Monday's Plastic Cup
Nice to finally get back on the board at Coors Field, eh? Off day today, but tomorrow we start up a series in Houston, pitting Seth McClung against Roy Oswalt.
In case you hadn't noticed, Jeff Suppan is pitching well. He largely skipped his traditional solid April, but he's made up for it since. Too many fans expect brilliance from a guy because he's making eight figures; a 3.78 ERA from our designated veteran innings eater may not last, but it's a bright spot on the season nonetheless.
Rickie Weeks is back in Milwaukee getting his knee examined. Of course, it's "precautionary," and "we don't think it's serious." You know what that means, kids.
More news from Tom on the beat: Cameron might be moved from the #2 spot. Personally, I don't care. I would happily accept a suboptimal lineup in exchange for no more discussion of lineups ever again.
Speaking of things I don't want to hear about: Tom is a little overexcited about last night's five-out save. Apparently, when Salomon Torres, a set-up man and once closer, pitches more than an inning in the 7th and 8th, it's not worth mentioning. When he is the newly appointed sort-of-captain of the closer-by-committee, it's a throwback to the golden age of baseball. (Remember? The 80s.)
Baseball Digest Daily has a new Matt LaPorta journal.
UZR, MGL's defense uber-stat, doesn't like the Brewers. By my rough count, it ranks Milwaukee 23rd in baseball. Fielder and Hall are rated among the worst at their positions, and Cameron is best in center.
Finally, here's an article from yours truly about non-Division I college draft picks. Turns out the Mets led the pack, taking nine such players, while the Brewers took five. The Brewers picks included two D2 guys: Brandon Rapoza of Flagler and Trey Watten of Abilene Christian; two D3ers: Mike Vass of Chapman and Evan Bronson of Trinity (TX); and one NAIA player, Austin Adams of Faulkner.
That'll do it for this morning!
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35 comments
Comments
Weeks is better this year
Of course, he had nowhere to go but up. Still, if you were to say before the season that 2 Brewers infielders were among the worst in baseball at their position, 98% of people would have guessed that Weeks was one of the guilty (the other 2% would have named Jose Hernandez, for reasons known only to them).
This is another rating that doesn’t like JJ.
Hardy was -1 (per 150) in 149 games in 07, +41 in only 26 games in 06 (+7 runs total), and -16 so far this year in 66 games (-7 runs total).
I have always been in the camp that JJ’s defense is overrated (not bad, but overrated), and with the recent discussions of RZR, OOZ and PMR accounting for how the Brewers shift affects these stats, the picture is murky. However, if I go by what I see on the field (and like most of the regulars here, I watch just about every game), MGL’s rating is correct. JJ has been below average this year.
by Marty McSuperFly on Jun 9, 2008 8:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
"Personally, I don't care. I would happily accept a suboptimal lineup in exchange for no more discussion of lineups ever again."
Sorry man. I’ll behave myself.
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Jun 9, 2008 9:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
fwiw
I wasn’t calling anybody out, on this site anyway. I’ve felt the same way for a couple of years now, with the kendall-batting-9th thing the only interesting exception (in my opinion).
And to be clear: I think we ought to complain when Ned overplays the bench—I just mean that the lineup-ordering stuff is overkill. Like the endless talk in April about swapping Hart and Hall in the 5 and 6 spots. There’s a large contingent of folks, esp. commenters on Tom H’s blog, who find something to complain about no matter how our 8 batters are ordered. That’s what drives me up the wall.
Also, cheese.
by Jeff Sackmann on Jun 9, 2008 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Weeks for Brian Roberts
Ken Rosenthal, one of the best writers in all of baseball…just kidding, has suggested that the Brewers may be interested in Brian Roberts. The interest stems from 2 Brewer scouts being at Oriole games.
Rosenthal suggests that the Brewers should trade Rickie for Roberts. However, he feels that the Orioles would have to give a little more because Weeks is controlled for a longer period of time. He thinks a reliever may be added as well.
I’d be in favor of a trade like this, but I don’t know if I’m ready to give up on Rickie quite yet.
by brewfan2 on Jun 9, 2008 10:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
just guessing
but I don’t think that’d be the deal. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Brewers were scoping out Roberts, esp. if this was after the team knew about Rickie’s current injury scare. But it seems to me that the Crew wouldn’t be shopping for Roberts if we thought Rickie’d be healthy, and if Rickie isn’t healthy, the Orioles wouldn’t want him (for right now, if they traded away Roberts).
But Roberts certainly seems like a good bet … I don’t know who else the Brewers would be scouting, except maybe a starter.
Also, cheese.
by Jeff Sackmann on Jun 9, 2008 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Could be George Sherrill
I’ve heard his name come up in trade talk.
by brewfan2 on Jun 9, 2008 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Time to check badgerblogger.com!
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"
by roguejim on Jun 9, 2008 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
what then with Gagne
Use mysterious injury for the season or just chalk it up as a miss and cut him loose? Either way, I would think they would give him another run at closer.
by ol Pete on Jun 9, 2008 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope to never see gagne in that role again
At this moment, it doesn’t even seem like a debate.
by brewfan2 on Jun 9, 2008 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
well you or I can feel that way
but what about the organization. Even if they agree, it’ll be awkward to do.
by ol Pete on Jun 9, 2008 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe
they were just checking to see if Leo was still sitting on the bench rocking back and forth endlessly. Yost probably misses having Leo next to him with his metronomic movements.
The Wallbangers won because they played the game like kids! Let's do that again!!!
by 80badger on Jun 9, 2008 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Leo's available
and itching to get back into the game.
I don’t know what to think of Maddux these days, but I’d swap him out for Mazzone in a heartbeat.
Also, cheese.
by Jeff Sackmann on Jun 9, 2008 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I absolutely agree
Leo’s pitchers were all well prepared and physically stout down here in ATL. He was also very active in the community which was really cool. I think he might regret over valuing his friendship with Trembley and leaving Cox. Adding Leo would be a major upgrade for the Crew.
The Wallbangers won because they played the game like kids! Let's do that again!!!
by 80badger on Jun 9, 2008 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, it was Mazilli no Tremblay.
The Wallbangers won because they played the game like kids! Let's do that again!!!
by 80badger on Jun 9, 2008 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
it was perlozzo, actually
Also, cheese.
by Jeff Sackmann on Jun 9, 2008 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
After all this time
it was Barzini
by Marty McSuperFly on Jun 9, 2008 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder about Maddux as well
He could be exceptionally good or not so much. One thing I noticed is that discussion of pitcher coaching adjustments sometimes start with something like Castro was looking at some video to a sentence that includes both Castro and Maddux to Maddux and/or coaching staff.
Mota’s change back to a more upright stance comes to mind.
There is also McClung’s delivery simplification.
Bush’s reported change in mechanics is talked about by himself, Maddux and Yost although what it is remains secret. I did notice he hit 91 last couple of times out.
by ol Pete on Jun 9, 2008 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's the text:
Here’s a deal that makes sense: Brian Roberts for Rickie Weeks. The Brewers, who recently had two scouts watching the Orioles, are interested in Roberts, but it remains to be seen whether they are ready to give up on Weeks.Roberts, a more accomplished leadoff hitter and better defender than Weeks, is a more natural fit for a contender. The Orioles, meanwhile, could be patient with Weeks defensively, much as the Twins are being patient with the erratic Carlos Gomez. Weeks would be another young, athletic building block to go with Adam Jones and Nick Markakis.
A straight-up deal might be out of the question, considering that Roberts is a free agent after next season while Weeks is under club control through 2011. But the Orioles could add a young pitcher or even one of their veteran relievers while perhaps getting another piece back in return.
The Orioles would have to throw in plenty more for this to be anywhere near worthwhile when considering team control and Rickie’s incredible potential. And besides, Roberts isn’t that big of an upgrade anyway. Last year, Rickie’s OPS+ was 108; Roberts was 112.
I’m not near ready to ‘give up’ on a #2 overall pick.
I’m guessing the scouts were looking at that bullpen.
by Jordan M on Jun 9, 2008 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know much about advance scouting, but...
Couldn’t these guys have beent here because we’ve got a series with the O’s next week?
Steve
http://nohuddleoffense.blogspot.com
by stigmo on Jun 9, 2008 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Grit" violation
I believe we have a serious misuse of the term GRIT today in the political arena.
In an ABC News exclusive, First Lady Laura Bush praised former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, saying that knowing the challenges of a presidential campaign first-hand, she “admired Hillary’s grit and strength”.
Misuse of one of our favorite terms here at the BCB is, quite frankly, unacceptable!
The Wallbangers won because they played the game like kids! Let's do that again!!!
by 80badger on Jun 9, 2008 12:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Sounds about right
Clinton, like Counsell, stuck around a lot longer than she had any business to.
by Marty McSuperFly on Jun 9, 2008 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus she can’t hit for power.
Coffee is for closers
by drezdn on Jun 9, 2008 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And she’s last in going from first to third on a single.
And don’t get me started on true outcomes!
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"
by roguejim on Jun 9, 2008 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ew
Hilary going from first to third base?
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Jun 9, 2008 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lesson learned
No more politics on the blog. Especially so close to lunch.
by Marty McSuperFly on Jun 9, 2008 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, that's a Clinton for you.
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"
by roguejim on Jun 9, 2008 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
no discussion on roberts
Tom Haudricourt talked to Doug Melvin. Melvin said the scouts were there on regular business. They were not scouting anybody in particular. I’m not sure how much I believe that, but I think it’s correct that Milwaukee is not looking to scoop up Roberts.
Come check out BrewersNation, a new Brewers blog that keeps you up to date on ALL Brewers news and rumors.
by jimmyb1799 on Jun 9, 2008 1:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Like Melvin's going to talk to Haudricourt
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"
by roguejim on Jun 9, 2008 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Regular Business"
Is that the baseball equivalent of “undisclosed location”? Sounds like a polite way of saying, get the hell off my phone Tommy. I’ll call you when I want you to report something.
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Jun 9, 2008 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know what you don't hear much of anymore?
The comparisons between JJ Hardy and Robin Yount. ‘Twas a time (2005?) when JJ was deemed the heir apparent to Yount, even with a less-than-awe-inspiring rookie season. Now, not so much.
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"
by roguejim on Jun 9, 2008 2:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Not really fair
JJ can’t grow a good mustache
by Marty McSuperFly on Jun 9, 2008 3:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh no
LaPorta dropped the third person in his blog.
by molitorfan on Jun 9, 2008 8:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

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