Al's Ramblings



Saturday, July 11, 2009

(7/11/2009 02:07:00 PM) - Al

Quit looking at the facts!

Without that frat boy idiot writing his words and the teleprompter to flash them, his ability to speak really suffers.


7/11/2009 02:07:00 PM



(7/11/2009 01:41:00 PM) - Al

We'd be in better shape if we had a corrupt government that "only" took 20%?

Well, the math does work.

Also, why is Obama talking as if Africa is a single nation? It's made up of many countries, some of which are run pretty well, many of which are disasters, and have been since I was 5. Much of the continent is just like the old Soviet Union...food rots in warehouses or ends up going to the highest bidder rather than to those in need. And, what Sam Kinison used to say to great laughter 20 years ago is 100% true...much of Africa is desert, and nothing grows there. I've been hearing about a "drought" there for 35 years...it's a desert. Deserts and droughts go hand-in-hand.


7/11/2009 01:41:00 PM



(7/11/2009 12:55:00 PM) - Al

The Brewers are now officially fortunate to be over .500, as they have now been outscored for the year 406-401. They are 4th in the NL in runs scored, and 13th in pitching (4th from the bottom). They are exactly where they "should" be, as one extra win could easily be from luck, good or bad.

The offense is 5th in OBP and 3rd in SLG. While they may not play a lot of "little ball", they're very good at scoring runs, top 25% of the league. Simply put though, they allow far too many runs. The pitching is 12th in OBPA, and 14th in SLGA, meaning they both allow too many baserunners and too many "big hits". Considering bloop hits and walks are too often followed by extra-base hits, it's not so bad too allow one or the other, but not both.

For most of the year, the SP has let the bullpen down, while the relief corps has been very good. It's still that way, as the SP's have a 4.99 ERA, which is 13th, and the bullpen a 3.86 ERA, which is 6th. The starters are also 13th in IP, while the bullpen has thrown the 6th most, about 10 more than average.

So, who's to blame? It doesn't take long to see that the highest ERA's are no longer with the team. Both Parra's and Bush's numbers are well below what you would expect, and it becomes clear that those two spots have killed the team. This team is 44-42 right now, but when anyone not named Burns or Parra start the game, they are 40-29...a pace that would have them at 50 victories right now, 3 games up on SL, and in position to add a player or two for the home stretch. Right now, 3 games out, Doug and Gord might well be thinking "Is this team really just one player away?"

Plus, with Parra back and very good in his one start, and Bush due back after the break, and hopefully healthy, only a very good SP (like Halladay or Cliff Lee) would be much of an upgrade...a pitcher like Ian Snell, who I've thrown out there, is not going to do much better than Bush or Parra...if they can return to their career norms.


7/11/2009 12:55:00 PM



(7/11/2009 12:19:00 PM) - Al

Mark sends along this link that says Wells' contract is terrible, while Rios' is not bad at all (though it does not take into account at all his slumping '09 campaign).


7/11/2009 12:19:00 PM


Friday, July 10, 2009

(7/10/2009 10:53:00 PM) - Al

Let's see, Democratic administration, Dem governor, strong union state...I'd think unemployment would be negative in Michigan.


7/10/2009 10:53:00 PM



(7/10/2009 10:48:00 PM) - Al

Some may call it a tragedy, but I prefer to think of it as "thinning the herd".


7/10/2009 10:48:00 PM



(7/10/2009 10:45:00 PM) - Al

With all the talk about how few HR's the Dodgers hit, someone should probably mention they are 3rd in the NL in runs scored, and lead in OBP by 9 points. Baserunners equals runs, it's not rocket science.


7/10/2009 10:45:00 PM



(7/10/2009 10:19:00 PM) - Al

I remember Kemp used to be chastised for not being "smart" (and still isn't, hence the bunt). What's ironic is, teams that like those smart guys, like KC, all suck, and teams that accumulate talent, like the Dodgers, win consistently.

I'm still surprised Theo listened to the mass hysteria of his veterans last year and dealt Manny, though admittedly, Bay was a fine return.


7/10/2009 10:19:00 PM



(7/10/2009 10:14:00 PM) - Al

CV is actually suffering from Parra disease, he goes 3-2 to almost every hitter. Back when he was going good, it was strike one, strike two. It's amazing how these guys think they can work from behind and make the perfect pitch after failing to do so with regularity.

Carlos, right now, can't be too far from working himself to Nashville. He can't be counted on to do anything at all. One has to wonder if he's not hiding an injury, as he can't even get through an inning of work.


7/10/2009 10:14:00 PM



(7/10/2009 10:03:00 PM) - Al

Hoffman is just a shell of what he was a few weeks ago. He's just tossing it up there at 73 and hoping for the best. He doesn't have any more control than Parra did before his demotion...every ball ends up right down the middle.

And yes, that bunt by Kemp was horrific strategy, but when it works, it's brilliant.

Ditto for CV. Right now, they almost have to just pick a name out of a hat and hope the line drives go at someone. Is it fatigue? In Hoffman's case, it is not, he's been babied all season. Not sure about CV.


7/10/2009 10:03:00 PM



(7/10/2009 09:26:00 PM) - Al

It's just stunning that this "stimulus" doesn't seem to be working.

$16M here, $16M there, pretty soon, you're talking about real money.


7/10/2009 09:26:00 PM



(7/10/2009 05:38:00 PM) - Al

I do not see good things ahead when Jeff Francouer gets out 72% of the time in New York. Ryan Church is a very nice player to lose as well. I can't say I get this deal at all.


7/10/2009 05:38:00 PM



(7/10/2009 05:27:00 PM) - Al

It's all fun and games when it's someone else's taxes they're raising, but it hurts when you slip into that level.

I think a lot of small businesses will sneak into that bracket as well...


7/10/2009 05:27:00 PM



(7/10/2009 04:57:00 PM) - Al

I'll just throw this out, since I brought it up below:

Hardy
Salome
Cain

How far are those three from acquiring Halladay? One more very good prospect? I was also wondering, just for the sake of discussion, if the Crew would swap Corey Hart for Vernon Wells or Alex Rios...TOR OF's who may be slightly better, but both who have hellishly bad contracts.

Wells---5y/$106M, starting with '10, during his season of 31...oof.
Rios----5y/$60M, starting in '10..., Alex will be 29, not bad comparably, but still huge.

Just curious. To exchange Hart for Rios would save TOR a lot of money, and might be worth more than a prospect. If memory serves, Rios is a fine defender, and he has played some CF in the past, making his offense a bit more valuable after Cameron leaves.

Of course, as bad as those contracts are, picking one up seems like something to be avoided at all costs. Even Hall's deal only has one year left...those have 5 each.


7/10/2009 04:57:00 PM



(7/10/2009 04:38:00 PM) - Al

According to this, the Brewers may be willing to deal any of their top prospects for Halladay...except the top three of Escobar, Gamel, and Lawrie.


7/10/2009 04:38:00 PM



(7/10/2009 02:51:00 PM) - Al



Scroll down for new content.

We'll never top the 704 people who stopped by last September during the playoff hunt, but let's make this the 2nd biggest chat ever!

{Note, the above is why I am not in marketing.}


7/10/2009 02:51:00 PM



(7/10/2009 02:41:00 PM) - Al

On 7/3, I ordered some heartworm medicine, at a great discount, from an online pharmacy. I assumed it was from Canada, as in the USA, one has to have a 'scrip to get this. The Rambling dog was checked by our local vet recently, so we could have either gotten it from them, or got a prescription from them and ordered it from a US retailer, at a cost of $55-60.

I complained to the Rambling wife last night that it sure was taking a long time to cross the border, but today, it arrived, marked "pet toys and health products"...from Australia.

I guess I'll cut 'em some slack, since I saved $40. Thank goodness we have our nanny state which creates an artificial monopoly on canine meds which make it very difficult for many to afford a family pet.


7/10/2009 02:41:00 PM



(7/10/2009 02:39:00 PM) - Al

And the funny thing is, the much maligned Craig Counsell is better offensively (and probably defensively) than every one of this motley crew of no hit middle infielders the Royals are collecting like pop cans.

It could always be worse, it could be Royals' Ramblings.


7/10/2009 02:39:00 PM



(7/10/2009 02:20:00 PM) - Al

If it wasn't real, it'd make a very funny sitcom.


7/10/2009 02:20:00 PM



(7/10/2009 02:13:00 PM) - Al

Gleeman's near weekly link fest is enjoyable as ever.


7/10/2009 02:13:00 PM



(7/10/2009 01:59:00 PM) - Al

I must admit, these shots are getting so little coverage in the mainstream media, you'd swear Joe Biden said something stupid in them!

If it was W, I'm sure they'd also maintain silence on the matter.

Ann analyzes the pic like only a law professor can...she even makes a woman's shapeliness dull.


7/10/2009 01:59:00 PM



(7/10/2009 12:47:00 PM) - Al

Sears starts promoting Xmas.


7/10/2009 12:47:00 PM



(7/10/2009 12:39:00 PM) - Al

If there's a person on the planet that proves it is a fact that one can still sell their soul to the devil in exchange for mortal success, one need not look past Anderson Cooper.

When he's not just making up fiction to report as fact (proving he's got Dan Rather anchor potential), he's trying to figure out how to dispense a whipped topping.


7/10/2009 12:39:00 PM



(7/10/2009 12:19:00 PM) - Al

I have always wondered if Adam LaRoche might be a possible replacement for Prince. I just did the math, and Prince is about 24 runs better each year using simple runs created, but if you'd factor in defense, it's probably closer to 15-20 runs. Of course, Prince very likely will continue to improve, and Adam has probably peaked.

Looks like the Pirates have LaRoche on the trading block, and is a free agent after the current season. That's probably not a good match, as Prince is far more likely to be dealt after '10.

I know both myself and Bob Uecker love LaRoche's swing, but he has never really went to the next level as many thought he would...while Prince has reached the upper echelon and is still quite young. However, it is easy to imagine the Crew being a better team by signing LaRoche and dealing Prince for young, pre-arby talent, especially for a package including a couple hard throwing young SP's.


7/10/2009 12:19:00 PM



(7/10/2009 12:08:00 PM) - Al

If this were Guido's Ramblings, Alex Cora would have a price on his head.


7/10/2009 12:08:00 PM



(7/10/2009 12:04:00 PM) - Al

Well, it is 24 more days than OJ got for killing two people, or Mike Jackson received for molesting kids.


7/10/2009 12:04:00 PM


Thursday, July 09, 2009

(7/09/2009 09:16:00 PM) - Al

Hard to believe a Boras client would be dishonest and really bad at negotiating.

Hopefully, they will be able to get past this, as at the end of the day, these things happen all the time in business.


7/09/2009 09:16:00 PM



(7/09/2009 07:15:00 PM) - Al

Counties that supported Obama last year have reaped twice as much money per person from the administration’s $787 billion economic stimulus package as those that voted for his Republican rival, Sen. John McCain, a USA TODAY analysis of government disclosure and accounting records shows.

Heh. Not only has hardly any money gone out yet, but it's all gone out to those who supported the Democratic ticket.

You can just feel the anger mounting every day, can't you?


7/09/2009 07:15:00 PM


Wednesday, July 08, 2009

(7/08/2009 11:39:00 PM) - Al

Former NFL star Steve McNair was shot dead in his sleep last week by a 20-year-old girlfriend distraught about mounting financial problems and her belief that he was seeing someone else, police said Wednesday.

Hmm, allow me to translate what the young lady was thinking:

I can't believe this old, married guy I'm having an affair with is cheating on me!

You know, it was the lack of morality that really bothered her, I'm sure. Call me a crusty old codger with no compassion, but she shot a guy who had 4 kids at home. I'm glad she did the right thing and took herself out too.


7/08/2009 11:39:00 PM



(7/08/2009 11:20:00 PM) - Al

Even Chris Narveson's family and friends can't be surprised by his DFA. I'm sure the Crew hopes he clears waivers and agrees to go down, but as a lefty who can hit 90, he should probably take a look at the bottom ten bullpen ERA's and pick a team out of that group.


7/08/2009 11:20:00 PM



(7/08/2009 11:06:00 PM) - Al

I'm wondering what econ class I missed that would have taught me the key to stimulating things is to give raises to all the government workers and raise taxes on businesses. Read these comments from a Sacramento paper where all the hard working, efficient (chuckle, guffaw) state workers make fun of the rest of us as simpletons.


7/08/2009 11:06:00 PM



(7/08/2009 09:36:00 PM) - Al

Asked about the price tag for Halladay, a club source said: "Give Ricciardi all our minor-league rosters and let him circle any 5 names."--Joe Strauss, SL Post Dispatch

This is why we will not be talking about Halladay becoming a member of the Brewers. Even JJ Hardy being included would probably need to have 2-3 more very good prospects added on.


7/08/2009 09:36:00 PM



(7/08/2009 06:32:00 PM) - Al

The Wall Street Journal discusses ballhawking and the immature buffoons who do it. The Grumpy Middle Aged Man has a cameo, and once again, comes off as a rule breaking moron.

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...


7/08/2009 06:32:00 PM



(7/08/2009 05:48:00 PM) - Al

It was a macabre circus.

It just astounds me that everyone I spoke with the past two days was offended it was on, and yet the east and west coast media acts like he was a great guy (or, not a child molester who paid millions in "settlements").

Gladly, I think I will just move on.


7/08/2009 05:48:00 PM



(7/08/2009 05:33:00 PM) - Al

The Diamondbacks understand that left-hander Doug Davis will not bring them any of the Brewers' top prospects — shortstop Alcides Escobar, infielder Mat Gamel or infielder Bret Lawrie.

Still, the D-backs are seeking at least the equivalent of a supplemental draft pick between the first and second rounds for Davis, which is what they will receive if they offer him arbitration and he departs as a free agent.

That pick likely will be between Nos. 40 and 50, and the D-backs have taken two promising left-handers in that range in the past two drafts.

Wade Miley, their fifth-best prospect according to Baseball America, was the 43rd overall pick out of Southeastern Louisiana in 2008. Mike Belfiore of Boston College was the 45th overall pick this year.

The other option for the Diamondbacks is to sign Davis to a contract extension — something that also might appeal to them if they are reluctant to exercise their $8.5 million club option on injured right-hander Brandon Webb.--Rosenthal


That sounds a lot like Cain or Salome to me.


7/08/2009 05:33:00 PM



(7/08/2009 03:54:00 PM) - Al

As if it isn't bad enough we had to witness a guy who has no concept of a ball or a strike, not the proper stance, nor even how to make a correct strike call. Let's be honest, if an umpire throws anyone out who isn't pulling a Pinella, he is a clueless buffoon. It pretty much is the dictionary definition of losing control of the game when you start kicking out participants...usually the people fans paid good money to see.

Luckily, it's tough to worry much about losing a "bench coach", but it's the idea here.


7/08/2009 03:54:00 PM


Whatever strikes me as interesting, and serious Milwaukee Brewers thoughts. If you are a believer in respecting OBP, throwing strikes, and keeping the ball in the park, you may have found the place you've been searching for. I don't believe in paying a no hit/good field SS $7 million per year (Jack Wilson, I'm talking about you). I don't think it's a good idea to "play for a run" early in the game. Build up your minor league system, and watch success follow.

2008 stats by position


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