JJHardy7

Someone might take a flyer on Lou, especially since they can send him back through waivers and hope he clears either right away or when teams set their offseason 40's. Catching is very weak, and Lou at least doesn't embarrass himself at the plate like many C's. The main issue with Lou though is his injury. It was first reported that it was similar to Yo's and Yo came back -- Lou didn't and it turned out to be more serious. A leg injury to a catcher is cause for concern IMO and my guess is he stays with the Brewers because of that and he missed valuable time in terms of developing.

AS ILuv pointed out, he deserves a lot of credit for not giving up the lead. Really gotta give Giles credit, the pitch he hit out was low and in...lefties often like it there, but it was not even a strike. So we are still giving Gagne credit for sucking? I just don't get it. He deserves a lot of credit for convincing the Brewers to give him a $10 million contract. I'd be interested to know based on ERA (I know there are more stats than that, but this might make it simple) to see if Gagne is one of the most overpaid pitchers in baseball history. I'm going to guess he is, but maybe not on the top. Gagne is getting booed because Milwaukee fans feel he's had a crappy season and is way overpaid and it's something management flat out doesn't see. Does he deserve to be booed coming into the game? No, but at this point Brewers fans will boo and it should be expected -- even though that's sad.

This isn't an in-game thing or anything like that since I've wanted to post this for awhile. Eric Gagne should not pitch another game for the Brewers and I don't care how much he makes this year. He's clearly shown he is not in the same league as an average of relief pitcher and he can't maintain any consistency. I make this point more so now since there have been players called up that IMO I'd much rather have then him. I'm sick of the early season thoughts that he got squeezed, than was injured, was good, and now is bad. He was a pretty bad signing at the time and I'm sick of the Brewers seemingly trying to prove the signing. If we do miss the playoffs for a few games (I sure hope we don't), Gagne should be on the top of the list as reasons why. I'd almost rather see Mota in place of Gagne. I don't get what Ned and the Brewers are trying to 'prove' and I've been behind Yost most of the year. This Gagne plague has to stop. He's not that good and if we make the playoffs the last thing I want to see on the roster is Gagne -- leave it blank so he can't be used. This might be a rant, but I haven't seen a Gagne thread lately so this is mine. Gagne should not pitch another game unless there is a large window. $10 million sunk...so let's cut our costs and have Mr. Gagne rake the infield or paint the lines for his pay...kidding on that part of course.

You'd think so, but considering the way Ned used him in the weeks up to his injury, I'd almost say it's more likely that Yost is hoping he needs another month before he's ready. It's hard to say 100% if Branyan's injury was nagging or he didn't let the team know in regards to how he was used. If Branyan was 100% healthy, he wasn't used right, but I'd hope that it's possible this injury was lingering and eventually the Brewers decided he wasn't getting better.

AA tends to be tougher overall competition, not AAA. I don't think this is true one bit. There might be some AAAA players in AA, but that's better than AA. Is there more potential in AA? Maybe, but a guy playing in AAA is facing guys most likely on their way to the bigs, guys that have been in the bigs, and AAAA pitchers. I've seen plenty of AA and AAA games and the talent just isn't that close. The biggest step up in the minors might be A/A+ to AA, but AAA has more talent.

I don't think you were being a jerk JJHardy7. Gamel is good and going to be very good, but he is no Braun. As a matter of fact few can come into the league and do what he has done. I wouldn't expect Gamel to come close but better then Hall or Counsell. I agree BCin04. We can wait until next year to make him 'the guy', but there's no reason to not give him a few starts. He may struggle, but his struggles may be better than the mess at 3B we currently have. I think of Gamel, Escobar, and Salome at this point and time (ie no future off-season trades are made) Gamel will be needed and/or ready the earliest. Let's get him some time...and he's a lefty!

Thanks for the vids. BK, I've really appreciated your work and of course Jim's in the minor league forum. I would also like to start the support Brad Nelson thread and to a degree it's because of the good things I've seen from him in Nashville and not a lot of the 'negative' things posted about him. I don't know if it will be with the Brewers next year, but Nelson is a class act and I wish him the best. At the very least, his first major league hit was with the Crew.

i'm totally against it. we're not teetering on the brink of falling out of the WC lead, so the 1 or even 2 games that a productive Gamel might get us isn't going to make a tremendous difference. then consider that he might lose us 1-2 games with defensive errors and it's a wash. I've seen Gamel a few times and I'm not all that worried about his defense. Like many have posted in the minor league forums errors in the minors might be the worst stat in baseball (and IMO Gamel's errors are more or less throwing errors which hopefully can be fixed). I think he can stick at 3B, but again I thought and still think Braun could stick at 3B -- which many here never thought or don't think anymore so my opinion could be way off. From everything I've heard, Gamel has a 'better' chance to stick according to those in the minors, but I honestly don't know what that really means. I do think if he's not rushed (and not to be a jerk, but Gamel isn't a Braun type so we can wait IMO) the Brewers will keep him at 3B. In regards to falling out of the WC lead, I don't want it to get to that. We have the depth and if Gamel comes out and has this 3 error game that costs us all these runs you are stating we can take him out. It's that simple. We've lost games on a lot more sad things than playing a Gamel type at 3B. I'll take my chances to start a few games and if he is awful (and for the record I think folks here tend to think he's worse than Braun which IMO isn't true) we have options on the bench. Is Gamel ready? Not sure, but Hall and Counsell are a joke batting and I'd rather get to the playoffs AND build a lead than worry about how tight the lead is. Let's go for it and let's put the best players in the lineup.

The last thing we want is a minor league player to make a critical error in an important game. I'd rather not see the position players at all, I don't see why we are messing with a team that won 80 games in 5 months. We're leading the Wildcard--save the rebuilding for next year. Well if we're in the win now mode we put the best team on the field. Does that mean it's Gamel? I don't know if it's him, but we need to try and get production out someone there. As far as his defense, it obviously isn't where the Brewers want it, but he made pretty big strides this year. I personally would be willing to give up a few errors from Gamel if his offense can beat out what the Brewers currently have at 3B. I'm not saying Gamel is a savior for the rest of the way, but if we're going for it Gamel should at least get a handful of starts.

I guess I just hope the Brewers roll the dice a bit and try to use all the players they called up. I have a feeling Gamel, Escobar, and Salome are barely going to play and I think that's wrong. I hope they all get a few starts or at least playing time in parts of games. The one thing regarding 3B is that the Brewers have depth there now with Gamel. I see no harm in starting him there since Counsell and to a certain degree Hall can come in if needed as the game goes on and if that's not enough Brad Nelson could hack it at 3B for a few innings if some type of emergency came up.

If you think Delgado is sweating any call-up right now, we're just going to have to agree to disagree. I don't know if he's sweating it, but an old 1B and high priced first baseman would be replaceable IMO. The contract is guaranteed, but his job isn't.

I am definitely rooting for Yost to win it, so that he can get the respect he deserves among Brewer fans. I agree, but I don't see. Brewer nation would complain about him after winning the world series, which is sad. Fans will say they won despite of him and not because of him. I don't think Yost is a great manager, but I do think he did a solid job this year and is part of why the Brewers are in the race.

1. Escobar - Didn't tail off like Gamel. My prediction is he will be SS next year, Weeks will be traded and Hardy will be at 2B. Moving Hardy to 2B would be a bad, bad move IMO. SS or 3B, but not 2B. The real question is what do we get for Weeks or Hardy. I think Weeks fetches a bag of baseballs and we're not going to make a drastic move just to get rid of Weeks. Escobar is going to be in AAA most of next year. His bat wasn't ready this year and now he's ready for MLB pitching? I personally would be a bit cautious, but I do think he'll be in Milwaukee for a long time.

Of course, but the notion that having these guys up is enough to make a discernable impact on the concentration level of veteran professional athletes is laughable to me. If the impact isn't enough that there's something showing in the on-field play, what's the point for Kruk claiming the call-ups are 'disruptive'? Equating this to a normal workplace doesn't work for me, since this is the way the job works. It happens every season, and each veteran was likely once upon a time, a September call-up. Kruk specifically 'broke it down' to explain how the disruptions happen on teams contending, and how they affect teams out of contention, too. Just an odd bit to me. Sure, I can see how a scrubby vet that has a placeholding job could be unsettled, but to say that someone like Carlos Delgado (just my random example) is going to get all out of rhythym when the Mets call up those benchwarmers is completely laughable imo. I still agree with Kruk. Just read some threads here on where to put JJ in regards to Gamel and Escobar. Weeks, JJ, and Hall would all be worried. Baseball players are human and I think that gets missed a lot. Trust me players do not want to get sent down to Nashville and they want to stay in the bigs and recently they want to stay in Milwaukee. Players know what is going on and I can guarantee JJ Hardy knows who Escobar is and Escobar will determine his future with the team. Your example of Delgado actually is perfect. The Brewers really don't have a guy like that (maybe Kendall?), but a guy like Delgado knows his end is soon and some hotshot coming up might be a distraction. We can look at numbers all day long, but this is still a game and there is a very personal level involved. Think about it..if you're JJ, Weeks, or Hall you are darn well watching to see what Gamel or Escobar can do. There is pride in baseball.

I liked his approach much better last year, he didn't take as many huge cuts at the ball and had better results. Maybe it's just me, but I think Prince hit to all fields a little bit more last year. I don't know if the numbers will show that, but he seemed to focus on that a bit more in the past.

At the end of the day, I am more pissed that CC didn't make that play cleanly. It sucks that our D continues to be a thorn for us. CC shouldn't be dependent on a scorer calling an "error his way" -- that seems a lot more weak to me, than bending over and making the play and getting the no-no that way. If that play was a slam-dunk for CC, we shouldn't be talking about it right now. Sorry FTJ, but at the end of the day if we're complaining about a one-hit shutout I'd love to see this thread every day. To me, it's really a moot point. What's the big deal? CC is not going to be in the record books? So what IMO he's already in the Brewers books for his performance this year. Our D is much improved over last year, but I do agree FTJ that some of these scoring things are not fair across the board.

John Kruk just got done 'arguing' the point on BBTN that, "September call-ups disrupt veterans" You think you've heard every lame, weak, non-sensical thing that crap network can throw at you... I don't know how much minor league baseball you've been around, but in reality these call-ups want to come and win a job for next year. It is exactly why veterans aren't fans of it. Imagine where you work that for one month there will be more people hired in your position just for a 'call-up'. Most of these guys aren't going to play a ton, but a guy like Escobar isn't going to Milwaukee thinking JJ is there so I'm just here for 'experience'. He's going there to show he belongs. Kruk IMO was dead-on and if you go to some AA or AAA games in August you can hear a lot of chatter -- these guys want to be in the bigs and stay in the bigs. As a fan, it's easy to say well it's nice for them to be around the game, but that's the difference between a player and a fan.

But again you are blaming his weight for an off year when there is absolutely not a shred of evidence that it is the problem. He very easily could come into camp in 2009 with the exact same body shape and hit 60 HRs, there is no proof of any sort that the weight is an issue. I think that was his point exactly. Every year dozens of players drop large amounts of SLG for no reason at all, stop trying to read too much into it. It's hard to make a case that his weight IS the factor, but until we know otherwise it's at least one of the reasons. His point (at least from what I have read) states that 'plenty' of big guys have done fine and I'm curious as to what players make up this 'plenty'. I very well could be missing some guys, but I do think Prince's body type is very unique in baseball and I don't think there are 'plenty' like him. Does this mean Prince stinks? Of course not, but IMO it's worth watching especially as free agency approaches in the next few years. I also think Prince is valued a little too high around here. Some of the trade discussion seems quite off. I don't think Prince is worth as much as some think here -- he plays a position that should slug and drive in runs. I think the Brewers will keep him the next few years because there aren't a lot of teams willing to give up a ton of talent for him IMO.

I think the Brewers have brought up a lot of guys is that they can experience the atmosphere as much as anything else. Playing time figures to be very limited until the playoffs are secured. Even then until the Cubs lock the division title, I don't expect to see much of the kids. But that last weekend assuming everything is decided we could see some very interesting lineups. I agree that the experience is a good thing. When the Brewers were crappy they'd bring up guys like Weeks a few years early just to have them get the experience. I think now it's about experiencing playoff type baseball. I do get the feeling that Gamel is going to see some starts at 3B. I don't think it makes sense of his AAA call-up unless he's going to actually be playing.

I think Braun has a shot at the award. I have a feeling the Cards are going to fade -- fast. I don't know if it's right or not, but winning teams are more likely to produce MVPs. If the Cards fade, that will hurt Pujols' chances. I get the feeling that Braun is bigger than Milwaukee. Now I'm not saying he's bigger than the team, but I think he has that kind of swagger that will make him a star in Milwaukee and across the nation. Braun is exactly what the Brewers have lacked for so long. I do love the fact he's even in the MVP talk in his second year.

Don't hurt me FTJ -- I think Yost has a shot to win it. I think if the Cubs keep winning like they are Yost will lose, but if the Brewers win the division it will be Yost's award. I think we have to sit back and think how this award is won -- the media. For as much hate ESPN gets around here, if they play the whole 'first time in 26 years!' deal the Brewers will get a ton of attention. ESPN has been talking CC all morning and I don't think it's far fetched to think the media will cling to the Brewers should they win the division. Does he deserve it? Who knows. I personally think the manager/coach of the year awards are somewhat silly.

What if (and I do mean if) CC wins the Cy Young or MVP? I'd imagine that would be bobblehead worthy.

Plenty of big guys had no problem keeping their raw power and it's not like Prince has gained much weight from last year, anyway. What is 'plenty'? I might be missing some guys, but I do not think there are plenty of guys with Prince's body type. Regardless of the reason for the decline the Brewers have to be somewhat happy that they haven't extended Prince. I'm not saying he's a horrible player, but Prince is going to have to work hard to get an extension from the Brewers. I wish the best for Prince and I can't imagine how good he could be if he would show up in '09 a lot lighter and more ripped. The one thing that I find interesting about this is that Prince seems to want to show up his dad and be better, which is fine. Prince's dad couldn't field and had to be a DH -- shouldn't that be Prince's motivation?

If Rivera or Kendall would PH and the other got hurt, who would be the emergency catcher? If we have one, I'd be fine using Rivera as a PH, but I don't think we have that emergency catcher on the bench.

In regards to calorie count, I'd check out www.fitday.com. It's a free site that will keep track of what your eating. It has many 'normal' foods already in it and you can go to www.dietfacts.com to import foods from restaurants or meals purchased at a grocery store.