NL Central Pissing Match - 2011

[Spotcheck Billy]

his shooting arrows in the dugout was also pretty dumb IMO

the consensus at work today is that he was just messing around with the 8th inning comment

[Benny B]

That's not Nyjer Morgan.  That's Tony Plush. 

Exactly... I'm amazed at how many beat writers, anchors, etc. (local and national) are actually falling for the "Tony Plush" bit hook, line and sinker.

Keep the media on it toes, Tony... er, Nyjer.

[BrewCity83]

his shooting arrows in the dugout was also pretty dumb IMO

the consensus at work today is that he was just messing around with the 8th inning comment

I'm pretty sure he came up with that so he wouldn't look like a stat-hound for taking a double on the walk-off.

[mugrad2006]

Crew looked pretty good sweeping the cards.  Top of the NL Central, third best record in baseball. 

A few JV games against the Scrubs and then a real challenge in the AL leading Red Sox.  I just think the Crew has enough hitting depth right now with McGehee so cold and Bettencourt in the lineup to be a real threat in Boston.

[GGGG]

The problem with Bettencourt is that he leads MLB in swinging at first pitches.  I'm sure he has been told this 100 times, but when you suck at hitting, you at least need to make the pitcher work a little bit.

[cheebs09]

I don't know. The less time we have to watch him up at the plate the better.

[NavinRJohnson]

I don't know. The less time we have to watch him up at the plate the better.

I suspect Melvin and staff already have an eye out for potential SSs to pick up as the trade deadline nears. Bring back JJ Hardy?

[Hards Alumni]

I suspect Melvin and staff already have an eye out for potential SSs to pick up as the trade deadline nears. Bring back JJ Hardy?

Josh Wilson is actually playing pretty well.  I'd be okay with giving him a shot if nothing else was available.

The problem with trades for the Brewers, is we don't really have anything to offer.

[GGGG]

Josh Wilson has never been all that good with the glove though.  (Not like Bettancourt is any better though.)  Believe it or not, Counsell is the best option in the field, but a 40 yo can't be your everyday shortstop.

Honestly though, you could deal with it if McGehee weren't playing so poorly.

[Benny B]

Josh Wilson is actually playing pretty well.  I'd be okay with giving him a shot if nothing else was available.

The problem with trades for the Brewers, is we don't really have anything to offer.

Nothing dispensable to offer, any way.  They could make a blockbuster trade (e.g. Reyes) using Mat Gamel as a cornerstone, but I couldn't see Doug Melvin doing that unless he's got a commitment from Fielder (which they don't), a plan B in AAA (which they don't), or is thinking of making a splash on the FA market this fall (which they won't).

[MerrittsMustache]

Nothing dispensable to offer, any way.  They could make a blockbuster trade (e.g. Reyes) using Mat Gamel as a cornerstone, but I couldn't see Doug Melvin doing that unless he's got a commitment from Fielder (which they don't), a plan B in AAA (which they don't), or is thinking of making a splash on the FA market this fall (which they won't).

Unless Melvin thinks the Brewers can win the WS this season with Betancourt at SS or in the new couple of seasons without Prince, he should make a move for a new SS, even if it means giving up Gamel.

From an outsider's perspective, the Brewers need to go for it this season. Losing Prince changes the complexion of the whole team, particularly since Braun's numbers should dip somewhat next season (teams will pitch around him without Prince protecting him). They also traded away a lot of young talent to get Grienke and Marcum and, despite those guys entering their prime, the team's small window is closing. Marcum and Gallardo are solid #2-3 pitchers but Grienke is a headcase who I wouldn't trust as the anchor of my staff in a pennant chase, not to mention that he's had one great season, one good season and lots of mediocrity. The Cardinals and Reds should be contenders in the Central for the next few years unless Pujols leaves StL (unlikely) and Dusty ruins the Reds' pitching staff (quite possible) but the relatively weak division is definitely something the Brewers have working in their favor. However, I don't think they can compete with teams like Philly and SF without Prince's big bat in the middle of the order.

That said, take it from someone who has seen his team go for it recently, it's an exciting ride...but it better end with a title. Otherwise, the 2014 Brewers could look a lot like the 2011 Cubs and I wouldn't wish that on anyone (except the Cardinals).

[JWags85]

A few JV games against the Scrubs

LOLZ

[wadesworld]

LOLZ

LOLZ

Philadelphia40   26   .606   
Boston   39   26   .600   .5
Milwaukee   38   29   .567   2.5   
St. Louis   38   29   .567   2.5   
Atlanta   38   29   .567   2.5   
NY Yankees   36   28   .563   3   
San Francisco37   29   .561   3
Arizona   37   30   .552   3.5
Cleveland   35   29   .547   4   
Detroit   36   30   .545   4   
Texas    36   31   .537   4.5
Tampa Bay   35   31   .530   5   
Cincinnati   35   33   .515   6
Seattle   34   33   .507   6.5   
Florida   32   33   .492   7.5   
Pittsburgh   32   33   .492   7.5   
Chicago Sox33   35   .485   8   
Toronto   32   34   .485   8   
NY Mets   32   34   .485   8   
Baltimore   30   33   .476   8.5   
LA Angels   32   36   .471   9   
Colorado   31   35   .470   9   
LA Dodgers   31   37   .456   10   
Washington   30   36   .455   10   
San Diego   30   38   .441   11   
Kansas City   29   37   .439   11   
Oakland   28   39   .418   12.5   
Minnesota   26   39   .400   13.5   
Chicago Cubs26   39   .400   13.5
Houston   25   42   .373   15.5   

[LON]

LOLZ

Dempster owns the Brewers...and the botched suicide squeeze didn't help.

I do like the Crews chances with Gallardo vs. Wells and Greinke vs. Garza

Narveson just had an awesome start, haven't seen Zambrano much besides his annual "We suck" rant.

I still think Brewers leave Chicago no worse than a split, and the optimist says 3-1...

[LON]

LOLZ

Philadelphia40   26   .606   
Boston   39   26   .600   .5
Milwaukee   38   29   .567   2.5   
St. Louis   38   29   .567   2.5   
Atlanta   38   29   .567   2.5   
NY Yankees   36   28   .563   3   
San Francisco37   29   .561   3
Arizona   37   30   .552   3.5
Cleveland   35   29   .547   4   
Detroit   36   30   .545   4   
Texas    36   31   .537   4.5
Tampa Bay   35   31   .530   5   
Cincinnati   35   33   .515   6
Seattle   34   33   .507   6.5   
Florida   32   33   .492   7.5   
Pittsburgh   32   33   .492   7.5   
Chicago Sox33   35   .485   8   
Toronto   32   34   .485   8   
NY Mets   32   34   .485   8   
Baltimore   30   33   .476   8.5   
LA Angels   32   36   .471   9   
Colorado   31   35   .470   9   
LA Dodgers   31   37   .456   10   
Washington   30   36   .455   10   
San Diego   30   38   .441   11   
Kansas City   29   37   .439   11   
Oakland   28   39   .418   12.5   
Minnesota   26   39   .400   13.5   
Chicago Cubs26   39   .400   13.5
Houston   25   42   .373   15.5   

A much more succinct reply than mine...LOLZ indeed.

Also funny:  Peter Gammons calling Wrigley Field a dump.

[GGGG]

I thought the Brewers, instead of playing the infield in with one out in the 8th, should have walked Ramirez and tried to set up the double play with Soto.

And I really can't blame Loe for that one...Barney's single was pretty weak and Pena's double should have been caught.

Also funny:  Peter Gammons calling Wrigley Field a dump.

Amazing that in just a few years that place has gone from "iconic" to "white elephant."  The Cubs should have tried to get out of there when the money was flowing.  Now?  Illinois is broke and the stadium doesn't generate any income.

[JWags85]

I don't think a single Cubs fan is going to argue that they have a good squad this year, and personally, despite being diehard, this is the earliest I've mentally accepted that no good will come of this season.  That being said, its just amusing that Brewers fans assume they would stroll in for a sweep.  As bad as the Cubs are, the series is tied for the year.

And I'm surprised Gammons could stop gushing over the Red Sox long enough to comment on anything but the AL East.

[MerrittsMustache]

Amazing that in just a few years that place has gone from "iconic" to "white elephant."  The Cubs should have tried to get out of there when the money was flowing.  Now?  Illinois is broke and the stadium doesn't generate any income.

The problem isn't the stadium, it's the team and the owner. Fans are fed up with seeing a pathetic product on the field and Ricketts doesn't seem to care and keeps raising ticket prices, so fans have stopped going (the club also made some major marketing errors, but that's another issue). It's much easier for the owner and GM to turn the decreased attendance into a stadium issue than it is for them to admit that the fans are getting fed up with the owner and GM, especially when said owner is begging for money for upgrades and said GM has assembled a terrible, $100M team.

The days of Cubs fans only caring about getting drunk and enjoying a day in the sun are gone. Cubs fans want to win. Meanwhile the owner wants to find easy ways to create revenue as opposed to actually attempting to assemble a winning team.

[NavinRJohnson]

 That being said, its just amusing that Brewers fans assume they would stroll in for a sweep.  

Who exactly assumed that?

[GGGG]

The problem isn't the stadium, it's the team and the owner. Fans are fed up with seeing a pathetic product on the field and Ricketts doesn't seem to care and keeps raising ticket prices, so fans have stopped going (the club also made some major marketing errors, but that's another issue). It's much easier for the owner and GM to turn the decreased attendance into a stadium issue than it is for them to admit that the fans are getting fed up with the owner and GM, especially when said owner is begging for money for upgrades and said GM has assembled a terrible, $100M team.

I think clearly the attendance issue is because the on-field product stinks.  And my observation is that Ricketts made a huge blunder by not cleaning house when he bought the team, or at the end of last year.  Hendry should have been gone, but I guess since he made the mess, he gets to clean it up. 

I view the stadium as more of a revenue issue.  No way to generate money.  I mean that Toyota sign that he had to fight for?  That would have been installed at 29 other ballparks around the country without the hassle.

If the Yankees can replace their stadium, the Cubs should be able to replace theirs.

[MerrittsMustache]

I think clearly the attendance issue is because the on-field product stinks.  And my observation is that Ricketts made a huge blunder by not cleaning house when he bought the team, or at the end of last year.  Hendry should have been gone, but I guess since he made the mess, he gets to clean it up. 

I view the stadium as more of a revenue issue.  No way to generate money.  I mean that Toyota sign that he had to fight for?  That would have been installed at 29 other ballparks around the country without the hassle.

If the Yankees can replace their stadium, the Cubs should be able to replace theirs.

I'd have no problem with Wrigley being replaced. I just don't want to see them mess with the current Wrigley until it's unrecognizable.

BTW, that Toyota sign looks awful.

[🏀]

I'd have no problem with Wrigley being replaced. I just don't want to see them mess with the current Wrigley until it's unrecognizable.

BTW, that Toyota sign looks awful.

Build a new stadium, play at Wrigley on weekends and holidays. Problem solved.

[GGGG]

You can't finance a stadium by taking out a quarter of its most lucrative gates a year.  Not to mention keeping Wrigley from becomming a rat-infested dump.

[JWags85]

Who exactly assumed that?

Terming them "JV games" sort of implied it.

[Benny B]

Terming them "JV games" sort of implied it.

I inferred the JV statement as simply playing an inferior team, not as playing the Washington Generals.  Even inferior teams win a few games here and there... for example:

Pittsburgh beat the Giants twice last year.
Baltimore beat the Yankees five times in 2009.
Washington beat the Phillies six times in 2008.
etc.