allow for doing things like putting in a pinch runner in certain situations. I agree. There is also some risk though since it looked like Escobar made a base running mistake when he got doubled up.

But don't think it's not to make a quick buck. And other businesses aren't out there to make money? I didn't know that and that goes against everything I've ever known, learned, or done at work. People out there to make money is the way the world goes round. The only problem with a 'quick buck' is it's short lived. I think it's clever and won't last long, but I give them credit.

The only way to lengthen out Seth would be to put him in the rotation, as he's out of options. Were you suggesting to go with your 6th best starter as you contend? Where would he pitch? The options fact doesn't matter. I've pointed out in other threads McClung is nowhere near ready to start. He's barely pitched out of the pen and I agree with you there, but he can't get stretched out anywhere right now (more or less). His options don't matter, but the fact the minor league season is more or less done means he'd have to get stretched with the Crew, but I do agree with your other reasoning Al. How about Defilice instead? Same thing as McClung. He's not stretched out and hasn't pitched for awhile. They'll have to 'stack' some of the guys who aren't stretched out in order to stretch him out. I get this feeling that Gallardo might be coming in soon to replace Parra or 'stacking' with him. Again, it's just a feeling, but something seems to be up.

I really don't understand why anyone thinks this team isn't going to be awesome the next few years. They were really good before the acquired CC. Sheets might be back and if he isn't, it's 1 guy, albiet a big guy. But this team was doing fine without YoGa so that more or less makes up for it. How so? Getting rid of Sheets and CC is a huge blow especially since YoGa is coming off a serious injury. I think they'll be competitive, but we'll see what other moves they can make IF CC and Sheets are gone. What is 'awesome'? If they lose CC and Sheets, I think it's safe to say they won't win as many games this year as next -- without knowing what moves are made.

Prince from May 2006: It's amazing how 'baggy' his uniform has gotten over the past few years. They should have Prince wear a uniform that actually fits and we can then really tell how much weight he's put on. I have to think that is slowing down his swing, but I guess that's rather subjective without having some bat speed numbers.

I don't know if Yost gets fired if we win 88 games. I think a lot of it depends on 'how' it happens. If the team blows up and Yost is getting tossed from a ton of games, it's a no brainer. It really wouldn't bother me keeping him or firing him if we get 88 games, but if we don't get in and lose CC and Sheets this off-season expectations will be much different and a change might be exactly what is needed.

And does the blame mob always have to find one guy to single out for every losing streak? It's so darn predictable. I'm sure you can find a number of underperforming players to blame if you felt so inclinded. I know it's not as emotionally satisfying to not have a single person to direct your frustrations at but at least try to remain objective? I agree that there's more to blame than one person. I do think that certain players are held more accountable than others and Prince is a clean up hitter and the team needs him. If CC or Sheets struggles for awhile, there will be threads on that because we need them to perform at a high level in order to win ball games.

This guy has been on the late night shows too I think. He keeps 'reserve' in his freezer for holidays, weather, etc.

that contract he turned down is going to look a lot better to him. That is if the same contract is still on the table, which if I'm the Brewers I think I've withdrawn the offer.

I personally didn't see this, but a friend sent me a text a few days back that CC and 'management' were seen in a fine Milwaukee restaurant and spent a considerable amount of time there. I don't know if it was contract talks or what so maybe this should be taken with a grain of salt.

There should be plenty of hype around Gamel. There was certainly higher expectations (or maybe hope) when he was destroying the ball a few months ago. Is there someone now that is saying that they expect Gamel to hit 30 HR next year? I'm talking about the hype. I don't know if anyone flat out said 30 HR, but you can go dig around to prove me wrong. I'm saying the 'hype' isn't saying 'Start Gamel he'll hit .260 with 3 HRs the rest of the way!' Look at the minor league forum. And AGAIN we've been spoiled. I've seen snippets. He looks good to me. I would definitely dispute that he is clearly small compared to most MLB players. Braun isn't a huge guy and he has plenty of HR power. Braun is at least 20 lbs heavier than Gamel...and that's from the minors guys. Braun isn't huge, but Gamel has plenty of room to grow. Did you see his first at-bat with the Brewers? He clearly is smallish at this point and that's not a knock on him, but it's how players develop. You previously said "he needs to bulk up and get stronger. That is different than saying he has the frame to grow, which as you said is fairly common for players in their early-mid twenties. Maybe you didn't intend the word need to be so strong, but that seemed like you were saying that he wouldn't be what you thought he should be if he didn't bulk up. I have no clue what your point means at all. So bulking up and getting stronger means gaining 50 lbs or what? He still needs to bulk up and get stronger. He has a frame that allows it. I have zero idea what you're picking on this for. If Gamel is going to be a 'power' hitter in the bigs, he DOES have to bulk up and get stronger and that doesn't mean he needs whatever crazy idea you think that means. A frame to grow doesn't mean go eat a buch of fast food. I think you are way off base since the Brewers like their players 'bulked' up when they are in AAA or are new to the bigs. What does this mean? Well you work out and get stronger. Did you see the reports on Hardy and Hart this year? The both gained a ton of muscle...bulking up or not if you want to nitpick on something else let me know.

If the Brewers were as successful as the Packers and were a great franchise with championships and lots of playoff appearances I could see blowing off the Brewers but this team has had little to no success in 26 years. Your thought is 100% the wrong way IMO. If the Brewers would win, people would care...they haven't been to the playoffs in ages. I want them to get there and support them, but I'd much rather watch a winning franchise that has proven it can at least make the playoffs. Also, with the first post-Favre start, national television, etc. the Packers are much, much higher than one Brewers game -- at least if you like football.

I don't understand this. Why should anyone be expecting Gamel to hit 30 HR, that they need to be told not to expect it? You're right, this is his season high of 20 HR, we shouldn't expect him to hit 30 HR next year. Would you be unsatisfied with Gamel if he didn't hit 30 HR next year? the zMLE of Gamel's year this year is .295/.345/.472 with about 21 HR and 39 doubles over a 162 game pace. You say he needs to bulk up and get stronger. Are you saying he needs to do that to hit 30 HR, or that if he doesn't hit 30 HR, he won't be a good option at 3B? IMO, he shouldn't bulk up if he wants to stay at 3B. I don't understand what you're saying. If you've followed the minor league forum, there is plenty of 'hype' around Gamel. We have been spoiled to a certain degree because of Braun and it's not normal. I'm just saying to caution some high expectations. I personally would take 15 or 20 HRs his frist year in the bigs. Also, in regards to getting stronger have you seen Gamel ever play? He's clearly small compared to most MLB players and like most players over time 'fill in'. I'm not saying he needs to be McGwire big, but he clearly has the frame to put on 10 - 15 pounds.

Packers and it's not even close -- the Reds games are blacked out where I live (I use mlb.tv to watch the games).

Nelson possibly if Braun or Hart get a day off and the SP is a tough righty. I guess I don't see that unless it's an emergency. I really like Nelson, but if games are on the line I don't see him in the OF. He needs a little more seasoning there to at least be average. If Nelson starts in a non-emergency situation I'd think it would be at 1B.

Also, "Option A" gives CC two starts against the Cubs while "Option B" only gives him 1. Nice chart. I think you mean "Option B" gives Sheets 1 start instead of 2. CC would still pitch in 2 Cubs games (9/17 & 9/28), but Sheets would lose one start against them. As far as starting McClung now, I think that's a bad idea. Unless he's had some simulated starts his arm is nowhere near ready to be a starter and the absolute best you could hope for is 5 innings and that might be a stretch.

I still can't believe that Lucroy is actually one of the possibilities. It's a good thing you can't believe it because I believe agent39 knows who it is (a client of his) so it's not Lucroy. I believe this is in one of the minor league threads or this thread.

If the Bullpen is Melvin's biggest failure, he has done a pretty good job. We all knew Gagne was a risk, Torres and Shouse have been excellent, Mota is having his best year at 2004, and Riske has been disappointing. Free Agency is never a good way to put a bullpen together, and barring the surcumstances, I think Melvin did pretty well. I agree with most of what you're saying, but Shouse was already here. The Brewers knew what they were getting. The Brewers got Torres and Mota for more or less a bag of baseballs so the only risk was the salary and in comparison to Gagne's one year deal it was very small. Riske had a real good year last year, but he was hurt this year. I actually think Riske will pan out since I have a feeling he hasn't been 100% for awhile and the off-season will give him time to get it back. I just don't think saying Gagne 'was a risk' is quite accurate. He's one of the highest paid players on the team (actually maybe the in the top 3 or so) this year and he's much more than a risk. Highest paid players shouldn't be the worst players on the team -- I know it's strange logic, but not one that Melvin and Co. looked into enough in the off-season. We also say 'it's not our money', but also say 'extend this guy or this guy'. Well money today is worth money tomorrow and that $10 million could've helped extend a Hart, Hardy, Fielder, Yo, etc. Now it might as well have been lit on fire.

I don't remember the Packers being booed at home. IIRC, I think the Packers were booed more than once since Favre joined and I think one time was at halftime of game that the Packers were supposed blowout, but were losing...and Holmgren was the coach. It was few and far between, but it has happened. If 10 million dollars is not stealing for what Gagne has done, I would like someone to tell me what stealing is? 37.1 IP w/ 44 hits, 11 homers, 20 walks, and 7 blown saves. He has an ERA of 6.69. 10 million dollars? The contract Melvin gave him was absolutely absurb and was thievery. It is not stealing. Look up the definition. Put it this way -- whatever you do for a career or plan to do -- if you were offered more money than you were worth and you knew it was guaranteed would you pass it up? I sure as hell wouldn't. I think if anything close to making this 'funny' or accusing anyone of things I think Melvin donated to the Eric Gagne charity and the charity accepted. I really think that playing Gagne isn't a 100% Yost decision...at least I hope not. Gagne pitching before September 1st was one thing, but now it's just dumb. The only time when Gagne is the best option is in a 152 inning game where every pitcher and possible position player can no longer make a throw from the mound to the plate.

So if it's based on performance (CC and the team) from a unbiased view how would you rank the guys? Would Green be number 1?

I bet Turnbow felt the same way. Booing any poor performing overpaid player is not good, but Turnbow did things that Gagne never did -- actually had some success in Milwaukee. Booing Turnbow still makes me sick since he was good in Milwaukee even though some tend to forget that. Gagne has stunk up most of the year and really never been anything close to what Turnbow was the past few years (not including this year). The thing that worries me about Gagne (and to a certain extent Melvin) is that they invested all this money in him and he's nowhere near a good pitcher. Did they screw up the scouting report? Or was it a quick rush like hey let's get Gagne before his price goes up? I guess I don't understand how they could be that off on a pitcher and that worries me since we probably will be looking to acquire another starter this off-season. I think to a certain degree Melvin is a pretty good GM for position players and finding diamonds in the rough, but I don't think he's really ever had a true free agent pitcher pan out (I might be missing somebody). And by a true free agent pitcher I'm talking about money and players teams want.

I give Gagne a TON of credit for getting out of the 8th inning with the game still tied. Guys are going to give up home runs. Do you give him credit letting the game get tied up? It's comments like these I don't understand. Guys do give up home runs and give up runs, but not usually at the rate that Gagne has this year. His $10 million figure is HUGE because if he was making the minimum he would've been released a long, long time ago. I don't think he's stealing since he signed for the most money he could get, but that also ensured his roster spot for the year IMO.

Dillard, Stetter, etc...it's an awfully big step for these AAAA guys to the 8th inning role during a pennant chase. I hope you mean AAA and not AAAA. These guys aren't AAAA and they will most likely be on the Crew next year. I guess I don't agree with who else should we go with idea. Gagne is awful so because there aren't 'clear' options we go with the awful guy. That doesn't make any sense. Do you trust Gagne more than anyone else? I sure as hell don't and that's why there shouldn't be an 8th inning guy. Put in the best pitcher available and IMO Gagne is the worst pitcher on the team. He should never be in when the game is still somewhat up in the air. I find it hard to believe that Gagne can face the 'pressure' of playing the worst team in the league better than any of the guys we called up. Why does Gagne continue to get support? He's the worst pitcher on the team and will go down on a nice list in the media of worst off-season signings. He won't be on the top of the list because of the one-year deal, but he will be on the list.

Used to be mostly throwing errors. Not so one-sided this year. I'd argue that to a certain extent. It's not the throwing errors are the concern it's the concentration and mental aspect, which from all accounts I've seen and heard have improved. I also think as the level of competition increases you'll see more 'fielding' errors and that may be a concern down the line, but Mat still had his fair share of throwing errors. TH claims to know so much about minor league baseball and at times he doesn't show it. Gamel's biggest physical concern is footwork and that's leading to his 'physical' errors now and last year. I still think he can be an average 3B. A side note on Gamel. I know we're all excited about his first half in Huntsville and I'm in the camp that he should start a couple of games before the season ends, but his bat is not going to be a 25 - 30 HR bat in the majors for a few years. He needs to bulk up and get stronger, which he will. I think the best case scenario for Gamel is to be in AAA all of next year and I do see big things from him -- just not quite yet.

When the alternatives for the innings he pitches are basically Mota or Riske, I think I might just have to continue to grit my teeth and hope for the best. Mota, Riske, an Shouse all have more IP then Gagne. Not sure simply letting Gagne rot for the rest of the year is a realistic option. You still have to get 27 outs, and to suggest that just giving those Gagne outs to those other guys is some sort of no-brainer tends to ignore the facts. I think you may be tending to ignore the facts that the Brewers have more options than you listed. They've called up some pitchers that have all had the same amount of success as Gagne has had to a certain degree. I would much rather see a guy like Dillard than Gagne. Dillard's nasty sinker beats the garbage that Gagne throws. I think ignoring the pitchers called up who all have major league experience is what you and Yost seems to be doing. These guys aren't AA prospects who've never played. They've all played a bit in the majors and have played at a higher level of competition in AAA. Pitching Gagne right now is just because he's a $10 million man...plain and simple. If the Brewers are going for it, Gagne should be pitching in blowouts. Gallardo would be nice, but there are already better pitchers on the staff than Gagne that aren't getting time. I know it's a risky thing to put in a younger guy in these situations, but who knows you may just find that Dillard steps up and does well. Dillard has the makeup to do it from my experience with him in Nashville.