Friday's Frosty Mug
by Kyle Lobner on Dec 11, 2009 9:33 AM CST
in News
97 comments
Some things to read while compounding the problem.
The Brewer front office staff is back home from the Winter Meetings, so it's time to take a look at the recaps:
- MLB FanHouse lists the Brewers as the big winner in the NL Central.
- In-Between Hops ranked the Brewers #1 in free agent signings.
- Big League Stew ranked the signings of Randy Wolf and LaTroy Hawkins as the meetings' 6th and 7th biggest moves, respectively.
- John Steinmiller has a recap with pictures of what the Winter Meetings looked like from inside the Brewers' suite.
For the time being, the title of "newest Brewer" belongs to Rule 5 selection Chuck Lofgren, and he's excited for the opportunity. He's been a starter throughout the minors, but it sounds like he'll be given a shot to make the team as a situational lefty. Don't underestimate the value of having one more guy in the bullpen who could be called upon to make a spot start if needed. With that said, he is at best a complement to Mitch Stetter, not a replacement.
Meanwhile, for the second straight day I'm writing about a pitcher who doesn't actually want to be here. Yesterday, it was LaTroy Hawkins, who was "very disappointed" not to return to Houston. Today it's Randy Wolf, who really wanted to return to the Dodgers. Kudos to these guys for being honest, I guess, but would throwing in a "The Brewers are my team now, and I'll work my butt off for them" be too much to ask for?
We could be waiting a while longer for a decision from Mark Mulder. The Brewer front office staff will reportedly visit Mulder in January. Given the fact that this was being reported as a nearly done deal months ago, I'd guess there's a question about Mulder's health.
With Rickie Weeks, Alcides Escobar and Carlos Gomez all projected as members of the opening day starting lineup, Ken Macha has acknowledged he'll probably have the runners in motion much more often during the 2010 season. That prompted Miller Park Drunk to launch their "RUNNING" series. I'll link to the Ken Macha and Corey Hart chapters here...the other two are a little too obscene to even be linked from this site.
In the minors:
- Tom H. has a great look (with a terrible headline) at the situation faced by Jeremy Jeffress, as he prepares to return to the minor leagues knowing that one more positive drug test will be the end of his baseball career. Jeffress, who will spend the first few months of the 2010 season in extended spring training, is saying all the right things, but I'll believe it when I see it.
- Earlier this week I mentioned Project Prospect's look at the speed of AFL players, and mentioned the absence of Lorenzo Cain from the rankings. Adam Foster filled in the gap for us by looking back at video and giving Cain a 55-65 rating, which is well above average.
Voting continues for our BCB All Decade Team: You have until 4 today to cast your vote for a shortstop, where J.J. Hardy leads Mark Loretta by 281 votes as of this writing. The voting is much closer at third base, where Bill Hall leads Craig Counsell by 54 votes with Russell Branyan and Ryan Braun not too far behind. Voting for our first outfield spot will open at 4 today.
Around baseball:
Astros: Signed Pedro Feliz to a one year, $4.5 million deal and reliever Gary Majewski to a minor league deal.
Athletics: Released reliever Santiago Casilla.
Nationals: Released pitcher Zach Segovia.
Reds: Signed infielder Chris Burke to a minor league deal.
Rockies: Signed Chris Iannetta to a three year deal worth $8.3 million, buying out his arbitration years.
I've already mentioned the Brewer Rule 5 draft pick, Chuck Lofgren, but he's nowhere near the best name selected in the draft. Those honors go to former National/new Blue Jay Zech Zinicola.
The possibility of winter league injury probably keeps some front office execs up at night during the offseason, and in all honesty I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often. D-Backs outfielder Gerardo Parra suffered a muscle tear in his left thigh and is coming home from winter ball in Venezuela (h/t AZ Snakepit).
If you like charts and graphs and you're looking for something to play with today, you should check out Chartball. I only spent a few minutes there this morning, but they've got some fun interactive tools to work with. (h/t Baseball Musings)
On this day in 1997, the Brewers traded Gerald Williams to the Braves for Chad Fox. The deal worked out pretty well for both sides: Williams hit .286/.341/.475 over two seasons as a Brave, and Fox was healthy for two of four seasons in Milwaukee, including the 2001 season, where he appeared in 65 games and posted a 1.89 ERA.
Happy birthday today to Josh Butler, who turns 25.
Oh, and I'm writing today's Mug before breakfast, so this was fascinating. I'm off to go find food.
Drink up.
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This is spot on, in my opinion
Meanwhile, for the second straight day I’m writing about a pitcher who doesn’t actually want to be here. Yesterday, it was LaTroy Hawkins, who was “very disappointed” not to return to Houston. Today it’s Randy Wolf, who really wanted to return to the Dodgers. Kudos to these guys for being honest, I guess, but would throwing in a “The Brewers are my team now, and I’ll work my butt off for them” be too much to ask for?
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
To me, the obvious question is
If you don’t want to be here, why’d you sign?!
by Cheeseandcorn on Dec 11, 2009 9:58 AM CST up reply actions
$
:)
What begins in fear usually ends in folly.
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Dec 11, 2009 10:48 AM CST up reply actions
Right.
If that’s the case, then you quit complaining. Clearly, the fact that it’s Milwaukee doesn’t matter as much to you as the fact that they’re paying you $7.5 million.
It’s not like somebody made this decision for Hawkins.
by Cheeseandcorn on Dec 11, 2009 6:25 PM CST up reply actions
As Dr. Nick Riviera would say...
“The most rewarding part was when he gave me my money.”
Applying Simpsons and Star Wars quotes to Brewers discussions since 2009.
and as Phil Hartman would say
“It’s not the money, it’s the things you can buy with the money.”
"That's not a weird stat. Rickie is a run-scorer," Yost said. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter," Yost told reporters. "See, you guys have no concept. He's a run-scorer. So there's nothing weird about it. That's what he does."
actually...I disagree with you guys
he’s not saying he won’t work his butt off for us, just that he has a connection to his old city and is giving them a shout out. If he’s still complaining about leaving the old city by the time pitchers-and-catchers in spring training starts, then we’ve got problems. Until then he has no obligation nor tie to Milwaukee. He hasn’t bonded with his teammates nor the fans yet. Nor is he precluding that possibility. He just know that he’s going to miss the old bonds.
So to I whenever I leave one job for another…but it doesn’t prevent me from doing my job.
by PagsBrewCrew on Dec 11, 2009 10:03 AM CST up reply actions
exactly
I think you guys are reading too much into those comments. Just because they’re disappointed to leave their home, it doesn’t mean they don’t want to be here.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
But there's a lot to be said for starting off on the right foot.
Maybe it seems like splitting hairs, but the difference between what they’re saying and what I suggested kinda sounds like the difference between “I had some good times there, but it was time to move on,” and “Man, I wish I never had to come here.”
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by Kyle Lobner on Dec 11, 2009 10:50 AM CST up reply actions
nobody said, "Man, I wish I never had to come here."
Neither player mentioned Milwaukee in saying they’re disappointed in leaving. Players say this all the time, and frankly, it probably means a lot to the fans of those other teams.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
I agree with you KL
I think we’ll agree that their professionals and certainly at the very least they’ll be at the top of their game as long as the Brewers are competitive. No one gets to this level without a great desire to play the game. I also think they’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn that Milwaukee is a baseball town.
That said, they could show some enthusiasm for their new team and teammates. While they haven’t said anything bad about Milwaukee (to the press), they certainly haven’t said anything positive, either.
This is might good enough to be a poll question if phrased well.
agreed on the poll
As they haven’t said bad things publically about Milwaukee, the team or our fans I refuse to take offense. Didn’t sabathia say last year that he really missed us (before his new season started)? Didn’t Jenkins take out a big ad in our paper thanking us for the good times? What these guys are doing sounds no different.
by PagsBrewCrew on Dec 11, 2009 10:58 AM CST up reply actions
Really
Is it that different from Son of Clung? The situation is different, of course, but is it that far-fetched that players get attached to their teams? I wouldn’t take it personally.
I like the fact that they’re loyal to their old teams. I think it speaks well of them.
"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!"
hmmmm.
38 million invested in old dudes who don’t want to be here. Yay!
by Braunstalker on Dec 11, 2009 10:55 AM CST up reply actions
The other thing about it
These comments aren’t really a huge deal now, but come April they could really come back to bite these guys.
What if Hawkins has a few rough outings in April, and comes into May with an ERA around 7? What if Wolf has a sore elbow in Maryvale and isn’t ready for opening day? Then you’ve got a guy who made public comments about being sad to leave his old city, took a bunch of money and got off to a disappointing start…and you’ve already got strike one and two against a guy that could be the team’s new scapegoat.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by Kyle Lobner on Dec 11, 2009 11:03 AM CST up reply actions
If the team gets off to a rough start
There will be plenty of people looking to cause trouble in April and May.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by Kyle Lobner on Dec 11, 2009 11:05 AM CST up reply actions
let me clarify
(with offseason transactions…)
i just don’t think we’ll be the team to beat in the NL Central, nor will our division do so well in the wildcard, but we’ll have a shot at it of course
by PagsBrewCrew on Dec 11, 2009 11:14 AM CST up reply actions
There's always this..
The worse the division is, the better our record will be. Why do you think the Rockies ended up with the WC last year?
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
but we have to beat down the other divisions, right? otherwise we don't do as well relative to them and they end up with the WC.
I guess we have more potential weaklings in our division though.
by PagsBrewCrew on Dec 11, 2009 12:59 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not sure
I guess I never was terribly impressed with the Cardinals last season, and so far, I think they and the Cubs have lost more than they gained.
"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!"
Seems like you're trying to start trouble in December.
No offense, KL, but you’re really twisting their comments around into something completely different.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
I see KL's point
It’s not like Wolf and Hawkins were traded against their will.
I suspect nothing will come out of this, but Wolf especially, is going to have to be one of the top-leaders of our pitching staff — he made not be as talented as Yo, but he probably is the de facto leader.
Taking shallowness to new depths -- FtJ's blog
by Fatter than Joey on Dec 11, 2009 12:10 PM CST up reply actions
you guys are the ones that have already assigned strike 1
and you’re assuming strike 2.
I sense a problem here, but it’s not with the players themselves
by PagsBrewCrew on Dec 11, 2009 11:05 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm not assuming anything.
I’m acknowledging the possibility. You don’t think it’s possible one of these guys will have a rough start?
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by Kyle Lobner on Dec 11, 2009 11:06 AM CST up reply actions
And that rough start would of course be related to these comments right now?
I’m sorry, but that strains credulity.
I think most casual fans aren’t aware of Wolf’s comments to an LA Times reporter and most educated/intense fans (aka people on this site) know better than to put any weight into them.
Get a ife broseph
which leaves the talk radio crowd
which will bitch no matter what:P
by PagsBrewCrew on Dec 11, 2009 11:15 AM CST up reply actions
it's possible they will
but to to be already blaming them for it…
by PagsBrewCrew on Dec 11, 2009 11:08 AM CST up reply actions
If I keep responding to this, we're going to ride the hyperbole cycle back and forth all day.
Suffice it to say this: I’m not a fan of the comments. I hope these guys will perform and it won’t be an issue, but I worry that the topic might come up again if one of them struggles or can’t play. As such, I think these guys could do themselves a favor by showing a little enthusiasm to be here.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by Kyle Lobner on Dec 11, 2009 11:13 AM CST up reply actions
I agree with you here
but I also think you’ve contributed to planting the seeds of doubt in those people’s minds that will be looking to assign blame down the line.
I’m just not seeing that as the responsible thing to do. That being said, you’re not the only one that brought it up, so if you hadn’t said something, the thought would have still been out there.
I dunno. I guess I’m just disappointed that an issue has even been made of this situation now when nothing bad has happened.
by PagsBrewCrew on Dec 11, 2009 11:20 AM CST up reply actions
I think you're giving me a little too much credit.
If I “plant the seeds of doubt” on an issue people don’t believe is an issue, I usually get blasted here. It only builds momentum if what I’m saying resonates with people who are already headed in that direction.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by Kyle Lobner on Dec 11, 2009 11:24 AM CST up reply actions
I just hope the intro press conferences for these two are held in Milwaukee
Because 2 feet of snow and single digit temps won’t make them miss LA and Houston at all
It is what it is.
don't worry
There’s no snow in Milwaukee yet.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
except that they declared a snow emergency the other day
And we ended up with a few cm of snow in the morning and rain coming down… There were thousands of cars that had tickets, even though the plows didn’t even need to come through.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
Goes to show you how well everything works
when the Government tries to fix a situation…
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
Yeah, I just went totally hypocritical there. sorry.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
Flagged!
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Dec 11, 2009 7:51 PM CST up reply actions
FWIW
“They really believe they can win and I believe them. They’re in it to win. They have a good, young nucleus and a lot of exciting players.”
“I’m excited to obviously reach this deal and I’m excited with the possibility and the future with Milwaukee. It was really cool that Doug Melvin came out to L.A. and visited me and made it well known that I was his priority and he really wanted me there.”
It is what it is.
Which has less credibility
considering Wolf asked his agent to go back to Colletti at the 11th hour on Wednesday and plead for a 3rd year.
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Dec 11, 2009 6:43 PM CST up reply actions
Why does it have less credibility?
He wanted to stay in LA. He asked his agent to see if LA would up their offer (I guess you can call it pleaded but I think that’s a little strong — neither you nor I have any idea how that conversation between the agent and team went).
This happens all the time, both in MLB and in other businesses.
I’m surprised this upsets you.
Get a ife broseph
Maybe I'll lay it out somewhat differently for you
I like to think that I help the team out. I help the team out by buying merchandise, buying tickets (typically a 10 game package (though I haven’t bought one this year) and between 2 and 5 bobble games x 2 for my wife and I), and buying concessions while at the game. I watch every televised game I don’t attend (except for those on WMLW, as Charter doesn’t carry it here in Madison). I like to think my utterly insane devotion to a game that many consider is an ‘old man’s game’ helps some of the young people I work with get turned on to a sport and team in their home state that is generally a joy to watch. I follow the Brewers 365 days a year. I devote time to this team to an extent that it irritates my wife—a bold move, as any married man will tell you.
As such, I have pretty intense opinions about the team. I show the team support, and I appreciate it when I feel as if the players care that they play for the team I enjoy so much. Corey Hart professing he was anxious to get away from home fans coupled with his apparent disregard for helping his team by changing his approach are responsible for my dislike of him. I am critical of things that Doug Melvin does that I think hinder the team and/or are detrimental to a small market team’s development (no, I’m not an expert—but the internets and the goggles lets me go on the interwebs and search for things) because I care whether the team wins. I care when Ned Yost acts like an ass in a press conference because I take offense when he tells me I just won’t understand because Weeks is a run-scorer. I dislike it when I feel as if the Front Office is giving double-talk to the fanbase that not only puts revenue in the teams coffers, but subsidized Miller Park.
And…really…I feel like any guy that my team pays $30M to should do his best to make us think he’s going to come in here and kick some ass. I don’t want to hear him tell a media outlet that he wished he could have played for his old team, and that he wanted a 3rd year. I don’t want to hear an overpaid aging middle-reliever say he was really upset his old team didn’t go 2 years. I want them to say ‘hey Milwaukee, we’re going to have a great season.’ Geoff Jenkins taking out a full-page add? That’s classy. I can’t recall him telling the Journal-Sentinel he really wished he could play for the Brewers, immediately after agreeing to terms with Philadelphia. And if he had, I’ll bet the Phillies fans would have been irritated. And I’d understand why they feel that way.
So…do you understand why it irritates me? Upset is a little strong, I’m not throwing darts at a collage of Hawkins and Wolf pictures. But this guy Randy Wolf is supposed to be the guy that turns things around in this rotation. The last thing I want to hear is how he’d prefer to be pitching somewhere else.
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Dec 11, 2009 11:00 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
This ^
is far too long to read.
Problem is. I read it. And I still don’t see your point. Just because you’re really passionate about the team, doesn’t mean you’re right on this one.
Getting irritated over this is an irrational reaction, because not only did his remarks have absolutely nothing to do with Milwaukee (“I’m sad to leave my city” does not equate to “I don’t want to go to my new city.”) but Wolf has actually come out in other remarks and said that he is really excited to play for our team.
How nit-picky are we going to get, here?
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
I mostly agree with you tcyoung
But I definately see where Charlie is coming from. I think the fact that Wolf is from LA has a lot to do with his feelings.
If he pitches well enough for us the fans of Milwaukee will embrace him and all that sadness he may feel now will go away.
battlekow: Bill is having an oppo-gasm
nit-picky?
I didn’t know being irritated that my favorite team is this guy’s 2nd choice is nit-picky.
But, hey, I’m irrational.
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Dec 12, 2009 7:47 AM CST up reply actions
Oooh I get it now
You’re making the point that he said some things that were mildly “rah rah Milwaukee”, he said he was sad to leave LA, and that’s that. Well, the 11th hour begging of a 3rd year from the Dodgers seals it.
How did you feel about Corey Hart telling you he would prefer not to play at home? Did you say “Huh, well that makes sense due to the fact that stress can create an atmosphere not conducive to playing quality baseball.”
Or did you say “What BS.”?
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Dec 12, 2009 7:50 AM CST up reply actions
Given the deal Brandon Lyon got
I think every reliever is very disappointed not to be in Houston.
But yeah, I agree with you on Wolf/Hawkins pining for last year’s team. I also don’t think it will be an issue going forward.
Ha good opint
Ed Wade : Baseball :: Al Davis : Football?
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Dec 11, 2009 9:55 AM CST up reply actions
TH Headline
I like the headline. It really could have been worse…
“Will Dope Head Smoke His Career?”
“Jeffress Found His Car – But Can He Find His Career?”
There are so many more possible that could be seen as mean or unprofessional. “Working to weed out his demons” is hardly a bad headline.
by Saberilliterate on Dec 11, 2009 10:25 AM CST reply actions
Jeffress: Let him Smoke Up
Why not? The NBA has a league thanks to pot, that produces interesting athletic achievements (to some) nightly.
He’s a pitcher. Let him get all Doc Ellis and pitch high. Who cares? It’s not performance enhancing. Plus, if he has a history of ADHD, pot is better than the stuff they prescribe.
They are holding him back with all this ridiculous testing. Just let him be.
by One-Flap Down on Dec 11, 2009 2:14 PM CST up reply actions
To me, that's not really the issue.
In the grand scheme, maybe there’s a debate to be had about whether or not they should be testing for pot. I honestly don’t care if they do or don’t. I can see how it’s irrelevant to baseball, but it’s also an illegal substance.
With that said, the rules on the matter are clear, and not only has Jeffress been caught violating them, he’s been caught violating them four times (three by baseball, once more by the Brewers). Whether the rule should or shouldn’t be in play isn’t the issue here. As long as it is a rule, he needs to abide by it.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
Sadly, sports are run
akin to right wing governments.
by Braunstalker on Dec 11, 2009 4:11 PM CST up reply actions
Again, no politics.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
Has anyone heard what the Cubs want for Milton Bradley?
If the Brewers move Hart for pitching, I would be in favor of at least kicking the tires on Bradley. I think the clubhouse in Milwaukee is comparable to the one in Texas where he was his least crazy. And a .378 OPB in a ‘down’ year would look pretty sweet in the #2 spot in the lineup.
When there is a scuffle in Ireland, there’s no need to specifically mention in the news story that alcohol was involved
by Getting Yosted on Dec 11, 2009 10:36 AM CST reply actions
Bradley is going to TB
Taking shallowness to new depths -- FtJ's blog
by Fatter than Joey on Dec 11, 2009 11:11 AM CST up reply actions
More from the Wolf article:
“Wolf said he liked how even when the Brewers found themselves out of contention last season, they didn’t sit their veterans in favor of prospects. Pointing to how Milwaukee was able to win 80 games despite ranking last in baseball in starting pitching ERA, he said he believes the Brewers can win the National League Central next season.”
Yet I can’t quite bring myself to take back everything I said about Macha playing Counsell at 3rd over both McGehee and Gamel.
And then there’s this:
“Wolf, who has pitched on one-year deals in each of the last three years, said he was pleased to get some long-term security.
But, he added, “It’s not inked yet.”"
That could mean lots of things, but coupled with the expression of his disappointment in not staying in LA, it’s a little troubling.
What begins in fear usually ends in folly.
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Dec 11, 2009 10:50 AM CST reply actions
It's just pending a physical
I think he’s trying to say, I shoudln’t get too ahead of myself talking about long-term security in case I fail my physical.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
Probably true...
I’ll go ahead an assume he was smiling when he said it and wasn’t secretly wondering why his elbow still hurts 6 weeks after the Dodgers season ended…
What begins in fear usually ends in folly.
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Dec 11, 2009 10:58 AM CST up reply actions
The team hasn't officially announced the deal yet either, have they?
He probably doesn’t want to step on any toes there.
Given the fact that he's just 2 years removed from a stretch of arm issues
I suppose passing a physical isn’t a given.
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Dec 11, 2009 7:38 PM CST up reply actions
Allow myself to introduce....
….myself.
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Dec 11, 2009 7:52 PM CST up reply actions
McGehee
He had his knee procedure right after the season, didn’t he? I can’t remember if it was a rehab first, under the knife later thing.
Pretty sure it was immediate.
At the very least, he was diagnosed as needing surgery in September.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by Kyle Lobner on Dec 11, 2009 11:04 AM CST up reply actions
someone should punch Tom H for that headline
good article though. hopefully he has turned it around
"Cubs fans boo again – 99% of these people can’t see the plate." -Ueck
I doubt he wrote the headline
That’s usually an editor’s job.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
by Kyle Lobner on Dec 11, 2009 11:29 AM CST up reply actions
For the moment
I’m just going to take a sliver of solace in seeing MLB Fanhouse refer to the Brewers as an “obvious winner.”
You've got a couple screws missin' up in your toolbox, if you think that you'll stop this man from hittin' moonshots.
Ryan Braun's taking a silver slugger of solace
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
Hey KL
You know that Escobar “What are you running from” thing is true right? How is that obscene?
"That's not a weird stat. Rickie is a run-scorer," Yost said. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter," Yost told reporters. "See, you guys have no concept. He's a run-scorer. So there's nothing weird about it. That's what he does."
Yeah, "obscene" was the wrong word for the Escobar note.
I just really, really don’t want to touch on that issue.
The Gomez one, on the other hand, was obscene.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
extremely obscene
just hilarious as well.
"That's not a weird stat. Rickie is a run-scorer," Yost said. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter," Yost told reporters. "See, you guys have no concept. He's a run-scorer. So there's nothing weird about it. That's what he does."
just a few thoughts on 2010
So far all the FA moves are good pickups, but a little high $$$/year. I think we could have made the Wolf year three a club option, but at least we’re getting somewhere. I do hope we sign Vargas again. He was great out of the pen last year, and could possibly spot start if needed. I say we find someone to take Hart’s 3 million and Suppan’s 12 million with the Brewer’s paying 7 million and get back a prospect or two. We can start Gamel in RF (he’s bound to be there or 1st soon anyway) and McGehee at 3rd. Sign Counsell again so we can have some defense when necessary (I still wish we had given Lopez arbitration and dumped Weeks). Then take the 8 million we just saved and get Sheets back with an incentive laden contract. The following starting rotation looks pretty good:
Yovani Gallardo
Randy Wolf
Ben Sheets
Dave Bush
Manny Parra (still young, we need to give him another shot!)
That gives us two lefties in the rotation, which is nice. We also have Chris Capuano possibly recovering and maybe Mark Mulder too (both lefties) if Parra pulls a ‘09! The pen will be solid if it’s not over worked and we have plenty of offense. I’d say the only issues are 2nd, 3rd and RF defense, but those guys could surprise us. GO CREW!!!
Among other issues with your proposal
I have a really hard time seeing someone paying Hart and Suppan $8 million next year, let alone giving the Brewers a prospect or two for the privilege.
by Cheeseandcorn on Dec 11, 2009 6:33 PM CST up reply actions
let me hear all the issues...
I agree it is a bit of a dream, but I could see a team that plays in a fly ball friendly (for the pitcher) park paying $8 million for a 4/5 starting pitcher and a RF/CF starter. To be honest with you, I couldn’t care less about the prospects; I would just like to dump some salary so that we can get another starter (other than Suppan) signed! Hart has speed to chase balls down and Soup definitely deals up his share up fly balls. Let me know what else you have issues with. Again, GO CREW!!!
further comments on trade possibilities featuring flyball parks...
RFK Stadium – Nationals (Need help in the rotation, OF, IF and could possibly move a few players around. If this is really a flyball park it could work!)
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Kauffman Stadium – Royals (Kendall is there now, and they certainly could use another starter. And the Royals would gladly get rid of RF Jose Guillen (might not be easy). CF is no treat there either.)
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McAfee Coliseum – Athletics (Could use a few starters and it looks like right is wide open)
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Comerica Park – Tigers (Could use a starter and have little experience at center)
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Fenway Park – RedSox (Could use a backend starter and depth in the OF and aren’t afraid of $$$)
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PETCO Park – Padres (If they like Blanks at left, Gywnn at center and Venable in right; probably no deal)
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AT&T Park – Giants (They might like to trade a pitcher for Hart, then we just have to give someone Suppan and pay most of his salary).
The Nats don't play in RFK anymore.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
They're from the Washington state, right?
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
Ok, let's give "all the issues" a shot.
Gamel has never in his life played a professional game in the outfield. He’s not the type of guy that’s going to learn it by Opening Day. If anything, McGehee could MAYBE play right and start Gamel at third, but even that’s a reach.
No one in their right mind is going to give you anything for Suppan if they also have to pay him. If they’re paying him $5 million, they could probably sign a lower tier free agent (see Looper, Braden) who would probably cost less and project to produce more.
Sheets wants $12 million for next season. He won’t get that, but the Brewers would have to overpay to convince him to come back to Milwaukee. An incentive-laden cheap deal won’t cut it.
Statistically, Lopez has been worse than Weeks in virtually every aspect of his game in career averages.Lopez had a very good season but that’s not representative of his career totals.
Anything I’m missing?
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
well...you and I already had the Lopez/Weeks discussion the other day...
and you are incorrect about Lopez being worse. They are virtually equal and Lopez is not coming off a wrist injury. I sincerely believe that Weeks is a lost cause and I think Lopez would be cheaper in the long run (something the Crew usually looks at closely…I might be wrong on that one, but I don’t remember Lopez punting balls into the outfield like Weeks. KL, I think you might have a short memory about Week’s defense.) All right, so we don’t get Sheets back and the Nats play at a different field, I still think we can work out one of those deals and get some $$$ back for a 3rd starter at worst. And why not Gamel in RF? He has a strong arm (evidence – all the overthrows from 3rd!). I really don’t see him having the D to play 3rd in the majors. He struggled mightily in the minors for @#$ sake!!!
sorry, I think it was Mykenk and SRB disagreeing with me...
about Lopez/Weeks defense the other day…and tcyoung and I agreed.
If I'm wrong about Lopez being worse statistically, which stats are you using?
OBP: Weeks .350, Lopez .338.
SLG: Weeks .415, Lopez .400.
OPS+: Weeks 100, Lopez 93.
That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.
from the other day...
López career FPCT at 2nd = .980
Weeks career FPCT (all at 2nd) = .964
Not sure where you are getting "Lopez is a significantly worse defender than Weeks". Offensively they are quite similar:
(L) Career 1024 3805 536 1025 197 30 80 391 393 797 115 55 .269 .338 .400 .738
(W) Career 482 1762 334 435 77 20 60 182 227 464 80 16 .247 .351 .415 .767
Weeks started off hot, but that doesn’t mean much for 1/4 of a season. Now he is coming off an injury, and that doesn’t always work out well. I think the tipping point is that Lopez might be cheaper in the long run, is statistically better defensively despite SRB’s opinion and we can still get some value in a Weeks trade. The Brewers will likely send an offer to Lopez anyway in case someone wants to give us their high draft pick and match our offer.
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Didn’t turn out that way, but what can you do…
I'd rather have a little better D and no injury...
but, again I might be wrong.
Fielding percentage tells you little to nothing about the quality of the defender, though
It only tells you the percentage of outs on balls that were touched by the fielder.
E: George 4 (5, throw, throw, throw, throw).
I've literally seen Weeks punt balls into the outfield on numerous occasions...
not sure if that is included in the % or not. He may have some range, but if he can’t get the ball to 1st or turn two, then it doesn’t do much good. I have to admit, living in FL now, that I don’t get to see all that many games. However, I do listen on XM and check stat lines religiously, and I found Lopez to be a better defender. At least we all agree on Suppan :)
I guess I'm on my own with Weeks...
I’ve seen him make a great play and then extend an inning with a bonehead play on the next. That really kills games, and puts strain on the pitchers. I hope I’m wrong and he comes back strong from his wrist injury!!! GO CREW!!!
Re: Wolf's desire to stay in Los Angeles
“I have sentimental ties to L.A., obviously,” said Wolf, who grew up in the San Fernando Valley and took a hometown discount to pitch for the Dodgers in 2007. “It made the decision a lot easier because the Dodgers weren’t involved.”
“L.A., I had a great experience out there,” he said. “Guys on the team were great. I got to win with those guys and battle with those guys.”
That’s all he said (to a Dodgers writer in a Los Angeles paper). How can that be construed as saying he doesn’t want to play in Milwaukee? I really think it’s looking way too hard for something to be negative about, Tom H. included with his dumb headline.
Ryan Braun: He loves it.
I guess
sending your agent to plead for a 3rd year right before coming to terms with the Brewers does, though.
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
by Charlie Marlow on Dec 11, 2009 7:39 PM CST up reply actions
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cincinnati
|
57 | 46 | .553 | 0 | Won 2 |
|
St. Louis
|
56 | 46 | .549 | 0.5 | Lost 1 |
|
Milwaukee
|
48 | 55 | .466 | 9 | Lost 2 |
|
Chicago
|
46 | 56 | .450 | 10.5 | Lost 2 |
|
Houston
|
42 | 59 | .415 | 14 | Won 2 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
36 | 65 | .356 | 20 | Lost 1 |
(updated 7.30.2010 at 4:51 AM CDT)
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