Thursday's Frosty Mug
by KLSnow on Aug 6, 2009 9:16 AM CDT
in News
121 comments
Will Prince Fielder be suspended today? Disciplinary action for Tuesday's incident is expected to be announced today, and I've heard anything from no suspension to ten games suggested. I guess we'll find out. Meanwhile, Ken Macha was on damage control yesterday, attempting to explain to reporters some of the misconceptions involved and make sure people were aware of the root cause.
How much of the blame for overblowing this incident belongs to Anthony Witrado? Despite admitting earlier this season to being a Dodger fan and a Manny Ramirez fan, plus the fact that he wasn't actually present to witness what happened, Witrado appeared on SportsCenter yesterday and buried both Fielder and the Brewer organization. Brewers Daily, who has had some personal interaction with Witrado in the past, is calling for his firing. It's a shame that, in an era where so many hardworking and talented journalists are losing their jobs, Witrado still has one.
Are the Brewers getting ready to swap someone out in the bullpen? Buried at the bottom of Adam McCalvy's story on Carlos Villanueva was this note:
The Brewers are expected to promote newly signed reliever Jesus Colome from Triple-A Nashville as early as Friday. Colome, released by the Nationals last month and scooped up by the Brewers, pitched two more scoreless innings on Tuesday to preserve his perfect ERA. He struck out 11 batters in seven innings over his first four appearances for Nashville.One would have to assume R.J. Swindle will be the one to depart, again. Swindle will probably be back in September, but might not get another chance to pitch significant innings this season, or as a Brewer.
Another day, another note on the ineptitude of Jason Kendall: This time it comes from The Daily Drink, where Christian Schneider argues that Kendall is no longer a major league player. As of this writing, Kendall is 2-for his last 27 (.080/.140/.080 over that span), and his OPS has dropped to .584.
Is Ryan Braun an underrated defender? He hasn't looked great in the outfield the last few days, but Baseball Digest Daily ranks him as the fifth best NL left fielder, defensively. I think you can make a solid case that he should be playing in right, not left.
In the minors:
- Over at The Hardball Times, Jeff takes a look at AAA roster composition across baseball, and finds that the Brewers have one of the youngest squads, with an average age of 26.4.
- Baseball America listed Roque Mercedes as an honorable mention in their list of the top ten prospects traded at the deadline.
- Beyond the Box Score dropped the Brewers two spots to #24 in their Power Rankings.
- MLB FanHouse moved the Brewers up one spot to #19.
- The Ghost of Moonlight Graham listed the Brewers among their five losers at the trade deadline.
Astros: Signed reliever Roy Corcoran.
A's: Signed Brett Tomko to a minor league deal.
Cubs: Released relievers B.J. Ryan and Jason Waddell.
Mets: Jonathan Niese will undergo surgery to repair a torn hamstring tendon and miss the rest of the season.
Nationals: Placed Austin Kearns on the DL with a thumb contusion.
Red Sox: Signed Paul Byrd to a minor league deal.
Royals: Designated Ryan Freel for assignment.
Yankees: Designated infielder Cody Ransom for assignment and signed Russ Ortiz to a minor league deal.
I had a couple of Twitter-based links this morning, but Twitter appears to be down so I'll post them here and maybe they'll work later:
- With the win last night, Cool Standings has the Brewers' playoff chances back up to 7.7%.
- Jon Heyman is on vacation in Wisconsin this week, so if you see him...I don't know, do whatever it is you do when you see Jon Heyman.
Drink up.
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that's a great link to brewcrewdaily
i didn’t really hear too much regarding witrado til this morning. what a worm
"This one means 'Kill Kirk!!!!'... And also, 'hallelujah'... Depending on the context."
by trippingandy on Aug 6, 2009 9:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't mind the spotlight seeking and the general prick-ishness ...
if the dude could actually, you know, write well.
by Rubie Q on Aug 6, 2009 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
from the daily drink
As weird as this sounds, I pretty much figure this is how other teams pitch to the Brewers. They just count Bill Hall’s spot as the automatic out. They just imagine that the girl that normally hits in his spot is out at a sorority formal or something, and just count Hall’s at bat as a strikeout.
i laughed so hard, i think i peed. unfortunately, this line can be used for other brewers. the great gerut comes to mind
"This one means 'Kill Kirk!!!!'... And also, 'hallelujah'... Depending on the context."
by trippingandy on Aug 6, 2009 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hall – Kendall – Pitcher Spot=Easy 1-2-3 inning – unless YoGa is the pitcher then it might take more than 6 pitches to get through that inning
by Saberilliterate on Aug 6, 2009 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Counsell's Slide
If you haven’t examined it: take a look. A thing of beauty. He was clearly safe. Should have been a 3-run double for Braun.
http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=5947873&c_id=mil&topic_id=
by One-Flap Down on Aug 6, 2009 9:35 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow. Bad call.
The ump was pretty much blocked from the call. One has to wonder why he wasn’t positioned better to see the slide.
by ecocd on Aug 6, 2009 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That doesn't do it justice
FSN showed a very clear awesome closeup from the direction of probably 1st base camera pit. He clearly slide under the glove and didn’t get tagged till his hips went on the plate.
Tough to call live though, bad break.
by SgtClueLs on Aug 6, 2009 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I called that one after seeing the live feed
I told my roomate, watch the replay, he doesn’t tag him in the back, he can’t get a tag down until his butt. He crossed the plate by then.
I wasn’t sure if I was right at the time, but I guess I turned out to be. At least we still won.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 6, 2009 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Looked like a case
Where the throw was early enough that the ump determined it was going to be an out call as soon as the throw came in. Unless Martin dropped the ball, there was no way Counsell was being called safe on that one.
by Cheeseandcorn on Aug 6, 2009 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, but what are they paying him?
Can the JS even afford a good writer? Can they really find someone they’d trust in the clubhouse that would be willing to almost have to take a second job to be the beat writer?
You know what? They probably could.
I guess Witrado’s fate will rest in the hands of the Brewers and whether they’ll really talk to him anymore. I’d imagine he’ll be stonewalled for a while given his unkind words and outright lies. He doesn’t have to be a homer all the time, but he should be a homer some of the time.
by ecocd on Aug 6, 2009 9:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't know that telling the truth --
like, “I wasn’t actually there when Prince went to the Dodgers’ clubhouse” — would qualify one as a homer.
by Rubie Q on Aug 6, 2009 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
California is his home
He WAS being a homer.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 6, 2009 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
See the Manny post below
I’ve had issues with Witrado’s writing in the past, as demonstrated by my flame war with JSC, and my always rec-ing Lavander’s posts. But the fact is that throwing the team you cover under the bus when you had absolutely no FIRST HAND knowledge of the incident is ridiculous. You are a beat reporter. You report facts. Leave it to Michael Hunt to go off on stupid heresay rants on what happened and what should be done.
If any Brewer actually gives witrado anything after this, I will be surprised. It was just a stupid career move on his part, and I’m glad that the team’s reaction to his tossing the boys under the bus will cost him his job. Bring Back Drew Olsen!!!
"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."
by Hyatt on Aug 6, 2009 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Is under a Denial of Service attack. No ETA on fix.
by SgtClueLs on Aug 6, 2009 9:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
For the Interwebs ignorant ...
What’s a “denial of service attack”?
by Rubie Q on Aug 6, 2009 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I tried Googling it and reading the Wiki entry ...
and all these big, technical-sounding words kept showing up.
by Rubie Q on Aug 6, 2009 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ah
Sorry about that. It’s my new favorite jacka$$ Internet trend and I look to use it whenever I can.
by ecocd on Aug 6, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No worries, friend.
You gave me a good laugh when I clicked on your link. I’d never seen the “LMGTFY” thing before.
by Rubie Q on Aug 6, 2009 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What does lmgtfy mean?
"If lovin’ Braun is wrong, I want to be a repeat offender!"
RIP Nick Adenhart - Stop Drunk Driving
by kirbir on Aug 6, 2009 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you didn't ask it
I was going to
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 6, 2009 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ah, it's an L
Let Me Google That For You
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 6, 2009 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I knew what it was
I was just waiting for someone to try and use lmgtfy to show me what is was :-p
"If lovin’ Braun is wrong, I want to be a repeat offender!"
RIP Nick Adenhart - Stop Drunk Driving
by kirbir on Aug 6, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was thinking
I Made Grape Tomatoes For You
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 6, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shutting down a website by overwhelming it with requests
typically carried out by a large group of virus infected computers
by warwick5s on Aug 6, 2009 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It can be any service though. Basically you just overwhelm a service that prevents it from doing what it needs to do.
by SgtClueLs on Aug 6, 2009 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Should be back up now
I was wondering why it wasn’t working all morning
"If lovin’ Braun is wrong, I want to be a repeat offender!"
RIP Nick Adenhart - Stop Drunk Driving
by kirbir on Aug 6, 2009 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Witrado is the guy who...
wrote the article crying about Manny getting suspended earlier this year…correct?
by Aceinyourhole on Aug 6, 2009 9:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Correct
I went looking for that this morning, but couldn’t immediately find it.
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
by KLSnow on Aug 6, 2009 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
is this the one you were talking about
posted here ?
by Capt Science on Aug 6, 2009 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
that would be it
In fact, if people really did bleed Dodger Blue, my father, 21-year old brother, 15-year old sister and myself would all be blood type DB.
blood type douche bag? that’s a new one on me
"This one means 'Kill Kirk!!!!'... And also, 'hallelujah'... Depending on the context."
by trippingandy on Aug 6, 2009 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I enjoyed these two parts, m'self:
I thought about sitting in the left-field pavilion during the final two games of the NLCS last year against the Phillies. I remembered the passion these other fans and I screamed with when Ramirez homered and doubled and how they stayed in the stands and pleaded with him to stay in Los Angeles after the Dodgers were eliminated.
Curiously: that line about the “passion … [Witrado] screamed with” is followed by this one:
When I wasn’t a sports writer covering Major League Baseball, I was as passionate a fan as anyone.
Does. Not. Compute.
by Rubie Q on Aug 6, 2009 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In his defense
It makes sense – I don’t think he was working as a sportswriter during the NLCS.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 6, 2009 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If that's what he really meant,
He should have said: ‘When I’m not working as a sports writer, I am as passionate a fan as anyone.’
by Rubie Q on Aug 6, 2009 7:18 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Couple random comments...
(1) This fanshot mentioned that Prince has a new blog. Doesn’t this seem like a great opportunity for his PR person to write an entry about what Prince was trying to do, how he could’ve handled it (in retrospect), etc… Seems like something MLB would want him to do, if they want those blogs to be interesting enough to drive traffic. Otherwise, I guess we’ll wait until the offseason to read about how everyone on the team tries really hard and how he’s looking to build on this season, etc…
(2) Tuesday’s Mug mentioned former Brewer Troy O’Leary’s birthday. Since then, his ex-wife has been accused of spending her time not just as an assistant principal, but selling the GFE at night. The Deadspin comments link to a more recent ad in “Village Voice”, while the “AzCentral.com” comments seem to not really care.
by Capt Science on Aug 6, 2009 10:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'd be surprised to see it
In his first actual blog entry (aside from the welcome to my blog entry), when he won’t even acknowledge that it happened through the media
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 6, 2009 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, that's probably true
but it would’ve been nice. and it also could’ve lessened some of the hoopla.
a blog entry that said “i got hit, wasn’t happy, but took my base. then i wanted to talk to mota about it because we were teammates last year, but a few of the guys suggested it’d be better to call tomorrow than confront him after the game. that made sense, but after a night’s sleep, i decided it wasn’t worth getting worked up about.”
mix in an apology of some kind, and that might help avoid a suspension.
by Capt Science on Aug 6, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
haha, From the O'Leary Article
Parent-teacher conferences for certain fathers might have been a bit awkward.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 6, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"I'd warm up with her anytime"
Thank you JJ on Y&R
"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."
by Hyatt on Aug 6, 2009 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What are the Brewers going to do about Catcher next year?
I’m assuming Kendall will be in for a pay cut no matter where he plays next year, but how big would that pay cut have to be for the Brewersto bring him back?
Is Salome or Lucroy ready? I wouldn’t think they’d be much of an upgrade over Kendall, right now. At least there’d be some power from his spot in the order…
Do we really want Rivera starting?
In the offseason, DM is probably going to have to make a decision between CF/C versus Starting Pitching.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 6, 2009 10:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Regardless of whether they're ready
Salome or Lucroy are likely to be called up as far as I’m concerned. The Brewers at least have someone coming up as a catcher. Center field is a hole and I think it’s going to be the main priority in the offseason and where any free agent budget they have left will go. Any money leftover from the center fielder free agent would go towards the bullpen.
And quite frankly, even a mediocre Salome will have the same offensive production as Kendall would next year so the Brewers wouldn’t be losing any production in that position.
by ecocd on Aug 6, 2009 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm thinking SP will be the main priority in the offseason
What about bringing back Podsednik in CF?
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 6, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ah, I missed that.
I thought Looper was signed to a 2-year contract. Indeed, the Brewers will be looking for a veteran arm for the rotation before center field.
by ecocd on Aug 6, 2009 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
2010
Here’s a rough estimate I put together for 2010 salary. I took some liberties and made some assumptions. I assumed Hardy would be traded for SP. I assumed a SP would be signed. And I assumed salaries of $7.5MM for each new SP. I also assumed arbitration values based on similar players in similar arbitration years.
Pos Player 1 2010 Salary
C - -
1B Fielder $11,000,000.00
2B Weeks $3,500,000.00
3B Gamel $500,000.00
SS Escobar $500,000.00
LF Braun $3,500,000.00
CF - -
RF Hart $4,500,000.00
Bench McGehee $500,000.00
Bench Hall $8,500,000.00
Bench Rivera $1,000,000.00
Bench - -
Bench - -
SP1 Gallardo $500,000.00
SP2 FA $7,500,000.00
SP3 Parra $500,000.00
SP4 Trade $7,500,000.00
SP5 Bush $5,500,000.00
SP6 Suppan $12,750,000.00
RP Coffey $2,000,000.00
RP DiFelice $1,000,000.00
RP Stetter $500,000.00
RP McClung $2,500,000.00
RP Riske $4,500,000.00
RP Villanueva $1,000,000.00
CL - -
Total $79,250,000.00
Trading Hardy would leave us with three large holes (TWSS) at CF, C and CL. If he is not traded, and we are yet to sign a FA SP, we would be at a salary of $69MM with a CF, C, CL, and at least 1 SP to sign.
Am I missing anything obvious?
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 6, 2009 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice writeup, thanks for doing it.
I think if Counsell doesn’t retire, he’ll be on the team. Same with Hoffman.
Riske will be on the payroll, but I don’t expect him to be off the DL until late next year, so we’ll need another spot there.
They’ll have to go with Salome next year. They couldn’t give Kendall another year, could they?
I think they’ll end up eating the majority of Bill Hall’s salary and trade him.
Might be Cain in CF if there’s not much on the FA market (and there isn’t much)
by warwick5s on Aug 6, 2009 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with you on Counsell. I’d like to agree with you on Hoffman. What do you think he’d command, salary-wise? I’m thinking $6 MM.
As for Riske, if they acquire 2 SP, somebody (Suppan?) will move to the bullpen.
My guess would be that Salome and Rivera will split time.
It’s possible Bill Hall will be traded, but he would probably have to have a hit or two in the next couple weeks for somebody to bite. As KL pointed out yesterday, it could very well be an exchange of bad contracts. I wouldn’t rule out a trade for some no-name prospect, and us picking up most of the tab.
Assuming Hardy is traded, and Salome replaces Kendall, starting Cain would leave us with potentially 4 rookies in the lineup. (Cain, Salome, Gamel, Escobar)
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 6, 2009 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sadly...
I think Hall will get yet another shot at OF/ 3B. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Gamel moved to LF in the offseason, as part of the reason (I think) they didn’t play him much in the majors this year was defense. If you believe TH’s projection in BA a few years ago , Braun could play center. And his lack of errors might make people think it’s worth a shot, even if errors aren’t always the best indicator.
Actually, if you look at TH’s 2010 projection for the lineup (from 2007), it’s not that bad. Obviously a number of things happened with arms that you wouldn’t guess.
So to address the arms issues, Cot’s shows that Wellemeyer and Piniero are FA’s in the offseason. Given DM’s love of Cardinal cast-offs (I guess it worked in ‘82), we might have a nice little alumni association. Personally, I’d rather see us run after Lackey (who will be too expensive) or an incentive-laden deal for Bedard (which I think could happen).
by Capt Science on Aug 6, 2009 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hall
I think you’re right. I don’t see the Brewers as willing to “eat” a portion of Hall’s salary, so unless someone wants him for the entire $8.4M next year, he’ll be on the roster.
That being said, I hope they don’t put him back in CF again. Not sure how I feel about putting Braun in CF. Yes, he’s played a solid LF, but CF is a much different position… lots of ground to cover. If anything, put Hart there, leave Braun in LF and put Gamel in RF.
I also think that McGehee should get a shot at starting at 3B. He’s hitting very well and deserves more playing time.
by sjlee on Aug 6, 2009 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cain
Jason Bourgeois is more likely to play CF for the Brewers next season than Cain. Cain is currently playing in Double-A and only hitting around .200. He missed quite a bit of time earlier this season with a knee injury. I doubt that they would start him in CF without at least part of a healthy season in Nashville.
by sjlee on Aug 6, 2009 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Looper has a mutual option
$6 mil, or $6.5 mil if he makes 30 starts. Not sure if the FA market will be that much hotter this year than last, so $6.5 may be enough to close the deal.
by Getting Yosted on Aug 6, 2009 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Possibly
Mutual options are rarely picked up. If the team likes the deal, the player generally wants more, and vice versa.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 6, 2009 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Even after this year?
How can he expect more then 6.5m from another team. Why would we pay him that much anyway, unless no one else is available in the offseason
"Cubs suck. I own them" -Doug Davis
by Metagen on Aug 6, 2009 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's my point
Since the number is fairly reasonable, it could very well get picked up.
However, since it’s likely that Looper won’t get more on the open market, Looper could take the option, but the Brewers could decline it and try to work out a deal for less money.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 6, 2009 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How can they not resign Cammy?
so there is one hole filled
but let me also say seriously nice write up even Cots does not lay it out this nice Nice job man :)
The Cult of Cameron Live it Love it never question your love for our Center Fielder.
Greatest Brewers to ever lace them up.
by WSB Chris on Aug 6, 2009 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How can they not?
He’ll more than likely be the top rated CF on the market…with his last shot at some $$$…he’d have to want to come back to Milwaukee enough to turn down more $$$ somewhere else.
by TheBurningRom on Aug 6, 2009 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think there was some sarcasm involved in the original question
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 6, 2009 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No think about it
The Cult of Cameron Live it Love it never question your love for our Center Fielder.
Greatest Brewers to ever lace them up.
by WSB Chris on Aug 6, 2009 7:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cameron
They might consider resigning Cameron, but probably not for the $10M that he’s making this season. It’s not like they don’t have any options in Nashville (i.e. Jason Bourgeois).
The Yankees were interested in him before this season, so they might try to reunite him with Sabathia.
by sjlee on Aug 6, 2009 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bourgeois
Is a AAAA player….not sure he’d be the best option for an everyday starting CF in the majors….not to mention that he’s primarily a 2B/SS. I’d bet that Duffy would have a better shot at the job…..if he ever returns to the team.
by TheBurningRom on Aug 6, 2009 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We could trade for Tony Gywnn Jr.
I hear he’s tearing it up in San Diego.
by ecocd on Aug 6, 2009 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe they'd be interested in Jody Gerut
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 6, 2009 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gerut
Nope, Gerut only had a one-year contract with the Padres, so after this season, he’s a free agent.
by sjlee on Aug 6, 2009 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We could offer arbitration
I’m sure he’s a class A free agent, right? Compensation picks!
Oh wait, he sucks? Damn.
by ecocd on Aug 6, 2009 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's still arbitration-eligible after the season
Just like how Corey Hart has a one year deal but isn’t a free agent after the season.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 6, 2009 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice catch
Thanks for the correction… I didn’t realize that he still had one more year of arbitration. Question now is whether the Brewers think he might have some value or simply just release him at the end of the season.
by sjlee on Aug 7, 2009 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
OF
Bourgeois has been playing only in the OF (mostly CF) this season in Nashville. My guess is that they have plans for him. If nothing else, maybe as a stop-gap until Cain is ready.
Duffy is MIA these days. Since he was sent back down to Nashville, he hasn’t played. I doubt he’d be given a shot.
by sjlee on Aug 6, 2009 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought we solved that problem
when we signed Corey Patterson
/end of sarcasm
/begin of reality
/facepalm
"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."
by Hyatt on Aug 6, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Catcher
I think age is finally catching up with Kendall. His hitting is pretty bad this season… even worse than last year. In addition, he’s not throwing out as many base-stealers as last season, but still at an acceptable rate. If they do re-sign him, they SERIOUSLY need to consider having a platoon situation and offer him a contact to reflect that. I personally think that his hitting would be much better if he wasn’t playing so much.
I like Rivera and think he should be given a shot to play more, but he’s 32, so he’s not a long-term solution. He’s got more pop in his bat than Kendall and is throwing out would-be basestealers at a better rate.
Lucroy is still in Double-A, so I doubt if they would promote him without playing at least part of a season in Nashville. Salome and Corporan are both in Nashville. Out of the two, Salome is hitting better (.270/.324/.390), but those numbers don’t translate very well to the MLB-level. In addition, I’m not sure how this pitching staff would react to having a rookie catcher.
One option would be to let Kendall go, keep Rivera and have Salome as the backup (maybe playing 1-2 times a week) with the intent on grooming Salome to be the starter in the near future.
During this offseason, I think pitching should be their number 1 priority. They do not have any prospects in their farm system even close to coming up to the MLB-level, so they need to look either on the free agent market or getting a trade done. I’m referring to both starters and relievers.
It’s too bad that they traded Gwynn away, as he could’ve slipped into the starting CF spot. Jason Bourgeois is tearing it up in Nashville (hitting .312 and has 34 SB), so he might get a legitimate shot at the starter role. A good indicator would be if he’s brought up next month.
They also need to get some contracts signed during the offseason…
Hart, Hardy, Weeks, Bush, Gerut, McClung, Coffey, Villanueva, Parra, Rivera, Gallardo, Stetter, DiFelice, Burns and McGehee are all eligible for arbitration.
Looper and Catalanotto have options.
Cameron, Hoffman, Kendall, Lopez, Counsell and Vargas are all free agents.
by sjlee on Aug 6, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gwynn will parlay that hot first month into a career yet
Call me crazy, but I think his .252/.297/.313 since that first month and .248/.300/.298 MLB career before the trade is closer to his real skill level. I’m sure he’ll hit better than that going forward, but not too much.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Aug 6, 2009 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How do you figure re: arbitration?
About half the guys you listed were barely past one service year before the season, if even that.
by Zeyes on Aug 7, 2009 7:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ooops
My bad. When I was typing the names up, I meant to separate the names into those eligible for arbitration and those who weren’t, but in my haste I just left them all together.
Parra, Gallardo, Stetter, DiFelice, Burns and McGehee are NOT eligible for arbitration after this season.
by sjlee on Aug 7, 2009 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not sure if anyone saw this
From Witrado’s blog…
bq. Fielder said he didn’t talk to Mota, didn’t think about the whole situation from last night and refused to acknowledge that he was even upset about being hit. He said the most upset he got was right after the ball hit him. Obviously, the video shows differently, but again, Fielder doesn’t remember that part of the night.
by proch on Aug 6, 2009 10:44 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Another great slide by Counsell
At least I’m pretty sure it was him. he slide hard into second to break up a double play on fielder. he was only about 4 feet to the right of the bag.
by diggerd on Aug 6, 2009 10:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Wasn't that Cameron?
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 6, 2009 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
not in last night's game
definetly a white skinny guy
by diggerd on Aug 6, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, That was me
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 6, 2009 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And a run scored
If the ump had called it correctly, Fielder would have been automatically out and no run scores. So the Brewers were even on blown ump calls last nite.
Or their even on runners interference for the year, after the call on Cameron earlier this year.
by Getting Yosted on Aug 6, 2009 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Witrado
I don’t know why this situation has tipped people over the top — I have found him to be a hilariously bad journalist before now. He is aloof and dismissive in person, he writes like a beginning journalist in high school or early college, his skill set his limited, and he was actually recruited out of California by the JS sports editor.
The JS brass think they’re fashioning a star out of Witrado, which is why he won’t go anywhere. I know a lot of people despise Haudricourt and his combative and paranoid nature, but I hope the presence of AW makes people realize how valuable TH can be.
by Et tu Brewte on Aug 6, 2009 11:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
As much as Tom appears to hate his job
at least he’s competent.
"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."
by Hyatt on Aug 6, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think that Tom hates his job.
Strike that: I don’t think that Tom hates only his job. He strikes me as the kind of dude who just hates everything. More and more, I’m finding Haudricourt’s general gloominess very funny.
by Rubie Q on Aug 6, 2009 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brewers Daily
That Witrado write up makes me smile for some reason, and then feel like crap the next as an aspiring sports journalist.
I say we keep trashing him until he’s overthrown by any number of the brilliant voices out there for the Brewers. We Will Be Victorious!
PensBurgh penalty - Lavender - 2 Minutes for Excessive Stanley Cup Raising.
by Lavender on Aug 6, 2009 12:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
No Suspension for Fielder or Mota
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 6, 2009 12:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Complete BS
“Go ahead and throw at people. We don’t really mind. Signed, MLB”
I hope they get sued into oblivion when someone really gets hurt. Maybe they’ll at least make changes during the offseason or something. I can always hope.
by ecocd on Aug 6, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why not fine Torre too?
I’m sure Mota wasn’t thinking up the hit all on his own.
"If lovin’ Braun is wrong, I want to be a repeat offender!"
RIP Nick Adenhart - Stop Drunk Driving
by kirbir on Aug 6, 2009 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Torre knew exactly what was going to happen...
Particularly when he had a reliever already warming up in the bullpen.
by sjlee on Aug 6, 2009 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly
If we’re going to fine Mota, the pawn in this scheme, why not fine the evil mastermind?
"If lovin’ Braun is wrong, I want to be a repeat offender!"
RIP Nick Adenhart - Stop Drunk Driving
by kirbir on Aug 6, 2009 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Proof
Unless Mota specifically tells the Commissioner’s office that Torre told him to throw at Fielder, how would they be able to prove it? He could simply say that the reliever was throwing in the pen to get some work… not to get ready to play.
by sjlee on Aug 6, 2009 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the catcher admitted as such after the game
"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 6, 2009 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No suspensions
They probably figured that if they suspended Mota, they were going to have to suspend Fielder as well. Kind of like offsetting penalties.
As far as throwing at someone intentionally, Mota did hit Fielder in the thigh. I guarantee that if he had hit Fielder above the waist or near his head, he would’ve been suspended.
by sjlee on Aug 6, 2009 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sued?
Pitchers intentionally hitting batters has been a part of baseball since MLB’s inception. This little incident isn’t going to change anything.
And as far as suing… the players accept a certain amount of risk participating in the game. They cannot sue the league if they get hurt. Just like you cannot sue the league if you get hurt by a ball or bat while sitting in the stands.
by sjlee on Aug 6, 2009 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If someone died from it
I’m pretty sure that there’d be a wrongful death lawsuit, regardless of the risk.
"If lovin’ Braun is wrong, I want to be a repeat offender!"
RIP Nick Adenhart - Stop Drunk Driving
by kirbir on Aug 6, 2009 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nope
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hit_by_pitch#Legal_consequences
BTW, only one player has ever died by getting hit by a pitch… and that was back in 1920. I don’t even think helmets were even around back then.
by sjlee on Aug 6, 2009 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Death isn't an injury :-p
The players run a risk of being injured, yes, but killed? That shouldn’t be an inherent risk dealt with.
That’s only one player in the majors. There have been several players in other places that have died from getting hit. Earlier this year, a high schooler in Missouri was killed by a wild pitch.
"If lovin’ Braun is wrong, I want to be a repeat offender!"
RIP Nick Adenhart - Stop Drunk Driving
by kirbir on Aug 6, 2009 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Risk = Injury AND death
Here’s a link to the ruling by the California Supreme Court…
http://online.ceb.com/calcases/C4/38C4t148.htm
It specifically states:
“The dangers of being hit by a pitch, often thrown at {Page 38 Cal.4th 164} speeds approaching 100 miles per hour, are apparent and well known: being hit can result in serious injury or, on rare tragic occasions, death.”
My point is that MLB cannot be held responsible if a player is killed during a game.
by sjlee on Aug 6, 2009 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
not that this adds to either side of the arguement but...
That pitcher that chucked a ball into the crowd when that brawl broke out in a minor league game just got served with 30 days in jail
kinda on-topic
by diggerd on Aug 6, 2009 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Different scenario
1. Person hit was not a participant in the game.
2. Ball was thrown with intent to injure… not during gameplay.
3. League was not held accountable… player was.
by sjlee on Aug 6, 2009 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dunno
I still think there’s an element of willful ignorance in play. The players may be taking the risk by getting onto the field, but baseball has already acknowledged they have an obligation towards player safety by mandating safety equipment like a batting helmet. They’ve already set a precedent by suspending pitchers for throwing at players. Why would they suspend them, if not for safety reasons?
MLB has taken an active role in the safety of its players. By failing to do enough to prevent pitchers from throwing at baseball player while simultaneously taking stops to prevent such an occurrence, they may have already put themselves in a position of liability.
It’s not much of a stretch to see a civil court jury extending that to assuming MLB didn’t do enough to protect their players from a known and existing danger.
by ecocd on Aug 6, 2009 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What's enough?
There is no feasible way the league can possibly prevent a pitcher from throwing at a batter intentionally. They can put penalties in place to act as a deterrent, but that won’t prevent it from happening.
The California Supreme Court has already ruled on a similar case (see my link above).
by sjlee on Aug 6, 2009 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure enough
I’m curious as to why it wasn’t appealed to the U.S. Supreme Count. Probably because the court wouldn’t have bothered to hear it, but it sounds like the California Supreme Court reversed the decision of a California Court of Appeals that rules in Avila’s favor.
The dissenting opinion makes it sound like Avila didn’t have a great team of lawyers and could’ve made different claims that would’ve changed the case. I think a case could still be brought against MLB, but it would be an uphill battle given the original case.
Overall, though, it sounds like the batter would only be successful in suing the opposing pitcher, manager and organization, but not MLB as MLB doesn’t directly employ the pitcher or manager.
Even if not directly liable, MLB would likely move towards harsher penalties (or any penalties in the case of Mota) for throwing at batters to help prevent these lawsuits in the future.
by ecocd on Aug 6, 2009 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
omg
i just listened to the radio interview with witrado..that is just awful. u would think prince took a baseball bat and smacked someone over the head with it and the rest of the brewers players were standing around laughing at it by the way witrado was bashing the entire organization. what a POS
by BrewerBlue87 on Aug 6, 2009 12:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Whoa
What happened to Cincinnati? One game out of last place?
"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 6, 2009 12:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
coughDUSTYcough
"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."
by Hyatt on Aug 6, 2009 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
argh stupid lack of edit button and typing too fast
i am become dusty: the destroyer of arms
by warwick5s on Aug 6, 2009 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
And Volquez gone for 12 mos or so
We thought losing Gallardo last year was bad…this probably hurts them more than that.
by Et tu Brewte on Aug 6, 2009 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Losing Jay Bruce didn't help
and now Volquez
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 6, 2009 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus Aaron Harang hasn't been the same since that 4 inning relief appearance 2 Mays ago
hence the coughDUSTYcough
"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."
by Hyatt on Aug 6, 2009 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
As for Harang...
I remember him being dominant when he was pitching in the 93-95 area. After seeing him pitch this year at around 90-92, he doesn’t have much going for him. It begs the question whether he is suffering from arm fatigue or even worse injury. I remember his name getting thrown around at the trade deadline going to the Brewers, and I felt it wouldn’t be a great idea because he may be damaged goods.
Looking to buy: General Manager Deputy Badge
by Bush League All Star on Aug 6, 2009 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is another explanation
for a pitcher losing mph off his fastball mysteriously. It seems to me that Gagne lost quite a bit of speed off his fastball, too.
by ecocd on Aug 6, 2009 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well
I would assume that injuries had more to do with it than steroids.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Aug 6, 2009 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am not buying a copy of the journal
until that hack is fired.
by Braunstalker on Aug 6, 2009 6:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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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 11.20.2009 at 4:30 PM CST)
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