Brewers Weigh 2011 Against Future

MIL gets Greinke, ESPN begrudgingly admits there is a team in WI.

I linked to the originator of the flurry of activity last night, Bernie's Crew's Jim Breen. Congrats, Jim on the scoop. It would do well that the powers realize that bloggers have merit.

So the rotation in '11 looks like this: Greinke, Gallardo, Marcum, Wolf, Narveson. The offense stays essentially in tact from 1-6. I really don't have much to add that hasn't been said in the blogoshpere: Doug mortgaged the future for a last run with Fielder, possibly Weeks. Being Christmas it's only right to remember you must give to receive.

Let's remember, Escobar, for all the highlight plays, regressed throughout the year offensively. Cain tailed off when teams realized he's closer to a pull hitter than a spray hitter. And don't forget, Cain may have endeared himself running into walls, but Gomez is the better defender. Odorizzi is a solid young pitcher, but one that was only in A ball last year: again, give to receive.

Greinke has been one of the top 5 SP's in baseball the last 3 years, and he's only 27. As is the case with Marcum, AL pitchers coming to the NL usually see greater success than vice versa, since they get that DH out of the lineup.

All in all, the Crew needed pitching, they went out & got it. Is it February yet?

In the immortal words of Vince Lombardi: "What the hell is going on out there?"

Lawrie to TOR, welcome to Brew Town, Shaun Marcum

The Crew addressed some pitching needs with the acquisition of Shaun Marcum.

One hates to lose a young bat like Lawrie's, but Marcum has posted a career sub-4 ERA. He did have TJ surgery in '09, but came back last year to pitch just under 200 innings. I suppose, you gotta give to receive.

I would assume he slots in ahead of Wolf & behind Yo. Solid start to the Winter Meetings for Doug.

A. Gonzalez to BOS Off

The BoSox were unable to come to a contract agreement with Adrian Gonzalez, effectively voiding the trade from SD.

Looking at the agreed upon return, Brewer fans should realize that a boon-type package will not be the return for Prince. Additionally, any team trading for the big man will probably want a contract extension in place before pulling the trigger, much like the BOS/SD case above.

It's becoming more clear (to me, at least) that the potential return of 2 high draft picks in '12 will be the return on Fielder, as I don't see many teams dealing away picks. The philosophy of most teams has changed to young players=cheap salaries.

UPDATE: Never mind...

Berkman to Cards

The former Houston Astro will be placed in left field with Matt Holliday being moved to right field.

The 34-year-old last played in the outfield in 2007 when he turned in a putrid -48.4 UZR/150, with most of his work coming in rightfield.



Let the comedy of errors begin...

So I'm done at General Labels, which was very informative. I have many things to evaluate & reevaluate upon return tomorrow. I'll need to write up my report later... need some El Paso cuisine.

On a side note, the bigger the plane, the better the ride. I'm actually lookin forward to tomorrow's flights. I will say coming in to ELP at night was pretty spectacular, especially with Juarez out the other side of the plane.

Well, later all.

All packed for the work trip to El Paso, TX tomorrow. Two window seats on the way out there (that should help my fear of heights). I need to watch some quality issues and check some technical things with our material at General Labels.

First time on a plane... should be interesting. I hope I do everything right through security. Staying at the Doubletree, near UTEP.

I'm hoping that if I do a good enough job, I can get more opportunities to visit customers.

Watch for updates if you're interested. Otherwise, I'm just writing to myself and that's just sad.

The Crew announced they will name a new manager early next week.

My guess is it will be this guy, the favorite so far during this offseason of speculation.

SF draws first blood in the battle of the aces.

Their supposed Achilles heel was whether they could score enough to back up their rotation. So far, so good.

TEX hangs some more runs on Yankee pitching, this time not giving away the game late.

I'm slowly warming to an unlikely SF/TEX World Series. If nothing else, it's some new blood.

1 & Done

Victory formation... Varsity... Varsity... Varsity

Last word on Rodger's hit

Interesting analysis by Seifert on the 4-letter.

I'm not so ignorant that losing your best defensive player & being without a running back that could eat clock doesn't play into last week's Packer loss, but when Brady gets a roughing call when someone brushes his leg and Manning has an Enterprise-worthy shield around him, young QB's are often left without this protection.

Sunday's non-call wasn't nearly as bad as Berry leaving his feet & lowering his head last year in the playoffs, but if they're going to call catches in the end zone by the letter of the law, this needs to be consistent also.

Very encouraged by the commitment to the run tonight... though going up early certainly helps

That's how you answer... solid offensive drive to go back up by 10

Bucky playing a very inspired 1st half... they'll need to keep the intensity up for another 30, though. I like the running game right now. Hit the hole & go upfield.

Horrible pass by Tolzien in the middle of the field.

Good defensive stand on the turnover.

The last two strikes to Crawford just exemplifies the laziness of today's umpires. Any effort would be asking too much from these buffoons.

Is it too much to ask that along with these supposed "grades" they get, they also head back for some actual training? On the other hand, this proves my thoughts on unions: They exist only to protect the crappy workers.

Nice debut, Mr. Halladay. Welcome to the postseason.

Macha Out

That was quick, though not unexpected.

I've never wished to be shorter more than I do now...

Melvin on Gomez

First of all, thank goodness I wasn't playing the Doug Melvin "and that" drinking game tonight. I swear he hit 20 during that half inning.

Second, this is the third mention I've heard from Doug in the last week how Gomez was rushed to the majors and missed out on some needed development. Like I posted earlier, Carlos has taken what the braintrust is selling and, pun intended, run with it. His line drive rate has seemingly sky-rocketed lately.

Even the casuals that call for getting rid of him have to salivate at what 162 games of that speed can provide the Brewer's offense.

Wow... I don't think I can even blink in the time it takes Gomez to go 1st to 3rd.

If he can get on at a .350 clip, he's worth as much as Braun when you add in his defense.