SI has the Crew winning 84 games, 9 games behind the Cubs and 5 out of the Wild Card. Douchebag John Heyman does the Milwaukee writeup which includes these two nuggets:
Now the Brewers have "the nucleus," and everyone from Glendale to Waukesha to Hales Corners (and plenty of places outside the Wisconsin borders, really) knows who forms it...
Last I checked, Brewer games are broadcasted, written, and talked about through means of communication that stretch well beyond a 10 mile radius of Miller Park.
The athletic Weeks -- with whom Randolph, a former All-Star second baseman, worked closely this year -- has yet to tap his potential...
Yostradamas, Part II?
Showing posts with label CNNSI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CNNSI. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
"He's a good athlete for a 6-5 white kid..."
I love scout-talk. Especially when it's unnamed scouts, they're brutally honest. A few highlights from this CNNSI article about the NBA prospects of 40 college players. No mention of anybody from MU or UW.
Austin Daye, 6-11 sophomore forward, Gonzaga: "This kid will get you fired. Soft? He invented soft. Jeff Adrien cold cocked him when they played UConn, and he spent the rest of the game behind the three-point line. I'm not denying he has a high skill level, but you better surround him with a lot of bullies."
Michael Bramos, 6-5 senior swingman, Miami (Ohio): "He's going to make money playing basketball, but I'll be shocked if someone drafts him. He can't create at all on his own. He's a good athlete for a 6-5 white kid, but he's not a special athlete and he's not a special shooter."
Jarvis Varnardo, 6-9 junior center, Mississippi State: "I'm not a huge fan. He still gets killed inside. He's great on the weak side, but he can't guard on the ball because he gets pushed around too much. Somebody will probably take him in the second round, but he reminds me of Solomon Jones, the kid from South Florida who's not with the Atlanta Hawks. Solomon hasn't done anything to prove he's an NBA player, and his contract is getting ready to end."
Hasheem Thabeet, 7-3 junior center, UConn: "Of course I love his size, the way he runs, how hard he plays, the way he blocks shots, but I just can't get excited about a guy who's never going to be able to put the ball in the basket. In the NBA, they exploit your weaknesses. He won't be able to score against a 6-10, 6-11 NBA center. He can catch and score when he's open, but I don't really see much improvement in his post skills. He'll be a Mutombo type player who will probably be drafted in the top five, but he's not a star in our league."
Austin Daye, 6-11 sophomore forward, Gonzaga: "This kid will get you fired. Soft? He invented soft. Jeff Adrien cold cocked him when they played UConn, and he spent the rest of the game behind the three-point line. I'm not denying he has a high skill level, but you better surround him with a lot of bullies."
Michael Bramos, 6-5 senior swingman, Miami (Ohio): "He's going to make money playing basketball, but I'll be shocked if someone drafts him. He can't create at all on his own. He's a good athlete for a 6-5 white kid, but he's not a special athlete and he's not a special shooter."
Jarvis Varnardo, 6-9 junior center, Mississippi State: "I'm not a huge fan. He still gets killed inside. He's great on the weak side, but he can't guard on the ball because he gets pushed around too much. Somebody will probably take him in the second round, but he reminds me of Solomon Jones, the kid from South Florida who's not with the Atlanta Hawks. Solomon hasn't done anything to prove he's an NBA player, and his contract is getting ready to end."
Hasheem Thabeet, 7-3 junior center, UConn: "Of course I love his size, the way he runs, how hard he plays, the way he blocks shots, but I just can't get excited about a guy who's never going to be able to put the ball in the basket. In the NBA, they exploit your weaknesses. He won't be able to score against a 6-10, 6-11 NBA center. He can catch and score when he's open, but I don't really see much improvement in his post skills. He'll be a Mutombo type player who will probably be drafted in the top five, but he's not a star in our league."
Friday, January 16, 2009
Baseball Salary Cap Wouldn't Work?
According to this guy, a baseball salary cap (which everybody I know wants) wouldn't work. Slicing up the current numbers, a realistic cap and floor would be $103 million and $75 million, respectively. The author claims the system would crumble because some teams can't afford a $75 payroll, and would have to shell out way too much money for crappy players just to reach the floor. Plus, there's been more than enough parity over the last decade, a salary cap is unnecessary even if it would work. An interesting read. DEBATE.
Article.
Article.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Brewers Hot Stove From CNNSI.com
From Baseball Prospectus, via CNNSI.com. Debate.
What Do They Have?
Even if CC Sabathia leaves, there's enough good stuff in-house or on the way up to leave Brewers fans relatively optimistic about the next several seasons, if not so much for 2009. With shortstop Alcides Escobar, catcher Angel Salome and slugger Mat Gamel all nearly ready, an outstanding young core in the lineup is about to become better still.
What Do They Need?
They need pitching, especially starting pitching. Despite pushing their way into the playoff picture the last two seasons the Brewers' bid on future contention is highly contingent on their ability to retain or replace at least one of their free-agent aces, Sabathia and Ben Sheets. The despair creeping into GM Doug Melvin's public pronouncements on the subject of Sabathia betray a sense of how fragile their immediate chances of keeping up with the Cubs in the division are.
What Are They Likely To Do?
They'll offer every cent they can to try and keep Sabathia, because Sheets won't fill the bill, nor will any of the other realistic alternatives on the market. Failing that, 2009 becomes a bit of a re-gearing year for the franchise. Either way they'll dangle Escobar because they already have a slick-fielding shortstop with some sock in J.J. Hardy, and offering either around would be their best tack in trade talks. Whatever the outcome on Sabathia they'll wind up taking their chances on the lead-gloved Gamel as their third baseman and await the arrival of Salome to provide an upgrade over Jason Kendall behind the plate.
What Should They Do?
Signing Kerry Wood to make the rivalry with the Cubs that much more of a grudge match would make things interesting. With the surplus of young talent in the organization, sneaking into the Peavy negotiations might be plausible, if only because the Padres need young talent. As far as additional action items, they need to make Mike Cameron a Yankee before the Bombers think better of it. If they settle for young pitching and Melky Cabrera in exchange, they're still left to deal with the question of whether and when second baseman Rickie Weeks is ever going to settle in; if they put together a package to get Robinson Cano from New York, they can answer that question by making Weeks their center fielder to replace Cameron. Whether they keep Sabathia or not they need to take a risk on a journeyman starter from among Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia and Jon Lieber to help round out a rotation otherwise stocked with question marks.
What Do They Have?
Even if CC Sabathia leaves, there's enough good stuff in-house or on the way up to leave Brewers fans relatively optimistic about the next several seasons, if not so much for 2009. With shortstop Alcides Escobar, catcher Angel Salome and slugger Mat Gamel all nearly ready, an outstanding young core in the lineup is about to become better still.
What Do They Need?
They need pitching, especially starting pitching. Despite pushing their way into the playoff picture the last two seasons the Brewers' bid on future contention is highly contingent on their ability to retain or replace at least one of their free-agent aces, Sabathia and Ben Sheets. The despair creeping into GM Doug Melvin's public pronouncements on the subject of Sabathia betray a sense of how fragile their immediate chances of keeping up with the Cubs in the division are.
What Are They Likely To Do?
They'll offer every cent they can to try and keep Sabathia, because Sheets won't fill the bill, nor will any of the other realistic alternatives on the market. Failing that, 2009 becomes a bit of a re-gearing year for the franchise. Either way they'll dangle Escobar because they already have a slick-fielding shortstop with some sock in J.J. Hardy, and offering either around would be their best tack in trade talks. Whatever the outcome on Sabathia they'll wind up taking their chances on the lead-gloved Gamel as their third baseman and await the arrival of Salome to provide an upgrade over Jason Kendall behind the plate.
What Should They Do?
Signing Kerry Wood to make the rivalry with the Cubs that much more of a grudge match would make things interesting. With the surplus of young talent in the organization, sneaking into the Peavy negotiations might be plausible, if only because the Padres need young talent. As far as additional action items, they need to make Mike Cameron a Yankee before the Bombers think better of it. If they settle for young pitching and Melky Cabrera in exchange, they're still left to deal with the question of whether and when second baseman Rickie Weeks is ever going to settle in; if they put together a package to get Robinson Cano from New York, they can answer that question by making Weeks their center fielder to replace Cameron. Whether they keep Sabathia or not they need to take a risk on a journeyman starter from among Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia and Jon Lieber to help round out a rotation otherwise stocked with question marks.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Ted Thompson Haters...
...you guys always say TT tried to push Favre out the door? What about this? From Peter King:
"One story that's never been fully told is why Favre returned in 2006, after he was convinced he'd thrown his last pass. A good part of the reason was a visit Thompson made to Hattiesburg, urging Favre to play one more year and to give then-rookie coach McCarthy a chance. The Packers, Thompson told Favre, really needed him. And on that spring day in 2006, Favre decided he'd return. "
"One story that's never been fully told is why Favre returned in 2006, after he was convinced he'd thrown his last pass. A good part of the reason was a visit Thompson made to Hattiesburg, urging Favre to play one more year and to give then-rookie coach McCarthy a chance. The Packers, Thompson told Favre, really needed him. And on that spring day in 2006, Favre decided he'd return. "
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Nervous Ned?
A big article on CNNSI about our fearless leader. Basically says how he's a lightning rod in Milwaukee....good to see this is getting national run. Quotes are from Homer True and the creator of BrewCrewBall.com. For the record, Chuckie Hacks declined the interview. Or wasn't asked...one of the two, I forget. My favorite part?
A couple of his former players have called the manager "Nervous Ned," remarking how he gets uptight in pressure situations late in the season or in close games.
Oh, and I see from his Wikipedia page his real name is Edgar. Sweet.
Monday, May 5, 2008
After Further Review...
CNNSI's John Donovan spent a good part of his winter ripping on the Eric Gagne signing. You can see examples here, here, and here. Unfortunately, now he has fodder to back it up....which he does in today's article. I know Gagne's ran into some bad luck, but a 1.700 WHIP is just asking for trouble.
• Worst free-agent money spent last winter? I'm thinking the $10 million that the Brewers coughed up for Eric Gagne -- who blew a two-run lead and yet another save Sunday by walking in the tying run -- is right up there. It was his fifth (yeesh!) blown save of the season.
• Worst free-agent money spent last winter? I'm thinking the $10 million that the Brewers coughed up for Eric Gagne -- who blew a two-run lead and yet another save Sunday by walking in the tying run -- is right up there. It was his fifth (yeesh!) blown save of the season.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Tom Verducci:Chuckie Hacker?
The last point in his latest article looks awfully familiar. Oh, this is quite the development...
Him:
Believe it or not, Mike Hampton is hurt. And so are Rocco Baldelli, Scott Rolen, Mark Prior, Eric Chavez, Orlando Hernandez, Pedro Martinez, Nomar Garciaparra, Carl Pavano
Me, from this post:
- JD Drew, Prior, Baldelli, Nomar, Pedro, Rolen, Unit, Pavano, and Kelvin Escobar all on the DL. Good to see some things never change.
Him:
Believe it or not, Mike Hampton is hurt. And so are Rocco Baldelli, Scott Rolen, Mark Prior, Eric Chavez, Orlando Hernandez, Pedro Martinez, Nomar Garciaparra, Carl Pavano
Me, from this post:
- JD Drew, Prior, Baldelli, Nomar, Pedro, Rolen, Unit, Pavano, and Kelvin Escobar all on the DL. Good to see some things never change.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Gagne Was A Bad Signing....Take 11
Once again, CNNSI's John Donovan has stated his disgust over the Eric Gagne signing. He's referenced it about 5 times now, and it's not even February.
The repair jobs for a lot of other teams have not gone nearly as smoothly. The Brewers lost closer Francisco Cordero to the Reds, replacing him with Eric Gagne, who comes both with a huge one-year deal ($10 million) and a load of questions about his effectiveness.
Ten teams still searching for answers at key spots
The repair jobs for a lot of other teams have not gone nearly as smoothly. The Brewers lost closer Francisco Cordero to the Reds, replacing him with Eric Gagne, who comes both with a huge one-year deal ($10 million) and a load of questions about his effectiveness.
Ten teams still searching for answers at key spots
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Brewers Had A Terrible Winter...
...according to CNNSI's John Donovan who once again pounds on the Brewers for the Gagne signing. This under the "Worst Winters So Far" category:
2) The Brewers lost their closer (Cordero) and a key setup man (Linebrink), then had to overspend to get Gagne and David Riske to plug the holes.
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