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Around SBN: Shattered: Wisconsin's home winning streak ends

Friday's Crystal Callix

Did the Brewers have a game yesterday? Hmm, must not have noticed.


The biggest news this morning, courtesy of Ken Rosenthal, is that Matt LaPorta is officially on the trading block, and that Alcides Escobar might be packaged with him to acquire C.C. Sabathia. That price sounds a little steep to me, but Tom Haudricourt reports that the Indians have also been scouting Taylor Green. LaPorta and Green sounds about right, which would free the Brewers to trade Escobar or J.J. Hardy (who is confirmed to be available, along with Rickie Weeks) for A.J. Burnett, because the Blue Jays need a shortstop. Haudricourt doubts the Brewers are really offering LaPorta and/or Escobar, but given recent history, I think I'd believe Robothal first.

The Yost Infection takes umbrage with BA & Rock's fellating of Hardy's defense, citing his terrible zone rating, but fails to note the fact that Hardy leads all of baseball in out-of-zone plays; in other words, the Brewers' defensive shifting is messing up his zone rating. He's still not as good as Escobar, though.

LaPorta, Escobar, and Mat Gamel all made what I guess is best called Baseball America's Midseason Prospect All-Star Team, which roughly means they're near the top of their positions in all of prospectdom, but the corrosponding chat casts doubt on whether Gamel and Angel Salome can stick at their current defensive positions.

At FanGraphs, Marc Hulet (who I'm beginning to suspect is a big Brewers fan) points out that there are other interesting prospects in the system beyond the big names, namely Michael Brantley and Cole Gillespie. The point is especially well-taken about Gillespie, who's hitting like a mini-LaPorta, putting up a .273/.374/.498 line. Hulet also put Brad Nelson on his AAA non-prospect All-Star team; I think Nelson would make an excellent throw-in in whatever trade the Brewers end up executing, as he's never going to get a shot in Milwaukee.

Speaking of trades, Scott Linebrink Cutter Dykstra hit his first professional home run for Helena.

Dykstra's fellow draftee, 41st-round Cal State Fullerton SS Joe Scott, is playing summer ball in Alaska and "there's a chance he might sign a professional contract if he plays well this summer." He previously spurned the Brewers last year when they drafted him in the 39th round.

Tired of reading about prospects? Michael Garciaparra probably is too, though he doesn't regret choosing minor league baseball over a two-sport college career at the University of Tennessee.

Back in the big leagues, Tim Lincecum dropped the hammer on the Cubs while Mike Pelfrey dominated the Cardinals, keeping the Brewers from losing any ground after the game I don't remember. David Pinto notes that Lincecum exhibited unusually good control.

Speaking of which, having nightmares about the bullpen after yesterday? This should help.

At Recondite Baseball, TheJay takes a look at players who achieved the Alex Sanchez Special, having a lower on-base percentage than batting average. He ran down the Brewers' leaders in an earlier post.

Before today, all I know about Max Scherzer was that he threw really hard and had heterochromia. Now, thanks to Eric Seidman's interview, I know that Scherzer's a pretty sharp guy with an interest in cutting edge baseball research. I'm amazed that he's able to get anyone out pitching from his mother's basement.

That'll do it. What's that? You wanted another song? If you don't got Mojo Nixon then your store could use some fixin'!

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Well...

I fell asleep in the top of the 9th yesterday (around midnight here). Probably the best decision of the week, even if unintentional. Condolences to all of you who had to watch it live…

by Zeyes on Jul 4, 2008 9:37 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

that'd be a nice rotation

sheets, sabathia, burnett, suppan, parra…makes me drool is that ok that it does that? lol

"If there is a more reactionary blog with idiotic commentary out there I'd be surprised." -On Bleed Cubbie Blue

by Michael M on Jul 4, 2008 9:41 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Win now

or else. Don’t forget Burnett’s opt out clause. A rotation that included Sabathia, Sheeets and Burnett would be reduced by 60% at year end.

by MickS on Jul 4, 2008 9:45 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

It would definitely be a go for broke scenario

It would in all likelihood leave us looking for starters next year. We’d have Gallardo, Suppan, Parra, Villy, and Bush unless we’d make some moves. Ugh. I wonder if they do these deals and make the playoffs this year with the Sheets, Sabathia, Burnett, Suppan, Parra rotation if the FO would be willing to pony up the money for either Sheets or Sabathia.

Can't pitch Gagne in rain. He’s like the B-2 bomber of baseball.--TheJay

by verno329 on Jul 4, 2008 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Moneyball

Mr. OBP himself, Billy Beane, is number 21 on that OBP

C. Magruder scored, R. Weeks to second on balk

by alkaseitzer on Jul 4, 2008 10:04 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

And that should finish “OBP < AVG chart”

C. Magruder scored, R. Weeks to second on balk

by alkaseitzer on Jul 4, 2008 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

How much did you pay for the Crystal Callix?

I didn’t, man, it’s stolen!

"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 Jul 5, 2008 12:47 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I had given up hope that someone would get it

Thanks for coming through, RJ.

He's extremely quick and good.

by battlekow on Jul 5, 2008 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

now that that's over with

can you explain, for the less hip among us?

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Jul 5, 2008 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dead Milkmen – Punk Rock Girl

He's extremely quick and good.

by battlekow on Jul 5, 2008 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

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