That Wisconsin Wank Guy Is Back . . .

Let the wanking resume. . .

Brewers C+

They're 7 games back, but they've won seven of the last 10, and are no longer dead last in the NL Central. There has been a whole lot of roster moves since I last wanked, where to begin? Well Bill Hall's been demoted to platooning with Russell Branyan, who got called up (again) last week (I'll speak more on that in a minute). With Eric Gagne on the DL, the Brewers have been trying Salomon Torres as the closer with good results so far, (he's got 5 saves now), and the Brewers picked up Boston Red Sox castoff (but ring holder) Julian Tavarez. By the way, Gagne is so bad, it is not even humorous anymore. I mean how much more obvious could it be that an individual player was on steroids at some point? His body is all of the sudden just trying to break down right after he was named in the Mitchell Report and the league got tougher testing policies? Let me not rant and speculate too wild before Buzz Bissinger forces me to put my d#@% in his mouth. And plus I digress. I must also comment about the irony of Bill Hall's situation. Last season he was the man, the guy who always came through in the clutch. So popular with the fans that he appeared on the episode of "The Young and the Restless" with the two other Brewers. Now he's the poster boy for everything that has gone wrong and been underachieved this season. And now he's platooning with Branyan? I'm not sure about his contract situation, but if it's close to being up he might just be up (outta here). One thing I love about the Brewers organization is the deep talent they have managed to develop in their farm system. All the current big dogs on the roster were carefully brought along through it, and it seems to have contributed to their success in The Show. So it tickles me to realize the MLB draft is a week away and the Brewers have 6 of the first 62 picks. Brewers Fanatic has the prediction of who we'll take first.

Packers

There have been major issues with Ryan Grant and the Packers. Well, maybe not major, he just won't sign his tender offer for the standard 1st year player amount ($370,000), says he has to do what is right for him in his situation, which is all fair and good. Players, even second year players, do it all the time when they have an above average season in the year when it just so happens that their contract is up. I'm all for good players maximizing their contracts especially in the NFL where your career could end suddenly and out of nowhere, especially at the running back position where even the most sturdy only average 9 good years (the case of Eddie George is a perfect example). But you also have to consider the other factors that will go into you getting that fat contract that will really set you for life. Like the team you are looking to get that contract from. The Pack has shown a tendency to take care of their consistent performers, but they won't get into contract disputes. You were a fan favorite because of your hard work and determination, but now you pissed half of us off. Man I hope he's not letting his agent jerk him around because the agent will always have a job, Grant on the other hand...

On a totally different vibe, my prayers go out for Aaron Kampman and his family, who were victims of the tornadoes that swept through Iowa last week. Reading that account of how his family is dealing with their loss, I understand where Kampman gets his toughness on the field.

KGB had arthroscopic knee surgery and will be out until at least training camp. It's probable that KGB is in his last days of his career also. Not a bad one altogether, and he managed to get his fat contract.

I have been seeing enough Jason Taylor innuendo lately that I to want to comment on it. It seems to be originating from fan desire to see Taylor in green and gold rather than any actual talk between the two teams regarding a deal. But when I did take some time to think about it a bit I was reminded of a similar case: the Reggie White signing. The move that really pushed the Pack to 2 Super Bowls. Think about it. Both were/are on the tail end of their careers (but still skilled) looking at the last chance to get a ring. Reggie was a free agent, Taylor's is not but everyone knows (or assumes) he would really like to be traded to a contender. No one really thought/thinks there was a chance in hell that either of them would want to play in Green Bay. That being said it's not in TT's MO to make a move like that, even if Justin Harrell is beginning to take on Fridge-like dimensions.

Bucks

NBA lottery teams will soon start bringing in the players on their boards for workouts and the Bucks are no exception. BrewHoop gives the rundown on who will be first up. You can't always decipher who a team is going to pick based on workouts though (remember Yi?). I would be nervous about the Bucks picking any one of those guys. After the Big Two (hold the Mayo! ha ha yeah you liked that) the sureness factor really drops off. One guy I just have a feeling about though is Kevin Love. Doesn't have anything to do with the fact that he said "he would love to come to Milwaukee" he just has that star crossed Robert Horry-type career look. Not going to beat you athletically necessarily but will find a way to outsmart you. Never can have too many of them on a championship team. No trade moves as of yet, but the Michael Redd to Cleveland rumors are still running. It seems that there are some Bucks fans who do not think this is a good idea at all but The Bob Boozer Jinx seeks to put all their fears to rest.

You may have heard of David Stern's comments over the weekend regarding the future of the Bradley Center. The Commish does not forsee a Seattle type situation here but acknowledges that something will need to happen in the next say five years. If you're wondering just how strapped for cash the Senator's team is MJS has an interesting discussion about the Bucks revenue.

Marquette

After not being invited to an NBA pre-draft camp guard Jerel McNeal came crawling back to school for his senior season. Just kidding glad to have him back. Sorry for the news on his NBA prospects though. It doesn't look like many teams are checking for him, even after the standout tournament performance. This will give him one more year to really get it together. And thanks to Marquette we have once again managed to retain our best in-state talent at a state school. Touted Madison area 6'-6" high school recruit Jeronne Maymon has committed to MU. He will give them some athleticism on the wing, something sorely missing from the Crean teams. Now we just need to work on keeping Racine's Jamil Wilson in state.

Niteowl049AAA-er

527 days ago

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The Branyan thing has to really be gnawing for Hall. He is losing at bats to a player who has more homers in minors with 210 than in majors with 124. The Brewers are the eighth team Branyan has played for showing he has not impressed any team too much. He is hitting .292 for the Brewers his highest average ever in the majors but the season isn't over but hit only .196 last season combined while with the Padres, Phillies and Cardinals.

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Niteowl049AAA-er

527 days ago

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Branyan has never had more than 56 RBI's in a season.

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KelsdadAll-Star

527 days ago

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Branyan's been around long enough to have proved his career numbers to be legit. In almost 1900 at bats, he's a career .229 hitter with 766 K's, or one every 2.27 at bats. As a reference, Rob Deer's career strikeout ratio was one every 2.75 at bats. Even Mario Mendoza had a hot streak once in awhile, it's by no means an indication he all of a sudden "gets it." He wasn't called up to replace Hall, he was called up to motivate him. It is possible a deal is in the works for Hall, but that is unlikely at this point considering how long its been since Branyan was called up.

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CoreyisarealboyMajor Leaguer

527 days ago

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During the telecast yesterday, Bill Schroeder was saying the same thing, that Russell Branyan is here to provide a steady bat vs. right handing pitching and nothing more. He added that Bill Hall was the future third basemen of the Brewers. I thought it ironic because the Brewers have their future third basemen still in Double-A, and when he's ready and if Bill Hall's still not hitting, Hall's as good as gone. However, he signed an extension a few years ago that locked him up until 2010, so maybe he won't be gone that easy. Either way, he'll have to start hitting before he makes that contract worth it for any team.

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KelsdadAll-Star

527 days ago

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There's zero chance the Brewers trade Hall to make room for Mat Gamel. He makes Ryan Braun look like a gold glover.

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CoreyisarealboyMajor Leaguer

527 days ago

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So does Bill Hall at times (12 errors in 49 games).

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KelsdadAll-Star

527 days ago

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Doesn't it tell a much bigger story that the Brewers have a kid in Double A (repeating, I might add) hitting .380 something, and they haven't even considered giving him a shot, or even promoting him to Triple A? But they had no problem signing a 32 year old retread who has been released five times by four different teams?

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CheezerAll-Star

527 days ago

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For the record, the average running back career length is 4.35 years.

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AKittellVarsity

527 days ago

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By the way, Bill Hall was awful last year. Two years ago, he was phenomenal. By the end of last season he was getting the same treatment he is now. He had a .315 OBP and only slugged .425. Not really a far cry from what he's doing now. The problem last year is his flaws were being over shadowed by successful years by Braun and Fielder. If Yost hadn't pushed him into a platoon role, I don't think this team does as well as it's doing now and he's probably seriously being considered on the chopping block mid season. As for Hall getting moved, the Brewers have him locked up til 2010 with a club option for 2011 and he's only going to earn roughly $5 mil a year. Don't assume the Brewers haven't been considering the call up of Mat Gamel because they actually did. While Gamel's glove is not exactly spectacular, he's made huge strides. Here's a link to an interview with the AA-Huntsville announcer <A HREF="http://brewe...ian-pollock/">to support this</A>.

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KelsdadAll-Star

527 days ago

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I've seen Gamel play, and he is facking brutal. He will never be an average third baseman. The skills he is lacking can't be fixed. Money, and Jim Gantner, have worked with him on tricks of the trade to minimize his weaknesses, but every day in the field will be a struggle for him, no matter how hard he works.

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AKittellVarsity

526 days ago

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That's a rather hefty evaluation. If they didn't think he could fix it, he probably would have been traded by now.

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KelsdadAll-Star

526 days ago

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Ryan Braun won ROY hitting 30 homers and making 30 errors, so Gamel has value somewhere. He could conceivably be moved to RF, for example. The problem the Brewers have is they are a horrible defensive team across the board, and the guys in the minors are no better. It's hard to take a poor defensive player, like Hall or Braun, and move them off their position, because they will suck no matter where they play, and the guy they call up could be worse. As far as trading goes, he's a Double A player, what are you going to get back for him, another Double A player? Not smart.

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CoreyisarealboyMajor Leaguer

526 days ago

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They wouldn't move him to RF, though, because LaPorta's already there, and you've locked up your left-fielder now for seven more years, so the so-called easy fielding positions are gone. Everything pretty much hangs on Prince Fielder sticking around. If he leaves, then there's a possibility of moving someone to first.

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KelsdadAll-Star

526 days ago

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Gamel likely will be a utility player at the ML level, at best. (Can anyone say "Jack Cust"?) LaPorta likely won't be in Huntsville all year, neither will Cole Gillespie, the LF. By experimenting Gamel in the OF, and at 1B, you are

• a) filling a current need if one or more players is moved,
• b) increasing his value to the ML team,
• c) increasing his trade value

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CoreyisarealboyMajor Leaguer

526 days ago

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Is there any hope to keep Gamel in Milwaukee or is he destined to be trade bait for an AL team looking for a power DH?

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KelsdadAll-Star

526 days ago

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I see no future for him as an NL player, Corey. Like you said, the position he plays now, or likely will be moved to, are taken in Milwaukee for the forseeable future.

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AKittellVarsity

526 days ago

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I'm curious how you already have this one all wrapped up like it's a forgone conclusion. Gamel isn't even 23 yet and has showed remarkable improvement over the last two months. We constantly talk about guys who develop discipline at the plate and the ability to hit the other way as things you pick up with experience. Defense, in my opinion, is no different. Gamel will never be an above average 3B with the glove. He probably won't even be average, but he will be a far cry from the worst in the league if he's allowed to develop for a year or two. What I read from the scouts and through the Huntsville website is that Gamel has all of the tools, but falters with the footwork. This causes his arm to drop and results in an airmail.

Not so sure about the so-called 'tricks' you're talking Kels, but the 'trick' is hard work, good teachers and repetition. If there were tricks, you think they'd be teaching them a lot earlier. Every team would take a look at Gamel if the Brewers put him on the block because his bat is major league ready. If the Brewers were completely desperate and moved Hall, they would have no problem bringing up Gamel. They did it last year with similar info on Ryan Braun and his bat more than made up for the biffs in the field.

Gamel isn't getting moved anywhere. He's staying at third and is a far cry from Jack Cust, who is an OF that never showed this type of dominance in his minor league career and spent six years in AAA before really being given a shot because the OF pool is much much bigger.

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KelsdadAll-Star

526 days ago

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A foregone conclusion. You mean like Russell Branyan?

"Gamel will never be an above average 3B with the glove. He probably won't even be average"

Isn't that what I said?

but falters with the footwork.

You can't teach footwork. You either have it, or you don't. You can improve on what you have, but Gamel won't ever be a candidate for Dancing with the Stars.

The "tricks" are positioning, cheating out of the glove so the transition into the throwing position is quicker, things like that. Robin Yount spend quite a bit of time last fall teaching Matt LaPorta outfield tricks, he's better, but he'll never be a good OF. Decent, maybe, but he's no Mike Cameron.

Gamel is in his fifth full minor league season, and is repeating Double A, despite being a league all-star last year.

Sounds exactly like Jack Cust, if you ask me.

Experience and knowledge tells me that if Gamel makes the Major Leagues, he will not be a regular player, his lack of defense will keep him on the bench more often than not. And besides, the Brewers are already loaded with below average defenders, if they call someone up, or sign someone as a free agent, it will be someone who can catch the ball.

Like Russell Branyan.

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AKittellVarsity

526 days ago

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How is it possible not to fix footwork? This is far from ignorance speaking here. It's just as mechanical as an arm slot or making the right first step. Those are tricks you're taught in the very early stages of your career and Gamel has not moved from his spot.

The Jack Cust thing is still out of the question. OFs are relatively a dime a dozen, while 3B prospects are not. I'm looking at 3B right now and see guys like Jorge Cantu, Bill Hall and Joe Crede who are awful in the field and not particularly impressive at the plate yet get shots year after year.

Below average defensively is the key to my statement. If you put all of his skills together, he will be an every day guy right in the middle of the pack with a big offensive upside. As for the Brewers being below average defenders: Cameron, Hart and Hardy are all above average defenders. Weeks has worked his way to average if not just a little below, but not very far off. Every one else is below average, including Bill Hall. Replacing him with Gamel is not that big of a change on the defensive side of things.

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AKittellVarsity

526 days ago

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Note, you said Gamel will never be an every day 3B and will get moved so he can increase his value. That's what I have a problem with. I'm not saying he'll be a phenom in the field, but the upside at the plate and the improvement he makes over the next two years will keep him at 3B as an every day player, but if that needs to be at the big league level, he's not a far cry from what we already have.

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KelsdadAll-Star

526 days ago

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"Those are tricks you're taught in the very early stages of your career"

And he hasn't learned them yet, why? Because footwork is not mechanical, it's physical. You can either do it or not. Shortstops with bad footwork become third baseman, third baseman with bad footwork become designated hitters.

In sports, the difference between a mechanical movement and a natural movement define fundamentals. Pitchers mechanics, hitters mechanics. The act of performing. Footwork is reactionary, the ball is hit, you move. Which makes it a physical, or natural movement.

Jorge Cantu is a second baseman converted to third, this year. Bad example. Crede is at least average, and and if you look at Hall throughout his career at third, so is he. The sample is pretty small, (around 100 games), but he is certainly better than Braun, or Gamel at this point.

Weeks is below average, Hardy just above, as is Hart. Everyone else is embarrassing.

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KelsdadAll-Star

526 days ago

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I stand by the statement, AKittell. You're assuming he will improve over the next two years, yet his performance over the past three years makes that unlikely. He's a five year minor league veteran repeating Double A. Top prospects don't often repeat Double A, and they certainly don't repeat Double A, hit .384 the first two months, and get passed over for a promotion by a guy who has been released five times and has a career .229 average.

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SSreportersLegend

526 days ago

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Your comment on site scout just read:

I stand by the statement, AKittell. You"re ass...

Funny it is not, but very odd.:-)

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KelsdadAll-Star

526 days ago

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haha, good one, SS!!

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AKittellVarsity

526 days ago

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Kels... Gamel is NOT repeating AA. He was in Brevard County last year which is A+ ball, unless Baseball-Reference is lying to me. The footwork, no matter how bad can be improved and has, especially this year according to everything I've read on the guy this year. If your theory was the end all be all, I imagine the Brewers would have given up on him by now and shoved him to second or first base.

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KelsdadAll-Star

526 days ago

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I stand corrected.

Your comments show a lack of knowledge regarding the game. Your basis for this debate is informtion taken from an interview with the team's announcer, for crying out loud. My experiences with minor league announcers is they work for the team at night, and have regular jobs during the day, or they are college kids trying to break into the business. Either way, they are hardly qualified to their opinions.

Will Gamel play in the major leagues? I don't know, to be honest. His numbers last year in A ball weren't that good. If he hits .380 and makes 40 errors, then, yes, he probably will. If he hits .280 with 40 errors, then he has no shot.

It's really pointless to argue about a player you've never seen, don't you think?

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AKittellVarsity

526 days ago

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An attack on my lack of knowledge will only be questioned by the end of this debate which is two years from now. The problem with your argument against the interview is that this guy has been working in baseball for 20 years for two different organizations. It'd be different if it was some local guy who does nothing, but this guy does baseball and only baseball. Your knowledge is based off of experience and knowledge, but your assumptions have been wrong or at the very best questionable. Time will only tell on this one.

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KelsdadAll-Star

526 days ago

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All assumptions are questionable, are they not?

Bottom line is you're are basing your opinion on someone else's words, the opinion is not your own. That in itself shows lack of knowledge. You can't have an informed opinion of someone unless you have either one of two things, and preferably both; an above average understanding of the game and what scouts look for in a player, and/or unrefutable sources. And that is sources as in more than one. While it maybe true the broadcaster is a 20 year vet, he's still a minor league broadcaster. Now if you said you heard it from Bob Uecker, that would infinitely add to your opinion, because even though it is only one source, it is, in fact, unrefuteable.

Third baseman with bad footwork do not become second baseman. That's basic. Bad footwork is physical, it is not mechanical. That is also basic.

You know a strike from a ball, you know right field from left. That's not what I meant by knowledge. I apologize if you took offense to my statement.

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AKittellVarsity

526 days ago

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I suggested those positions not because of the footwork or the mechanics but because those were the only two positions the Brewers had any reason to send him. The outfield is a log jam in the system already, especially with Braun's new contract and Hart possibly signing a similar deal. He's at least interested. As for the question of scouts... I imagine you've got maybe one or two games under your belt of seeing Gamel. Let me know if you've seen Gamel the past month and tell me if you see any improvement. Until then, all you have is what you saw then, not now. It's like watching Weeks two years ago and telling me he'd never amount to a serviceable second baseman, but then look what I found! (Not talking you and me, but what a bunch of scouts said when they said he was moving to the OF) A perfectly serviceable 2B with exceptional range and a quality arm. Weeks hasn't had an error on a routine play all year and has only struggled with the turn on the DP, where two of his errors have occurred.

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KelsdadAll-Star

526 days ago

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The work that Money and Gantner have done with Gamel, plus whatever extra fielding practice he takes during the season has paid off. But as I said, they are tweaking other aspects of his game to overcome or lessen the effect his footwork has on his defense, they didn't necessarily improve his footwork. Cheating off the ball, learning how to play hitters in certain counts, making adjustments to certain intangibles the casual fan would never think of like the type of dirt in the infield all play a part in helping a player improve. How many times have you heard baseball is more of a mental game than a physical one?

He's made 11 errors in 55 games so far, a vast improvement over last year but still on pace for 31 for the season, which is still significantly below average.

I've seen him far more than twice, but in intra squad games or "B" games in the spring. That said, the competition there is better than what he faces in the minor leagues. The major league game is significantly faster than the minors, thus any weakness is intensified. ML players will also take advantage of a players weakness, until it no longer is. If Gamel gets called up tomorrow, how long do you think it will be before word gets around the league he can't field? Opposing teams would bunt him to death.

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TheruffianVarsity Captain

526 days ago

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Wow, I feel like I learned something just reading your guy's comments (as I have said before I am an extremely casual baseball fan but I comment on the Brewers because I love all Wisconsin teams). Thank you learned gentlemen for gracing my humble article.

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KelsdadAll-Star

526 days ago

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And don't believe for one second Weeks won't eventually end up in center.

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AKittellVarsity

526 days ago

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Weeks will not end up in center, especially with zero depth in the minor league system and the Brewers' uncanny need to stick with their young guys. Have you seen Gamel this year outside of the "B" squad games? Because you're trying to tell me you know what Money and Gantner have done like you saw it first hand. Those intangibles are things you are told, but don't believe till they payoff, so those are plausible reasons for his improvement. But again, the Brewers had no problem moving LaPorta to the outfield and Hall to center. Unless the scouts are missing something, don't you think they would have moved him by now either in a trade or to a different position? What insider information do you have that the organization doesn't?

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KelsdadAll-Star

526 days ago

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"Because you're trying to tell me you know what Money and Gantner have done like you saw it first hand."

I have.

"Those intangibles are things you are told"

No, they come from knowing the game.

Why would they move or trade him unless the Brewers are 100% certain he can't perform at the ML level? All I did was speculate to the possibility. I never said with 100% certainty he would move. I never said with 100% certainty he would be traded.

If a guy is poor defensively, then isn't the only option to experiment at a different position? The Brewers moved LaPorta because he was poor defensively at his primary position. They moved him again this year for the same reason, AND because they have a guy on his team better than he is, (Cole Gillespie). They also moved him before they made the decision to move Braun, at the time they felt Braun could play 3B.

I don't believe Gamel will play defense well enough to be a ML regular at 3B. That is my opinion.

It's also common sense.

You're a good writer Aaron, I enjoy your Brewers series/game recaps. But its clear by reading them and your participation in this debate you are a casual fan. If your point to being here is to improve both your writing skills and knowledge, then you came to the right place. But do us all a favor, formulate your own opinions. It really damages your credibility when you enter into a debate and use someone else's opinion for the basis of your argument, because if the source is questionable, how do you think it makes you look?

Like you said, it will be a couple years before this all plays out, hopefully by then you'll understand the game well enough to appreciate this conversation, and my efforts to help with your understanding.

Good luck.

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CoreyisarealboyMajor Leaguer

526 days ago

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I have to disagree with one thing, KD. Rickie Weeks won't be seeing center field unless they pick up a stud second basemen in the draft this year (maybe even Weeks' younger brother). The farm system is pretty thin at second base, and the last second basemen they did have that made any noise (Hernan Iribarren) is now playing outfield (ironic, huh?) and might be packaged in a trade come deadline season. The Brewers are pretty sold on Rickie Weeks at 2B, especially with how his defense has improved, but it seems like the more his defense improves, the worse off he is at the plate.

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KelsdadAll-Star

526 days ago

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What if the Brewers move Hall back to second? FYI..There are no stud second baseman in this year's draft.

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AKittellVarsity

525 days ago

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Jemile Weeks plays 2B. Wouldn't be surprised to see him in the 15.

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KelsdadAll-Star

525 days ago

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Last mock I saw, which was this morning, actually, has Weeks going to Cleveland with the 29th pick.

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CoreyisarealboyMajor Leaguer

525 days ago

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The only way the Brewers will get Jemile is if he slips to one of their other picks because they're taking the best pitcher available in Round 1. You can pretty much mark it down already.

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KelsdadAll-Star

525 days ago

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The Brewers first pick is at #16, the mock I saw today has them taking high school C/3B Brett Lawrie. I've seen at least a dozen mocks in the last ten days, in none of them do the Brewers take a pitcher with their first pick.

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