MLB 2011 Offseason

11/26/2010 5:35 pm
Rate this Blog
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
For some of your hot stove needs.
matt.jpgMatt - 3875 Posts
11/26/2010 @ 05:38:01 PM
 Quote this comment
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5851866

Twins win the rights to Japanese infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka.

Hopefully this doesn't mean the end of J.J. Hardy's time with the Twins, but I have a feeling it might.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
11/26/2010 @ 08:12:07 PM
 Quote this comment
Yeah, though I suppose we can read into/hope that since Temoticon projects better into 2nd base. (Supposedly he doesn't have a MLB SS arm.) Though since Alexi can play either as well, that doesn't mean much.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
matt.jpgMatt - 3875 Posts
12/03/2010 @ 04:27:08 PM
 Quote this comment
Cubs legend Ron Santo died last night at the age of 70.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101203&content_id=16246292&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc

The fact that he is not yet in the Baseball Hall of Fame is an absolute crime. Shame on the writers for failing to vote him in in the first place. Shame on the Hall of Fame for instituting changes to the Veterans Committee that made it almost impossible to elect any players over the past decade (they've made changes once again and Santo will be up for election next year). Finally, shame on the Hall of Fame players themselves, who were the voters of the Veterans Committee this past decade, and failed to vote him in amongst themselves.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Matt messed with this at 12/03/2010 4:28:21 pm
jon.jpgJon - 1000000 posts (and counting!)
12/04/2010 @ 05:13:36 AM
 Quote this comment
Matt Wrote - Yesterday @ 04:27:08 PM
Cubs legend Ron Santo died last night at the age of 70.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101203&content_id=16246292&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc

The fact that he is not yet in the Baseball Hall of Fame is an absolute crime. Shame on the writers for failing to vote him in in the first place. Shame on the Hall of Fame for instituting changes to the Veterans Committee that made it almost impossible to elect any players over the past decade (they've made changes once again and Santo will be up for election next year). Finally, shame on the Hall of Fame players themselves, who were the voters of the Veterans Committee this past decade, and failed to vote him in amongst themselves.


On top of the fact that Santo played at a Hall of Fame level, it's impressive that he did it while having diabetes. As the article alluded to a bit, he did it decades ago, when the knowledge of managing the disease wasn't what it is today.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
2887.gifAlex - 3619 Posts
12/04/2010 @ 11:22:45 AM
 Quote this comment
Alleged Adrian to Boston deal

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/mlb/news/story?id=5882356

If this goes through, I wonder if it's good or bad for the Brewers if they want to trade Prince. With him and Dunn off the market they should at least be able to get on a better read on the interest in Prince now.

The only teams I can think that might even be interested though would be the Orioles, Nationals, and Cubs(?). I read that the Orioles made a play for Dunn and they need to get someone to play first. The Nationals lost Dunn and their lineup is horrible so they need to do something. And the Cubs depth chart has Tyler Colvin at first right now.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
2887.gifAlex - 3619 Posts
12/04/2010 @ 11:30:30 AM
 Quote this comment
Brewers trade Villanueva to Blue Jays

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/111302789.html

Kind of weird to think that the Brewers actually had "extra" bullpen arms in Coffey and Villanueva after already letting Hoffman go. Too bad they couldn't trade the 3 of them in for 1 half decent starter, although I assume that's where some of that salary will go. Not that there's really anyone available.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
2887.gifAlex - 3619 Posts
12/05/2010 @ 09:27:34 PM
 Quote this comment
I would guess this takes the Nationals out of the equation

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5888329

That's a lot of green. Although it is in line with his value according to this, assuming his production doesn't drop off too much by year 7

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1327&position=OF#value
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
hoochpage.JPGSarah - 4605 Posts
12/05/2010 @ 09:56:31 PM
 Quote this comment
Apparently the Nationals are also interested in Carl Pavano. They're spending money like it's going out of style! (Please don't take Pavano, I need him in the Twins rotation)
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
matt.jpgMatt - Ombudsman
12/06/2010 @ 07:41:10 AM
 Quote this comment
Alex Wrote - 12/04/2010 @ 11:30:30 AM
Brewers trade Villanueva to Blue Jays

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/111302789.html

Kind of weird to think that the Brewers actually had "extra" bullpen arms in Coffey and Villanueva after already letting Hoffman go. Too bad they couldn't trade the 3 of them in for 1 half decent starter, although I assume that's where some of that salary will go. Not that there's really anyone available.


http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/111363479.html

Well, the Brewers made another trade with the Blue Jays, and got a more than half decent starter in Shaun Marcum. Though they did have to give up their top prospect (Brett Lawrie) to get him.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Matt edited this 2 times, last at 12/06/2010 7:46:11 am
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
12/06/2010 @ 10:34:04 AM
 Quote this comment
A half-way decent AL east pitcher is like a Cy Young winner in the NL central. This could turn out to be very good for the Brewers.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
2887.gifAlex - Ignorance is bliss to those uneducated
12/06/2010 @ 01:29:35 PM
 Quote this comment
Nice.

I wonder if this means that they think they can extend Weeks, or that Lawrie won't remain a 2B, or if they didn't even care about that and just finally made a trade for some quality starting pitching? Regardless, at least they actually have 4 starting pitchers on the roster now, and a couple of them are actually good. And Marcum won't cost much salary wise so while I expect that they will be trying to lower the salary from what it was last year since I'm not sure that level is sustainable, they should still have some money to spend at this point. Brewers should make an offer to Pavano. For free agent pitchers it seems like its Lee then Pavano, then a bunch of guys that you will regret signing by June.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
newalex.jpgAlex - 3619 Posts
12/07/2010 @ 01:37:29 PM
 Quote this comment
insider rumors:

The Milwaukee Brewers appear to have interest in Pavano, too, on the heels of acquiring Shaun Marcum from the Toronto Blue Jays, tweets Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. McCalvy's Monday night Twitter update reads "Here's Doug Melvin's quote on Carl Pavano: 'I'd rather not get into that. I'll leave that to the rumors. You don't want to tip your hand.'"
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - Ma'am, can you make sure your computer is turned on?
12/08/2010 @ 06:00:26 PM
 Quote this comment
Brewers have met with Pavano I don't know if I'm too thrilled about this. Only once in the last 6 years had he had an era under 4.76. And only 7 out of his 14 seasons was he able to start even 20 games. Sure he's coming off a pretty good season, but I can't see him being any better than some of the other decent veterans the brewers have signed in recent years (see Jeff Suppan, Randy Wolf). I suppose an arm is an arm, and they need someone to be able to get through the sixth inning sometimes. And he has averaged 6 2/3 innings per start for the past 4 seasons. Anyway, this seems like a risk with little up side.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
newalex.jpgAlex - You've got to trust your instinct, and let go of regret
12/08/2010 @ 11:18:19 PM
 Quote this comment
Guess I didn't necessarily realize he is 34, but he had 7 complete games last year. Why do you have to involve Suppan in this? He had negative values for the last 3 years, meaning he was worse than a replacement level player but they couldn't just ditch him because of his contract.

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=633&position=P#value

I highly doubt Pavano will be that bad. Although looking at his numbers and comparing that to all the attention he's getting, he's probably going to get overpaid.

There's some rumors that Ricky Nolasco might be available, and that the Brewers have looked into getting Matt Garza. That one involved trading Cain though, which doesn't seem like a good idea at this point in time. Unless Gamel can play 1B I say they should unload him for another pitcher.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
IMG_3063[1].jpgjthompto - 209 Posts
12/09/2010 @ 07:29:15 AM
 Quote this comment
It looks like J.J. Hardy is headed to Baltimore.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/111569169.html?page=1&c=y

I am kinda against this move. A 2011 middle infield featuring Tsuyoshi and Casilla could either be really exciting or really scary. At least Harris is going him. Not that impressed with the two minor league pitchers coming back in the deal.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
matt.jpgMatt - Nutcan.com's MBL
12/09/2010 @ 07:49:34 AM
 Quote this comment
I feel the same way. Hardy was a good shortstop, but had injury troubles last year. Even so, you don't really know what you're getting with Temoticon because of the differences in leagues (and really, we don't know what Casilla will show up either). I would have kept Hardy and let Casilla fill in at both SS and 2B. That way, if Hardy or Temoticon are injured or unproductive, you have a good insurance option to take their place.

The only positive side here (and I agree, the pitchers we're getting don't seem too impressive), is that the money saved by getting rid of the overpaid Harris and the difference between Hardy and Temoticon's contracts, might make it a little easier to offer a decent contract to Pavano.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Matt perfected this 2 times, last at 12/09/2010 8:00:03 am
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
12/09/2010 @ 10:42:58 AM
 Quote this comment
I don't like it. I'm not as down on Casilla as some, but I feel like he had the perfect role. First of all, it's pretty much in name only to call him "the backup." I don't know how other teams do it, and maybe it's just a function of the Twins not really having a mainstay up the middle, but I just think back to all the playing time Casilla and Punto, et al got while not technically being the starter. So that just opens another hole to be filled be someone relatively new to the mix. Who's that going to be now? Plouffe? You almost need 3 starters for the 2 positions.

It terms of increasing team speed, which was supposedly why the move was carried out, it also makes no sense, because what good does increasing team speed do if Kubel is the game winning run on first or second, but now instead of being able to insert Casilla he's batting 8th.

So now we're left with 2 guys that might not handle the role that great, and no one proven behind them. Not to mention it seems reasonable to want to keep that same team together as much as possible.

Lastly, I don't like it because I feel like the Twins need to have a little more of an "all in" attitude. They were a handful of wins away from being the best team in baseball last year, and this feels like a typical "let's just keep stocking the cupboards and hope it works out" move. Also, we just got Hardy for Gomez, and Hardy had a decent, but not excellent year, so it's not like I was expecting Hardy for CC Sabathia straight up, but him and Harris and $500k for a pitcher with shoulder issues and a guy that's never been above high A?

Unless the salary dump was to make room for Grienke and Pavano, I don't like it.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Jeremy messed with this 3 times, last at 12/09/2010 10:57:21 am
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
12/09/2010 @ 11:07:49 AM
 Quote this comment
Though I suppose I can take solace in the fact that the Twins almost won 100 games without their best pitcher for the whole season, and best player (that's right, I went there) for half of it.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - Get Up! Get outta here! Gone!
12/09/2010 @ 11:10:00 AM
 Quote this comment
Alex Wrote - Yesterday @ 11:18:19 PM
Why do you have to involve Suppan in this?


Suppan had one good year in his 30s and suddenly he gets a 40 million dollar contract. He got his contract with the Brewers largely on the heals of his World Series performance. I have a hard time getting excited about a 34 year pitcher coming off his first good season in quite a while.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Scott messed with this at 12/09/2010 11:13:19 am
sarah.jpgSarah - So's your face
12/09/2010 @ 06:34:54 PM
 Quote this comment
Jeremy Wrote - Today @ 11:07:49 AM
Though I suppose I can take solace in the fact that the Twins almost won 100 games without their best pitcher for the whole season, and best player (that's right, I went there) for half of it.

You could argue Morneau was the best player in all of baseball at the time he was injured, but to say Nathan was our best pitcher? We seemed to do just fine without him. We may have won 1 or 2 more games with him, but who knows for sure? I;d say our best pitcher is Liriano, with Hot Mess coming in a very close second.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
12/09/2010 @ 09:11:21 PM
 Quote this comment
I meant to say relief pitcher, but you could probably make that case either way.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
thumbnailCAW1I0O3.gifMatt - Nutcan.com's MBL
12/10/2010 @ 10:59:44 AM
 Quote this comment
Morneau was having the better season until he got injured last year, but Mauer is still the best player on the Twins.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
12/10/2010 @ 12:05:47 PM
 Quote this comment
Besides, the real kicker to the Twins season was when Lou Collins was suspended for dating the manager's mom. The Twins forgot how to have fun from that point on.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
jeremy.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
12/10/2010 @ 12:12:01 PM
 Quote this comment
Matt Wrote - Today @ 10:59:44 AM
Morneau was having the better season until he got injured last year, but Mauer is still the best player on the Twins.


Yeah, I was mainly just trying to start some shit. However the fact that you could even make a case for that, let alone probably a pretty good case (Morneau was MVP once, kind got screwed the next year, and then was on pace for #2 last year. Mauer is steady great, while Morneau ebbs and flows a bit, but is Superhuman when on.) is a pretty good thing.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
12/10/2010 @ 06:27:30 PM
 Quote this comment
Jeremy Wrote - Today @ 12:12:01 PM
Matt Wrote - Today @ 10:59:44 AM
Morneau was having the better season until he got injured last year, but Mauer is still the best player on the Twins.


Yeah, I was mainly just trying to start some shit. However the fact that you could even make a case for that, let alone probably a pretty good case (Morneau was MVP once, kind got screwed the next year, and then was on pace for #2 last year. Mauer is steady great, while Morneau ebbs and flows a bit, but is Superhuman when on.) is a pretty good thing.


Watch out, some people kill with the excuse that "he gave me shit"...(reference?)
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
jon.jpgJon - 3375 Posts
12/11/2010 @ 03:28:26 AM
 Quote this comment
Scott Wrote - Yesterday @ 12:05:47 PM
Besides, the real kicker to the Twins season was when Lou Collins was suspended for dating the manager's mom. The Twins forgot how to have fun from that point on.


The horse's name was Friday.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
2887.gifAlex - But let history remember, that as free men, we chose to make it so!
12/13/2010 @ 11:43:37 PM
 Quote this comment
Sources: Cliff Lee to return to Phillies
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5917145

Son of a muffin. They get Lee, Halladay, Hamels, and Oswalt and the Brewers have Gallardo, Wolf, Marcum, and my mom.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
thumbnailCAW1I0O3.gifMatt - Nutcan.com's MBL
12/15/2010 @ 12:09:15 PM
 Quote this comment
Matt Guerrier to the Dodgers.

http://1500espn.com/sportswire/End_of_an_era_Matt_Guerrier_joins_Dodgers121510
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
hoochpage.JPGSarah - 4605 Posts
12/15/2010 @ 07:55:16 PM
 Quote this comment


And Jesse Crain's a White Sox. That's awesome. Seriously, wtf Twins???
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
jon.jpgJon - 3375 Posts
12/16/2010 @ 02:50:38 AM
 Quote this comment
Sarah Wrote - Yesterday @ 07:55:16 PM


And Jesse Crain's a White Sox. That's awesome. Seriously, wtf Twins???


Well now we have to sign Thome right? We're going to need some late inning home runs.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
jeremy.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
12/16/2010 @ 11:11:10 AM
 Quote this comment
We better hope Slama and Neshek get it turned around quickly. It seems like a monster loss, but really fans refereed to him as Crainwreck up until this last season, so maybe that was just an anomaly. (Though fans are also stupid, so maybe that was always a pretty unfair nickname.)

Edit: Looks like he had a horrible 2007, and the name just stuck for a couple years. He actually got some votes as ROY in 2005 after a great cup of coffee in 2004
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Jeremy edited this 2 times, last at 12/16/2010 11:38:39 am
sarah.jpgSarah - How do you use these things?
12/16/2010 @ 05:35:57 PM
 Quote this comment
Jeremy Wrote - Today @ 11:11:10 AM
We better hope Slama and Neshek get it turned around quickly. It seems like a monster loss, but really fans refereed to him as Crainwreck up until this last season, so maybe that was just an anomaly. (Though fans are also stupid, so maybe that was always a pretty unfair nickname.)

Edit: Looks like he had a horrible 2007, and the name just stuck for a couple years. He actually got some votes as ROY in 2005 after a great cup of coffee in 2004


I've never liked Jesse Crain (as some of you can attest to) but obviously the Twins relied on him and Guerrier quite a bit. This does not bode well.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
hoochpage.JPGSarah - 4605 Posts
12/16/2010 @ 06:10:38 PM
 Quote this comment
And now no more Jose Morales? Where does the madness end? The 2011 Twins had better kick ass, because right now I'm not drinking the kool-aid.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
IMG_3063[1].jpgjthompto - 209 Posts
12/17/2010 @ 07:11:33 AM
 Quote this comment
Tsuyoshi officially a Twin.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5927508
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
matt.jpgMatt - 3875 Posts
12/18/2010 @ 10:23:29 PM
 Quote this comment
http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/112042854.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUqCP:iUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUvPQL7PQLa_nchO7D_GD7EaDh_HPiaU

Apparently, Mauer had 'minor' surgery on his knee last week.

I'm declaring the season over.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
sarah.jpgSarah - 4605 Posts
12/18/2010 @ 10:39:21 PM
 Quote this comment
I've heard Grienke might be traded to the Brewers. What the heck is that all about? They better not get Pavano too or someone's gonna be pissed. Like me.
On a side note, super excited about Temoticon being in Minnesota. Sign me up!
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
12/19/2010 @ 01:34:47 AM
 Quote this comment
They had to give up quite a bit if it's true. He had a disappointing year, I think, but I'm pretty sure they had Escobar penciled in as their starter for the next decade.

If there is any truth to this I think it's safe to say the Brewers are damning their future and going all in on Prince's last season.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
sarah.jpgSarah - How do you use these things?
12/19/2010 @ 08:17:18 AM
 Quote this comment
Grienke deal:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5935586
Now our Grienke Royal Bobbleheads are vintage! Brewers had to give up quite a few players, but I don't know if the players were any good.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - On your mark...get set...Terrible!
12/19/2010 @ 09:42:43 AM
 Quote this comment
Jeremy Wrote - Today @ 01:34:47 AM
They had to give up quite a bit if it's true. He had a disappointing year, I think, but I'm pretty sure they had Escobar penciled in as their starter for the next decade.

If there is any truth to this I think it's safe to say the Brewers are damning their future and going all in on Prince's last season.


I feel the same way about this, although I think "damning" is a bit of an exaggeration. They are risking their future, maybe would be a better way to put it. It's not like Escobar was the pin holding everything together. They gave up a lot, but I can respect putting all your chips on the table when your window is so small.

Escobar was their future at shortstop, so that's tough. They gave up Jeremy Jeffress who was their top pitching prospect. And Lorenzo Cain was supposed to replace the joke of a baseball player Carlos Gomez in centerfield.

The brewers now on paper have one of the best starting rotations (at least their 1-3 starters) in the NL.

edit: ok, "daming" probably is pretty close. To be literal, they gave away 3 players that were supposed to part of their future. Although Jeremy Jeffress had been suspended twice for marijuana use already. So he might have been a headcase.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Scott edited this 2 times, last at 12/19/2010 9:52:05 am
jeremy.jpgJeremy - No one's gay for Moleman
12/19/2010 @ 10:44:21 AM
 Quote this comment
I also meant it more in the "screw worrying about the future" sense and not the "you're bound to suck" sense.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
2887.gifAlex - 3619 Posts
12/19/2010 @ 10:23:34 PM
 Quote this comment
LOVE IT! Kind of wanted them to hold on to Cain, but really he's not much different than Gomez. Doesn't seem like Escobar will really hit enough to make a big impact.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
jeremy.jpgJeremy - Pie Racist
12/19/2010 @ 10:48:11 PM
 Quote this comment
That's a lot to give up for a guy coming off a down season, but I didn't know they got him for 2 years before today. Chances are the Brewers won't resign him long term, but that just means they can trade him after this season for some other prospect(s).

Gomez was a highly rated "5 tool" prospect the twins got as part of a package for one year of Santana, so it's not necessarily the case you're giving up a ton on the "future" front.

However, I'm fairly sure it's Betancourt ppl were talking about last season as being one of the, if not the, worst everyday players in the league, so the Brewers might need to make other plans there.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
newalex.jpgAlex - 3619 Posts
12/19/2010 @ 11:26:23 PM
 Quote this comment
Yeah, I know Melvin said Betancourt is the starter, but what else would really expect him to say at this point? And if you go by just WAR, which is probably oversimplifying but kind of fun to boil a player's worth down to 1 number, Escobar and Betancourt both provided .6 WAR last year. Looks like Betancourt's defense is horrible, but he hits decentish for a SS. He's played a little 2B. I wonder if they could use him as the utility infielder (making 4 mil though) and sign another SS. No idea where the payroll is at this point though or what the 40 man looks like. The not-updated yet depth chart on ESPN shows they have some other high-minors journeyman type SS on the roster too. Although it still shows Joe Inglett on there too and he was let go, so that hasn't been updated in a while.

Infield defense will most likely be a problem, but tell me something I don't already know. Brewers at least have a chance to compete in 2011 now.

I wonder if they could talk Renteria or Cabrera into a 1 year deal...
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - Broadcast in stunning 1080i
12/20/2010 @ 12:41:04 AM
 Quote this comment
Well that "one number" is a crap load of numbers.

His UZR was 2nd worse in the AL (the person just a head of him, aka third worst in the AL, Gold Glove Award Winner Derek Jeter)

He's near the bottom of the overall list (min 100 innings) Right inbetween Twins left fielders Delmon Young and Ryan Braun, and near fellow Brewers Hart and the not so aptly named Fielder.

You guys must have an awful D. emoticonemoticon

Fielder - 4th Worst
Weeks, right in middle
SS - Awful
3rd - 4th worst
OF - Crap

No wonder you need a super human pitching staff.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
12/20/2010 @ 10:20:01 AM
 Quote this comment
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2010/269178.html

Brewers 2009 Prospect Report:

Granted we know more about 2 of the players than sheer ranking as a prospect, but the number 1, 8, and 9 prospects, plus "Best Fastball"

The Twins had Greinke's number, I really hope the Brewers didn't just pull a Herschel Walker trade and set up the Royals for a big run.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
newalex.jpgAlex - But let history remember, that as free men, we chose to make it so!
12/20/2010 @ 11:20:23 AM
 Quote this comment
1, 8, and 9 from one the least talented farm systems isn't saying that much. They might develop into serviceable players, but there's no "sure thing" type guys in there and probably no future All-Stars.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
newalex.jpgAlex - 3619 Posts
12/20/2010 @ 01:15:23 PM
 Quote this comment
The resigned Counsell now so I assume that means they won't be picking anyone else up for a SS.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - Ma'am, can you make sure your computer is turned on?
12/20/2010 @ 01:55:48 PM
 Quote this comment
Is it one of the least talented farm systems?
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
2887.gifAlex - 3619 Posts
12/20/2010 @ 03:45:03 PM
 Quote this comment
It is now anyway. Can't remember who it was, but one of the guys on ESPN.com said he will probably have them dead last now when he comes out with his next rankings.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
2887.gifAlex - 3619 Posts
12/20/2010 @ 10:53:10 PM
 Quote this comment
Although at what point does a player go from "part of the farm system" or "prospect" to just a player? Probably could still call Escobar a prospect, but not really part of the farm system since he spent the whole season in the bigs.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
IMG_3063[1].jpgjthompto
12/21/2010 @ 07:55:55 AM
 Quote this comment
A lot of sportswriters think the Royals are going to be competing for a title as early as 2013. They could probably trade their closer Soria and pick up even more prospects, but it sounds like they may keep him around.

As for the Brewers, I like the move. They will have a chance to win the NL central for sure. The Reds will be just as good and the Cardinals should be a lot better, so it won't be easy.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
jeremy.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
12/21/2010 @ 10:44:13 AM
 Quote this comment
Alex Wrote - Yesterday @ 03:45:03 PM
It is now anyway. Can't remember who it was, but one of the guys on ESPN.com said he will probably have them dead last now when he comes out with his next rankings.


They're also giving up the couple good prospects they would have gotten from Fielder, and will now just have nothing when he leaves. (Of course they could find themselves 15 under .500 before the deadline and ditch all these guys.)

Still, should be a fun year for Brewer fans.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
newalex.jpgAlex - 3619 Posts
12/21/2010 @ 12:23:33 PM
 Quote this comment
Right, they could fire sale at the deadline next year, or get draft picks when Fielder walks and restock that way (although draft picks might take longer to get to the bigs than trade prospects, but not necessarily when you're talking 1st and 2nd rounders). From all indications I've seen no one was making much of an offer for Fielder this off season.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - I hate our freedoms
12/21/2010 @ 12:38:25 PM
 Quote this comment
That could be part of the deal too. It's possible many people are overvaluing Fielder and assuming the Brewers would get all sorts of prospects, and perhaps they were underwhelmed and just went "screw it, let's go all in on next season"

You're almost certainly giving up some future wins, but you never really know how many, and the whole point of stocking the cupboards is to get to a point where you have enough cheap talent that a couple big splashes push you over the top. Not to mention I'm pretty sure every fan would take deep postseason run, suck, suck, suck, suck. Over just missing out on the wildcard, and then suck + 7 wins the next few years.

A lot of the time "all in" seasons are mostly a financial thing, whereas the Brewers are definitely putting the future at risk to go all in. Still, it's hard to find too much wrong with this. It just better work.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Jeremy messed with this 2 times, last at 12/21/2010 12:39:19 pm
2887.gifAlex - 3619 Posts
12/21/2010 @ 05:05:06 PM
 Quote this comment
The other thing too is, people were saying similar things when they traded for CC

LaPorta had -.6 WAR last year
Bryson was in AA as a relief pitcher
Jackson had a 5.75 ERA in AAA for the Blue Jays
Brantley had -.7 WAR last year

This trade is a bit different because overall the prospects were much more major league ready, but there's at least a 50% chance that 2 years from now I can put of similar stats for each of them.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - On your mark...get set...Terrible!
12/21/2010 @ 06:01:45 PM
 Quote this comment
Jeremy Wrote - Today @ 10:44:13 AM
Alex Wrote - Yesterday @ 03:45:03 PM
It is now anyway. Can't remember who it was, but one of the guys on ESPN.com said he will probably have them dead last now when he comes out with his next rankings.


They're also giving up the couple good prospects they would have gotten from Fielder, and will now just have nothing when he leaves. (Of course they could find themselves 15 under .500 before the deadline and ditch all these guys.)

Still, should be a fun year for Brewer fans.


The Brewers will most likely get a first or 2nd round draft pick for fielder with the rule about losing a top player to free agency. I believe if Fielder gets the best contract next off season, then the Brewers would be compensated with a some draft picks. So it's not quite nothing, and prospects and future draft picks are probably about the same risk.

What is nice about this whole thing is that finally, after about 20 years, it's the Brewers giving up prospects for big names instead of selling their 1 good player every year for a handful of guys that have "potential."

edit: I quoted Jeremy's comment and then noticed Alex's response about the draft picks. At least we were thinking the same thing.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Scott messed with this 2 times, last at 12/21/2010 6:04:37 pm
jeremy.jpgJeremy - As Seen On The Internet
12/21/2010 @ 07:24:11 PM
 Quote this comment
They'd have to offer him arbitration, which he could accept, and the Brewers would be forced to pay him a butt load. However even that isn't that much of a risk, as the Brewers might gladly be willing to pay what comes out of arbitration, and, while I don't pretend to be any sort of expert, I can't see him accepting the offer.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
12/21/2010 @ 08:55:29 PM
 Quote this comment
Jeremy Wrote - Today @ 07:24:11 PM
They'd have to offer him arbitration, which he could accept, and the Brewers would be forced to pay him a butt load. However even that isn't that much of a risk, as the Brewers might gladly be willing to pay what comes out of arbitration, and, while I don't pretend to be any sort of expert, I can't see him accepting the offer.


He's got Scott Boras as his agent. He ain't accepting arbitration. Boras gets long term deals for his clients. Which makes it sort of nice; all they have to do is offer him arbitration (which he most likely won't accept), and they get draft picks for him. Although, the Brewers were hoping to get draft picks for Sabathia and Sheets a few years ago, but Sheets never signed a contract, and Sabathia's deal wasn't "good enough" to warrant the payout the Brewers were hoping for.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Scott screwed with this at 12/21/2010 8:59:42 pm
newalex.jpgAlex - 3619 Posts
12/21/2010 @ 10:07:07 PM
 Quote this comment
Apparently Ned Yost pushed to get Escobar and Cain, which most posters on the blog are assuming means that the Brewers got the better end of the deal

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/112243499.html?page=17#comments
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
newalex.jpgAlex - 3619 Posts
12/22/2010 @ 01:04:24 PM
 Quote this comment
Buster Olney has the Brewer's rotation at number 6 in MLB

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog?name=olney_buster&id=5946049
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
hoochpage.JPGSarah - 4605 Posts
12/22/2010 @ 06:57:27 PM
 Quote this comment


Where are the Twins ranked? I don't have an insider ID/password.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
newalex.jpgAlex - Who controls the past now controls the future
12/22/2010 @ 07:16:54 PM
 Quote this comment
Somewhere after 11th, that's all the farther he went (well 10b according to him).
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
12/23/2010 @ 11:46:50 AM
 Quote this comment


That's pretty sweet.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
2887.gifAlex - Who controls the past now controls the future
12/27/2010 @ 01:33:16 PM
 Quote this comment
Insider rumor mill says Brewers are nearing deal with Takashi Saito, who would most likely be the setup man. He's a bit old (40) but it doesn't seem to have been an issue last year. Sounds like a 1 year deal for $3 million, so Melvin might actually be learning to keep the deals shorter for these old guys (although overall, I'd say the Hoffman 2 year deal worked out pretty well, it was Macha's fault for not demoting him earlier last year, although I'm not sure there was anyone else on the roster at the point who could close which would be Melvin's fault, although who cares about last year!).



He surveyed some other people "general managers, assistant GMs, scouts and a particularly thoughtful player" and the Brewers came out 7th in those rankings.

1. Philadelphia Phillies -- 80 points (16 first place votes)
2. San Francisco Giants -- 61 points (14 second-place votes, one third-place vote, one fourth-place vote)
3. Tampa Bay Rays -- 24 points (including five third-place votes)
3. Boston Red Sox -- 24 points (including two second-place votes).
5. Oakland Athletics -- 14 points
6. St. Louis Cardinals -- 12 points
7. Milwaukee Brewers -- 10 points
8. Chicago White Sox -- 6 points
9. Atlanta Braves -- 5 points
10. Detroit Tigers -- 2 points

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog?name=olney_buster&id=5953707
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
12/28/2010 @ 07:30:42 AM
 Quote this comment
Is that a ranking of starting rotations?
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
2887.gifAlex - I was too weak to give in Too strong to lose
01/05/2011 @ 05:13:15 PM
 Quote this comment
Alex Wrote - 12/27/2010 @ 01:33:16 PM
Insider rumor mill says Brewers are nearing deal with Takashi Saito, who would most likely be the setup man. He's a bit old (40) but it doesn't seem to have been an issue last year. Sounds like a 1 year deal for $3 million,


Even better, $1.75 million for 1 year with up to $1.5 million in incentives.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
matt.jpgMatt - 3875 Posts
01/14/2011 @ 02:06:42 PM
 Quote this comment
Thome and the Twins agree to terms on 2011 contract.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/113610059.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUvckD_V_jEyhD:UiD3aPc:_Yyc:aU7DYaGEP7vDEh7P:DiUs

Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Matt screwed with this at 01/14/2011 2:11:39 pm
hoochpage.JPGSarah - 4605 Posts
01/14/2011 @ 08:41:24 PM
 Quote this comment
JimJam mashes taters!
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - Broadcast in stunning 1080i
01/18/2011 @ 02:40:24 PM
 Quote this comment
Twins signed Capps and Perkins signed for 1 year. $7.15 mil for Capps. I guess it's good they're keeping someone in there, but it seems like that's a lot to spend on a Nathan insurance policy/ok set up guy.

Brewers avoided arbitration with Fielder by paying him 15.5 million. The deal is the highest-single season contract for an arbitration-eligible player, surpassing Mark Teixeira's $12.5 million agreement with Atlanta in 2008.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
newalex.jpgAlex - Ignorance is bliss to those uneducated
01/18/2011 @ 08:27:24 PM
 Quote this comment
According to fangraphs Fielder has been worth more than that 3 of the last 4 years so it's almost impossible to say he doesn't deserve it. It also makes him the highest paid Brewer ever.

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=4613&position=1B#value

On the flip side Capps has never been valued that high.

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=4788&position=P#value
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Alex edited this at 01/18/2011 8:29:54 pm
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
01/18/2011 @ 09:33:18 PM
 Quote this comment
It's starting to come together, Pepper. It's starting to come together.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
jon.jpgJon - 3375 Posts
01/18/2011 @ 11:23:34 PM
 Quote this comment
Jeremy Wrote - Today @ 02:40:24 PM
Twins signed Capps and Perkins signed for 1 year. $7.15 mil for Capps. I guess it's good they're keeping someone in there, but it seems like that's a lot to spend on a Nathan insurance policy/ok set up guy.

Brewers avoided arbitration with Fielder by paying him 15.5 million. The deal is the highest-single season contract for an arbitration-eligible player, surpassing Mark Teixeira's $12.5 million agreement with Atlanta in 2008.


Yeah I don't get the Capps thing at all. I mean at least at first sight. Granted, the market prices sometimes surprise me, but if my memory serves, he hasn't ever really been that good, even when he was good.

Guerrier signed with the Dodgers at 3 for 12mil. and Crain got 3 for 13 from the White Sox. They're both older than Capps, and years on the contract and money are sometimes tradeoffs, but I like those guys more (Probably because they've been Twins longer) and technically they're coming cheaper per year. I know, it's a technicality, but still.

Actually, I've gone ahead and pulled up their stats.

Age (Career Innings Pitched)
Capps 27 (344.2)
Guerrier 32 (472)
Crain 29 (382)


Career ERA
Capps 3.37
Guerrier 3.38
Crain 3.42

Career WHIP
Capps 1.20
Guerrier1.24
Crain 1.26

So, there you have it. Capps is younger and thrown fewer innings, but otherwise they stack up almost equally in two categories I like to use to judge pitchers.

So, I dunno. I guess he's ok. Still when Jeremy (aka "Scoop") texted me the numbers of the deal, I was a little surprised. At this point though, I'd rather have him than have replacement player X, but my anecdotal memory of him is that I didn't feel comfortable when he was in the game last year. I guess maybe I'll read what some "experts" have to say and see if they can convince me of their view.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - Robots don't say 'ye'
01/19/2011 @ 11:06:27 AM
 Quote this comment
http://www.nickstwinsblog.com/2011/01/insanity.html
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
01/19/2011 @ 11:24:38 AM
 Quote this comment
After Pavano signs (it's basically official) the Twins payroll is projected to be around $115m. That means Capps is just over 6% of the team. Assuming a role as closer, or as Matty G's replacement, when viewed that way, it doesn't see too out of whack. Still I'd much rather have Crain for 3 @ 13, if for no other reason than because it would have kept him off the White Sox.

Matty G is getting up there, and Gardy used him up every season, so who knows how much is even left in that tank.

Slama, Perkins, and Kleinsasser are going to have to step up big time this season.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
hoochpage.JPGSarah - 4605 Posts
01/19/2011 @ 06:59:22 PM
 Quote this comment
Jeremy Wrote - Today @ 11:24:38 AM
After Pavano signs (it's basically official)


It is official! emoticon.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
hoochpage.JPGSarah - 4605 Posts
01/19/2011 @ 07:05:01 PM
 Quote this comment
Random baseball fact: Because Gil Meche retired, the Royals payroll next year (if no changes are made) will be 40 million dollars!
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
vignette.bmpCarlos44ec - Tater Salad?
01/20/2011 @ 05:25:25 AM
 Quote this comment
BAAAAAASEBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
jeremy.jpgJeremy - Pie Racist
01/20/2011 @ 09:49:31 AM
 Quote this comment
I love the deal. Everyone was expecting 10 per year, which would have been overpaying a bit, but that's usually what happens when someone is the best of some position still available and best player at the position who is actually signable for teams without private tunnels into Fort Knox. 8.25 is a steal, even if he regresses a bit.

So, not only do the Twins save here, and maybe I'm wrong on this, but I have a feeling that whatever Pavano got, plus some, would be the absolute base for what Liriano would get over 4-5 years on any potential extension. So now that we set the bar at 8 maybe ~10 isn't out of the question. If we set the bar at 10.5, I feel like ~12 would be the point where talks start.

Edit: http://www.nickstwinsblog.com/2011/01/optimism-vs-pessimism.html
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Jeremy screwed with this 2 times, last at 01/20/2011 9:53:11 am
2887.gifAlex - Ignorance is bliss to those uneducated
01/20/2011 @ 01:12:31 PM
 Quote this comment
And as importantly, it's only for 2 years and not the much discussed 3 years.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
01/20/2011 @ 01:34:43 PM
 Quote this comment
Yeah. That's huge, but it was known for a long time they were working on a 2 year deal. It's one of the reasons people assumed they'd do some year for money tradeoff.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
IMG_3063[1].jpgjthompto - 209 Posts
01/22/2011 @ 10:20:13 AM
 Quote this comment
The Nick Punto era is over in Minnesota. but watch out NL Central because he will be suiting up with the St. Louis Cardinals.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_62004332-258f-11e0-9a79-0017a4a78c22.html
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
jeremy.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
01/23/2011 @ 10:51:17 AM
 Quote this comment
Mrs. Lippy's car is green.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
newalex.jpgAlex - 3619 Posts
01/26/2011 @ 01:55:06 PM
 Quote this comment
Brewers are last in farm system ranking, Twins are 7th.

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/insider/news/story?page=2011MLBOrgRanks

Royals are 1st, but this article explains why they could be historically horrible this year

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove10/insider/columns/story?columnist=meyers_matt&id=6060161
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
01/26/2011 @ 02:09:12 PM
 Quote this comment
Care to "paraphrase" the key portions?
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
01/26/2011 @ 02:27:30 PM
 Quote this comment
Better yet, copy and paste the articles into a different blog. No one will find out about it on a site like this.

It's funny, because since you have to pay to view his source, it could be something like this:

Loophole in MLB rules guarantees Brewers a World Series berth.
Site that you have to pay for to verify my statement
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Scott perfected this 2 times, last at 01/26/2011 2:34:22 pm
2887.gifAlex - 3619 Posts
01/26/2011 @ 03:38:46 PM
 Quote this comment
A sneaky-good system, it's not loaded with big names but boasts a few impact guys and a ton of depth. This is more than just the Twins' usual assortment of strike-throwing fourth starters and speedy outfielders, a testament to good drafting and some major investments in the international arena, where they've been as aggressive as any club.

The first organization to fail to place a single prospect on my Top 100 list since I first produced these rankings in 2008 ... although landing Shaun Marcum and Zack Greinke is a pretty good excuse. Even before those trades, however, their system as a whole wasn't strong, with a lot of pitchers failing to progress once in the system. They might need one of those arms -- Wily Peralta, perhaps, or Amaury Rivas -- to increase his value this spring for a possible July trade.

---

Using last season's performance as a guideline, we can estimate that this year's team will combine for about 12.0 WAR. That's giving the lineup 7.0 WAR, the starters 3.0 WAR and the bench and bullpen 2.0 WAR.

According to Tom Tango's calculations, a team made up solely of replacement-level players will win about 47 games. That means that a fair estimate for the Royals' win total is 59. Last year, K.C. won 67 games, but Greinke, DeJesus, Farnsworth and Scott Podsednik (who played quite well for the Royals), are gone. So it's easy to see how this year's club could easily be eight games worse than last year's.

I thought more people had insider.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
01/26/2011 @ 03:47:56 PM
 Quote this comment
I had access to an insider account back in college. Sadly, that guy moved out of my dorm and out of my life forever. Now I'm piggy backing off my dad's JSOnline Packer insider account.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
matt.jpgMatt - 3875 Posts
01/28/2011 @ 09:16:50 PM
 Quote this comment
A couple of Twins stories today:

The Twins will retire #28 in honor of Bert Blyleven this year.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/114767664.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUqCP:iUiacyKUnciaec8O7EyUs


Also, the trees in the "batter's eye" at Target Field will be removed for next season

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/114815074.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUqCP%3AiUiD3aPc%3A_Yyc%3AaUeyDiDEic%3A_QEkD_hEKU

Bonus news from the link - The Twins will unveil a bronze statue of Tony Oliva this year.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
sarah.jpgSarah - 4605 Posts
01/29/2011 @ 12:39:10 PM
 Quote this comment
In other Twins news, Joe Mauer is still a hottie!

http://yfrog.com/gynfetnj
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
newalex.jpgAlex - 3619 Posts
02/03/2011 @ 01:29:44 PM
 Quote this comment
Brewers are rumored to be signing Mark Kotsay to a major league contract. http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/115068049.html

Counsell had a combined WAR (Wins above replacement) of 5.8 over the last 5 years while Kotsay had a WAR of -1.3. Kotsay has been washed up for a long time.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
02/03/2011 @ 03:42:13 PM
 Quote this comment
That's not that big of a deal, so long as he's also paid around replacement level. I mean, that's basically what that means. The level you would expect a guy you pick up for basically the minimum to perform. (Though people generally refer to calling a guy up, since they're even cheaper.) Is the Counsel comparison because they're not bringing him back?

Fake Edit: Which he more or less is. http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/115213704.html

Actual Edit: They're probably overvaluing "experience" a bit, but it's not like they payed him $4mil. It's a no-risk, almost all upside, move. You're only out the opportunity cost of his spot on the 40 man. (Though one could question why the Brewers picked up a guy whose only major playing time have come at DH and 1B)
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Jeremy messed with this 4 times, last at 02/03/2011 4:42:01 pm
newalex.jpgAlex - 3619 Posts
02/03/2011 @ 06:14:01 PM
 Quote this comment
I guess they didn't pay him much in the end, but like others were saying why not bring him in on a non-roster invite or minor league deal. Plus the position thing, plus he has no upside because he hasn't been better than replacement in the last 5 years. A young guy or maybe somebody cheap coming off an injury has upside.

It might have been in the comments and not the article but somebody was comparing him to Counsell and possibly ripping on Counsell, who has actually had good value in his time as a Brewer. Although at some point he's going to run out of gas like Hoffman did.

In the end it's not a huge deal as long as Melvin got the ok to waste money on somebody that I at least hope will be cut by opening day.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
2887.gifAlex - I was too weak to give in Too strong to lose
02/03/2011 @ 06:16:04 PM
 Quote this comment
Probably should include this too, this is where I first read about it

http://fansided.com/baseball/2011/02/01/the-useless-veteran-signings-continue-as-milwaukee-adds-mark-kotsay/
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
02/04/2011 @ 09:51:07 AM
 Quote this comment
I didn't necessarily mean "he has lots of upside," or that it has more upside than other moves. But the move is almost all upside in that it cost very little to take a chance. Anything he does is gravy.

The other types of contract are just as much part of the deal as anything, so he might have taken less, or a less incentive laden deal, by getting a major league contract, or they figured he'd get one elsewhere.

In the end it doesn't make total sense, but it's not like it's a team crippling blunder either. It's one of those "Um, ok then" kind of moves.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
2887.gifAlex - 3619 Posts
02/16/2011 @ 01:46:14 PM
 Quote this comment
Weeks signs extension emoticon

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2011/news/story?id=6128467

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/02/brewers-weeks-agree-to-extension.html

I don't think they really got a "sale" price or anything, but as long as he stays healthy he should be worth it. He was worth $24.3 last year according to fangraphs. Still strikeouts too much but I'm holding onto hope that he could push 30 steals.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
02/16/2011 @ 01:54:22 PM
 Quote this comment
Wasn't Rickie your Robert Ferguson of the Brewers for a while? Anyway, I too think this is good (I don't know if it is, but I think it is). Certainly he performed better last year than in previous years, and his injuries in the past were somewhat fluky. Anyway, I think there is something to be said about solidifying a core of somesort and with Braun, Hart, Gallardo, and now Weeks, they have a fairly solid core of youngish players locked in for at least 4 years.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Scott screwed with this at 02/16/2011 1:55:03 pm
2887.gifAlex - Refactor Mercilessly
02/16/2011 @ 03:21:53 PM
 Quote this comment
Yes, and that was mostly because of his horrible defense. But of his seasons in which he's played at least 95 games, last year was his best defensive year according to the numbers here.

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1849&position=2B#fieldingadvanced

He's still far from a gold glove candidate, but he's managed to improve both his defense and offense and they locked him up for his ages 28-32 seasons.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
newalex.jpgAlex - 3619 Posts
02/19/2011 @ 01:19:09 PM
 Quote this comment
More thoughts on Weeks

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/rickie-weeks-mystery-man/
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
matt.jpgMatt - 3875 Posts
02/20/2011 @ 04:59:53 PM
 Quote this comment
Too bad Twins bobbleheads are dead to me.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/116480923.html
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
jon.jpgJon - 3375 Posts
02/21/2011 @ 01:30:28 AM
 Quote this comment


Probably the best bobblehead ever.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
sarah.jpgSarah - How do you use these things?
02/21/2011 @ 07:29:30 PM
 Quote this comment
FSN is reairing game 1 of 2010 season @ Target Field.emoticon
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - Ma'am, can you make sure your computer is turned on?
02/21/2011 @ 08:41:21 PM
 Quote this comment


Does Ron Gant's head bobble too? It would be impressive if it did, and if it did, it would make that bobblehead the insurmountable all time greatest. As it stands, it's the just the greatest known or current bobblehead ever.

And if I remember it correctly, didn't the Braves sort of get hosed on that call? Correct me if I'm wrong. I thought that it was a pretty controversial call.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Scott messed with this at 02/21/2011 8:45:12 pm
jeremy.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
02/22/2011 @ 09:51:35 AM
 Quote this comment
Gant fell over Hrbek's leg, Hrbek kind of wrapped up the other leg and pulled it off the base. The Ump ruled Gant's forward progress ultimately led to his leg coming off, so he called it an out. I think most people interpret that as the Ump not seeing the lift, but in reality it's just as valid an interpretation to say "your leg would have come off, so it doesn't matter."

Still it's hard to find an interview about the play where Hrbek can keep a straight face while talking about it, so it's pretty clear at least he thinks the Twins got away with one.

It's surprisingly hard to find a video of it.

Edit: I don't mean to sound so Twins-centric. Hrbek certainly wasn't innocent in the play, it's just also true Gant was in an impossibly awkward position, and thus isn't nearly as absurd to make a case that Gant probably falls off the base either way as the lore has turned it into. You can also make just as good a case that Hrbek's interfering should supersede anything that might or might not have happened.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Jeremy edited this 3 times, last at 02/22/2011 12:59:50 pm
scott.jpgScott - Get Up! Get outta here! Gone!
02/22/2011 @ 01:33:31 PM
 Quote this comment
So I won a Lottery with the Brewers to have the opportunity to buy opening day tickets. I was issued a special password and tickets went on sale at 10:00am this morning. I got online at about 9:50 and was put into this "virtual waiting room" that randomly chose people to enter the ticketing page (to control the large volumes of traffic). Anyway, I was waiting in that waiting room for about 30 minutes. when I finally get in to be able to purchase tickets, they were already down to standing room only or single seats anywhere else. How am I supposed to finish my basement if I can't buy opening day tickets and sell them for 500% markup?
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
02/22/2011 @ 01:43:34 PM
 Quote this comment
Jeremy Wrote - Today @ 09:51:35 AM
It's surprisingly hard to find a video of it.


The play in question displays right at the end of this 1 minute video.

Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Scott screwed with this 3 times, last at 02/22/2011 1:52:15 pm
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
02/22/2011 @ 02:26:22 PM
 Quote this comment
I searched so long for the video, and I saw this video come up 1231223098094 times. I flipped when you posted it because I assumed it was some lame lego recreation and prepared to be pissed by it actually being there. I'm conflicted on it not really being there. This really is the closest to video of it on the internet. It's really a shame. I mean, come on MLB, get your poo poo together.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
newalex.jpgAlex - Who controls the past now controls the future
02/23/2011 @ 11:34:55 AM
 Quote this comment
Cross your fingers Twins and Cardinal fans

Mauer receives injection in his knee
http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/116704389.html

Wainwright's elbow examined for 'significant' injury
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_141e8434-3f58-11e0-b886-00127992bc8b.html
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
2887.gifAlex - Refactor Mercilessly
02/23/2011 @ 04:15:07 PM
 Quote this comment
Brewers fans too

Lucroy has fractured finger
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/116756779.html
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
2887.gifAlex - I was too weak to give in Too strong to lose
02/24/2011 @ 12:55:02 PM
 Quote this comment
Tommy John for Wainwright
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2011/news/story?id=6154112

Stick a fork in the Cards, it's Reds vs Brewers now.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
reign_of_fire_150.jpgMicah - Even now in Heaven there are angels carrying savage weapons
03/05/2011 @ 10:36:31 PM
 Quote this comment
Is there a Nutcan fantasy season this year?
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
hoochpage.JPGSarah - So's your face
03/06/2011 @ 11:32:37 AM
 Quote this comment
Probably. Someone should get on that. Side note... what do Brewers' fans think of this shirt?
http://tinyurl.com/6d64nam
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - I hate our freedoms
03/06/2011 @ 12:26:16 PM
 Quote this comment
http://baseball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/league/nutcan2010

Password is mattmbl, apparently
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - If you aren't enough without it, you'll never be enough with it.
03/08/2011 @ 12:58:08 PM
 Quote this comment
Sarah Wrote - 03/06/2011 @ 11:32:37 AM
Probably. Someone should get on that. Side note... what do Brewers' fans think of this shirt? http://tinyurl.com/6d64nam


My first thought without seeing the title of the item was "is that supposed to be Yount?" However, upon looking at pictures of Yount through the years, it seems that when he had his longest mustache he didn't have very long hair. When his hair was long and bushy like the t-shirt, his mustache was a little bit cleaner and shorter. In fact, when his hair was as long as the shirt, he didn't have a mustache. It is a nice idea, I suppose, but I think the t-shirt maker is reaching for cool on this one...and missing.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
hoochpage.JPGSarah - How do you use these things?
03/08/2011 @ 07:25:49 PM
 Quote this comment
So Grienke's a moron.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/03/greinke-hurt-brewers-have-enough-depth.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
reign_of_fire_150.jpgMicah - Bring down the Beast!!!
03/14/2011 @ 10:30:07 PM
 Quote this comment
The Major League hats are ranked. Twins in at #3, Brewers at #5.

http://www.cardboardconnection.com/2011-best-and-worst-hats-in-major-league-baseball
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
reign_of_fire.jpgMicah - 584 Posts
03/16/2011 @ 08:50:12 PM
 Quote this comment


Where's the rest of our league? We need some teams to draft and then quit after a month. I can probably get a buddy from work to play.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
03/17/2011 @ 09:35:37 AM
 Quote this comment
Looks like we still need Scott, Craig, and Packone.

As per tradition, I assume we'll move Saturday's draft 7 times before we actually have it as a time that works for 3 people.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
reign_of_fire.jpgMicah - 584 Posts
03/17/2011 @ 09:42:29 AM
 Quote this comment
I am good for our current time. Evenings are better, and the only day that is out totally for me is the 27th. Weekend days are bad because I get to spend those joyously looking at wedding locations.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
03/17/2011 @ 09:44:07 AM
 Quote this comment
Wouldn't you just get married at your church?

Edit: Bazinga.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Total:

Rated 1 times.
Jeremy edited this at 03/17/2011 9:59:22 am
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
03/17/2011 @ 02:11:37 PM
 Quote this comment
How many people are signed up so far? I probably logged in about 5 times to check on my team last year, but if I'm needed to fill a hole, I'll consider signing up.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
reign_of_fire_150.jpgMicah - 584 Posts
03/19/2011 @ 08:27:22 AM
 Quote this comment
It would be nice to have more than 6 people. Do you want to put the draft off or open up the league for a couple randoms?

Jeremy Wrote - 03/17/2011 @ 09:44:07 AM
Wouldn't you just get married at your church?

Edit: Bazinga.


Nice...we were worried about all the smoldering if we did.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
03/20/2011 @ 07:39:04 AM
 Quote this comment
Micah Wrote - Yesterday @ 08:27:22 AM
It would be nice to have more than 6 people. Do you want to put the draft off or open up the league for a couple randoms?


Ok, fine, I'm in.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
reign_of_fire.jpgMicah - 584 Posts
03/31/2011 @ 01:47:35 PM
 Quote this comment
WOOHOO Baseball!! We need a new page as it is no longer the offseason.

Go Brewers....that's how you start a season!
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
03/31/2011 @ 08:30:46 PM
 Quote this comment
Micah Wrote - Today @ 01:47:35 PM
WOOHOO Baseball!! We need a new page as it is no longer the offseason.

Go Brewers....that's how you start a season!


Meh, not really.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Leave a Comment of your very own
Name:
Comment:
Verify this code
Verify the Code in this box, or sign in, to post a comment.
click me!
There's an emoticon for how you feel!
click me!
My Files
Sign up, or login, to be able to upload files for Nutcan.com users to see.