JJHardy7

Steve Bray has given up 4 ER in 23.1 innings since the end of April. I still want to see him given a shot at some point. I know he doesn't have great stuff, but he just keeps getting it done. He may not have "great stuff", but there are plenty of major leaguers without great stuff. Bray is long, long, long overdue on a Milwaukee call up. Maybe he doesn't work out, but what else does he have to do? I do feel for Steve because he's done everything asked and more in terms of production. I still am a bit shocked DiFelice finally got called up after his great numbers, but I really hope I have that same shock when Steve is called up. There's no way to find out if he's an MLB pitcher without putting him on a MLB team.

Pardon my vague question, but who was the very recent player that admitted in a book/newspaper they were drunk during a game? It wasn't Cameron was it? Again I apologize (especially throwing Cam's name out there if I'm wrong), but I remember reading a thread in the past year or so about a player claiming to be drinking before a game, etc.

I don't think it's as much paying that for league average as it is hoping at this point he can be league average an earn some of that money. They paid it in the hope he was better and if he was only average it was at the very least not money completely wasted. If they would have said at the beginning of the season they hoped he would be average then I'd say it was stupid. I think they felt he was going to be better than that but now are willing to live with average for the remainder year. I agree with what you're saying. The problem I had/have with the signing is that his track record the past few years, injuries, and age didn't really sway me as it was going to work out. I hope when he comes back he can at least be average. I remember people saying we had to pay a premium to get him in Milwaukee, but I tend to feel the Brewers were the only ones interested in giving him a closer role which to me raises some questions.

Do you think the possibility I suggested (league average Gagne) is so ridiculous that you refuse to even acknowledge its existence? We will see if he can be league average. It is possible. I just don't know if giving a guy $10 million dollars for being league average makes all that much sense. They must have thought there was a reasonable chance of Gagne returning to form based on scouting information. I think it's pretty clear that Milwaukee paid a premium for the 1 year deal, though, so it's probably not fair to say that the Brewers ever expected $10 mil worth of performance out of him. $7 mil, maybe? What does that usually buy you? Who else was going after Gagne? I don't recall a team, but I sure hope there was one for the price the Brewers paid. I think it's hard to determine market value if the Brewers were the only team going after Gagne.

And being "figured out" adds 4+ runs to a pitcher's ERA? I don't even think the "changing leagues" factor is even real to begin with. If it easy, it's probably much more subtle than you are suggesting. Gagne pitched 18.2 innings with Boston, so it's hard to take it too seriously. Heck, his Texas stint was only 33 innings. Add that to him basically being out of the league for the previous 2 years and it's impossible to use his recent performance to come up with any firm expectations. I don't think expecting league average relief performance (4ish ERA) is unrealistic, though. He still has the raw tools to compete in the majors (he's not throwing 85 MPH, or anything like that). I think it is a legit possible reason because he was out for pretty much 2 seasons and then switched leagues. I also think the injuries could be a significant factor and scared away potential suitors. I guess it boils down to whether or not you think you're getting Gagne prior to 2005 or the one that blew up in Boston. I figured it be more towards the one that blew up in Boston. I also don't think his lack of PEDs is helping his current situation.

If it's not a shock to you, what do you think is the explanation of the performance difference between Texas and Boston last year? It could be all sorts of different things. I'm guessing moving from the NL to the AL "bought" Gagne some time since hitters were as familiar with him. Once they were more familiar with him (i.e. more video tape of him to scout after his injuries) they knew what he was all about. I don't recall any other teams or rumors, but were the Brewers the only team going after Gagne in the off-season?

I wasn't too thrilled with either signing based on injury history, age, and PED implications with the players. Cameron isn't far off from what I expected out of him. His defense is good, but his bat is somewhat streaky. Gagne is pitching like he was in Boston so it's not a big shock. I do wish the Brewers went different routes, but there's not much that can be done about it at this point. At least they are only one year signings.

What is your opinion based on? Last year Weeks OPS+ was 108. You think his defense was so bad that it equaled "sacrificing" the position? What does that actually mean? If Braun's offense wasn't good enough to make up for his defense, than Weeks offense isn't either. Now if you look at some numbers at some given points they're not horrible, but Weeks was so hyped up in the minors as the next best thing. He hasn't really met too many of those expectations in my mind. I hope he does. Irribarren is now in the majors. He was moved to the OF this year because it looked like Weeks was making the strides to become a fixture at 2B. Escobar could be moved to 2B if needed. He's probably a +20 defensive player, and his bat is improving enough that he should be above replacement level. Just because the Brewers don't have a future guaranteed All Star waiting in the minors doesn't mean they aren't thinking about possible replacements for Weeks if needed. The Hurricane isn't a bad option, but there isn't a prospect in the minors with the potential that Weeks had/has waiting in the wings. Other posters have mentioned guys on the lower levels who may pan out, but The Hurricane appears to be the only option in 2008 and 2009. I guess my main point is how long does Weeks live on potential? I know there were discussions on who was better in the minors -- Fielder or Weeks, but it now appears Weeks is behind Braun, Fielder, Hart, and quite possibly Hardy.

Besides a slump this year, when do you think the Brewers have been sacrificing 2B? I'd say Weeks entire career. His defense has been bad and his offense IMO has not ever made up for that. My point is they could get better production instead of "waiting" for Weeks if it turns out he's not the right guy. What makes you think the Brewers aren't preparing themselves? Name the next best 2B to take over for Weeks that's in the minors....

This is a good question. I think it's because pitchers usually don't practice throws to first all that much and are more worried about the at-bats which makes sense. I think this thread is probably about McClung's "throw" to first tonight that was ugly. It may be not only the lack of practice, but the routine of throwing a certain distance and speed to a short distance and unknown speed?

Weeks is only one year older than Ryan Braun. Weeks will turn 26 this year. Considering most players are thought to peak at 28 and maintain that until their early 30's I think it is reasonable to expect Weeks to get better. Braun has shown a ton more in 2 years in the bigs compared to this being Rickie's 4 years in the bigs. My point is that Weeks hasn't shown on a consistent basis that he's going to be an above average second baseman. He very well may peak later on, but what is Weeks' peak right now? I think that's a very legit question. I know it's been brought up before that players boom later on in there career, but my point is when do the Brewers stop sacrificing that position and move on? I'm not saying Weeks will play at the level he is for the rest of his career, but if it's holding the team back a change should be made sooner rather than later. So if we're going to just point to two recent months with a healthy wrist, why not Aug. & Sept. of 2007? Is it because he was incredible, and that makes the 'Weeks is unproductive' chant seem strange? I just don't get how short people's memories can be. I know you're probably not just out to witch-hunt Weeks, JJHardy7, but if two months is all we need to 'know' what a player is, then imho it's only fair to include the two months he was healthy last season, too. He did play well in August and September, but IMO I don't think it had as much to do with his wrist as his approach. He was humbled to get sent down to AAA and play very well there. He gained some confidence and brought that back to the bigs. I'm not out to get Weeks by any means, but I do think it's a fair question. If Weeks was only healthy for four months in his MLB career, again he shouldn't have been playing then. Weeks has all the tools to be an all-star 2B, but at what point and time does a team with playoff dreams that haven't been reached in a long time decide to go another direction or at least prepare themselves. I hope the thinking isn't Weeks is the 2B, but Weeks is the 2B for now and we have to look for another 2B should Weeks not develop.

This is what I'm talking about -- the argument that Weeks is just some wussy for being injured, or that injury isn't a 'real' explanation to frustrated fans. I don't think Rickie is viewed as anything but Rickie to the Brewers. Each individual player is a unique case. But instead of being objective, people seem to take comfort in just mocking the objectivity that (imho) should be inherent in any player analysis. I'm not accusing him of being a wuss. Either the injury has held him back or it hasn't. There are those that think it's injury and those that think it's not. I personally think if his wrist was that bad of an injury he shouldn't have played through it because it did hurt the team. I understand he couldn't have hurt it more so, but the Brewers could've had some better results than what he produced during that time period and so far in '08. At least until the end of 2008. What I really wanted to see was this be a full, healthy season for Rickie. Too bad he sucks at not getting slid into dirtily! That is fine by mean, but again once he's off the DL the injury thing doesn't work. Weeks needs to produce some results and to be honest since his wrist is "healed" he has looked pretty bad this year. I just hope if he comes back and produces the same it's not blamed on his latest injury because if it changes his game that much he shouldn't be playing. My point is that since Weeks has been with the Brewers 2B has been his and not thought of. I think that has to change. We need to develop a prospect to fill in for Weeks if need be. He isn't 22 years old and finding his way through. I personally think there's no reason for his strikeouts since he's seen big league pitching now for four years. I can buy into the power not being there I guess, but by now he should be a lot more advanced than what he is. Based on his stats alone he's having one of his worst years while "healthy". Something has to give eventually. Not that this is likely to happen but...if the lineup without Rickie (i.e. different lead off guy) plays well, Branyan continues to play well (not at the crazy level he's at now), and Hall for whatever reason starts raking...is Rickie out of starting job when he comes back?

The thing I love about Weeks are the excuses side vs. the performance side. It makes for very interesting debate, but I'd like to try and point out Weeks isn't a spring chicken. In my opinion regardless of the excuses or his lack of production there comes a point and time where a replacement needs to be groomed. I'm not saying Weeks should be replaced today, but I honestly hope at this point and time the Brewers don't see him in the same light as Braun and Hart. I do believe the rest of the season (given that Weeks is healthy so we can toss aside all his health factors) will go a long way in determining his future. Should he not perform to expectations we'll have a 2B with plenty of potential in 2009 that turns 27 the end of the season. I'm not a Weeks hater or anything, but if this organization is going to go where we all want it to go players have to be held accountable for their performance. Maybe we trade Weeks in the off-season and a few years from now he becomes good -- we need results sooner rather than later. How long do we wait for Weeks to develop? That's an honest question.

Cain's promotion surely must be a placeholder until LaPorta's half season in Huntsville is over, right? LaPorta has nothing left to prove at the plate in AA and he can work on defense at AAA. Yea I think LaPorta gets called up when the half season ends. I just hope that if he rakes in AAA they wait on him until they need him (i.e. for a possible playoff push) in September. I'm of the opinion that he has a little ways to go yet on his defense and unless there's a trade/injury he won't play everyday in Milwaukee which won't help him improve his defense. I'm assuming Cain will go down to Huntsville when LaPorta comes up?

what happened? Did he drink some Derrick Turnbow serum or something? He seemed to be smooth and steady from the start and then BAM! He's walking the ballpark. Even his career minor league numbers didn't indicate this prior to his "meltdown" in mid-May. At the same time look at the very small sample size. He hasn't been used a lot in Nashville and let's see what happens as he logs more innings. I would imagine he'll come closer to his career norms rather than further away.

They have three who can play 2B already in Hall, Counsell and if needed Dillon. Adding a guy you never want to do anything except pinch hit when you have to remove a pitcher early or take over 2B after two injuries just seems like a waste. I'm not saying it's right or wrong by any means. My guess is that The Hurricane gives them more flexibility. I wouldn't count on Dillon as a 2B. He doesn't have all that much range. I'd rather have The Hurricane getting some time there. I do think Hall is going to take 2B. The Brewers may have other infielders, but in terms of flexibility and not seeing Counsell start three times a week The Hurricane does make a little sense there. If The Hurricane is starting everyday there, then that is a different story.

Moving Bush down to make way for Weaver and McClung based on one or two starts is a sign of a bad franchise. With the Gallardo injury, the Capuano injury, and releasing Vargas a strength going into the year is gone. With the struggles of Bush mixed in with good starts and McClung's history as a starter I'm just not sold on either one of them. I'm by no means saying Weaver is an answer or anything, but I am saying that unfortunately the Brewers might be in a position to throw more starters in there and see what sticks. It's obviously not ideal, but it is what it is.

I just don't get the Iribarren call up. He's struggling mightily in AAA, had only one great month in AA last year. Nelson's clock is ticking much faster than Iribarren's. Is this just familiarity? My guess is the Brewers wanted someone who could play 2B -- I'm not saying that's right or wrong. The Hurricane can play 2B if needed and can play the OF. They haven't had a 5th OF since Gwynn went down and The Hurricane provides more flexibility. Nelson can play 1B and maybe the corner spots, but I don't think Prince, Braun, or Hart need all that many days off. I don't expect it to be a platoon at 2B more of a start or two a week and pinch hitting/running as needed. There's not much to get worked up about here IMO unless your Tony Gwynn Jr.

The point is we have tons of innings to evaluate every single one of those pitcher save perhaps Villaneueva. What they do over two starts is near meaningless. I agree with that, but not every pitcher has a June 15th decision looming. That is my point. If the Brewers are entertaining any ideas of who loses a spot in the roation should Weaver be up, my guess would be that Bush and McClung would be on top of that list. If they're not thinking about it, it's a moot point. I really don't appreciate your back handed slaps, but I guess I'm getting used to it since most of your posts are written up that way when replying to my posts.

If I read this right, you guys are saying he should play hurt? Any of you guys ever have a knee injury, or worse, blow it up? If I am missing some between the lines stuff, sorry. I think there was a post mocking a post on jsonline. I don't think anyone hear honestly wants to Weeks to play if he's hurt as bad it seems. My post about him playing hurt relates to the fact that some blame his lack of production on his wrist injury and playing through it. There have been posts that he "recovered" in August and September last year and that's why he played well. So far this year it doesn't look like Rickie can really blame his wrist injury for anything as far as production goes.

I've been a Griffey fan for a long-time and out of all the home run hitters out there (those that have been around for awhile) he is one of the few I've never heard of PEDs and his name. I really hope the Reds can work out a trade with a contender that is fair for both sides so Junior gets a shot at a ring. He's a classy player and he's been terrific for the sport.

That was not just a "hard" slide. It was a dirty slide, since the guy didn't even hit the ground until after the base. He basically jumped right into Weeks' planted leg. Having said that, I'm not sure beaning someone would have solved anything. I do think it was a "hard" slide. Did he intentionally try to hurt Weeks? I don't know about that, but I don't think that's an instance where he was or at least stepped back and thought about it. It's part of the game and again we have no clue what has been said to Weeks or the Brewers and the fact he was day to day to the DL tells me the Brewers didn't think it was all that serious. And for all the comments made about Yost and the beaning against the Cards why is the beaning ok in this instance? The seems to be ripping on a situation just for the sake of ripping on it. Until I hear that this was intentional I don't think it makes sense to bean a guy. Again, Yost doesn't throw any pitches and if any "blame" for the lack of beaning I would look first at the players on the club and not the manager. Maybe if you feel there should've been a beaning you should blame the players? Beaning is the technical foul of basketball. Is it going to get the players all jacked up so they can win? Putting a guy on base is never a good thing in my opinion and these players are professionals and should act like it -- just like the Brewers did.

Yes. That's what you do when an opposing player injures one of your own on a dirty play. I disagree. Sliding hard is part of the game these days and beaning a player to show up the other team/player just doesn't do much for me. I'd rather win games than worry about a team injuring a player on purpose -- if that's even the case. Sliding hard is part of the game and I find it odd that this is again going back at Yost. Why didn't a Brewer pitcher just bean a player on their own if it was that obviously dirty? Does a manager have to tell a player to "protect one of their own"? Or were they more worried about trying to win a baseball game?

Geesh, it sure seems less than satisfying that we let Colorado completely off the hook for one of their players sliding late and putting one of ours on the DL. Hardnosed baseball my rear, that guy's legs didn't make contact with the ground until he was beyond the bag. Since Ned's newest excuse is "WWBCD?", (What Would Bobby Cox Do?) I have to ask...does anyone really think the Braves would have sat there and done nothing? And I wonder how our players feel about the fact that we let the Rockies get away with it. I bet they'll be forced to take matters in their own hands next time, as has been the case in the past. What should they have done? Beaned a player or started a brawl? I think part of the reason the players didn't say anything because it's more or less a part of the game and at the time (assuming the Brewers weren't hiding anything) it didn't appear to be a serious injury. Who's to say Weeks and/or the Brewers haven't received an apology for it?

It always is better to play hurt and play like crap and hurt your team than to not play! Well Weeks' has supposedly done that before, so why not again?