MLB 2018 Season

[MerrittsMustache]

Not to me.  Small market teams have to grow their own pitching talent for the most part.  This year that'll mean Suter, Woodruff and Webb when he's healthy.  Not sure the Crew has enough but we'll see.

True but pitching was out there this offseason. For example, Jake Arrieta signed for less total money than Lorenzo Cain.

[WarriorDad]

RIP Rusty Staub

[MUBurrow]

True but pitching was out there this offseason. For example, Jake Arrieta signed for less total money than Lorenzo Cain.

I think a part of it, though, is that the pitching that was out there either wasn't very good or was unduly risky. Arrieta fought through last year, but his trends look real bad. Lynn hasn't been more than just a guy for awhile and has been hurt. Alex Cobb is extremely injury prone, and at 30, we're still talking more about his potential than his track record.  The Brewers core is stable enough for a couple of years that I think paying those guys big money was high risk for middling reward, and their payroll will always be too small to risk missing on one of those contracts.

That being said, I also wasn't a huge fan of the Cain deal, either. It restricts their financial flexibility for a guy that will be in decline during the middle/second half of the competitive window. I would've preferred to see them take a flyer on a guy like Cam Maybin (actually a year younger than Cain!), not have playing time concerns for Santana, and retain the cash.

[jsglow]

True but pitching was out there this offseason. For example, Jake Arrieta signed for less total money than Lorenzo Cain.

The Brewers are paying Lorenzo $16 per over 5.  Jake is making $25 per over 3.  David Stearns determined he wasn't worth it.  So go argue with him. 

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Not to me.  Small market teams have to grow their own pitching talent for the most part.  This year that'll mean Suter, Woodruff and Webb when he's healthy.  Not sure the Crew has enough but we'll see.

Sure, they have to grow homegrown pitching.  However, the Brewers should have a solid team and not fortifying the rotation when you have a solid offensive core and can compete for a playoff spot doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. 

Any SP free agent acquisition is going to come with risk but considering Nelson is hurt, Davies and Anderson don't have long track records of success, and the inconsistencies that come with youth, it seemed the Brewers missed a prime opportunity to add a solid starter. 

I consider the Twins to be a decent comparison and they traded for Odorizzi and added Lynn.  Those guys certainly aren't aces but they've been solid starters, for the most part. 

[jsglow]

Sure, they have to grow homegrown pitching.  However, the Brewers should have a solid team and not fortifying the rotation when you have a solid offensive core and can compete for a playoff spot doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. 

Any SP free agent acquisition is going to come with risk but considering Nelson is hurt, Davies and Anderson don't have long track records of success, and the inconsistencies that come with youth, it seemed the Brewers missed a prime opportunity to add a solid starter. 

I consider the Twins to be a decent comparison and they traded for Odorizzi and added Lynn.  Those guys certainly aren't aces but they've been solid starters, for the most part.

They signed Chacin. He was 13-10 with a 3.89 last year.

[#UnleashSean]

They signed Chacin. He was 13-10 with a 3.89 last year.

Win lose no Matta?

[BM1090]

Predictions

NL East: Nationals
NL Central: Cubs
NL West: Dodgers

NL Wild Cards: Giants, Brewers

NL Champion: Dodgers


AL East: Red Sox
AL Central: Indians
AL West: Astros

AL Wild Cards: Yankees, Twins

AL Champion: Astros

2018 World Series: Astros over Dodgers in 6

[Vander Blue Man Group]

They signed Chacin. He was 13-10 with a 3.89 last year.

Potentially a solid pick up.  But he pitched in SD and had a 6.53 ERA in his road starts.  The Brewers just seem to be in a place where marginal wins are exceedingly important.  It may work out but I found the lack of attention to the rotation bizarre. 

[MU82]

The play on the ball to the wall was tough - he should have just played it for a double.  The base hit he overran was rough. 

I think I'll let the season surpass a handful of innings before saying his fielding hasn't improved.

Pretty sure he'll still suck out there. But he'll hit some HRs, as he did later today, and Madden will keep throwing him out there.

I actually feel a little sorry for Schwarbs. He's a DH but he has to play outfield.

[#UnleashSean]

 

Pretty sure he'll still suck out there. But he'll hit some HRs, as he did later today, and Madden will keep throwing him out there.

I actually feel a little sorry for Schwarbs. He's a DH but he has to play outfield.

By all accounts he was a pretty good catcher as well.

[GB Warrior]

Potentially a solid pick up.  But he pitched in SD and had a 6.53 ERA in his road starts.  The Brewers just seem to be in a place where marginal wins are exceedingly important.  It may work out but I found the lack of attention to the rotation bizarre.

This is what scares me absent a change to approach to induce ground balls. Not many players do regular damage at Petco (except Ryan Braun).

[LAZER]

Pretty sure he'll still suck out there. But he'll hit some HRs, as he did later today, and Madden will keep throwing him out there.

I actually feel a little sorry for Schwarbs. He's a DH but he has to play outfield.

I'd be pretty disappointed if he can't learn to be just a below average LF (as opposed to a league worst LF).  He certainly seems to have the athletic tools, he just doesn't have a clue out there.

[drewm88]

Nationals
Cubs
Dodgers
Diamondbacks, Phillies

Red Sox
Cleveland
Astros
Yankees, Twins

Cubs over Dodgers
Nationals over Diamondbacks
Red Sox over Astros
Cleveland over Twins

Cubs over Red Sox in 6

[GB Warrior]

I'd be pretty disappointed if he can't learn to be just a below average LF (as opposed to a league worst LF).  He certainly seems to have the athletic tools, he just doesn't have a clue out there.

he looks like a newborn giraffe out there.

[GB Warrior]

This is what scares me absent a change to approach to induce ground balls. Not many players do regular damage at Petco (except Ryan Braun).

[jsglow]

Let me say it.  'Ladies and gentlemen, your FIRST PLACE Milwaukee Brewers!'   

[wadesworld]

Let me say it.  'Ladies and gentlemen, your FIRST PLACE Milwaukee Brewers!'   

Let's all be Chubs fans...Brewers magic number is 160!

[LAZER]

Anyone else surprised Brewers playoff odds on fangraphs was 18% heading into opening day? Seems low.

[Jockey]

Anyone else surprised Brewers playoff odds on fangraphs was 18% heading into opening day? Seems low.

Seems about right to me based on their starting pitchers.

[Anti-Dentite]

Let me say it.  'Ladies and gentlemen, your FIRST PLACE Milwaukee Brewers!'   

the Cubs are running out of time...full panic mode.

[wadesworld]

the Cubs are running out of time...full panic mode.

Not quite. When they start calling games due to rain on 75 degree sunny days then they are in panic mode.

[LAZER]

Not quite. When they start calling games due to rain on 75 degree sunny days then they are in panic mode.

Your hatred for the Cubs inspires me

[#UnleashSean]

Your hatred for the Cubs inspires me

He's basically become a meme.

[wadesworld]

Your hatred for the Cubs inspires me

Is something I said inaccurate or...?