Friday's Frosty Mug
by KLSnow on Aug 14, 2009 9:05 AM CDT
in News
138 comments
Jon Heyman is reporting the Brewers and Diamondbacks have until mid-day today to reach a deal that would send Doug Davis to the Brewers, but Doug Melvin says he's not engaged in conversation with the D-Backs at this point. Obviously, Melvin has thrown us off the trail before, but it seems unlikely a deal will get done in this case.
It's a huge day today for Mike Rivera, who will get his second consecutive start, the first time that's happened since the last two days of the 2006 season. Rivera's two home run day yesterday raised his OPS from .617 to .736 and spurred several blogs to call for him to see increased playing time: Cute Sports, The Bucky Channel and badgermaniac (in the FanPosts) all made the case.
Is Ken Macha starting to feel the pressure a bit? He had an interesting exchange with Tom Haudricourt while talking with reporters before yesterday's game. With Bill Hall DFA'd, Billy Castro gone and J.J. Hardy in AAA, Jason Kendall and Brad Fischer might be the only scapegoats left before the blame falls squarely on Macha.
Speaking of Hardy, Dave Cameron of FanGraphs has a look at his service time situation, and hopes the Brewers will call Hardy back up before it becomes an issue. I've come out against service time manipulation before, and I'm against it again here. I understand it's legal and whatnot, but Hardy has been a valuable member of the team for quite some time now, and screwing with his payday this way just seems unethical.
Meanwhile, Zach Sanders of Baseball Digest Daily has a look at what to expect from Alcides Escobar. He doesn't expect Alcides to hit much (.637 OPS), but expects him to pick up 12-15 steals and play exceptional defense. Baseball America listed Escobar as the PCL's most exciting player, best infield arm and best defensive SS.
The multi-home run games by Prince Fielder and Mike Rivera overshadowed Ryan Braun, who also homered yesterday. Casa de Machado profiles Braun's five tools.
By the way, as a consistent reader of many Brewer blogs, here's a quick guide to starting a new one:
- Pick a favorite obscure former Brewer. Robert Machado, Ruben Quevedo, Chuckie Carr and Gary Sheffield are all taken. Scott Podsednik, Alex Sanchez, Brady Clark and Everett Stull are all available.
- Pick a place they're likely to be.
- Combine the two and start blogging.
- If those steps were too hard, here are some suggestions: Podsednik's Palace, Alex Sanchez on the Waiver Wire, Jogging to First with Johnny Estrada.
The Brewers are hoping to generate some run support for Yovani Gallardo today, and are expected to try Jason Bourgeois in right field. It will be Bourgeois' first career start, but he might get several more against lefties as the only right handed outfielder on the bench.
The Brewers held steady at #24 in Beyond the Box Score's Power Rankings.
Around baseball:
Mariners: Placed Adrian Beltre on the DL with a bruised testicle.
White Sox: Placed second baseman Chris Getz on the DL with an oblique strain.
I use Baseball Reference a lot for my work here on the site, probably 8-10 times daily or more. As a result, I've sponsored a couple of pages (Claudio Vargas and Yovani Gallardo, most recently), and I try to encourage you to do the same when given the opportunity. If you've always wanted to help out B-Ref but don't have the cash to spare, I'd encourage you to check out this opportunity to help them by entering some data from the 1930's. It's easy work, but it's time consuming.
Or, if you have some cash that's burning a hole in your pocket, you could spend $85 per person to camp on the field at Miller Park. This is a cool idea but the price is way out of line...two people could stay somewhere really nice for $170/night.
While you're there, though, you could run atmospheric tests to attempt to determine why a ball hit at Miller Park carries less than the league average.
Sometimes a pitch count is just a number. Tigers beat reporter Jason Beck twittered last night that Justin Verlander hit 99 on the radar gun with his 119th, 120th and 121st pitches, and hit 100 on #123. Incredible.
Manny Parra had a pretty rough outing yesterday, but somehow escaped with a win, meaning we're all due for a reminder that it could be worse. On this day in 1977, Brewers starter Bill Travers allowed 14 runs on 18 hits and four walks in 7.2 innings of work as the Brewers lost game two of a doubleheader to Cleveland, 14-5. Travers' game score for that outing was -13, the lowest by a starter in franchise history.
Happy birthday today to Mark Loretta, who played 796 games over seven positions as a Brewer between 1995 and 2002 and turns 38 today. Also, happy birthdays to David Manning (37) and Chris Saenz (28), whose storied Brewer careers combined to cover three games.
Drink up.
0 recs |
138 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Hapy Birthday, Mark Loretta
Still one of my favorite Brewers
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 14, 2009 9:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ditto
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
My heart goes out to Adrian Beltre
At least he didn’t fracture it like a certain Catcher did last year.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 14, 2009 9:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Camping on Miller Park
“Or, if you have some cash that’s burning a hole in your pocket, you could spend $85 per person to camp on the field at Miller Park. This is a cool idea but the price is way out of line…two people could stay somewhere really nice for $170/night.”
Sure, but you can’t stay on Miller Park whenever you feel like it. I wouldn’t do it, but given it’s what, once in a year, I could see someone doing it. If you could camp on the field all off-season and during road trips then, yeah, the price would be silly.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 9:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Travers
That game was the second of a doubleheader. Alex Grammas left Travers out there to get hammered and then yanked him with one out to go and no one could figure out why. The media suggestion was punishment for something, but no one could think of what.
Grammas was not liked by many (any?) players.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 9:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Chris Saenz
Albert Pujols is still unimpressed with his six shutout innings.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 9:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The Paragon of Respect
The Cardinals’ Albert Pujols, who popped out, was hit by a pitch and singled in three plate appearances against Saenz, was apparently not impressed by the rookie.
“I don’t think he had anything,” Pujols told the St. Louis Post Dispatch. “He just got lucky, I guess.”
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Macha paranoid?
“I don’t know, I don’t read the paper,” Macha said. "I can just tell by the intonation of every question you give me. … I can tell by the intonation of your voice when you’ve asked me questions questioning either my lineup, why I’m playing people or what the mood of my club is, a bunch of those things.
I don’t live in the area, but I haven’t gotten the sense that there is a great mob calling for his head. Fans of every team complain about the manager, but I don’t think Macha has done a real bad job. He’s been snakebitten by pitching injuries and performance, but aside from a few minor quibbles, I don’t blame him for this mess.
by grant76 on Aug 14, 2009 9:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think that was in response to questions from a beat reporter before the game
Not sure if it was the Prince of Darkness or not.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
(which of course is in the Mug)
d’oh
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry
Linked above, but I normally relink so it doesn’t look like a post unrelated to the mug
by grant76 on Aug 14, 2009 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Link to the audio
It can be found around the 16:30 to 17:00 mark of the audio.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 14, 2009 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Verlander pitch speed chart is awesome
by warwick5s on Aug 14, 2009 9:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
holy crap.
I didn’t know he got below 80.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 14, 2009 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hoe the hell does anyone hit him??
by Saberilliterate on Aug 14, 2009 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
my favorite part is the end
“f—- it, it’s all fastballs from here”
by warwick5s on Aug 14, 2009 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just wait until he throws the slower pitch and sit on the fastball?
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i'm sitting in a waiting room and have some time to kill, so here are some more blog name suggestions:
Clusters of Clutterbuck
United States of Attanasio
Loretta’s Lounge
No, not THAT Kevin Brown
Mike Rivera Needs a Hobby
Clocking Claudio Vargas
The Moellercycle
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
by KLSnow on Aug 14, 2009 10:13 AM CDT via mobile reply actions 2 recs
The Common Counsell
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 14, 2009 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
How about combining two brewer names
i.e. Wayne Franklin Stubbs
by Magellan on Aug 14, 2009 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shorting Shane Nance
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brewers Buddie
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Levis Impersonation
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who Wants a Listach Ride?
I would read a blog called The Moellercycle.
by mmmMatt on Aug 14, 2009 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Listach Ride might be my favorite so far.
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
by KLSnow on Aug 14, 2009 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A McIntosh a Day keeps the DL Away
by Infield Fly Rule on Aug 14, 2009 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A couple of more...
No, not THAT Brian Giles
Where in the World is Izzy Alcantara
George’s Canale
Winning Bronze…well Patrick
Giving Neugebauers – A painful sensation caused by the rubbing of knuckle, fist, or hand to ones head. Generally causing hair displacement and mild cursing.
by Infield Fly Rule on Aug 14, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This Old Householder
Randy Ready This Blog
by Cervercero on Aug 14, 2009 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Another reason to love Wikipedia
“On April 28, 1991, Ready was on the verge of completing a rare unassisted triple play. In the first inning of a game against the San Diego Padres, Ready caught a line drive hit by Tony Gwynn, stepped on second to force out Paul Faries and could have easily tagged out Tony Fernandez for the third and final out, but he elected to throw the ball to first baseman Ricky Jordan.1”
by Cervercero on Aug 14, 2009 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Was there also a Randy Ready that played for the Packers?
by drezdn on Aug 14, 2009 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe too esoteric
I DO Have a Concept
by Bernie's Mustache Wax on Aug 14, 2009 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't get the calls for Macha's head...
Despite JJ, Hall, and Kendall blowing, here are the team batting stats:
2008 (162 game): 4.63 runs/game; .253 / .325 / .431 / .756
2009 (113 game): 4.69 runs/game; .258 / .339 / .420 / .759
No diff. Pitching, as we all know, is another matter…
2008 (season): 3.85 ERA; 1.33 WHIP; 10 CG (aka CCG); 2.1 K /BB; 1.08 HR / game
2009 (113 game): 4.85 ERA; 1.47 WHIP; 1 CC-less CG; 1.8 K/BB; 1.34 HR / game
All of which results in a run differential from +0.4 / game to -0.5.
Unless people think Macha has mishandled the pitching staff (I don’t), the blame has to lie on Moustache for not coming up with servicable replacements for CC and Sheeter and for striking out on his attempt to build AAA depth for the inevitable injuries.
by infield fly on Aug 14, 2009 10:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Weird comparison
You take hitting stats from a season where many people were screaming to fire the former manager, point out they’re the same this year, and then wonder why people are crying to fire the current manager.
I don’t have a problem with Macha. I just don’t understand the point you’re trying to make there.
I absolutely agree with tying the pitching stats to Melvin. I don’t think anyone believed the pitching staff would be good this year, and The Moustache should come clean and apologize for his wishful thinking.
by Marty McSuperFly on Aug 14, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
total agreement
I still haven’t gotten over how terrible the past offseason was.
"This one means 'Kill Kirk!!!!'... And also, 'hallelujah'... Depending on the context."
by trippingandy on Aug 14, 2009 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Really? What move was out there that you feel the team missed out on?
by Mykenk on Aug 14, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wanted Randy Wolf
He only signed for 5 million. We just needed depth in the rotation. I think Sackman wrote a piece about our alarming lack of pitching depth before the season got under way.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 14, 2009 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
randy wolf comes to mind
looper was a thrilling deal though, i must say x(
"This one means 'Kill Kirk!!!!'... And also, 'hallelujah'... Depending on the context."
by trippingandy on Aug 14, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd argue that until this year, Looper was better than Wolf.
by Mykenk on Aug 14, 2009 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd argue we should have signed both
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 14, 2009 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You could argue that if Wolf played for the Brewers, his stats would have been worse.
by sjlee on Aug 14, 2009 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You could argue that about every deal everywhere.
by Mykenk on Aug 14, 2009 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep.
My point is that hindsight is always 20/20. Some people seem to think that Melvin has a crystal ball and should know when players have a breakout season (like Branyan or Wolf).
I agree with you… there was no indication that Wolf was going to have a better season than Looper this year. Both had similar stats, and the Brewers are paying less for Looper than Wolf.
by sjlee on Aug 14, 2009 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe DM should have invested in a palintir
"I'll be glad to have Ryan help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy."
-Sheriff Melvin
by sowingwildoats on Aug 14, 2009 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it was less wishful thinking
and more a lack of options. Who should Melvin have gotten to shore up the rotation?
Brewers Baseball and other assorted nonsense (mostly the assorted nonsense) at my blog, What's a Tararrel?
by Lefti on Aug 14, 2009 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Too much focus on free agents
Melvin hates to work trades because he always thinks someone’s trying to rip him off. However, he’s getting ripped off by the free agents he signs (notably, Jeff Suppan and Eric Gagne) that he thinks are bargains.
There’s a world of trade options available for GMs who are interested in an honest deal. Unfortunately, Melvin never wants to give anything up. And then we have a fanbase that has bought into his complaints that “no one is available.”
by Marty McSuperFly on Aug 14, 2009 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Umm
Not to sound too snarky, but you’re telling me the guy who did the Sabathia trade never wants to give anything up in trade?
Anyway, I think he was entirely justified in not wanting to give up Gamel and Escobar, and beyond that, we didn’t have much to give up. I mean, again, who specifically should he have traded for, and with what?
Brewers Baseball and other assorted nonsense (mostly the assorted nonsense) at my blog, What's a Tararrel?
by Lefti on Aug 14, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unfortunately, this is a losing game for me
I don’t sit in the GMs office, so I don’t see the array of options that he has.
I do, however, watch the Brewers play baseball, and I watched Melvin send out a bullpen and rotation that could only ever be good in someone’s wildest fantasy. So, if Melvin wants to claim that he had no choice, and that anyone in that position couldn’t have done better, then what good is he to the team?
by Marty McSuperFly on Aug 14, 2009 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brewers are competing every year
This year would’ve been marginal even with a blockbuster starting pitcher adding a few wins and everyone knew it. Why would DM sell off his farm system to move them to a 90-win team this year and doom the 2010 and 2011 teams to 76 wins?
As much as I’d like to see the Brewers make the post-season again, I’d rather watch 81-81 teams for five years than 90-72 once and 76-87 four times. :-\
by ecocd on Aug 14, 2009 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"I’d rather watch 81-81 teams for five years"
What’s the point of that?
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because an 81-81 team can have a few things break the right way and make the playoffs.
But a 76 win team is just a lost season.
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
by KLSnow on Aug 14, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not very often
Mostly, you’re watching a team go nowhere.
by Marty McSuperFly on Aug 14, 2009 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would guess, without numbers in front of me
That a team built to consistently win 84-85 games will win a few extra in a weak division and take the NL Central once every 4-5 years, and perhaps a Wild Card spot as well.
I’ll join ecocd in the vote for “consistent contender” over “occasional contender.”
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
by KLSnow on Aug 14, 2009 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Err, there's a pretty huge difference between...
a team built to consistently win 81 and one built to consistently win 85. If you were thinking of the latter, you’re really not arguing the same thing as ecocd at all. 81-81 just isn’t going to get you anywhere when the wildcard is normally achieved with 90+ wins even in a high-parity league like today’s NL, and building long-term with the eye on winning the division in those rare years where everybody sucks really isn’t much of a plan at all.
Another puss who hides behind crap.
by Zeyes on Aug 14, 2009 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Looking back to 2000
I’d say you should count on needing 90 wins to take the NL central, and probably more than that.
by Marty McSuperFly on Aug 14, 2009 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd rather take
Occasional real contender over consistant maybe-if-everything-breaks-right contender.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trades
It’s not like the Brewers have an excess of talent in their farm system that can be traded. Gamel and Escobar are future starters. After that, who else is left? Our top pitching prospect was suspended for 100 games for drug use… and he’s still listed as the top pitching prospect.
by sjlee on Aug 14, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And this is in support of Melvin?
That’s there’s no talent in the minors?
by Marty McSuperFly on Aug 14, 2009 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So he needs to replace his scouts and his drafting team, maybe.
by Mykenk on Aug 14, 2009 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure
Ultimately, they all provide input to him for the decision. If you could let me know who I should blame directly for the pitching situation (John, VP of Grit, maybe), I’d happily blame him instead of Melvin.
by Marty McSuperFly on Aug 14, 2009 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Blame the nebulosity of pitching. Can't predict who's gonna be great, and who's gonna flame out.
If his pitching draftee’s had turned out half as well as the offensive ones, we’d be in pretty good shape, but those things are harder to predict. It’s not like we haven’t drafted high-upside pitchers.
by Mykenk on Aug 14, 2009 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
On the other hand
We knew coming into this season that Jorge Julio, David Riske and Jeff Suppan are no good. I would like to say not-very-nice things about John, the VP of Grit regarding those pitchers.
by Marty McSuperFly on Aug 14, 2009 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Give Riske a chance. He's great when healthy. It sucks that because he hasn't been healthy with the team, we lump him in with Julio & the like. Not deserved at all. This team would be in a much better place with a healthy David Riske right now.
by Mykenk on Aug 14, 2009 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We did not know that David Riske was no good
We still don’t know that. When he was healthy last year, he was possibly the best arm in the bullpen. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been healthy since.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 14, 2009 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jack Zduriencik maybe?
For all his successes on the offensive side of his drafts which endeared him to us, the only pitcher he has really found success on so far has been Gallardo. I think at one point Melvin even said he hardly gave any input and pretty much just let Jack Z draft whomever. In that case, I would blame Zduriencik for our lack of young pitching depth.
by NoahJ on Aug 14, 2009 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's not for lack of trying
Had Rogers and Jones panned out…
by warwick5s on Aug 14, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But they didn't pan out.
Rogers still has a chance to contribute, but so far has not. Sure, injuries could be identified as the blame, but if we are looking for the person most responsible for lack of pitching depth, I would place that blame on Zduriencik. Drafting high school pitchers is an enormous risk and it came back to bite the organization. Like I said before, so far the only pitcherhe drafted that has really worked out is Gallardo (possibly Parra, too).
We’ll see how the pitchers from his last draft in Milwaukee (Odorizzi, et al) work out.
by NoahJ on Aug 14, 2009 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Total side issue, but...
What’s wrong with our AAA pitching depth? It was always clear that our first starter replacement(s) were likely to come from within the major league club with McClung, Villanueva and DiFelice, and at any rate, nobody has anything better than 6th/7th starter types sitting in AAA unless it’s a prospect yet to be called up, and that’s exactly what we have had, too.
Another puss who hides behind crap.
by Zeyes on Aug 14, 2009 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Got a little sidetracked
I don’t expect to always have the next big thing at AAA, but if Melvin’s going to keep drafting offensive players, then the pitching has to come from free agency or trade, and he doesn’t seem willing to do anything but pick pitchers off the scrap heap. Long term, that can’t lead to success.
by Marty McSuperFly on Aug 14, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
RE: Macha
He only took a two year contract when he signed with the team. If I remember right, most of the time Managers don’t go into a lame-duck status but are either extended or dropped the offseason prior to their final year, right?
by NoahJ on Aug 14, 2009 11:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Sometimes the front office forgets to let everyone know the manager is extended, though
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
They're very busy
Not talking to Arizona about Doug Davis.
Please note – I don’t want them to talk to Arizona about Doug Davis
by Marty McSuperFly on Aug 14, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's true, to a point
But I’m pretty sure there are several managers on the final year of their contract this year.
I expect Macha to be reevaluated and given an extension after the season.
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
by KLSnow on Aug 14, 2009 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
My only real complaint
As an outsider, it seems Macha doesn’t trust the ‘new kids’ as much as I’d like. Gamel on the bench, always going to CC and Kendall over younger higher upside players. If Macha doesn’t trust ‘the kids’ and wants Vets, then we’ll have a problem, simply because of the way our system is designed. (Live and die via draft becoming players)
We’ll see what happens now that we aren’t trotting Kendall out every day.
by SgtClueLs on Aug 14, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think Macha is good at running a young team
He’s fine in a caretaker role, kind of like Joe Torre with the Yankees and Dodgers, but he seems too laidback to fire anyone up as younger players might require.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe if he threatens to take away their nintendos...
by Mykenk on Aug 14, 2009 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, most of the time critiquing a manager's personality is lame, I think
But Macha’s distant style doesn’t seem to fit well with the team.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Really?
so, you’re thinking a manager who gets “fired-up” is the solution? How’s that working for the Cubs?
by sjlee on Aug 14, 2009 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Could be...
that I’m misinterpreting him, but from this statement…
“but he seems too laidback to fire anyone up as younger players might require.”
it sounds like that’s what he was saying.
by sjlee on Aug 14, 2009 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Poor choice of words
I didn’t mean yelling and screaming, I mean getting younger guys ready to play probably requires more than Macha’s laidback style.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmmm
There is one guy that comes to mind that seemed to be a little testy and fiery sometimes…. I can’t remember his name though.
BCB, the preferred above replacement level sarcasm supplier.
by MadJimiBrewha on Aug 14, 2009 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
*licks lips, drinks coffee*
"I'll be glad to have Ryan help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy."
-Sheriff Melvin
by sowingwildoats on Aug 14, 2009 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm interpreting it as "you have to pick the manager for the team you have"
And the same manager using the same approach on 2 different teams will have drastically different results.
It was the “How’s that working for the Cubs” approach I took issue with. Maybe that team needs a laid back manager, and maybe ours needs a fierier one.
by Mykenk on Aug 14, 2009 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
True
But then how would a GM figure that out? Keep firing managers until he finds one that works? At some point, the players are held accountable.
by sjlee on Aug 14, 2009 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
a GM could also ask for player input, considering you know, the manager is gonna be their boss.
"I'll be glad to have Ryan help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy."
-Sheriff Melvin
by sowingwildoats on Aug 14, 2009 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do you really want that?
I think it’s important the players respect their manager, but what you’d get if you asked for that is a manager they’d like, not necessarily respect.
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
by KLSnow on Aug 14, 2009 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i'm just thinking a consensus of the clubhouse would be good.
and not that this should carry much water, but i recall an article where the clubhouse seemed pretty fired up and positive all around about when sveum was in the running.
"I'll be glad to have Ryan help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy."
-Sheriff Melvin
by sowingwildoats on Aug 14, 2009 3:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sveum
Why not? Sveum is a former player and has coached most of the team since they came up to the majors.
Just because they like a guy, doesn’t mean that he’s the best candidate for manager.
by sjlee on Aug 14, 2009 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think you all misunderstand me
i’m not saying the team picks who they want as their manager, but i think that the team should at least be involved, if only to hear their opinions, in the selection of a manager.
"I'll be glad to have Ryan help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy."
-Sheriff Melvin
by sowingwildoats on Aug 14, 2009 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just think a guy who seems a little less distant might be a better fit for the club. Either way, I can’t vouch for how Macha is in the clubhouse anyway, so this all is pretty moot.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trust
You could also apply that to Yost… who played Kendall even more than Macha.
I don’t think the Brewers were ready to give Gamel a shot at being the starter at 3B considering his defensive skills (or lack thereof). When they brought Braun up, they really didn’t have many options at 3B.
BTW – From the way CC is playing, I have no problem with Macha using him more.
by sjlee on Aug 14, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
MLBTR: The Red Sox showed brief interest in Bill Hall.
Then realized they just replaced the floor in the dugout, and wanted to keep it nice for at least a few weeks.
by Mykenk on Aug 14, 2009 11:32 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
There's an easy solution to that.
Pick up Hall and play him everyday, so he won’t have time to get chew all over the floor.
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
by KLSnow on Aug 14, 2009 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds like advice
For dealing with a chew happy puppy.
BCB, the preferred above replacement level sarcasm supplier.
by MadJimiBrewha on Aug 14, 2009 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
hahaha
"This one means 'Kill Kirk!!!!'... And also, 'hallelujah'... Depending on the context."
by trippingandy on Aug 14, 2009 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Blame the nebulosity of pitching
Great phrase mykenk!!
Totally agree that Melvin is to blame for not coming through with competent pitching. He got bailed out last year by Salomon Torres stepping up, only having one lefty in the pen for most of this season is all on him, and Looper, meh.
How about Jacking It With Jaha for a blog, speaking of nebulosity.
"It may sound hollow, it may sound unrealistic, it may even sound stupid to some people. We still think we are in it," - Mark Attanasio
by GoCrew on Aug 14, 2009 12:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Serious question: How many teams have multiple (reliable) lefties in the pen?
by Mykenk on Aug 14, 2009 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Aside: I think having two lefties in the bullpen is a luxury, not a necessity
Especially if your starting rotation has trouble going deep into games. You can’t afford to fill that other relief spot with another guy who isn’t suited to going a full inning if you need four innings each game from the pen.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think having two LOOGY's is a luxury
If you have a lefty that can go multiple innings and get righties out too, plus a LOOGY, I think that’s fine
by warwick5s on Aug 14, 2009 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
17 teams
have multiple lefties in the bullpen. Depending on what you define as “reliable”, will dictate how many are removed from that list.
by sjlee on Aug 14, 2009 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess the next logical question is how many have had two lefties all year
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ugh
Geez, how much free time do you think I have today? :)
by sjlee on Aug 14, 2009 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know, I know
I’ve been there, too. :)
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
BBABIP And Service Time
Article is over at BTBS, good read.
by SgtClueLs on Aug 14, 2009 1:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Baseball-Reference
Ditto on the kudos for that site. Great stats for all professional baseball players (past and present; MLB and minor leaguers).
by sjlee on Aug 14, 2009 1:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
No DD
Deadline came and passed. No surprise.
by SgtClueLs on Aug 14, 2009 2:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Cubs B team is destroying the Pirates "A" team.
by Mykenk on Aug 14, 2009 2:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Holy crap
Every Cub in the lineup has a hit and it’s not even through two.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
17 runs in 4 innings
That has to be close to some kind of record.
by sjlee on Aug 14, 2009 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wait, the Pirates have an A team?
Why was I not informed? This is big news! They could potentially join the Pacific Coast League with an A team!
by ecocd on Aug 14, 2009 5:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or at least the Sally League
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bourgeois in today
Lopez 4
Cameron 8
Braun 7
Fielder 3
McGehee 5
Rivera 2
Bourgeois 9
Gallardo 1
Escobar 6
by SgtClueLs on Aug 14, 2009 2:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Why not have Gallardo bat 7th, then there's be THREE leadoff hitters.
by Mykenk on Aug 14, 2009 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But this way Bourgeois can get on, steal second, be bunted to third, and score on an infield single.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 14, 2009 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm too lazy
for a Rumorville update, but the Reds have some interest in Bill Hall.
"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 Aug 14, 2009 4:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Louis
|
91 | 71 | .561 | 0 | Lost 6 |
|
Chicago
|
83 | 78 | .515 | 7.5 | Lost 1 |
|
Milwaukee
|
80 | 82 | .493 | 11 | Won 3 |
|
Cincinnati
|
78 | 84 | .481 | 13 | Won 2 |
|
Houston
|
74 | 88 | .456 | 17 | Lost 3 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
62 | 99 | .385 | 28.5 | Lost 2 |
(updated 11.25.2009 at 4:33 AM CST)
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
SBNation.com Recent Stories
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- BLS on Turkey Day: What are YOU thankful for in baseball?
- D12: Could Tim Lincecum be baseball's next $23 million man?
- How a Chicago guy learned to love Albert Pujols of St. Louis
- Bud's All-Star tie tops our non-steroid controversies of decade
- D12: Revisiting the Twins decision of Mauer over Prior (again)
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
