Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs, 3/31/08, 1:20 PM

[LUKE23]

Even with the Gagne inning today, I really am liking this pen. Power arms galore and a ton of guys with something to prove based on last season. Mota still has his nasty stuff and Riske is the consistent guy you want out there (he reminds me of Wise when he was good but with better stuff). I honestly think the pen is one of this teams strongsuits this year.

[WEFFPIM]

Even with the Gagne inning today, I really am liking this pen. Power arms galore and a ton of guys with something to prove based on last season. Mota still has his nasty stuff and Riske is the consistent guy you want out there (he reminds me of Wise when he was good but with better stuff). I honestly think the pen is one of this teams strongsuits this year.

So far, yes. And even in the 9th Inning, when Gagne threw some pitches with movement he'd looked much better. That other thread about Gagne already is a joke, give him some damn time. His fastballs were straight as a string, both in the zone and out of it. He thrives off of movement.

And the other guy not being mentioned is Saloman Torres. He's not a lockdown power pitcher, but he can pitch in every game and more time than not will get outs.

I'm glad we got to see all of these guys right off the bat in Game 1, and the day off tomorrow means we could see these guys again on Wednesday. But eventually, we'll have to get to the McClungs and Turnbows. And when that day comes, then a better judgment of the bullpen can be made. But after Day 1, the offseason bullpen pickups look alright.

[ReasonablySober]

I'm for happy for TGJr. Good to see him start the season off with a great game. I hope he makes Nedly's decision in 25 games tough.

[WEFFPIM]

I'm for happy for TGJr. Good to see him start the season off with a great game. I hope he makes Nedly's decision in 25 games tough.

...Mike Cameron is gonna be the CF. Now, if you mean bench slots, then by all means, go bonkers.

[trwi7]

His fastballs were straight as a string, both in the zone and out of it. He thrives off of movement.

His movement was fine. The problem was he kept throwing fastball after fastball and then couldn't locate the pitch so he had to throw fat fastballs right across the heart of the plate. That wouldn't be a problem persay if he could still hit 98-99 on the gun but he only hits 92-94 now.

He settled down and basically went 1-2-3 (yeah I know the runner got on but that should've been an out) after he started mixing his curveball and changeup in.

Mota looked fantastic. Mid 90's heat along with the Gagne like changeup and the slider mixed in. That new delivery has really helped him, at least so far.

Riske looked solid. He doesn't have great stuff but he can control it and keep the ball down. He also gets a lot of movement on his fastball which helps make up for lack of velocity.

Torres pitched but I didn't really see enough of him to get a good read. I know he throws a low to mid 90's fastball with a splitter but other than that I don't know.

[ReasonablySober]

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...Mike Cameron is gonna be the CF. Now, if you mean bench slots, then by all means, go bonkers.

Right, because Milwaukee has so much invested in the 35 year old.

I have no opinion one way or another on Gwynn. Take what I said at face value; I hope he's playing well enough to make Ned's decision tough.

[trwi7]

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Right, because Milwaukee has so much invested in the 35 year old.

It really doesn't matter what Gwynn is doing. After 25 games Cameron is the CF.

[LUKE23]

Cameron is a GGer and he is probably a lock to hit 20 HR's at Miller Park. His overall career history paired with his salary make it a lock he starts on game 26. Believe me, I hope Gwynn hits .330 and continues his play, but there won't be any decision when Cameron gets back.

[ReasonablySober]

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It really doesn't matter what Gwynn is doing. After 25 games Cameron is the CF.

Of course it matters.

[Captain Erv]

hmm, maybe Gwynn can play third?




no, but seriously, Bill Hall -- get yourself together, get your ego in check, you don't need to swing for the fences every AB!

[trwi7]

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Of course it matters.

Why does it matter? When his suspension is over he's either going to the bench or down to AAA.

[LUKE23]

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Of course it matters.

It matters in the sense of helping this team win (i.e. the better he plays the better off we are) but it doesn't matter with regards to CF when Cameron is off suspension.

[ReasonablySober]

If Gwynn is playing excellent D, getting on base regularly and stealing bases efficiently they won't bring him out of the lineup in favor of a 35 year old signed to a one year deal. Ned's not stupid enough to mess with a young hitter's confidence in the middle of a hot-streak, particularly not for a 35 year old signed to a one year deal.

I'm not naive enough to think that Gwynn suddenly becomes a great hitter. I'm qualifying this with an 'if'.

[trwi7]

If Gwynn is playing excellent D, getting on base regularly and stealing bases efficiently they won't bring him out of the lineup in favor of a 35 year old signed . Ned's not stupid enough to mess with a young hitter's confidence in the middle of a hot-streak, particularly not for a 35 year old signed to a one year deal.

I'm not naive enough to think that Gwynn suddenly becomes a great hitter. I'm qualifying this with an 'if'.

They also didn't spend $7 million to put Cameron on the bench. If he's healthy and not suspended he's going to play, it's as simple as that. Gwynn knows he's getting these 25 games to showcase for a possible injury or for next year.

[LUKE23]

If Gwynn is playing excellent D, getting on base regularly and stealing bases efficiently they won't bring him out of the lineup in favor of a 35 year old signed to a one year deal. Ned's not stupid enough to mess with a young hitter's confidence in the middle of a hot-streak, particularly not for a 35 year old signed to a one year deal.

I'm not naive enough to think that Gwynn suddenly becomes a great hitter. I'm qualifying this with an 'if'.

It's a two year deal with the second year being a team option, but that is besides the point. They brought Cameron in here to improve the D and give the team another clubhouse veteran. Even if Gwynn is hovering around .300 batting average on April 29, Cameron will be starting in center field. No way they tell him, "well, Gwynn is playing better than we thought 25 games into the season, we're going to ignore your salary and your decade experience and just keep plalying him".

Cameron will start on April 29 no matter what TGJ is doing.

[ReasonablySober]

I'm not saying this is if he's simply hitting .300. He'd have to be one of the team's best offensive performers while consistently playing great defense.

Do you guys not read well?

[quote]I hope he's playing well enough to make Ned's decision tough./quote]

If he's batting .300 with zero HRs and few extra basehits his decision is easy. If he's having an extraordinary month and the offense is kicking ass with him near the top of the lineup there isn't a snowball's chance in hell he's moved out of the lineup when Cameron gets back.

[Ill-yasova]

If Gwynn is playing excellent D, getting on base regularly and stealing bases efficiently they won't bring him out of the lineup in favor of a 35 year old signed to a one year deal. Ned's not stupid enough to mess with a young hitter's confidence in the middle of a hot-streak, particularly not for a 35 year old signed to a one year deal.

I'm not naive enough to think that Gwynn suddenly becomes a great hitter. I'm qualifying this with an 'if'.

Either way, each player is just a stop gap until Laporta can move up into right field next year. Hart slides over to center. Why do you think the Crew went out and got a guy for a year? Scouts say Laporta's bat will be ready sonner than later, somebody has to go, and I think TGJ will be the odd man out.

[Kerb Hohl]

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Either way, each player is just a stop gap until Laporta can move up into right field next year. Hart slides over to center. Why do you think the Crew went out and got a guy for a year? Scouts say Laporta's bat will be ready sonner than later, somebody has to go, and I think TGJ will be the odd man out.

Well if it is between Braun/Hart/Gwynn since Cameron will be gone I sure as hell hope Gwynn would be the odd man out if LaPorta is ready to roll.

EDIT: Saw that you were responding to DB's theory there. I guess you probably see the obvious move as well as I should have just assumed.

[LUKE23]

I'm not saying this is if he's simply hitting .300. He'd have to be one of the team's best offensive performers while consistently playing great defense.

Do you guys not read well?

I hope he's playing well enough to make Ned's decision tough./quote]

If he's batting .300 with zero HRs and few extra basehits his decision is easy. If he's having an extraordinary month and the offense is kicking ass with him near the top of the lineup there isn't a snowball's chance in hell he's moved out of the lineup when Cameron gets back.

I don't know what else to say to this other than you are wrong. Cameron was probably the biggest offseason acquisition (outside of arguably Gagne), and has a track record of success. No matter what Gwynn does in a 25 game sample, it is not going to override Cameron's several year sample. When you also take contracts into account, it just makes it even more definitive.

[jerrod]

so why is this guy suspended?