Mr. Cain goes to Milwaukee (well, technically, to Atlanta); Latest -- Lorenzo sent back to Nashville

[igor67]

One relevant question is how long is the promotion for? If they are only intending it until Gallardo comes back then, it's not completely without reason to view his promotion as a short term get introduced scenario. I agree if the intent is to keep him up or see what he can do then he needs to be given an extended and consistent look, probably with another bench bat being brought up and Gomez sent down to try and resurrect himself.

[PrinceEatMeat]

One relevant question is how long is the promotion for? If they are only intending it until Gallardo comes back then, it's not completely without reason to view his promotion as a short term get introduced scenario. I agree if the intent is to keep him up or see what he can do then he needs to be given an extended and consistent look, probably with another bench bat being brought up and Gomez sent down to try and resurrect himself.

Like I said earlier in the thread, I think he'll be sent down on Thursday when Gallardo comes back. I don't see us sending a pitcher down after a short start from Capuano on Monday especially, which will affect the bullpen. Probably depends more on how much the pen is used on Tuesday and Wednesday though, but when you look at it the odd man out in the pen would be Cappy and I doubt they'll let him go instead of sending Cain back down.

[Fatter than Joey]

There really wasn't a reason to begin the year.

 

Given Hart's struggles in ST and the DL stints by Gomez and Gerut -- I don't think it was unwise to start the season with Edmonds on the roster.

[PrinceEatMeat]

There really wasn't a reason to begin the year.

 

Given Hart's struggles in ST and the DL stints by Gomez and Gerut -- I don't think it was unwise to start the season with Edmonds on the roster.

You're absolutely right. I remember people clamoring for Edmonds to start over Hart early in the season. So people can't say there was no reason for him to be on the roster at any point.

[Never Outhustled]

There's no reason for Edmonds to be on this team.

There really wasn't a reason to begin the year.

 

Edmonds has been 1 of the best 4th OF s in baseball this year. He's been 1.3 WAR,which is better than Braun. With the dearth of quality OFs in baseball this year, Edmonds has been one of the few things that have gone right.

 

[Invader3K]

Edmonds has been 1 of the best 4th OF s in baseball this year. He's been 1.3 WAR,which is better than Braun.

I guess this shows why WAR is stupid.

[endaround]

Or it shows that Braun has stunk. Yep pretty much that.

[Invader3K]

Oh yes, clearly based on stats and observation, Edmonds is more valuable and better than Braun this season.

 

Come on.

[Never Outhustled]

Edmonds has been 1 of the best 4th OF s in baseball this year. He's been 1.3 WAR,which is better than Braun.

I guess this shows why WAR is stupid.

 

I would say the same about someone who can't understand simple math.

[pitchleague]

and now we're beginning to get into the shady area of calling out members/condescension. Please knock it off and get back on topic. Thank you.

[trwi7]

Oh yes, clearly based on stats and observation, Edmonds is more valuable and better than Braun this season.

 

Come on.

 

Braun has an .824 OPS and .364 wOBA with awful defense. Edmonds has a .769 OPS and .341 wOBA with good defense. It's not really surprising that Edmonds is more valuable this year than Braun.

[Invader3K]

You can twist the numbers however you want. I wouldn't say Edmonds has played "good defense" for CF.

[Never Outhustled]

Cain is off to a great start. 3 ABs, 3 line drives. Shows terrific bat speed. I gotta believe he'll get the start tomorrow, considering Gomez's continuing struggles today. Gomez swinging at the 1st pitch, out of the zone, with the bases loaded was just another example of his lack of baseball IQ.

[Funketown]

You can twist the numbers however you want. I wouldn't say Edmonds has played "good defense" for CF.

I don't see how saying that he has a positive UZR is twisting the numbers. He hasn't been awesome, but he has been at least average, and the numbers agree.

 

 

Getting back to Cain, it was great to see him drive the ball today. Hopefully we can see him play tomorrow (and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). I wonder if something's up with Gomez given the double switch.

[Invader3K]

Cain is off to a great start. 3 ABs, 3 line drives. Shows terrific bat speed. I gotta believe he'll get the start tomorrow, considering Gomez's continuing struggles today. Gomez swinging at the 1st pitch, out of the zone, with the bases loaded was just another example of his lack of baseball IQ.

Yeah, you would have to think Macha is getting tired of Gomez's offensive deficiencies. Cain definitely deserves a few starts while he's up.

[kramnoj]

Gomez didn't seem to bust out of the box on his last GIDP and definitely slowed down before he reached 1B. It's not all that uncommon for players to slow a bit coming into 1B, but not running hard the whole way is not going to impress when there's a guy already up who can easily replace you.

 

This is as good as Gomez has been offensively, and he hasn't been special defensively. I would be shocked if Cain can't reproduce what Gomez is giving the Brewers.

[chowyo123]

I noticed on the Brave's broadcast that Gomez was sort of grabbing at his upper thigh/butt area. Not saying that's why he was removed early though.

[JJHardy7]

Braun has an .824 OPS and .364 wOBA with awful defense. Edmonds has a .769 OPS and .341 wOBA with good defense. It's not really surprising that Edmonds is more valuable this year than Braun.

 

What if Edmonds played every day?

 

I also don't understand the defense issues...I know around here Edmonds was ripped over and over before the season regarding his bad defense. Now somehow he's good at defense? I don't get that at all...

 

I noticed on the Brave's broadcast that Gomez was sort of grabbing at his upper thigh/butt area. Not saying that's why he was removed early though.

 

I saw this too. It also looked like Casey pulled something at the end of the game as well on that broadcast.

[trwi7]

What if Edmonds played every day?

Then his defense would probably suffer.

 

JJHardy7 wrote:

---

I also don't understand the defense issues...I know around here Edmonds was ripped over and over before the season regarding his bad defense. Now somehow he's good at defense? I don't get that at all...

I was one who thought he would be awful since he was the last time he played. Maybe the year off last year helped as well as the platoon instead of playing everyday.

[sbrylski]

I also don't understand the defense issues...I know around here Edmonds was ripped over and over before the season regarding his bad defense. Now somehow he's good at defense? I don't get that at all...

 

It's a product of sample size, I believe.

 

His UZR shows that of the balls hit to him, he has done an above average job. But, it could be because of lucky positioning, the balls hit to him having less spin than normal, or more balls being hit near him where's he's better than most, rather than on the fringe of his range where his age really shows. Those are all things that would even out and drag down his UZR.

 

The opposite of all those factors could have been true last season, resulting in a worse than true-talent UZR. Most likely, he's somewhere in between.

[kramnoj]

I know around here Edmonds was ripped over and over before the season regarding his bad defense. Now somehow he's good at defense? I don't get that at all

 

He's a former Cardinal and Cub who got the reputation of being a diva for diving for balls to get on Web Gems. It's not surprising that Brewers fans on the internet would not be favorable towards him. As far as his defense according to UZR, it was bad in 2008 and had been declining from previous years. And the same size is too small this year to say that Edmonds is now good. All we can say is that he's been a bit above average based on his opportunities.

[Ennder]

I also don't understand the defense issues...I know around here Edmonds was ripped over and over before the season regarding his bad defense. Now somehow he's good at defense? I don't get that at all...

 

To be fair the people who ripped on him preseason mostly just assumed age meant bad defense, that or they were basing it on a small sample of UZR from 2008. Defense is just a hard thing to judge, stats take forever to become meaningful and fans can watch the same player and one says he is below average and the next says he is great... think J.J. Hardy as an example.

[craigharmann]

What if Edmonds played every day?

 

I also don't understand the defense issues...I know around here Edmonds was ripped over and over before the season regarding his bad defense. Now somehow he's good at defense? I don't get that at all...

 

He is what he is. A 40 year old who sat out last season. He's not great, he's not awful. Should be playing every day? Absolutely not. You're better off playing rookies if you think playing a 40 year old Jim Edmonds is your best bet at winning.

[pitchleague]

I noticed on the Brave's broadcast that Gomez was sort of grabbing at his upper thigh/butt area. Not saying that's why he was removed early though.

Thank you for stating this. The way Gomez was already slowed up as he came to first base made me think something was up rather than dogging it.

 

Oh, and I tend to gravitate toward the stance of Edmonds being merely adequate out there in the outfield. Pretty much what we expected--makes some plays, doesn't make others; nothing fancy, but not gold glove caliber; range has slipped from his better years, but he's no Adam Dunn out there.

 

Heck, he's probably about as good as either you or I would be out in center field. Maybe a bit better.

[monty57]

There's no reason for Edmonds to be on this team.

There really wasn't a reason to begin the year.

 

Edmonds has been 1 of the best 4th OF s in baseball this year. He's been 1.3 WAR,which is better than Braun. With the dearth of quality OFs in baseball this year, Edmonds has been one of the few things that have gone right.

Since Edmonds was the starting RF in the home opener, I'd say Corey Hart has been far & away the best 4th OF in baseball this year :-)

 

Kidding aside, Edmonds hasn't been a 4th OF this year, he's been the LH platoon partner (which means starting about 80% of the games) the entire season. It just started in RF and moved to CF when Hart began starting everyday. I don't have anything agasint Edmonds, but now that playoff hopes are basically shot, I think one of the young guys should be starting. At this point, it probably makes more sense to send Gomez down and let Cain get regular starts, but having Edmonds start 80% of the games while two young "high upside" guys sit the bench doesn't make much sense. It may add a win or two to the final numbers this season, but to me the playing time for Cain/Gomez would be much more beneficial to the Brewers than an extra win this season.