Wednesday's Frosty Mug

by KLSnow on Mar 12, 2008 8:26 AM CDT in News

We're up to 163 ounces, but sadly, I was only able to pull 29 links out of them today. Here you go:

Baseball Digest Daily, after a one-day hiatus, is back with recaps of all of yesterday's games.

Tom H. repeats the same refrain he's been singing since November: "The Brewers are going to trade a pitcher soon...right?"

On the buyer front, it looks like the market is growing in Philadelphia, and St. Louis.

Let's do NL Central/Brewer previews in a list, because I don't have much to say about them:

BrewersNation puts the Brewers in first place.
Bucs Dugout puts them in second, but has high optimism.
Tom Tango has the CHONE, PECOTA and CAIRO predictions in one place. The Brewers take first in one of those.

In-Between Hops has a nice post up on Mike Cameron. He misses one obvious question, though: Mike Cameron is a professional baseball player, with access to all the training staff and other help that comes with it. Even if he wasn't, he's a millionaire many times over. Why, with all the resources available to him, is he grabbing energy drinks and the like at a gas station?

Batting Kendall 9th is once again a hot topic around the web this morning. On the Atlanta Journal Constitution blog, Bobby Cox had this to say about it:

Someone mentioned to Cox that his former third-base coach, Brewers manager Ned Yost, was talking about batting a good-hitting pitcher eighth in the order, like the Cards' La Russa has done on occasion.

"[Bleeping] Ned, he got into the stats - look out," said Cox, who loves Yost, but isn't quite on the same page as the younger manager when it comes to innovative use of stats.

Don't expect Cox to bat a pitcher eighth anytime soon. "Might cost you more games than it helps," he said.

Greener on the Other Side also takes an opportunity to devolve into hyperbole in the subject.

Michael Hunt is criticizing Fielder today for recycling, eating vegetarian and wanting to get paid. I have two problems with this. First, we could all recycle a little more, and even Major League Baseball realizes it. And second, Fielder stayed in Tuesday's game after he was supposed to come out, because he wanted another AB to work on his swing. Seems like he's doing everything he can to get ready for the season, and if that's the case, I could care less if he paints the locker room pink.

The Yahoo Sports blog reminds us that the Fielder/Braun batting order debate is a nice problem to have.

Alphabetical injury reports in one line or less:

Josh Beckett's bad back will likely keep him off the plane to Japan.
Johnny Damon is day to day after fouling a ball off his foot. X-Rays and MRI were negative.
Brad Hawpe is going to be out for a few days with a sore elbow.
Rangers P Vicente Padilla left yesterday's game with "something high on his left buttock" but won't miss time.
Tigers OF Marcus Thames was scratched from yesterday's game with a sore pec.
Ryan Zimmerman left yesterday's Nats game with right hip flexor soreness.

Sam Mellinger, beat writer for the Royals, says exactly what I was thinking about Billy Crystal:

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks Billy Crystal playing for the Yankees is absurd. I don't find Crystal very funny, and get sick of his hey-look-at-me-I'm-a-Yankees-fan! shtick, so maybe I'm biased here, but I hope he takes the first pitch he sees in the ribs.

Babes Love Baseball compares this to Garth Brooks' spring training appearances, but it's not that. Garth Brooks was, at the very least, in the physical shape necessary to compete at that level. Billy Crystal turns 60 this week.

Speaking of unappreciated comedy, I saw this commercial featuring a Harry Caray impersonator several times during Monday's game and had no problem with it, but apparently it's drawing howls of protest in Chicago.

We're the 2008 Twins: If we didn't have Joe Mauer, would you have any reason to care?

Ichiro is 0-for-21 now. It's becoming news.

Finally, Nelson Cruz hit a walkoff home run for the Rangers yesterday. Good for him.

That's all for today. Drink up.

0 recs | Comment 27 comments

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Comments

Projections, etc.

I've never heard of CAIRO projections before. Nice to see someone thinks the Brewers will finish first, but that's a new one.

I don't get the furor over Billy Crystal playing in a spring training game. If the Yankees want to dink around and play him, that's their problem. I don't think there's an "integrity of the game" issue at stake because of one game in March.

Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.

by TheJay on Mar 12, 2008 8:37 AM CDT 0 recs

Hunt is a tool

I almost did a post over at FNY regarding Hunt's column, but what's the point? For some reason, he's recycling a week-old story and has nothing to add to it, except for taking shots at a guy who wants to recycle plastic bottles and eat healthier.

Of course, this is the same guy who pined for the times of late-night drinking in the clubhouse. I sure hope Favre's retirement doesn't mean that Hunt is going to start covering the Brewers. His regular twice-monthly schedule was more than enough.

by Marty McSuperFly on Mar 12, 2008 8:37 AM CDT 0 recs

re: cardinals rotation

A quote from a St. Louis newspaper (via Baseball Musings):

La Russa described the team as in a scramble to construct a five-man turn early in the day, then admitted after the game, "I don't think we have to worry about having too much pitching."

Yeah, those Cards are gonna be good this year.

Also, the Bucs Dugout link near the top is broken. I'll jump on with everyone saying "thanks" for doing this. It makes that first hour (or 4) at work a little more tolerable.

by newguy on Mar 12, 2008 8:40 AM CDT 0 recs

Fixed

Thanks for the heads up!

by KLSnow on Mar 12, 2008 8:50 AM CDT up 0 recs

Our pitching

Our offense is something to look forward to, but our starters? I have a hard time generating a lot of optimism.

We have three guys (IMHO) that we can count on for relatively good seasons in Gallardo, Sheets, and Villanueva. One is hurt, one will be gone next season, and one might not be on the club when the season starts to accommodate our many mediocre ones. (I'm not yet sold that Parra can stay healthy, or will be on the major-league squad when the season begins.)

Having a surplus of arms is nice, especially after our disastrous 2006 season, but it would be nice if those pitchers were, you know, good.

Ahhhh, maybe I'm just in a lousy mood. :)

"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 Mar 12, 2008 8:52 AM CDT 0 recs

re: rotation

The thing I find interesting about the rotation is that this time last year, our rotation was both weaker and less deep and everyone was talking about how we had one of the top rotations in the NL.

One year later, we have added two pitchers with a great upside (Gallardo, Parra), another promising pitcher has moved into the rotation from AAA/Bullpen (Villenueva) and two other guys are coming off of down years (Capuano and Bush). This would seem to indicate that we have a better starting rotation than last year.

I also think that sometimes people underestimate the value of having league-average pitching in the rotation--especially at the end of the rotation where you frequently see ERAs north of 6. I'm not saying that we are the 2nd incarnation of the Braves of the '90s, but the rotation is solid.

by newguy on Mar 12, 2008 9:05 AM CDT up 0 recs

Maybe

However, some of the pitchers who were part of our "good" rotation last season are somewhat questionable.

Chris Capuano's ERA jumped by more than a run from 2006.
Dave Bush's ERA jumped by almost 3/4 of a run.
Jeff Suppan's ERA jumped by half a run.
Heck, even Claudio Vargas's ERA jumped by a quarter of a run.

I think you can reasonably expect some bounce back for these four (my money's on Cappy and Suppan). Still, what were certainties for low- to mid-4s didn't happen, and it's fair to wonder about what to expect this season.

Sure, depth is underrated, as is league-average, like we saw in 2006. Just the same, if these four are on our roster and post similar numbers in 2008, I think we might have a tough time winning the division. I don't think it was ever a real possibility, but I wouldn't mind having traded some of our quantity for one more quality starter.

"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 Mar 12, 2008 12:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

i'd say that our defense

jumped by a half run last year and the pitchers pitched the same.

i know i've hammered this quite a bit, but if those four are on our roster and post similar numbers in 2008, their ERAs, and thus total runs allowed will go down and team wins will go up because the defense will (fingers crossed) be better.

the defense just needs to make 2 extra plays every 3 games to get back that .5 ERA lost. I'm serious.

Bring Back The Old Logo!

by jacob on Mar 12, 2008 12:25 PM CDT up 0 recs

That would be interesting

I'd like to see it, not only because of more Brewer wins (yay!), but also as an intellectual exercise. We have Kendall, whose mere presence is an ERA-lowering phenomenon despite a noodle arm, Hall at third (minimizing the Iron-Glove Giant now in left field), and Cameron in center.

In a strange way, I hope we see all 4 in action in 2008 just to see if these changes alone would have that sort of effect.

"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 Mar 12, 2008 2:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

Chicago

is Gary Indiana with some jobs.

by Braunstalker on Mar 12, 2008 9:28 AM CDT 0 recs

If Cappy is traded

Does that mean Parra would be a lock for the rotation, as the only left handed starter left?

by drezdn on Mar 12, 2008 11:08 AM CDT 0 recs

hunt

I don't know if i'll ever stopped being amazed at hit pieces like this, how do they get printed?

The only information that gets shared in a piece that like is about Michael Hunt. Apparently he hates recycling, vegetables and capitalism. Above that we learn nothing.

It scares me that someone who hates recycling, vegetables and capitalism can be given, and allowed to use such a large megaphone.

Only in America can someone with such anti-american values as Michael Hunt be allowed that podium. Gotta take the good with the bad i guess, just remember what Hunt is about when you read his opinions.

Bring Back The Old Logo!

by jacob on Mar 12, 2008 11:30 AM CDT 0 recs

you know

I love being from Wisconsin, but shit like this really upsets me. Does it make you less of a baseball player (or a Wisconsinite) if you have "eco-friendly and animal-rights sensibilities?" No. It just makes you a responsible damn person. It's articles like this that show the anti-intellectual mentality that hamstrings managers with "tradition" and away from sabermetric analysis, and also that shows just how out of touch many of the old boys club sportswriters are.

Man. Sorry about the rant. It's just that he trivializes a lot of the stuff I believe as "new-age philosophy" and implies that there's no place for it in baseball. And the animal rights stuff, I can see how some people can have differing opinions about that. But recycling? Damn. You've got to be an idiot to see that as some sort of "fringe" activity.

all you got's some shiner bock and three or four chords

by somethingvague on Mar 12, 2008 3:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

Are there

any jobs available in Huntsville? That tub of lard Hunt would fit in better there. What a clown.

by molitorfan on Mar 12, 2008 7:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

Can someone explain the lineup thing to me?

I thought that one of the main stated goals of batting the pitcher in the 8th spot was to move Braun and Prince up to #2 and #3 in the lineup so they accrue more ABs.

Now I see that Ned is planning on batting Braun cleanup. Unless he means "faux-cleanup" which is actually the third spot, it seems like Nedley is getting all confused about this lineup switcheroo. Or maybe it's just me. Help...?

Ichiro, on facing Daisuke Matsuzaka for the first time: "I hope he arouses the fire that's dormant in the innermost recesses of my soul."

by DaleCoop14 on Mar 12, 2008 11:35 AM CDT 0 recs

no, it's not you.

it's ned. he does have it all confused.

two bonuses to having the pitcher hit 8th and kendall hit 9th.

when the 7 hitter reaches first base, kendall, who's propensity is contact and on the ground (=lots of gidps) is not up. pitcher can bunt runner to second first, before kendall hits and then kendall can, with his ground balls move the runner over or even score the run. that bonus is still intact.

the other bonus is, and the one ned is confused about, it being able to bat your better hitters higher in the lineup... get them more ABs over the course of the season, and still, but for the first inning, have two OBP guys hitting ahead of them.

Apparently ned wants to do a lot of bunting this year, so he's looking at cameron/hardy in the two hole. and that's just stupid. (but i don't think the entire benfit of hitting the pitcher in front of kendall is lost, just the good part.)

the other nice thing is about putting braun/fielder in the 2/3 slots is not having either of them lead off the second inning.

Bring Back The Old Logo!

by jacob on Mar 12, 2008 12:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

Bunting

Has Yost actually said that he wants to bunt more? All I've heard is the boilerplate stuff about Cameron taking a lot of pitches and making the opposing pitcher work, blah blah blah. The team's only got one sacrifice in spring so far which makes me think there's not a big emphasis on bunting during the game.

Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.

by TheJay on Mar 12, 2008 12:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

no

i haven't heard yost say he actually wants to bunt more.

Bring Back The Old Logo!

by jacob on Mar 12, 2008 1:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

Good

I was worried for a bit there.

Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.

by TheJay on Mar 12, 2008 1:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hmph

Maybe whoever explained to Ned the idea of Kendall batting ninth needs to go over it with him one more time.

"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 Mar 12, 2008 2:56 PM CDT up 0 recs

All reports I've heard

From all the reports I've heard over the last week or so it sounds like Yost is planning on having Cameron hitting 2nd, fielder hitting 3rd, and braun hitting 4th. I also seem to recall the early logic behind the pitcher hitting 8th was so Braun and fielder could move up and get more at bats while still having as many opportunities with men on. It does sound like Yost has changed his reasoning from that to the fact that Kendall apparently is a ground ball hitter who makes contact and they want to limit his opportunities for hidp. Who knows after all what is going to happen, it is Yost we are talking about. For all we know he is going to read those Cox comments, decide on his 23 cup of joe that his mentor is right and go back to the traditional line-up.

by MadJimiBrewha on Mar 12, 2008 12:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

Beat me to it...

Jacob, good job basically saying what I said in less words and faster too.

by MadJimiBrewha on Mar 12, 2008 12:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

Another possible trade partner?

Just read Casey Janssen of the Jays is done for the season with a torn labrum in his shoulder. Maybe a team looking for a starting pitcher?

Anyone know their minor leagues enough to know if they have anything worth having?

by MadJimiBrewha on Mar 12, 2008 12:31 PM CDT 0 recs

Travis Snider

He IS their farm system, and I doubt we're getting him for Cappy or Vargas. The rest of their top prospects are basically totally unproven. I'd take Adam Lind though. Or even Aaron Hill as a damn good utility guy.

Unfortunately, I don't think they can afford to part with Hill. Lind seems like more of a risk for them, the kind they might be willing to part with.

Ichiro, on facing Daisuke Matsuzaka for the first time: "I hope he arouses the fire that's dormant in the innermost recesses of my soul."

by DaleCoop14 on Mar 12, 2008 4:47 PM CDT up 0 recs

trades

Unless we trade Manny or Carlos, we are not going to get anything that valuable for the other three, especially if they are coming up bad years plus a bad spring training.

The best we could get for cappy,bush, or vargas would a backup infielder, outfielder, or some young guy to throw in AA.

by brewfan2 on Mar 12, 2008 12:37 PM CDT 0 recs

Ichiro

Manager John McLaren may not be taking quite as much pleasure in the artificially intense atmosphere as Ichiro is, but he is every bit as carefree when it comes to the fortunes of his leadoff hitter.

"I told the Japanese press he's going to [Triple-A] Tacoma in a couple of weeks, and they looked at me like I was nuts," McLaren joked.

John McLaren: this close to becoming the most reviled man in the eyes of Japanese baseball fans?

Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.

by TheJay on Mar 12, 2008 12:45 PM CDT 0 recs

A couple of other things...

Confirming the Corey Hart man-crush:

"Brewers Hart-throb serious man-crush material - upward vault of OBP (.353) and CT rates (80%) at 25 means 26 could be even better; Sizemore-like"

-Yahoo Sports Fantasy Preview

And something that drives me nuts: AP articles written by people who don't specialize in Brewer coverage at all that just drive more casual fans to hate on Turnbow: Link

"The once All-Star closer has had a forgettable year and a half, failing time and again on the mound. Fans vilify him with every bad outing and call for Brewers manager Ned Yost to be fired for sticking with him."

I don't think that's quite how it goes...

by jihad on Mar 12, 2008 6:25 PM CDT 0 recs

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