Sabathia and Sheets possibly gone?

The Brewers have made a pretty good offer to Sabathia, but it seems that the f***ing Yankees are putting obscene money down.

And with Ryan Dempster signing for four years, $52 million, the market for Ben Sheets now has a floor figure.

In a sense, it's looking tough for the Crew.

They have to lay out $152 million over five years... which means that Weeks and Fielder would be likely to walk in free agency. Or, they try to keep Weeks and Fielder... and have questions in the rotation, where the top guys would be Parra and Gallardo, who have problems staying healthy.

Even sports looks to be a downer this winter. [sigh]

Interviewing to be the Brewers manager...

OK, so Dale Sveum won't be back as manager.

Over at Al's Ramblings (Octobr 18, 2008, 10:24 AM), some interview questions have been placed.

I'll put down my answers here.

1. Coaching-wise, what do you think can be done to get Rickie Weeks to fulfill his potential? And I'd extend the question to the likes of Hart, Parra, etc.

In Parra's case, I think the big issue was hitting the wall due to a lrge increase in innings pitched. For Weeks, Hart, and Hall, I would probably want to compare their hot streaks to their cold streaks as a start, and try to get a baseline. In the case of Hall, I'd try to see if he's done anything different in 2007-2008 than he did in 2005-2006.

2. What's your theory on bullpen management? What's the strengths and weaknesses of the current group and what would you want the GM to do?

Strengths: The current bullpen tends to be reasonable strong in terms of getting the job done. Some relievers have ugly end-of-season stats (like Riske), but that is arguably distorted by 10% of outings where they got pounded. There are plenty of guys (Torres, Villanueva, Shouse, McClung) who can handle the middle innings. There is young talent (Dillard, Stetter, Pena). Mark DiFelice might also be able to contribute.

Weaknesses: Lack of a dominant closer. Gagne didn't do the job, and while Torres was a fill-in, he was kind of miscast. Also, some pitchers (Torres in particular) got overworked,and that dropoff will be a major concern if the rotation loses Sheets and Sabathia. The best thing the GM can do for the Brewers bullpen, if he entrusts me to be manager, is to keep one or both of those starters in the fold.

3. How do you evaluate Tony Gwynn Jr.? (And the candidate that thinks he should be handed the centerfield job and made the leadoff hitter is going to set off all kinds of alarms in my head.)

Ideally, Tony Gwynn Jr, is the 5th outfielder, the team's top pinch-runner, and a defensive replacement in the late innings of some games (usually a blowout when I would want to give a starter a rest). If he ends up in the lineup (and hopefully he is NOT starting games), he bats eighth.

4. What are your beliefs in bench construction? What's the role of the backup catcher?

I believe that the bench's primary purpose is to provide a manager with the tools to win a game despite unforeseen events. Ideally, the players are to be versatile, able to play more than one position, and able to hold their own at the plate. On the present 40-man roster, my 2009 bench would consist of Mike Rivera, Alicides Escobar, Joe Dillon, Vinny Rottino, Tony Gwynn Jr., and Gabe Kapler. The backup catcher's role is to be ready to fill in - ideally so that he and the team's pitchers do not miss a beat - should the starter be injured or need a day off.

5. Lineup construction, what's your general ideas?

Leadoff slot: High OBP, lots of speed. Power is a bonus. #2 spot: Someone who hits a lot of doubles, draws walks, and who gets on base. #3 and #4 hitters: The two players who will likely have highest OPS totals. Braun and Fielder. The #5 hitter will be someone who racks up a high SLG, OBP less relevant. #6 and #7 hitters will be a lot like the #2 hitter, although I am flexible on the #6 hitter - someone with a lot of power may take that spot. The #8 hitter needs to be an OBP/speed guy - if for no other reason than to get to the pitcher's spot, so the next inning starts with the leadoff man.

This is a team that is built around the long ball. While "small ball" is not this team's forte, I will at least try to get the team to be competent at it, if only to have greater flexibility.

---

Well, we get to see if I get the job. :)

I am Joe

Tip o' the Hat to Iowahawk.



I am Joe.

I am just another American with the usual bag of hopes, fears, strengths, and flaws.

I am Joe.

I am an American who wants to succeed or fail through my own work.

I am Joe.

I am an American who still believes in the First Amendment, in citizens participating in the political process, in expressing disagreement with others' ideas without becoming disagreeable about it.

I am Joe.

I am an American who believes that I have the right to ask tough questions of those who seek my vote, and that it's utterly reasonable to expect serious answers to those tough questions.

I am Joe.

I am an American who now wonders if my disagreement with The One, Barack Hussein Obama (PBUH) will someday result in a howling cybermob demanding my scalp.

I am Joe.

I am an American who now wonders if my disagreement with The One, Barack Hussein Obama (PBUH) will someday result in the press spending 48 hours to dig up every last bit of possibly-embarrassing information on myself, my wife, or my daughter.

I am Joe.

I am an American who has just discovered that, in Iowahawk's immortal words, "Web 2.0 turned into Berlin 1932.0."

I am Joe.

And if the fact that I am Joe offends you . . .

Bring.

It.

On.

I am Joe.

Been away, I know...

Much has happened.

The Brewers made the playoffs - then didn't get past the first round. Still, it's good to make my brother say "Wild Card."

It does speak volumes, though. It took a lot of work to make it happen. Only eight out of 30 major-league teams make the playoffs. It's nice to see the Crew near the top.

Also, some promising news has turned a bit tougher. I hope that I can work out something that could lead to a dream happening after a bit of a setback earlier this year.

Spaying/neutering... not so risk free...

I am on an e-mail list that discusses guinea pigs. They are wonderful creatures, and they are cuter than the puppies owned by my sisters (each has one). They are loving, and a bit smarter that you can imagine (put it this way, never rustle a plastic bag within earshot of my brother's guinea pig - he will start asking for a treat, and it actually sounds a little bit like he is crying out "Treat!" "Treat!").

So, when on the list someone loses their beloved guinea pig, I feel rotten inside. I have been there twice, having lost a pair of guinea pigs.

But a loss announced earlier this week is all the more heartbreaking. Apparently, the owner had taken the guinea pig, a young boar (that's a boy) to be neutered. The guinea pig entered the vet's office alive and well, but after the operation, the guinea pig had some trouble and died.

Which is why I have decided that as a pet owner, I will not put any animal I own through elective surgery - to include spaying or neutering. Unless the animal needs the surgery for a valid medical reason, it ain't happening.

National Tortilla Month...

The Weekly Standard has a good article on food.

While you read it, I'm gonna probably pick up some Taco Bell. Good food. :)

No Ordinary Americans Need Apply

I usually have no use for Pat Buchanan, but this is an exception and well worth the read.

She is a businesswoman, someone who has taken on her own side of the argument and won, a mother, a mainstream Christian--in short, a representative of many American women today.

I cannot think of anyone, man or woman, who has inspired this much hatred on the part of their political opponents in such a short time. The level of bile and invective is truly something to behold; and, as so frequently happens, Churchill's maxim about a lie being halfway around the world before the truth has its boots on is demonstrated again to be true.

The left is fond of asking why the Islamists hate us--and answering it ith a recitation of America's alleged (and imagined) sins. Well, why do these oh-so-enlightened-and-tolerant-folks (who have self-righteousness the way some people have BO and halitosis) hate Sarah Palin so damn much?

Because she reminds them that their beliefs are not shared by a majority of ordinary Americans. More importantly, she reminds the rest of America, as well.

Well into the 20th Century, it was not uncommon for "Help Wanted" signs to say "No (Select an Ethicity) Need Apply." To the modern American Left, elective office has a "No Ordinary Americans Need Apply" sign.

Well, here's a cheery yob' tvoyu maht' to the Kos Kids, Air America, and the mainstream press. I'll vote for whoever I damn well please, and y'all can kiss my fundament.

RIP Don LaFontaine

In a world of movie trailers, he was the King . . .

Time is the hunter, and has just bagged another trophy . . . as Time always has, and always will.

His voice prompted me to see a lot of good (and some not-so-good) movies; only recently did I learn who he was. Having read about him and seen some of his recent work with GEICO, I learned that he had a sense of humor about himself, his work, and that he was generous with those who wished to learn the voiceover craft--traits that are admirable and increasingly rare.

Movie trailers will never be the same. The industry will never be the same. LaFontaine reminds us that each of us has unique gifts, and that what matters most is how we choose to use those gifts.

My condolences to his friends and family, and to all whom he mentored.

Rest in peace, sir.

On Palin: A Bag of Mixed Emotions...

Intellectually, I recognize that John McCain could have done very well with either Sarah Palin or Mitt Romney.

Palin brought in an avenue to reel in disaffected Hillary supporters. She puts a very articulate and reasonable face on the issue of domestic energy production. She is a reformer and maverick - which fits into McCain's career and image very well. She also has impeccable pro-life credentials (I don't think a woman should be forced to carry her rapist's child).

She lacks experience, though, and on the economy in general, she is not as strong as Romney. But the pluses far outweigh the minuses.

Romney had the economic credentials - in spades. He also had no real skeletons, had been vetted, and would have not only locked down some uncomfortably close Mountain West States (Nevada, Colorado, and New Mexico), but he had a very good chance of flipping Michigan. The way this election is shaping up - McCain winning Michigan means game over for Obama.

There were downsides. He and McCain didn't exactly get along in the primary. The other, though, leaves me with a bag of mixed emotions.

To wit, Mitt Romney was shot down for the Presidential nomination by anti-Mormon bigotry among evangelicals - a bigotry that was played to by Mike Huckabee. It was a bigotry that a lot of leading conservatives did not denounce. Why they did not do so is a mystery. Afraid of losing support? Was it a reluctance to make a charge that has all too often been used by the likes of Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson with little merit? Who knows? But the fact they didn't take on Huckabee has led me to seriously reconsider my alliance with conservatism.

Worse, it also colors my views on a very dedicated wife, mother, and public servant. As much as Sarah Palin is a good nominee, and knowing intellectually that it is very likely that she was selected on the merits, a part of me will always wonder whether she got the slot entirely on the merits (which make it just about a coin toss), or because McCain blinked vis-a-vis Huckabee and other anti-Mormon bigots. I’m probably being very unfair to Governor Palin, but that question just is not going away any time soon.

An open letter worth reading...

See Article6Blog.com for something worth leading.

August 18, 2008

The Honorable George H.W. Bush

George Bush Presidential Library and Museum

1000 George Bush Drive West

College Station, TX 77845

Dear Mr. President:

Last December, it was our distinct pleasure to visit the magnificent library archiving and celebrating your service as the president of our great nation. The occasion was your hosting Mitt Romney’s “Faith in America” speech. Your introduction of Gov. Romney was most gracious and his speech captured the very essence of what is great about the American vision of how religion and public life intersect.

Sadly, since that time, some involved in the current presidential election cycle have behaved, very publicly, in a fashion that represents some of our worst tendencies when we stand at that intersection. Of course our nation is full of groups with their own particular viewpoints, all vying for attention - and that is to be encouraged; it is an important part of America’s greatness.

Candidates for the highest office in the land, however, must, as Gov. Romney said that day in your auditorium, rise above petty bickering to unite our nation. To accomplish that, candidates must unite their political party, not tear it apart on religious, ethnic, or other grounds.

And yet, former presidential candidate and current FOX News commentator Mike Huckabee seems intent on creating such discord and disunity. His recent efforts to stand at the head of the “anybody but Romney for vice president” movement are simply offensive. His protests to the contrary notwithstanding, that movement and his energy on its behalf are so clearly based in religious bias, even bigotry, that they simply step outside the boundaries of legitimate presidential electoral debate and threaten our party’s unity. Such behavior can only serve to cheapen our nation’s political discourse as it increasingly descends into the gutter.

This is more than mere conjecture. Recent polling evidence, particularly that out of a Vanderbilt University study based on surveys conducted when both Huckabee and Romney were still active presidential candidates, clearly indicates that the very limited arguments Gov. Huckabee uses in his opposition to Gov. Romney play on traditional Christian prejudices concerning Mormons. In many cases those arguments cases are simply “code” for “we cannot vote for him, he’s a Mormon.”

In 1908, William Howard Taft sought the presidency. Mr Taft was a Unitarian and he was opposed on religious grounds by William Jennings Bryan using tactics similar to those we are seeing Gov. Huckabee use against Gov. Romney today. The man leaving the presidency at that time, Theodore Roosevelt, felt it necessary the defy the convention of former presidents staying clear of the fray and to defend the right of every American, regardless of religion, to hold the highest office in the land. He did so in a series of now-famous letters to the various parties involved.

Today we write to you, as the senior Republican statesman in our nation, to ask you to take a similarly bold stand, to write such an important letter and to do so openly. Much has changed since the turn of the last century; our politics are conducted far more publicly than they once were. We ask that your letter be open and made available in the leading journals of this time.

This type of behavior we are seeing simply must be repudiated. You stand in a unique position to provide such repudiation. Gov. Huckabee must be made to understand that to continue to behave in this fashion will permanently disqualify him, and those he represents, from serious consideration for any leadership role in the Republican party ever again. Few people, if any, can speak for the entire party with as much wisdom, experience, and insight as you can. You alone not only are beyond the battles of presidential politics, but also enjoy the moral authority coming from having won them. You can help us keep our party, this nation and our electoral processes within the bounds of traditional American understanding and decency. We will be a much worse nation indeed if we break down into identity group bickering instead of uniting to elect the best people to govern us.

If we may be of any service to you in your efforts to fulfill our request, please do not hesitate to call upon us.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter and may God bless!

Sincerely,

Lowell Brown

Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Co-Author

Article VI Blog

http://www.article6blog.com

John Schroeder

evangelical Presbyterian, member of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America

Co-Author

Article VI Blog

What is there to disagree with in this?

Weeks goes O-fer...

But there are O-fers... and there are O-fers...

Three walks, three runs scored... is an O-fer that can be lived with.

A few hot streaks later...

And the Brewers now have a three-game lead for the Wild Card.

26 years is a long time to wait...

Laurie in the fold...

Brett Lawrie is now in the fold. This is a good sign.

Not so good, the apparent meltdown in the dugout.

If you think dating is tough, try rooting for the Brewers.

7-0 on the road...

My job doesn't give me the time I used to have to post here.

That said, I would be remiss if I didn't pump my fist and celebrate the Brewers 7-0 road trip. They're leading for the Wild Card now. If the Cubs had been kind enough to lose, they'd be T-I-E-D for the NL Central lead.

Damn, it's good to be a Brewers fan.

Sabathia a Brewer!

The Brewers have acquired CC Sabathia for Matt LaPorta, two minor-league pitchers, and a player to be named later.

As a rental - it's a good deal. The Brewers offense leaned heavily to the right side of the plate, and so, in a sense, LaPorta was too much of a good thing (being a right-handed hitter, albeit a very good one).

If the Brewers make the playoffs, they win this trade, no matter what happens in LaPorta's future (which I hope is a good one).

The only question will be whether Sabathia and Sheets sign with the Brewers, or if they give Jack Zdurinek and Doug Melvin the chance to pick up four more players in the first 60 picks than one would otherwise expect (due to major-league baseball compensation system for free agency).

If Sabathia and Sheets re-sign, the Brewers will be in the driver's seat of the NL Central for a long time.