Wednesday's Frosty Mug
by Kyle Lobner on Feb 22, 2012 10:20 AM CST
in Milwaukee Brewers News
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PrintSome things to read while making a minor transaction.
We're 44 days away from Opening Day, and Zack Greinke was the topic du jour in Brewer camp yesterday. Doug Melvin told reporters he plans to pursue a long term deal with Greinke even if he does decide to continue to operate without an agent. Ron Roenicke, meanwhile, appears to have earned Greinke's trust.
Greinke also provided several quotes and had a lot of nice things to say in Adam McCalvy's profile of Jonathan Lucroy. Since being thrust into a starting role when Gregg Zaun went down in 2010 Lucroy has really done an impressive job making the most of the opportunity.
Infielder Cesar Izturis was in camp for the first time yesterday, and talked to Adam McCalvy about his likely role as a backup infielder. Mat Gamel is also likely to make the roster, but doesn't appear to be taking it for granted: He told Tom Haudricourt it's "time to get it done."
Ryan Braun is expected to report to camp on Friday, leading Tom Haudricourt to speculate that the result of his appeal will be known today or tomorrow. Dan Szymborski might have a more likely theory.
If Nyjer Morgan (or Carlos Gomez) make the All Star team this season, they'll be breaking a long trend: SweetSpot notes that no Brewer center fielders have appeared in an All Star Game since Dave May in 1973.
Gomez, by the way, is on Twitter (mostly in Spanish). Teammate Chris Narveson is also trying it out.
When Nyjer Morgan is in the lineup this season Ron Roenicke says he'll likely bat in the #2 spot, as he did last year. Roenicke also seemed to imply that Aramis Ramirez has been penciled into the #4 spot. I think I'd rather see him behind Rickie Weeks, but it's probably not a big deal either way.
Travis Ishikawa has probably become a long shot to make the roster out of camp, but there's still a chance he'll log some innings at first base this season. The Brewer Nation profiled him as part of their "Brewers By the (Jersey) Numbers" series.
Elsewhere in unlikely big leaguers: Nick Prill of The Brewers Bar has a look at the non-roster catchers in Brewer camp.
The Brewers made a minor transaction yesterday, signing Brandon Kintzler to a 2012 contract. They still have five players left to sign, but the deadline isn't until March 11 so it's unlikely to become an issue.
In the minors:
- Major League Baseball has granted Mark Rogers a fourth option, meaning the Brewers won't have to add him to the 25 man roster when his suspension expires in April.
- Nashville Sounds broadcaster Jeff Hem has started a new blog.
Brewer single game tickets go on sale on Saturday, and Caitlin Moyer has a guide to this season's promo schedule.
If you'd like more Brewer content today but you're sick of reading, @Mass_Haas has a link to archived audio of Doug Melvin's appearance on WTMJ yesterday. Also, I'll be appearing on The Home Stretch with Justin Hull on The Score (AM 1570) in Appleton at 3 today.
Around baseball:
Blue Jays: Signed pitcher Rick Vandenhurk to a minor league deal.
Rangers: Acquired pitcher Kelvin De La Cruz from the Indians for cash.
Red Sox: Received pitcher Chris Carpenter and a PTBNL from the Cubs as compensation for Theo Epstein.
Yankees: Signed third baseman Eric Chavez to a one year, $900,000 deal.
The free agent market for closers went south pretty quickly this winter, and stories like this pretty clearly display one reason why: Bob Nightengale of USA Today notes that there are only four teams that have had their current closer in place for at least two full seasons. John Axford missed the cut as he took over the role in May of 2010.
Many if not most of you will probably remember an interleague game last season where Rays manager Joe Maddon sent outfielder Sam Fuld to the mound to warm up to pitch to buy more time for a reliever in the bullpen, then pulled him before he had faced a batter. The New York Times notes that the rules have been changed to prevent that this season, but the rule is largely based on intent and will be nearly impossible to enforce. (h/t Baseball Musings)
In former Brewers:
- Roch Kubatko of MASN has a profile of Dana Eveland, who's trying to win a job in Orioles camp this spring.
- Tyler Lockman of Fox Sports Arizona reports the Diamondbacks signed Takashi Saito without giving him a physical, because they expected him to fail one.
- Brandon Warne of FanGraphs is the latest to post a career retrospective on Mike Cameron.
- The Rangers have hired Tony Fernandez as an assistant to GM Jon Daniels.
- Robert J. Baumann of NotGraphs notes that Bob Hamelin is a scout in the Blue Jays organization.
- Bad Spring Training Twitpics found a blurry picture of Dave Bush and some other Phillies shot through a chain link fence.
- I may have mentioned this before, but Dan Plesac is on Twitter.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to sharpening knives.
Drink up.
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Comments
What is the criteria for getting a 4th option?
And would Cody Scarpetta be a candidate for one?
I hate Yuni.
Isnt it a lot like a medical redshirt for college athletes
If so, he probably isnt a candidate for one.
I wonder if the Brewers wont just DFA Rogers once his suspension is done.
#5 overall = incredibly long leash
I think if they were going to, they would have already. They’ve stuck with him through a lot so far, and if they get a free option on him I’ll guess they’re inclined to ride it to the end. If they get into a situation where they really needed his spot on the 40, yes, but right now I don’t think they have that kind of roster crunch. When healthy, he’s generally pitched well, and I imagine they want to see if he has any chance of staying healthy for any amount of time before giving up on him.
Scarpetta will almost assuredly be granted a 4th option
At least that’s what I’ve heard multiple times before.
Chris Narveson on his Twitter handle, @sleep_trick:
it’s my gamer tag on Xbox so I figure I could be semi-incognito
Good luck with that, Chris.
Haha, yeah. I caught that too.
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 10:53 AM CST up reply actions
I thought that handle belonged to Braddock.
Applying pop culture to Brewers discussions since 2009, earning the nickname of "Our Little Abed".
by Yar Nivek on Feb 22, 2012 11:12 AM CST up reply actions 4 recs
ISWYDT
"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
"Something always good seems to happen when he's in there. Numbers matched up good."
~RRR
by Charlie Marlow on Feb 22, 2012 11:15 AM CST up reply actions
I wonder how many people are going to try to add him on to their friend list on Xbox Live now...
Also, I wonder if I’m insane for thinking that I’d try to do that as well. Still wouldn’t mind playing a game online against him…assuming he plays Halo (and specifically Halo Reach).
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
Hard to say how many it will actually be
Obviously, it would have to be Brewers fans who follow him on Twitter, play Xbox and figured out the exact spelling of his GamerTag.
Looks like he has played Halo Reach before.
Ready for it?
He prefers center fielder Nyjer Morgan in the two-hole because it opens opportunities for bunting.
I’m laughing just because I can already feel the hate.
I was going to quote the same thing
I’m pretty sure the 2-hole is the absolute worst position for bunting by the numbers. Now if the Brewers only need 1 run, then sure, I like having a reliable bunter like Morgan there for Braun or Ramirez to drive in Rickie for the winning run. Doing it as early in the game as Morgan did last year on a fairly regular basis is only hurting the team. I guess we’ll just have to know it’s coming and accept that Roenicke isn’t really a great game manager.
RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGE
"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
"Something always good seems to happen when he's in there. Numbers matched up good."
~RRR
by Charlie Marlow on Feb 22, 2012 11:15 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah, he bunted quite often last season, and still managed to hit .304.
Roenicke likes him there for his ability to bunt when needed, not because he’s going to make him bunt every time.
by tcyoung on Feb 22, 2012 11:22 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
That's deceptive, though.
Because all his bunt outs are credited as sacrifices, even when they’re stupid.
Now that's great tasting chicken!
by Kyle Lobner on Feb 22, 2012 12:30 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Yes, this.
"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
"Something always good seems to happen when he's in there. Numbers matched up good."
~RRR
by Charlie Marlow on Feb 22, 2012 1:16 PM CST up reply actions
All?
"And the softball team wanted to DH for me"
Well, most...
… not when the bases are empty, obviously.
"fortunate, but also lucky"
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Feb 22, 2012 6:59 PM CST up reply actions
Yes, Morgan has that ability
"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
"Something always good seems to happen when he's in there. Numbers matched up good."
~RRR
by Charlie Marlow on Feb 22, 2012 11:23 AM CST up reply actions
But he also had a slugging percentage that would indicate it was likely a bad idea for him to do so.
"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
"Something always good seems to happen when he's in there. Numbers matched up good."
~RRR
by Charlie Marlow on Feb 22, 2012 11:24 AM CST up reply actions
How I picture Charlie when he says RAGE
Applying pop culture to Brewers discussions since 2009, earning the nickname of "Our Little Abed".
by Yar Nivek on Feb 22, 2012 11:35 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Ha
That’s actually a remarkably close depiction of my face.
"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
"Something always good seems to happen when he's in there. Numbers matched up good."
~RRR
by Charlie Marlow on Feb 22, 2012 11:50 AM CST up reply actions
I like bunts!
If the bunter is, you know, actually fast.
Solve for X: 5.5 (Fielder) + 0.3 (McGehee) + 0.5 (Betancourt) < X (Gamel) + 3.6 (Ramirez) + 1.1 (Gonzalez)... X >= 1.7 fWAR!
Looks like Weeks will bat leadoff again.
Ahhh I don’t know how I feel.
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 10:54 AM CST reply actions
I hope it's Hart.
I’ve always liked Corey as an aggressive power-hitting leadoff hitter. He seems to respond well to it. If Rickie’s at #5, I think he’ll have a counting-stats breakout season.
I also don't like Hart in the 5 hole
Because when pitchers are able to work around him, he usually ends up swinging at the low and away slider.
They cant work around him as much if he is batting leadoff
I hate Yuni.
by BrewCrewBrian on Feb 22, 2012 11:00 AM CST up reply actions
Neither are ideal, but we really don't have a true leadoff hitter, anyways. Morgan or Gomez are probably the closest.
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 11:05 AM CST up reply actions
Well, he could be. He'd have to spend a lot of time bunting first.
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 11:24 AM CST up reply actions
Okay,
He’d have to spend a lot of time bunting first.
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 11:27 AM CST up reply actions
He would be if he were smarter.
"fortunate, but also lucky"
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Feb 22, 2012 7:01 PM CST up reply actions
And I would win a Nobel Prize
Some things just are. He’s not going to get smarter. Could he improve on what he is now? Sure. Expecting anything better than a .320 OBP at any point in his career is foolhardy.
I don't know that it's either.
He just has to be patient, and swing at hittable pitches.
Baseball, you can't get here soon enough.
Well, I guess I thought that was a given.
How would people pitch you if they knew you were going to try to bunt every time?
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 3:00 PM CST up reply actions
Actually, Aoki might be really good in that spot.
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 11:28 AM CST up reply actions
Yup!
He’ll start towards the bottom of the lineup, but if he can prove himself over here, I think he’ll take over the leadoff spot.
Not as good as the one where Braun is in it.
by Noah Jarosh on Feb 22, 2012 11:35 AM CST up reply actions
Shuchomouf
"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
"Something always good seems to happen when he's in there. Numbers matched up good."
~RRR
by Charlie Marlow on Feb 22, 2012 11:51 AM CST up reply actions
I wonder how much of a fan
RRR is of TLR? The reason I say that is that if you run an lineup analysis of the team, the top 5 or 6 results all have Morgan batting 9th after the pitcher spot.
For reference, here is what it came up with (again, based on last years numbers):
Weeks
Braun
Lucroy
Hart
Ramirez
Gonzalez
Gamel
Pitcher
Morgan
I like it.
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 11:49 AM CST up reply actions
Except he will probably keep Luc at 8th, to start.
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 11:52 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah, me too...
… but I don’t think we’ll see the pitcher hitting 8th much at all, let alone Lucroy 3rd.
"fortunate, but also lucky"
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Feb 22, 2012 7:03 PM CST up reply actions
Definitely.
He’s a perfect 9 hitter. All the advantages of him being a leadoff hitter but without all of the extra outs from more PA.
This is how I would run a lineup
But that’s not how RRR runs a lineup. Tradition is entirely too important.
This.
That dog just won't hunt.
by Bush League All Star on Feb 22, 2012 2:30 PM CST up reply actions
Lineup optimization is always going to put a poorer hitter at 3
just because of the amount of times they come up with 2 out and nobody on over the course of the season.
E: George 4 (5, throw, throw, throw, throw).
by Jordan M on Feb 22, 2012 3:08 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
This
"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
"Something always good seems to happen when he's in there. Numbers matched up good."
~RRR
by Charlie Marlow on Feb 22, 2012 3:40 PM CST up reply actions
That's a horrible idea.
You want an RBI guy there because 2/3 of the time there’s a guy on base, and a good chance he’s on 2nd.
Mark Attanasio is the best.
Really?
2/3 of the time? Where did you see that stat?
"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
"Something always good seems to happen when he's in there. Numbers matched up good."
~RRR
by Charlie Marlow on Feb 22, 2012 3:43 PM CST up reply actions
Not exactly, but basically.
NL #1 hitter – .331 OBP
NL #2 hitter – .313 OBP
Two opportunities of one chance in three of getting on base, prior to the 3rd hitter.
Also, NL average has the highest OPS in the #3 spot at .811
Mark Attanasio is the best.
Actually, using those OBP's it's a 54% chance of one of the 1-2 hitters reaching
And that includes times where the bases have been cleared prior to the #3 guy coming up to bat (i.e. home runs or double-plays), so for argument’s sake it’s probably 50%.
Also, the 0.811 OPS doesn’t really have any bearing on this discussion. The #3 OPS is highest because traditionally the strongest hitter bats at #3. I don’t think that number should play a role in who bats third.
Greinke: "It’s not about the guacamole itself. I just don’t want to let them win."
2-time BCB Fantasy Baseball Champion
by GoGregGo on Feb 22, 2012 3:51 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
And now here we are arguing about the reason why we have the same answer
traditionally the strongest hitter bats at #3
Mark Attanasio is the best.
And your math is wrong
Because the chance of the second player getting on base is not reduced by the first one getting on base.
Mark Attanasio is the best.
math...
The odds of one or two people on base for third hitter in first inning is roughly* equal to [1 – (neither play gets on)]
1 – (1-.331 * 1 – .313) = 1 – (.669 * .687) = .54ish
*This is ‘roughly’ because you can have all sorts of situations when where one of the players is created with reaching base, but then are no longer on base. This includes, but is not limited to any home run by either player, getting out trying to stretch a hit, double plays, getting picked off, a triple then a sacrifice, etc, etc, etc. Call all of these events X. So really, instead of saying 1 – (neither play gets on), it should read:
1 – (neither play gets on or a player gets credit for being on base without being on base for the third hitter) = 1 – (.46 + X) <.54
So about of the third of the time sounds reasonable. Probably somewhere in between these two numbers.
by weisomatic. on Feb 22, 2012 4:14 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Why are you using .669
The first player getting on base has nothing to do with the 2nd. You are eliminating the % where both runners get on base.
Mark Attanasio is the best.
Well
This is essentially what you’re looking for:
Another way to look at things is to order the batting slots by the leveraged value of the out. In plain English (sort of), we want to know how costly making an out is by each lineup position, based on the base-out situations they most often find themselves in, and then weighted by how often each lineup spot comes to the plate. Here’s how the lineup spots rank in the importance of avoiding outs:
#1, #4, #2, #5, #3, #6, #7, #8, #9
So, you want your best three hitters to hit in the #1, #4, and #2 spots. Distribute them so OBP is higher in the order and SLG is lower. Then place your fourth and fifth best hitters, with the #5 spot usually seeing the better hitter, unless he’s a high-homerun guy. Then place your four remaining hitters in decreasing order of overall hitting ability, with basestealers ahead of singles hitters. Finally, stop talking like the lineup is a make-or-break decision.
"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
"Something always good seems to happen when he's in there. Numbers matched up good."
~RRR
by Charlie Marlow on Feb 22, 2012 4:44 PM CST up reply actions
never mind, im wrong
I hate it when I type with only half my brain engaged. Been busy today and I couldn’t think clearly until I got in the car.
I fail the math. I stand by my argument that you put the guy most likely to hit an XBH rigth behind the two guys most likely to get on base. Lucroy is none of the three and should be at the bottom of th elineup.
Mark Attanasio is the best.
If it doesnt start with the #1 batter though
either there is at least someone on base, or there isnt 2 outs when the 3rd hitter comes up.
BCB: Pointless Exercises in Devils Advocacy
Well I think he is more referring to a guy "most likely to produce an RBI if given the chance"
Or just a above average hitter, rather than “guy who had lots of RBIs one time so ZOMG he is good even though he sucks”
BCB: Pointless Exercises in Devils Advocacy
I wrote this up a couple of years ago for the left sidebar but it still applies
http://www.brewcrewball.com/2009/2/14/759668/lineup-construction
Even if it’s not relatively that much more, because of the first inning the 3rd hitter does come up with 2 out and nobody on more often than any other hitter in the lineup. For that reason, there’s a good argument to be made to put your best hitters at 1, 2, 4, and 5 and to stick maybe your fifth best hitter in the 3 spot.
E: George 4 (5, throw, throw, throw, throw).
I associate that with Ned Yost, not TLR.
Solve for X: 5.5 (Fielder) + 0.3 (McGehee) + 0.5 (Betancourt) < X (Gamel) + 3.6 (Ramirez) + 1.1 (Gonzalez)... X >= 1.7 fWAR!
I think Gonzalez should be hitting in front of the pitcher
Solve for X: 5.5 (Fielder) + 0.3 (McGehee) + 0.5 (Betancourt) < X (Gamel) + 3.6 (Ramirez) + 1.1 (Gonzalez)... X >= 1.7 fWAR!
Only problem is that I value a Weeks at-bat higher than a Morgan at-bat.
Over the course of the season, I would like to have more at-bats in Rickie’s hands than Nyjer’s.
That dog just won't hunt.
by Bush League All Star on Feb 22, 2012 2:31 PM CST up reply actions
I'd like something like this
Morgan/Aoki
Weeks
Braun
Ramirez
Hart
Gamel
Gonzalez
Lucroy
I know that’s putting your four best right handed hitters all in a row, but I like Morgan leading off and I don’t want Weeks waiting until the 5th spot to bat.
fka "warwick5s"
by DEUCE SLUICE on Feb 22, 2012 2:34 PM CST up reply actions
I mean, I know lineups don't really matter...
…but with ^- that lineup you’re not constructing it based on making a pre-determined conscientious effort to give away outs. I’d rather get Morgan on base and let Weeks, Braun, and Ramirez try to double him in than any strategy involving bunting.
fka "warwick5s"
by DEUCE SLUICE on Feb 22, 2012 2:37 PM CST up reply actions
SLG does have value
It may only be 1/1.8 x the value, but it does have significant value. Weeks will be a better hitter than Aoki.
SLG has value anywhere in the lineup
I agree that Weeks is a better hitter than Aoki, but I’d prefer to have guys on base when Weeks comes up.
I have a feeling that won't be the case if Braun is suspended
Also notable is that Lucroy is still penciled in at the 8th spot. Gonzales is going to be absolutely worthless with the bat and it’s hard to figure out why he would hit 7 and not 8. He’s still better than all of the pitchers so he doesn’t belong in the 9th spot, but putting him in 7 is just giving away outs.
I think he’ll be in the 18-20 HR range. I mean, he’s not going to get to a .700 OPS, but he won’t be completely valueless.
Absolutely
I just wanted to establish that him posting a .700 OPS is not without precedent and possibility.
“he’s not going to get to a .700 OPS” was the statement I was addressing. That’s a pretty definite statement.
It is my medical opinion
that he won’t have a .700 OPS. But hopefully he proves me wrong. I do think he’ll hit a bunch of homers, though.
Exactly
I saw Tom mentioned that RR said Gamel would bat either 6, 7, or 8. I can’t imagine that he’s going to be a worse hitter than Gonzalez. And he should have more pop than Lucroy. So, shouldn’t it probably be Gamel, Lucroy, Gonzalez, P?
"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
"Something always good seems to happen when he's in there. Numbers matched up good."
~RRR
by Charlie Marlow on Feb 22, 2012 11:17 AM CST up reply actions
I'm guessing this has played into the decision to keep Lucroy eighth (small sample size, etc.)
Jonathan Lucroy in 2012, batting eighth: .300/.358/.433
Jonathan Lucroy in 2012, batting anywhere else: .203/.223/.313
by Cheeseandcorn on Feb 22, 2012 11:17 AM CST up reply actions
Great point
"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
"Something always good seems to happen when he's in there. Numbers matched up good."
~RRR
by Charlie Marlow on Feb 22, 2012 11:24 AM CST up reply actions
Yup, I forgot about all that.
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 11:25 AM CST up reply actions
Why would you sign a player if you expect him to fail a physical?
Seems rather odd!
by Righteous Brother on Feb 22, 2012 11:29 AM CST reply actions
'Cuz he's awesome...
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 11:32 AM CST up reply actions
Because failing a physical doesn't necessarily imply failing as a relief pitcher.
Applying pop culture to Brewers discussions since 2009, earning the nickname of "Our Little Abed".
by Yar Nivek on Feb 22, 2012 11:43 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Because they don't want to know how close to falling apart his platelet-enriched elbow is?
"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
"Something always good seems to happen when he's in there. Numbers matched up good."
~RRR
by Charlie Marlow on Feb 22, 2012 11:52 AM CST up reply actions
Here's an interesting giveaway...
The Rays are giving away teddy bears that have a face of one of their coaches.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
That's fucking creepy.
"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
"Something always good seems to happen when he's in there. Numbers matched up good."
~RRR
by Charlie Marlow on Feb 22, 2012 11:53 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I thought Charlie's comment would have been enough warning on it.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
Hahahahahahahahaha.
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 4:08 PM CST up reply actions
Maybe I'm spoiled a bit with these now.
However, I’m expecting someone to post a photoshopped picture of what this would look like.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
It's terrible.
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 5:04 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
I forgot to change his jersey. Oh well.
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 5:05 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, that's probably no creepier
However, as I’m looking at it, I got a really weird thought in my head: Rubie Q’s face on that bear.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
Yea, keep it in your head, bro.
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 9:36 PM CST up reply actions
Has anyone heard about this Vasgurjen thing?
Where he was doing some live feeds and was told to cut them short so that they could go to Brewer camp?
No idea how to spell his name, but he’s the guy that is on MLB network. It was mentioned on Milwaukee radio today. If true, maybe this is the sort of thing they release in time for dinner hour tv……
Are you suggesting that some big news is about to break?
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
For future reference
It’s Matt Vasgersian. I’m sure most people knew who you were referencing, though, seeing as he used to be the Brewers TV PbP guy.
I was not aware of that
That Brewer booth seems to be a big recruitment center for a job on MLB network. what years was that?
Tangent
Best Vasgersian call ever was when Kenny Lofton was still with the Indians and he got gunned down reaching for second from whomever the rightfielder was that day. It was when South Park was just starting to get popular, and Matt dropped a “Oh my God, they killed Kenny!” right into the playcall.
by mpbMKE on Feb 22, 2012 1:42 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
He does the PbP on MLB The Show, too.
So you can listen to the same calls over and over again….
Remember: Schadenfreude is still Freude.
I remember the Crew playing at the Marlins when they had that huge clock that formed part of the outfield fence.
A player (can’t remember who) hit a fly ball that hit the top of the clock and came back into play. Because the clock extended beyond the top of the fence, if the ball would have been hit left or right of the clock it would have been a HR.
Vasgersian screamed that the player had been “clock blocked.” My jaw hit the floor.
by kmals on Feb 22, 2012 1:49 PM CST up reply actions 7 recs
Yeah, he was fantastic.
So much fun to listen to back then. He’s a little too corporate for my taste now, though not nearly as bad as the automaton the Brewers currently have calling their games… (I know that’s not a popular opinion.)
"fortunate, but also lucky"
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Feb 22, 2012 7:07 PM CST up reply actions
Pretty sure Burnitz gunned him down
Which reminds me of the time he sang the chorus of “Jeremy” after a Burnitz homer
And he was completely awesome.
Especially for a guy covering a team that was playing some pretty bad ball at the time.
“You’ve got to be dry-shaving me!” = best. call. ever.
"fortunate, but also lucky"
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Feb 22, 2012 7:06 PM CST up reply actions
Makes sense
They make a ton of money. From what I have heard the baseball world is full of Republicans, players, FO types, the entire game is filled by their ranks.
That's because
It’s full of a lot of white people who didn’t go to college
by MooseHaas on Feb 22, 2012 1:54 PM CST up reply actions 10 recs
Also: $$$$$
Solve for X: 5.5 (Fielder) + 0.3 (McGehee) + 0.5 (Betancourt) < X (Gamel) + 3.6 (Ramirez) + 1.1 (Gonzalez)... X >= 1.7 fWAR!
True
The hypocrisy of getting rich as a member of America’s strongest union, and being in a sport whose biggest stars are Hispanic imports … and then supporting anti-union, build-a-fence-around-the-U.S. arch-cons is lost on them, I guess.
by MooseHaas on Feb 22, 2012 2:14 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
lol
"fortunate, but also lucky"
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Feb 22, 2012 7:08 PM CST up reply actions
Trade the fascist
Mark Attanasio is the best.
by nullacct on Feb 22, 2012 1:48 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
St. Louis permeated him during his time there, I guess...
fka "warwick5s"
by DEUCE SLUICE on Feb 22, 2012 1:51 PM CST up reply actions
Maybe he's just following them for comedic purposes.
by NatronJ on Feb 22, 2012 1:55 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
As much as I would love to take this thread out into the deep water
I have a feeling Kyle’s going to cut the cord on it soon.
Yeah, and rightfully so.
"fortunate, but also lucky"
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Feb 22, 2012 7:08 PM CST up reply actions
I'm off the Narve-Dog Wagon and into the Peralta Parade!!!
Solve for X: 5.5 (Fielder) + 0.3 (McGehee) + 0.5 (Betancourt) < X (Gamel) + 3.6 (Ramirez) + 1.1 (Gonzalez)... X >= 1.7 fWAR!
by SRB on Feb 22, 2012 2:03 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I would not be opposed to Peralta over Narveson
But I think you’re stretching with Estrada. We got lucky with him last year. If he’s effective at all, I’ll be happy.
I like Estrada
better as a starter than a reliever. He’s got that nice change up, decent breaking ball and can get the fast ball up to 93…he’s like a young, non-stoned Victor Santos with control.
by NatronJ on Feb 22, 2012 9:35 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
Yeah, but does he have a third pitch?
In all seriousness, I think we’re going to have to agree to disagree on this one.
Narv-Dog's Dad's Twitter
is about 50% Brewers, 50% Obama-bashing
some of his greatest hits:
The S&P did not cause the market crash, yesterday; the President’s economic policies did. Just look at where all the $$ went – US Bonds!
When will this guy start to take accountability?! RT@Reuters: Obama says he inherited economic problems
Confused why the president doesn’t ask the 50% of Americans that pay no taxes to chip in $20
I can't wait for the Braunophile to grow up and make it to the big leagues
So as his dad I can start a twitter account and send out baseball-related tweets interspersed with indignant political commentary.
Alternatively, maybe I’ll just keep my political thoughts to myself, since nobody probably wants to hear them.
Remember: Schadenfreude is still Freude.
I'd love to see
A player’s dad tweet at his manager like:
CRasmusDad: @TonyLaRussa Why don’t you give my boy a chance.
REWIND YOURSELF!
He's got some pretty awesome stuff on there, though
I love how much he hates the Cardinals, given that his son played in that organization for eight years.
Seriously?!? LaRussa is complaining about the “brightness” of the scoreboard?
I wonder if the Brewer’s jerseys were too bright or the sun was too bright for LaRussa today. I’m sure he will have some excuse.
Check out the ego on LaRussa… calls Brewers fans “idiots” and tries to defend hitting Braun
by Cheeseandcorn on Feb 22, 2012 2:41 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm back on the Narve-Dog Wagon!!!
Solve for X: 5.5 (Fielder) + 0.3 (McGehee) + 0.5 (Betancourt) < X (Gamel) + 3.6 (Ramirez) + 1.1 (Gonzalez)... X >= 1.7 fWAR!
... This guy's okay.
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 4:08 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Another Reason I have a dislike of the twitter world
I am much happier not knowing the political affiliations of the players.
BCB: Pointless Exercises in Devils Advocacy
by Jeo on Feb 22, 2012 2:08 PM CST up reply actions 4 recs
I think Nyjer Morgan supports the Whig Party
Solve for X: 5.5 (Fielder) + 0.3 (McGehee) + 0.5 (Betancourt) < X (Gamel) + 3.6 (Ramirez) + 1.1 (Gonzalez)... X >= 1.7 fWAR!
by SRB on Feb 22, 2012 2:10 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
Jeffress supports the green party...
jokes die hard
BCB: Pointless Exercises in Devils Advocacy
by Jeo on Feb 22, 2012 2:12 PM CST up reply actions 4 recs
Best 3 post sequence I've seen in a while.
Nicely done guys.
"fortunate, but also lucky"
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Feb 22, 2012 7:10 PM CST up reply actions
We have a party over here
that regularly stands for elections called the Monster Raving Loony Party. That is the party that Nyjer Morgan would support…
BCB Fantasy Football 2011 winner (Swansons League)
Also-ran (loser!) in every other BCB Fantasy competition
"LOLOL I LOVE YUNI!!!!": ThroughBeingCool
by MrLeam on Feb 22, 2012 2:12 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Hi everyone!
Remember, this blog is not a political blog and, indeed, there are rules in place asking you to keep political talk to a minimum!
by Noah Jarosh on Feb 22, 2012 2:31 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
I voted for Nader!
I hate everybody!
by weisomatic. on Feb 22, 2012 2:37 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
I support Ross Perot
As long as it’s the one from All That
Baseball, you can't get here soon enough.
We're talking about Narveson's Twitter
Didn’t see any rules about not talking about a player’s Twitter.
because this isn't a political statement?
That’s because
It’s full of a lot of white people who didn’t go to college
by MooseHaas on Feb 22, 2012 1:54 PM CST
or this?
True
The hypocrisy of getting rich as a member of America’s strongest union, and being in a sport whose biggest stars are Hispanic imports … and then supporting anti-union, build-a-fence-around-the-U.S. arch-cons is lost on them, I guess.
by MooseHaas on Feb 22, 2012 2:14 PM CST
You’re entitled to your political views, just please discuss them somewhere more appropriate, for the sake of people like me with non-traditional political views who like to leave them separate from other areas of their lives.
According to Facebook
I’m a feudalist. I’m very concerned with the growing mercantile class, though. The peasants should know that their place is in the fields, not the oceans.
by mpbMKE on Feb 22, 2012 3:20 PM CST up reply actions 4 recs
According to Civ 5
My political views are very non-traditional. Like, despotic.
by Cheeseandcorn on Feb 22, 2012 3:30 PM CST up reply actions
I'm in favor of an autonomous collective.
On thing is for sure, strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.
Baseball, you can't get here soon enough.
by Tepo6688 on Feb 22, 2012 5:59 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
FAIL(ure to work the "watery tart" line into that reference.)
"fortunate, but also lucky"
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Feb 22, 2012 8:34 PM CST up reply actions
I'm considering starting a message board
for people with non-traditional religious views and a love for former Brewers closers
gonna call it Bob Wiccan
by MooseHaas on Feb 22, 2012 4:42 PM CST up reply actions 5 recs
This is awesome.
"fortunate, but also lucky"
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Feb 22, 2012 7:11 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
When I saw 120+ comments I was excited. Then I read them.
...BRANDONJENNINGSSUX!!!
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Feb 22, 2012 3:28 PM CST up reply actions 11 recs
We must move forwards, not backwards.
Upwards, not forwards…and always twirling, Twirling, TWIRLING towards freedom!
Applying pop culture to Brewers discussions since 2009, earning the nickname of "Our Little Abed".
Glad this will be buried...
But I had to point out that Narveson is also the Brewers’ player rep to MLBPA.
by mpbMKE on Feb 23, 2012 9:34 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I wish I spoke spanish
I bet his tweets are as ridiculous as that shirt.
by Whiffleball Tony on Feb 22, 2012 8:25 PM CST up reply actions
Jay Gibbons minor league contract...
I really hope we don’t see him on the big squad at any point this year.
by NatronJ on Feb 22, 2012 10:37 PM CST via Android app reply actions
We can all enjoy the memory of Marcum striking him out last season
Remember: Schadenfreude is still Freude.
by Brew Angel on Feb 22, 2012 10:54 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cincinnati
|
27 | 20 | .574 | 0 | Won 2 |
|
St. Louis
|
26 | 22 | .541 | 1.5 | Won 1 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
23 | 24 | .489 | 4 | Won 3 |
|
Houston
|
22 | 25 | .468 | 5 | Lost 2 |
|
Milwaukee
|
19 | 28 | .404 | 8 | Lost 2 |
|
Chicago
|
15 | 32 | .319 | 12 | Lost 12 |
(updated 5.27.2012 at 6:23 PM CDT)
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