Friday's Frosty Mug
by Kyle Lobner on Sep 23, 2011 10:30 AM CDT
in Milwaukee Brewers News
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Some things to read while making an irrefutable argument.
What appeared to be a relatively quiet Brewer off day yesterday was suddenly interrupted by big news as the Mets scored seven unanswered runs (including six in the ninth) to beat the Cardinals 8-6 and drop the Brewers' magic number to two to clinch the NL Central (FanShot). The Mets' win creates a scenario where the Brewers could clinch their first division title since 1982 if they beat the Marlins tonight and the Cubs beat the Cardinals. All this and more, of course, is covered in this morning's edition of Around the NL Central.
Even if (IF!) the stars align and the Brewers clinch the NL Central tonight, Nick Prill of The Brewers Bar has a reminder that they still have more to play for: They enter play tonight just a game ahead of the Diamondbacks for the NL's second best record.
While the Brewers were off yesterday Ryan Braun retook first place in the race for the NL batting title: Jose Reyes went 1-for-4 in the Mets win to drop to .329, and Braun remains at .330. Dave Sheinin of The Washington Post is voting for Braun to win the NL MVP, while the staff at FanGraphs picked Matt Kemp 11 votes to 9.
Sheinin, by the way, has Ron Roenicke second behind Kirk Gibson on his Manager of the Year ballot. Christina Kahrl of ESPN.com has a look at his debut season in Milwaukee (FanShot).
It's going to be an interesting offseason for several Brewers, not the least of which is Francisco Rodriguez. Dan Mennella of MLB Trade Rumors predicts K-Rod likely won't get an arbitration offer from the Brewers and may have to settle for a one year deal on the open market.
Of course, we've already spent plenty of time discussing Prince Fielder's offseason plans. Adam McCalvy says Fielder's pending departure gives the Brewers incentive to win now.
Taylor Green hasn't started a game in a week, but at least he has this: He was yesterday's prospect of the day at Minor League Ball, and John Sickels says he "should be able to provide at least decent offense with some defensive versatility."
Yesterday's second biggest news story came in the minors, where the Brewers announced some changes to the 2011 coaching staffs in Nashville and Huntsville. Don Money, who has managed the Sounds for each of the last two seasons, has been reassigned within the organization and will be replaced by Huntsville manager Mike Guerrero (FanShot). Meanwhile, the new Stars manager is 14 year major league veteran Darnell Coles.
Elsewhere in the minors:
- Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson sent a scouting report to Chris Mehring of Rattler Radio following yesterday's instructional league game: Follow the link for notes on Taylor Jungmann's two perfect innings and more.
- Baseball America revealed their list of the top 20 prospects in the Pioneer League in 2011: Helena pitcher David Goforth was listed 15th, and shortstop Yadiel Rivera was 16th. Goforth is a 2011 seventh round pick and Rivera is a 2010 ninth rounder.
- Minor League Baseball Prospects had pitchers Will West, Jorge Lopez and Joel Pierce in their AZL top 40 and Tyler Cravy and Jacob Barnes in their Pioneer League list.
- Bob Brainerd of Time Warner Cable Sports 32 has a profile of Wisconsin infielder/outfielder T.J. Mittlestaedt.
How'd you spend your off day yesterday? John Axford used his to help open the Milwaukee Film Festival last night.
Around baseball:
Cardinals: Signed first baseman/outfielder Lance Berkman to a one year, $12 million contract extension.
Marlins: Closer Leo Nunez has left the team and returned to the Dominican Republic amid reports he's been playing under an assumed name.
By the end of the night the NL playoff picture could be a lot clearer: There's a chance the NL West and Central could both be clinched tonight. This morning's edition of Around the Pennant Chase has a preview of the action.
The 2012 MLB Draft is also settling into focus: The Astros clinched the #1 overall pick when the Twins won yesterday.
The Brewers project to get a little younger this winter as Craig Counsell, Takashi Saito and LaTroy Hawkins will all be free agents. If they want to get a little older, though, that's an option too: Omar Vizquel, who is 44 years old, announced yesterday that he plans to play in 2012. He's hit .251/.287/.305 this season while splitting 58 games between second, short and third.
Today in former Brewers:
- Rory Costello has a post on Juan Nieves as part of SABR's BioProject.
- You don't see September trades involving key players very often, but we almost saw one this week: The Red Sox need a starter for Sunday and apparently tried to get Chris Capuano from the Mets. The deal fell through.
Today in baseball economics: Reds GM Walt Jocketty says Cincinnati will likely raise their payroll next season, but most of the increase will be spent in contract escalations and arbitration raises. They're not expected to be major players on the free agent market.
This could be interesting: MLB and the MLBPA have agreed to send a team of major league stars to Taiwan for a series in November. The roster won't be announced until sometime in November, but I'll be curious to see if any Brewers make the trip.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to my music.
Drink up.
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MLBTR K-Rod article
assumes that he would get a raise in arbitration. I know that young arb players get raises as they work their way towards their first free agency, but overpaid players don’t necessarily always get raises in arbitration, do they? The guy did the comps himself (Jenks and Soriano) and came up with $9M. Wouldn’t that be a reasonable estimate for arbitration?
Also, I’ll be upset if they don’t offer arby’s. If he wants to be a closer and wants a multi-year deal, he won’t get either of those from the Brewers and will likely turn down arbitration, right?
I think the way they got him to waive his option is by promising no arby
It’s just the way of doing business. And don’t think he wouldn’t accept Arby, Soriano did that to the Braves and it shocked them, so much so that they moved him to the Rays.
"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."
BCB Fantasy Football League 1 Champ
I hope they didn’t make that promise, because the team had all the leverage and no reason to do so. Given that K-Rod seems audibly unhappy in a non-closer role, I think offering him arbitration would be a pretty solid gamble to take.
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
by SRB on Sep 23, 2011 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Isnt part of the CBA
That you have to get a raise in arbitration? Or there is a minimum decrease or something like that?
If they do offer arbitration, and he accepts, he hasnt had a performance that would merit a deduction in salary. So the team would be looking at least something like a $14 million contract. And with that on the line they would have to trade hm away for about the same package they gave up to get him.
As far as leverage goes, KRod did the team a huge favor by opting out of his huge option. It allowed the team the freedom to use him as their closer if they needed or so chose, so if part of that handshake agreement was to not offer arbitration at the end of the year, the least they could do would be to not offer it since he gave the team that freedom. Again, I think it would be horrible player PR if a handshake agreement was reached, and then the team DM, MA or whoeveer renegs on that. the MLBPA remembers things like that and could be a difference maker down the road when it could come down to a FA coming to Milwaukee.
He didn't do the team a huge favor.
There was no chance the team was going to allow him to finish the required number of games, so his option wasn’t going to vest. Basically the team just gave him $500K to make it a non-story.
by placidity on Sep 23, 2011 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
At the time
The Brewers didn’t know for sure that Axford was going to be as solid as he has been.
Having the flexibility gave them insurance (although it wasn’t needed).
Worst case scenario… K-Rod still had the vesting option and Axford started pitching like the previous guy who wore his number.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
True, but $500k is pretty hefty Axford-insurance considering how good Axford was pitching and that that is more than Axford’s entire salary. No reason to also throw in a potentially very valuable non-arbitration handshake.
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
by SRB on Sep 23, 2011 5:10 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Pre-free agent players have rules regarding what they can/can't be offered.
But a player who accepts arb in lieu of free agency does not.
Now that's great tasting chicken!
by Kyle Lobner on Sep 23, 2011 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions
In arby
You are guaranteed a minimum of 80% of your previous season’s salary.
Comparable players got less than him, so he would probably get about what he got this season. If he accepts arb (which he won’t), he would be dumb to request more than a mil raise or so.
As Kyle says above,
that’s only for players under reserve and does not apply to free agents.
I’m sure there aren’t many cases of free agents getting less than that, though, just because teams would be unlikely to risk it.
by The Left Button on Sep 23, 2011 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Hey Kyle
I just want to publically thank you for allowing us to continue our little bastian of fantasy football in the fanposts. I know some have issues with it, but I appreciate you allowing us to continue the communal spirit of BCB and not asking us to shut it down since it is rarely baseball or even sports related.
So… Yeah… Thanks!
"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."
BCB Fantasy Football League 1 Champ
As long as it stays "over there" and not "in here," then I'm cool with the community having fun with it.
Now that's great tasting chicken!
by Kyle Lobner on Sep 23, 2011 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
no problem
"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."
BCB Fantasy Football League 1 Champ
Being completely honest with you Hyatt
Your Fantasy Football League fails on at least two counts. OK, so there’s a league involved, but its not football as I know it and, more importantly, it bears damn little resemblance to a single one of my fantasies…
Less than proud owner of Marmol Says Knock McLouth (BCB League III)
The NBA stole my wife
by MrLeam on Sep 23, 2011 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Wait, it's not your fantasy to be the general manager of a prodigious sports franchise
thus enabling you to score all the cougar tail you could ever immagine?
Then you are right, I’ve failed.
"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."
BCB Fantasy Football League 1 Champ
Things are looking up.
Every day at lunch, I treat myself to a couple games of Fruit Ninja (arcade mode, not the incredibly frustrating classic mode). Over the last couple weeks, I’ve noticed that on days when I manage a score over 500, the Brewers typically play very well.
Today’s scores: 840 and 778.
It’s all happening, you guys.
We pull our pants up and do our jobs here.
Attorneys are phenomenal fruit ninjas
NO ONE DENIES THIS
"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."
BCB Fantasy Football League 1 Champ
ATTAH-NEYS AHH PHENAWMENAWL FRUIT NINJ-AHS
Fixed it for ya.
by Cheeseandcorn on Sep 23, 2011 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions
thanks
"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."
BCB Fantasy Football League 1 Champ
I hope it doesn't happen today.
I really need a pick up this weekend, and seeing them clinch in person tomorrow might help. If it happens tonight, I doubt I’ll feel happy enough to enjoy it.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
The Brewres have not won a division title in 29 years
I know you want to be in there in person when it happens but you should try and enjoy the fact they are going to achieve something that that you might not even remember them ever doing before.
by Saltire on Sep 23, 2011 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
You're going to be that broken up if you miss it?
I have tickets for tonight, Monday and Tuesday. I hope it happens tonight, but if it doesn’t I’m sure as hell not going to root against it happening tomorrow or Sunday.
Now that's great tasting chicken!
by Kyle Lobner on Sep 23, 2011 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
No, it's not that.
I’m happy to go tomorrow just because I finally get to see Greinke pitch.
It’s more because of some stuff that’s gone on this week. I’m just in a funk, I need to pull myself out of it. Not really Brewers related.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
I apologize for the above comment
I’m not rooting against it happening tonight, more just hoping I get to see it in person, though I guess the comments could be taken the wrong way. I’m just letting other stuff drag me down, once the game starts tonight, I’ll be feeling much better.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
Buck up
Here’s a happy thought, the St. Louis Cardinals have 6 games left of the best hitter in baseball on their team. After that… Poof… gone.
"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."
BCB Fantasy Football League 1 Champ
by Hyatt on Sep 23, 2011 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
The guy had the worst two months of his career in April and May
and is still leading the NL in homers. I know he’s an ass, but I’ll take him over any hitter in baseball.
"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."
BCB Fantasy Football League 1 Champ
Yet he’s still only been the third best hitter on the Cardinals. Yet they are still going to miss the playoffs. Cardinalslol.
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
by SRB on Sep 23, 2011 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Man, I tell you what
you and your wishing for stuff to happen when you’re at the games is frustrating me. Moving Greinke’s start, clinching, etc. To each his own, but if I see a game I want it to be a good game. I’m not going to wish for it to be some penultimate milestone. If it were up to me, the Brewers would have clinched the division a month ago, regardless of who is at the game.
"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 Sep 23, 2011 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Since I posted that this morning, I really don't care if I'm there or not.
If it happens tonight, it happens. I’d like to be there, but I have no control over it, so I’m just going to watch tonight and enjoy.
I do enjoy all the games I go to regardless of if there’s something big going on or not. It could be worse, there could be no dome and I’d be ticked off every time I planned to go to a game that ended up being postponed because of weather.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
Also, I can try to keep those comments to myself.
I do choose certain days to try to maximize the experience (since there’s only a limited number I can go to each season), but I generally do enjoy each game I get to.
I guess those comments could be a little more positive, maybe that would help as well. Look on the bright side rather than the dark side that I usually look at.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
Yeah I definitely overreacted
Sorry about that.
"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 Sep 23, 2011 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions
It's ok
You are right as well, some of those comments are out of line. I probably shouldn’t have been posting this morning, I had a rough night/morning, but I’m feeling better since then.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
Tonight's gonna be a good night...
The song keeps running through my head. Just like it did on Feb. 6 of this year. I don’t care if I am there, just get ’er done – ASAP.
by BennyBrewer on Sep 23, 2011 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions
That is so last year.
"People ask me what I do in the winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring."- Rogers Hornsby
What, no dancing hamster photoshop to Party Rock Anthem?
"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."
BCB Fantasy Football League 1 Champ
I blame Benny
"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."
BCB Fantasy Football League 1 Champ
You should just photoshop the Black Eyed Peas so they all have Yuni's head.
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
Playoff Tickets Get!
I had them sent to work, and the secretary office assistant just handed them to me. Even though it only has the parking passes for the world series, seeing Brewers and World Series Game 7 on a ticket gave me goosebumps.
Speaking of which
Any word from people on the Brewers playoff ticket lottery? I haven’t seen anything either way.
I've just read the artitcle about Leo Nunez
Or should that be Juan Carlos Oviedo.
For somebody with millions of dollars at stake due to year 3 of abritration this cannot be good. I wonder if there is any law enforcement agencies will look into a case where somebody of a relatively high profile (compared to the rest of the population) lived as somebody else for 7 years before getting caught.
There must a chance that he finds it difficult to re-enter the country to continue his career.
Interesting stuff
I do think that he should have be given special dispensation for having decided to be called “Leo” though as that’s a pretty cool name (although I’m guessing it might have been a stolen identity he was allocated?). I think I’d have to ponder for weeks before finally deciding an assumed name. Perhaps “Calvin” might be my favourite option at the moment…
Less than proud owner of Marmol Says Knock McLouth (BCB League III)
The NBA stole my wife
This day in 1957
Was the last time a Milwaukee baseball team has clinched a division title at home. Here’s to hoping for a repeat.
by proachinf on Sep 23, 2011 12:33 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
Nothing against Braun,
But it would be pretty cool to see a batting and pitching triple crown winner from the same team in the same season (Kemp/Kershaw). I’m really pulling for Kershaw though, guy is amazing.
"People ask me what I do in the winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring."- Rogers Hornsby
And on an underwhleming team, no less
It will be difficult for Kemp to make up the difference in BA on Reyes and Braun in only 6 games. If we assume 24 AB for all three of them, Kemp will need to have 2 more hits than both Reyes and Braun to take the batting title. Not impossible, but pretty difficult.
Meanwhile, Casey McGehee is battling it out with Carlos Pena for the lowest qualifying BA. Pena at .229 and McGehee at .227.
Can anyone find info about the last team to have both the highest BA and lowest BA amongst qualified hitters?
I don't think getting only 2 more hits in approximately 24AB's that unlikely.
The difference between the best of them and worse over the next 6 days will probably be atleast 2 hits.
I don’t want anyone to win the Triple Crown in a year when Braun probably would be right on the edge of winning it had he not missed time. Lame.
"We’re here to win, man. All that fighting stuff, that’s for the birds." - Prince Fielder
by SRB on Sep 23, 2011 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Also, it will be interesting to see if they play Morgan.
And if he does start (which I assume he does) if anything will happen with Volstad on the mound. Should be an exciting game tonight.
"People ask me what I do in the winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring."- Rogers Hornsby
Didn't they start him earlier this season against Volstad
And Plush hit a homerun off him?
And got beaned?
So what did happen?
Surely it isn’t just that Morgan hit a home run off of him, right? Was there an incident?
by kotsaythebuzzkill on Sep 23, 2011 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Just finished watching the 9th inning
from yesterday’s Mets and Cardinals game. And, guess what, I think I might just watch it all over again…
Less than proud owner of Marmol Says Knock McLouth (BCB League III)
The NBA stole my wife
It wasn't a meltdown by Motte, either
He was getting to 2 strikes on most of them. The hitters just fouled off good pitch after good pitch. It was an absolute clinic on how to put up a crooked number. Aside from the one key error, the Mets earned that 6 run inning.
by ecocd on Sep 23, 2011 2:54 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Three walks are kind of a meltdown, right?
I mean, I get that he wasn’t walking people on four pitches or something like that, but still: he said after the game that he had no idea where the ball was going.
We pull our pants up and do our jobs here.
It was a really odd inning
All the walks, a bloop single, Furcal’s error and the Cards left-fielder almost pulling off a spectacular catch to keep things level…
From what the Cards fans have been saying about Furcal (particularly his fielding) it sounds like he saved all his best performances up for playing the Crew.
Less than proud owner of Marmol Says Knock McLouth (BCB League III)
The NBA stole my wife
Okay, but it felt like there were a lot of foul balls with 2 strikes
You can only throw strikes so long. Good that he took responsibility.
I've watched the highlights about 4 or 5 times
and still whenever they are on, I stop what I’m doing and watch. Giggle, even.
"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 Sep 23, 2011 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions
about damn time
Yosted.
"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."
BCB Fantasy Football League 1 Champ
What are you talking about?
He only had a .306/.348/.415 in 158 PAs against major league pitching as a CF last year. You only get called up if you can hit .330 in the majors.
It’s so f*cking lame that a team would keep a player in AAA solely for the purpose of holding back his arb clock. He was clearly ready for major league play, but it would cost them money to do so 4 years from now so they kept him in AAA. Eff’ing Royals.
I'm glad the Cappy to the Sawx trade fell through
I’d hate to have to cheer against Cappy when he’s pitching against the Yankees, but I would have had to this weekend. Need the Sawx to continue their swooning ways, the Rays to drop back, and the Angels to win out. Here’s hoping!
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cincinnati
|
26 | 20 | .565 | 0 | Won 1 |
|
St. Louis
|
25 | 22 | .531 | 1.5 | Lost 3 |
|
Houston
|
22 | 24 | .478 | 4 | Lost 1 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
22 | 24 | .478 | 4 | Won 2 |
|
Milwaukee
|
19 | 27 | .413 | 7 | Lost 1 |
|
Chicago
|
15 | 31 | .326 | 11 | Lost 11 |
(updated 5.27.2012 at 12:11 PM CDT)
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