Loving it

Hey guys! Whats going on????? You bastards started spring training yet? Yeah we didn't either. Philadelphia fucking rocks guys. I tell you what... after spending 10 years in Milwaukee getting tail all over the place, from Bayview all the way to fucking Sheboygen, my options were pretty much exhuasted. Let me tell you - the Philadelphia ladies love themselves some Geoff Jenkins! God damn there are some fine bitches here! I'M GEOFF JENKINS, WHO'S NEXT???!!!!!!

All the players here are really cool too. Ryan and Chase haven't returned my calls and J-Roll has been on vacation for the last 3 months, but everyone else is cool. Well actually the only person I've talked to yet is Jamie Moyer- and he's the coolest shit ever.

Anyways, see you guys this spring. I have to go to a new club opening. Jamie said he'll get my name on the list. Later bitches!

We can agree on one thing Mr. Suppan

"Yeah I hated Johnny Estrada too."

Good God Man

What???
I'll try to handle this great article Fire Joe Morgan style (why do I care what an MSN reporter writes? Because I feel like it.). Here is, Tracy Ringolsby's take on the 2008 Brewers. Ringolsby's article in bold, my coments in regular font.

What has changed: With the signing of CF Mike Cameron, Brewers feel they have beefed up defense because Bill Hall, converted from second base a year ago, now moves from center to third base, and defensively challenged Ryan Braun can move to left field.

Great, great start to the article. 2nd base? Bill Hall played CF all year last year. In 2006 he played 4 games at 2B. In 2005 he played 23 games at 2B. And by adding a gold glove CF (say what you will about the award) and replacing quite possibly the worst fielding 3B, you don't feel that you have upgraded your defense...you have upgraded your defense.

Battle Front: The Brewers are set with RHPs Ben Sheets and Jeff Suppan in the rotation, and have six candidates for three remaining jobs — RHPs Yovani Gallardo, Carlos Villanueva, David Bush and Claudio Vargas, and LHPs Chris Capuano and Manny Parra.

I forgot about all the talk about Yovani being in the bullpen...oh wait there was none.

Story line: Young team looks to build off frustrations of late-season fade.

The Brewers had an above .500 record in Sept. Maybe by late season he meant "post-May"

Strength: The Brewers can put numbers on the board in a hurry. This young team set a franchise record with a major league-leading 231 home runs last year, and Braun, who hit 34 home runs, was only in the big leagues four months.

Leading the league in HRs is a great stat, finishing in the middle of the pack in runs scored is probably a better one.

Weakness: The Brewers are taking a $10 million gamble that Eric Gagne can magically transform back into a dominant closer to make up for loss of Francisco Cordero, who was one of the best closers in baseball last year. If the gamble goes bust, the option is Derrick Turnbow.

Here we go. The Eric Gagne story. If you asked my Mother (god bless her) about Eric Gagne, she would probably say something similar to our man Tracy...because she, like Tracy loosely follows baseball. Lets look at some Eric Gagne stats from last year.

• With Texas- 33 IP, 29Ks, 2.16 ERA, 1.05 WHIP
• With Boston- 18 IP, 22 Ks, 14 ERs

Here is the thing - 10 of the earned runs in Boston occurred in THREE games (2.1 innings). So despite what the Boston media (ESPN/Bill Simmons) will lead you to believe, the majority of criticism of Gagne is the result of 2.1 innings. So by "magically transform" one must assume that Tracy means "plays like last year."

Sleeper: C Jason Kendall is a critical addition. He's not the offensive factor he used to be, and there were eyebrows raised when the Brewers signed him, but that should be rewarded because of his clubhouse leadership and ability to help the pitching staff work through games.

I don't know who raised an eyebrow when Kendall was signed. Estrada's days were numbered, and Kendall puts up similar stats as Estrada did last year. And clubhouse leadership and pitching staff help? I guess. Might as well call him a grinder while we are throwing useless cliches out --and see what sticks.

Off-season deals: Signed free agents RHP Eric Gagne, CF Mike Cameron, C Jason Kendall, RHPs David Riske and Salomon Torres, and OF Gabe Kapler. Traded C Johnny Estrada to Mets for RHP Guillermo Mota. Lost free agent RHPs Francisco Cordero and Scott Linebrink, and OFs Geoff Jenkins and Kevin Mench.

Very good Tracy! Now that is top notch research right there, and pretty much the only true statement in the entire article.

Summary: GM Doug Melvin brought in a veteran presence to try and help the Brewers take the next step — from contender to postseason celebrant. In the NL Central, even with glaring bullpen question, that could be enough.

Is it possible to bring in non-veteran presence? Not a lot of free agent 22 year olds out there. And what is this glaring bullpen question we are talking about? Gagne? As noted earlier, 5 minutes on Baseball-Reference.com will set you straight on that. Is he talking about new additions of Mota, Riske, and Torres? Complaining about the loss of Aquino and Matt Wise? Or is he simply comparing the Brewers to the other great bullpens in the NL Central-- Cubs? Reds? Pirates? Astros? Yeah, I didn't think so either.

Whoops

per Deadspin (among other blogs)

The Rising Sun Flag is the military flag of Japan. It had been used as the ensign of the Imperial Japanese Navy and the war flag of the Imperial Japanese Army until the end of World War II. It is also presently the ensign of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the war flag of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

This flag is often considered offensive in countries which were victims of Japanese hostility, particularly China, Australia, United States and the Koreas, where it is seen as alarming, nationalistic and hostile (Wikipedia).

Another advantage of only signing Americans and former steroid users is you don't have to worry about your PR

Leave me alone

So the Brewers sign Mike Cameron, and again I hear my name. "I hope we didn't just sign another Jeffrey Hammonds.

Well I have one thing to say to: Fuck that.

I mean come on, I had my career year in 2000, in a contract year, in Colorado, at age 29. Hmmm...what would be the logical conclusion? Steriods? Colorado? No, you guys decided the best conclusion you could come to is that at age 29 I learned how to play baseball...and signed me for $7 Mil per year!

.

Come on...did you expect me to take you from 73 wins to the World fucking Series? Don't be a douche. It didn't matter if I batted .257 and played in only 47 games (which I did), or if I batted .400 and played in every game (which, I obviously did not). I did not matter. Hell, if anything you should be thanking me for running Dean Taylor out of town.

.

So the next time you sign a player, keep my name out of it. I got paid, helped your team move on, and most importantly...I got paid.

.

Did I mention that I got paid?

Good question Tom

In today's JS, Haudricourt asks a good question. Assuming that the rotation is Sheets-Yo-Soup-Carlos V., who gets the other spot?
JS Online
Of the four remaining candidates for the final spot, who do you like?
LHP Chris Capuano?
RHP Dave Bush?
RHP Claudio Vargas?
LHP Manny Parra?
Capuano, Bush and Vargas all were in the starting rotation at the start of last season. But, again, barring injuries, it appears only one will be included this year. Which one would you choose and why?
Let the debate begin.

I think that most can agree that Vargas will either be traded or be the most expensive mop-up guy in MLB history. That leaves 3 guys. In the spirit of Gabe Kapler....I'm going to suggest an alternative to the above.

That my friend, is Steve Sparks. Not to be confused with Milwaukee radio legend Sparky, Former Reds Manager Sparky Anderson, or Mall Rats bully Steve Dave. We are talking former Brewer Steve Sparks.

A couple reasons why this needs to happen:

1. The Kapler signing proved that Melvin has no problem signing "washed" up players who have taken a couple years off from the game. Spark's arm has been rested, and is ready to go.
2. What do the 2004 and 2007 World Series champs have in common? You might say well, they were both the Boston Red Sox...but you're not looking deep enough. They both featured a KNUCKLEBALL pitcher.
3. Steve Sparks is a KNUCKLEBALL pitcher.

There you have it my friends, Steve Sparks won 9 games and had 3 Complete games as a Brewer...why can't he do it again? He's too old you say? He is a knuckleballer! They never get too old!

Oh, and did I mention that he dislocated his shoulder trying to rip a phone book in half?

So on the plus side:

• He will eat innings, pitch complete games and give the other team a change of pace from our current staff
• He is available, presumably at league minimum

On the negative side:

• He might tear a phone book in half trying to motivate the team

Well, I think its a pretty easy call.

Sunglasses at night? Fuck you.

Yeah thats right, fuck you. That was really original, asking me if I wear sunglasses......at night! Fucking hillarious Seinfeld. Did you come up with that one yourself or did your boyfriend help you? You sack of douches.

-

Ump -- hold your shit. Corey Hart bats when Corey Hart wants to bat.

Do I like the song? Hell yeah I like the song, but that isn't the point. I'm not going to wear sunglasses at night just like I'm not NOT going to bang your Mom tonight. Yeah thats right, suck on that double negative you dumbass.

I'm going to go bat, when I come back you and your cockgobbler boyfriend better have those goddamed shades off before I kick your ass Kentucky style.

Douche

I'm glad we traded Rolen

I always hated that guy. I think he was an atheist too. I think Glaus will really help our team.

Cubs Rumors

Cubs Rumors that I have recently heard:

• Cubs trade Matt Murton and prospects for Brian Roberts and Erik Bedard
• Cubs trade Matt Murton for Adam Dunn
• Cubs trade Matt Murton and Ronny Cedano for Miguel Cabrera (who will be LF)
• Cubs trade Sean Marshall (and Matt Murton) for Johan Santana

More to come I'm sure.

Hardy & Bush each seek $3M

Per Tom Haudricourt

Nothing too surprising. They both want about $3M and the Brewers offers are close to that. I would assume they will come to an agreement and not have to face arbitration.

This is a big year for J.J. Last year he proved he was a Major League ballplayer, this year he needs to prove that he can put it all together. With Alcides Escobar probably 1-2 years away you have to think that either he or Hardy will be gone at some point. Will they eventually let J.J. walk and go with Escobar or trade Escobar for an established guy down the stretch (ala Will Inman)??

I think a lot depends on whether or not J.J. puts together a solid and consistent year in 2008. His OBP was only .323 last year (12th in the NL among SS) and he will never be a threat to steal.

He did hit a lot of HRs...but outside of that? If he can can improve his OBP in 2008 like he improved his HRs in 2007....watch out.


As for Dave Bush, he is one of the more confusing pitchers that I have watch extensively. Fantastic K/BB ratio but never seems to put it together.

I would classify his starts in 3 different categories (in order of frequency).
1. Goes 5 innings. 7Ks, 1ER. 6th Inning - Gets shelled
2. Gets shelled
3. Goes 8 innings. 12Ks, 2 ER.

I guess thats why he is going to make less money than Claudio Vargas.

I think I broke a nail

Hey guys! Get over here. I think I broke a nail. Hey! Where are you going? I seriously just broke a nail. This hurts like hell. What am I going to do? Jesus lord of mercy its starting to bleed. What the hell is going on in this world when at one moment a guy is trying to clean his cleats and the next moment his left thumb is in agonizing pain. Good god it hurts!

Christ, its starting to become a blister. I hate blisters.