JJHardy7

Guys with little velocity usually do not get a shot very quickly. They gotta prove themselves much more than the guy who throws 95+. Is this in regards to Bray? What else did he have to do last year? The Brewers have the 6th best bullpen ERA in the NL, and if you remove Turnbow, they are 4th, 0.002 behind 3rd place Cincy, where fans have also complained about their bullpen all year. Well if you remove a few players on offense we easily have the best offensive team in baseball. You simply can't remove players and I've been told that many times around here. I think from a business view the bullpen is horrible. There was a ton of money wasted and if Mark is a good owner he'll have a chat with Melvin about it. I think if they had kept Sarfate around as the long guy and kept Stetter/Dillard around they could've easily saved the Gagne, Mota, and possibly Riske mistakes. Yea the bullpen is alright, but I personally wouldn't want to blow all that money when there are cheaper and possibly better options already on the team. Gagne is only on the roster because of his contract and I'm sure Mark and Doug will have a talk about that.

I'm a little surprised that Bateman isn't going to be called up, but maybe it's a 40-man thing. Me too. Everything I heard from the team and players indicated he'd be up. I have a feeling Gamel, Salome, and Escobar may have changed that logic since a few weeks ago the thought was to not call any of them up. There still is time though for them to call him up and I hope they do. I just don't get the feeling now that it's going to happen, but much stranger things have happened.

I'm game if you need one more.

Bray does not throw hard. If he succeeds at AAA, he'll get a shot eventually. If you fail at AAA and have to go to AA, you probably won't. Did Bray fail in AAA last year?

I hope they do...he's a lot like Steve Bray in that scouts are surely so thoroughly unimpressed by his stuff that if he struggles (even for a short duration) early next season, he'll likely find himself back in AA and permanently off the team's radar, which is a shame given all the success he's had to have in order to get this close. To be honest, I don't think the Bray comparison is accurate. I still think Bray's failure this year is mental and not physical. I have to imagine he wasn't happy he wasn't called up last year. Rivera's year last year in AAA was pretty poor and he never got sent down and even made the big league team this year. I've posted before the Brewers don't always handle their bullpen minor league pitchers the best and I think that is holding Bray back. Bray should've gotten a shot last year and now I think the best thing for him is a new organization. Bray can still pitch like he did last year, but mentally knowing there was no way he's going to get called up hurts a player. Bateman does have the side arm thing going and his pitches are very deceptive. I hope he gets called up so we can see what he has. Again, I've heard that he will be called up so it won't be a huge shock. I think the pitchers called up in September are pitching for a huge 'prize' in their current career. With the pitchers in the last year of their deals there will be room next year and Bateman, Dillard, Stetter, etc. could start their surge for a spot on next year's team.

How about 28 yr. old Joe Bateman? Check out his stats; 2.23 ERA/8.96 K/9/3.32 K/BB/.575 OPS/.216 BA/1.08 WHIP. Not bad. I have no idea who it is or what his history is but he's got some of the best overall numbers at Nashville for relievers. I posted a few pages earlier he's likely going to get a call up. He actually may have even been told this a few weeks back.

For some, crunching numbers is part of enjoying the ride. I find the numbers interesting to contemplate and discuss. I agree to a certain point, but there is a fine line. The numbers are nice and all, but it does get frustrating making the 'numbers' the final say in certain conversations. The 'numbers' are important, but I do believe that part of sports is beating the odds. The 'numbers' can't break everything down. If sports came down to clear stats, there'd be no need to watch -- we would already know who wins.

What type of extension (if any) would you offer Bush? Is he going to get Suppan type money when/if he hits free agency? I know he's had his ups and downs, but I'm just curious as to what his real free agent value would be.

One thing that I find interesting is the sudden 'McClung is a better option than Suppan' thought. This board more or less hated the guy last year and thought he was garbage. I defended him last year and there weren't many on the McClung side. Now he has a few nice starts and he's better than Suppan? I don't know if I'd go that far, but I'm sure some stats from this year will be posted proving me wrong. I like McClung and he's a good guy, but his best role is probably a long guy out of the pen and not a starter. If McClung loses even more weight this off-season, I think he'd have the stamina to pitch and maybe the Suppan and McClung comparison can be made. I know it's cheap McClung vs. expensive Suppan, but it's not my money and the Suppan signing can't be reversed. I want the best guys on the team and IMO Suppan is a better option than McClung.

"Ash said there would be at least one surprise, a la Stocker, a Minor League veteran who was promoted all the way from Double-A Huntsville last September mostly to provide speed off the bench." They mention some possibilities, and my dark horse all along has been a third lefty, be it Narron, Choate, or Ramirez. Ramirez has had a decent season. There are rumors about Bateman, but I'm sticking to a third lefty in the pen to be a LOOGY. Could also be referring to Stocker again, as I find it hard to believe that he would go to Brevard if there wasn't a wink and a nudge about a September callup if he took one for the organization. Everything I've heard indicates it's Bateman unless something goes differently (ie Braun is re-injured, others get hurt, etc). I think it's assumed that Stocker is a lock to come up -- again unless something changes in the next week or so.

Because some stats are far superior to others. Focusing on stats that are based highly on luck like H/9 or a lot on luck like WHIP doesn't tell you hpw a pitcher pitched.Its about using evidence thats meaningful instead of noise. So is your opinion far superior than others since the previous posts were just 'noise'? I don't think the original post meant that Bush was better than Sheets. Just that's he's having a solid season and I'd agree with that.

Jack Bauer

I agree with your ideas in regards to the OF. Cameron sure appears to be able to hit 30+ HRs if he played a full year, but what does concern me about his offense is he doesn't exactly 'fit' what the Brewers need. I don't see any harm in keeping him another year, but it's not a perfect match. I personally don't think we'll see Gamel in the OF next year (be that in Nashville or Milwaukee) so I think it makes sense to keep Cameron. Kapler hasn't done anything to not come back in 2009. I don't think I'd flip Braun or Hart next year though. I think eventually Braun might be the CF if he continues to improve and if that's the plan I'd keep him in LF until he is ready to take over in CF (2010?).

The fact is, the Brewers have the cash to pay Sheets. They also have the cash to pay Sabathia. The question is whether or not they'll choose to do so. How is this a fact? We don't even know the money or years Sheets or CC will get. Sheets could get $20 million a year and CC could come close to approaching $25 million a year. We may have the cash to let all expensive guys walk this year (Gagne, Cameron, Turnbow, Cappy, Counsell, etc), but that is a one year thing. We're talking about multi year deals and let's not forget those players leaving need to be replaced. I don't think there is any way the Brewers have the cash to sign both if they intend on extending the younger guys in the future (Gallardo, Parra, CV, Hardy, Hart, Fielder, and possibly Weeks).

I think the problem with Weeks is that he was such a high pick and we really can't let that go. If he was drafted in say the 10th round there would probably be more patience with him. Weeks has frustrated me for a long time because he's shown flashes and there are those for him or against him. It doesn't seem like there's too many on the fence in regards to Rickie. I think his future should come down to how the Brewers approach the off-season. If the Brewers somehow find a true lead-off hitter and move Weeks down the order, I'm fine with that. If Weeks is projected to be the lead-off hitter, I'd be more inclined to make a move.

I know in the past I've said we don't know what we have in Sheets when it comes to big games, but I don't think he's been all that bad the past few starts. Call it 'luck' or the randomness of baseball he's done nothing to change my mind (either good or bad) on his ability. Hopefully there will be plenty of more games this year where Sheets can pitch in a 'big game' and I hope he does well. I do wonder how much of a mental thing it is for him having CC on the team. Maybe he's trying to hard?

But can't everyone else do this stuff too? Then we're back at square one. We do it, the Cubs do it, the Yankees do it and they still have more revenue. If some teams are doing it we can't NOT do it, but it's not really a competitive advantage. It's a business and I agree with you. It doesn't bother me at all, but what would bother me is if we didn't have the companies supporting the Brewers. With more people at the park, watching on tv, and listening on the radio there will be more companies 'buying' the Brewers. It's nowhere near the level of minor league parks and their outfield walls.

I just hope its not Brantley. We need him....we havent had a guy that can constantly put the ball in play since Mark Lorretta. As good as our hitters are, they are all proned to strikeouts and its seems like everyone is pull happy. If they take Green or Lucroy, what are the odds that we keep Hart and move him back to first to replace Fielder? It would be another upgrade defensively and open up one more outfield slot for the likes of Cain, Brantley, Gamel and Gillespie. Also too, if Cain has a better arm than Brantley, wouldnt it make more sense to play him in rightfield? I agree with you, but it's so hard to project A and AA players to the majors. The chances of all 4 becoming starters are most likely small. IMO I'd rather give up the player furthest from the majors in terms of years and not current level. What player is that? That's another thing hard to project. I guess I wouldn't mind giving up Green and after thinking about it he might be the guy I'd be ok with. It's just so hard to project future value. I do have a feeling it would be Brantley and as much as I like the guy especially from what I've seen in person his power will be a major thing with him. If it develops, he's a stud, if it doesn't he could struggle as he moves to AAA and possibly the bigs.

Did Tom lie about "Adam?" Did he misrepresent "Adam?" Nope. How do we know? We don't know what Adam said, but my guess is the guy didn't want his name nor his e-mail published. Look at the comments made about 'Adam'. These thoughts never happen if TH doesn't mention his FULL name and his e-mail address. We have no clue what was said or if Adam was even a poster. He could've e-mailed TH or his boss and it came to this point. Either way I don't think it matters and I do appreciate TH's first hand news, but between this crap that's been going on his blogs for awhile and his 'Ned Yost is fired from a badger blog' thing I've lost some respect for him. The Brewers are finally showing they belong the past 2 seasons, but we may be finding out some of the staff following them can't handle the extra attention in a professional manner. And as far as the 'words out there in public' for Adam we have no clue what he said or anything. This could've been a conversation via person, phone call, or e-mail and we have no clue the details of it. We do know the reaction and it was quite unprofessional IMO.

Your name is also not a matter of privacy. Such as criminals or those arrested can't complain that their name is the paper. Obviously that situation isn't positive press as is this situation wasn't positive press, so I don't see the basis at all for a civil lawsuit. My specialty is criminal law, but I dabble some in civil law and I'm just not seeing it here. Again, I disagree and think it's highly unprofessional, but not lawsuit material. I understand that a name isn't a private matter, but I don't see the comparison to a crime. The crime is commited against the city/county/state/feds and they have the right to bring the name to the public due to the action of an individual more or less. I think it's a matter of what the JS policy is regarding the username and all that. I personally don't think it'd be worth any time to proceed with the lawsuit, but I do think it could violate some of the legal parameters regarding the JS -- depending on how they are laid out. It's using a person's likeness in a published matter without their consent when they haven't commited a crime against a said person in said city/county/state/feds. Again, it's probably a moot point, but the fact that TH called it 'hurt feelings' and such he attached emotion to the individual. I personally would want nothing to do with the case, but if I'm the JS I have a little talk with TH about how to interact with people in a civil manner...this thread almost predicted this!

I believe they timed Prince on one of his inside-the-park HR's and it was 16 seconds, or something like that. While that's possible to beat, for most of us, it is ridiculous to think about, even back when I was in the best shape ever. I'd like to see proof of this before comments like this are posted. Is he THAT much faster than this approx 14 second inside the park: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcRaYNtbANA My parents walked up hill both ways to school back in the day, but I'm not here to brag about that since I can't prove it. Prince has gained weight and he's not good at defense. That's doesn't mean he still can't hit or that people around here hate him because he's bigger. I just don't understand why there's the -- Prince can do this and that attitude about it. If there's video of Prince this year that shows his figure from '06/'07 similar to '08 AND running a 16 second inside the park home run I take it back. Speaking of which...how many non-professional athletes here that are faster than Prince (I'm not doubting you are by the way) are 'listed' at 5'11" - 270 lbs?

There may be another issue or privacy in regards to the giving out of an email address, but it has already been ruled by the Supreme Court that an email address is not a matter of personal privacy. It is not privileged information such as a date of birth, social security number, medical information, home address, etc. What about his name though? He could've complained to his boss and the boss told TH about it and then publicly publishing it I would have to think could potentially break some laws -- especially if his name and/or e-mail was never given to the JS as a log-in to comment on the blog. I don't think defamation, slander, or libel would work, but we don't know what information 'Adam' gave to the JS site and what information TH passed on from his bosses. You could also argue the 'feelings hurt' thing crosses the line depending on what 'Adam' actually said. The reaction also on the blog due to TH's comments are calling him a baby, etc. and that itself would prove 1 and 4 on your list due to TH's desire to include 'Adam's' name, e-mail, and most importantly the 'feelings hurt' when in reality we have no clue what was said and TH could've made up the 'feelings hurt thing'. All in all a very dumb move by TH. *Note this is not legal advice and I've only taken a few business law/law school courses so I'm probably wrong in my analysis http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

I would think putting his name and e-mail in his blog opens the JS up for a fairly significant lawsuit. I agree 100% Peavey. I don't think TH's paper articles or his blog is horrible by any means. I think it's a shame that he's attacked those that disagree (isn't this why this thread was started?) and his mailbag is a complete joke. He picks the questions AND he picks those that challenge him. Wouldn't it be easier to ignore those? There are going to be those that don't like the guy and get upset at what he says and that's exactly what makes a sports journalist 'popular'. I believe Chuck Carlson (former/current? PC writer) has told this to students in journalism. The best column is one that gets people talking and not one that gets everyone shaking their head yes. I don't question TH's work, but to put a full name and e-mail out there is just a very stupid career choice. Why call the guy out? I do hope the JS makes a change - don't let TH comment, don't allow comments, or screen the comments better. I think those that haven't read the blog and/or the comments don't understand some of the poor behavior there that does not exist anywhere here. It's night and day between here and JS, but TH is supposed to be a professional and if my name was the name posted and e-mail (it wasn't and I didn't complain) I would be so upset. That's just not right and TH seems to be taking his boss' frustration out on this guy. If it was so innocent, it would've never been mentioned in his blog. TH got in trouble and now he's saving face or trying to by removing the e-mail, the full name, the initial, and hopefully the entire name.

He's now calling him 'Adam J'. This is horrible for him. I just don't understand what he was thinking.

He should be fired. I really don't like the guy's work, but he's in a tight spot asking the 'right' questions for the Brewers and still trying to respect them. This to me is a complete joke to even give the guy's name out -- let alone his e-mail address. What's next his phone number? I'm going to guess TH hates this guy and they've e-mailed back and forth -- why else would he have his e-mail? I don't know if his cocky responses to his mailbag or the blog were cause for firing, but this has to be. The personal note thing should not have been on the blog and he should've taken the high road by simply ignoring the comments and not calling someone out on a very personal level.