Ray King for Andrew Lefave (WV)

[djoctagone]

it should be noted that if ray king obtains polyjuice potion and a hair from greg aquino, he is eligible (and much preferred) to be on the postseason roster for the brewers.

[Ennder]

Although I like this move, which I have asked for quite some time, I agree with patrickgpe: why wasn't this done earlier?

 

A little anti-jinx: Here's the final piece to the puzzle.

 

My guess would be the nationals were holding out for more and when the deadline came and passed they basically had no choice left.

 

Bowden probably kept asking for too much because he figured someone else would come and make an offer and then the deadline passes and he's kind of stuck at that point.

[BCZF]

Any proven guy out of this pen is fine by me...

[Loopee]

If Ray King actually eats Greg Aquino whole before the playoffs start, can he pitch for him?

[lumberrule]

I'm not sure I understand this move. Sure, Ray King has always been and continues to be one heck of a LOOGY, but a left-handed specialist reliever is not a weakness of this team...Shouse has arguably been one of the two best pitchers out of the pen the Brewers have had since the AS break. Milwaukee doesn't need another one-batter-per-game reliever, they need a guy who can get through an entire inning without putting his team in a jam.

 

This move does nothing to solve this team's glaring problems: starting pitching, right-handed middle relief, and a punchless bench. I guess we'd have to wait and see exactly who is given up, but if its anyone of real value, its a bad trade for Milwaukee, simply because they won't be able to use King if they make it to the playoffs.

[jaybird2001wi]

Looks like the George Foreman Grill will be a fixture in the Brewers' clubhouse again. You think Estrada will take it over and start a fight over the use of the Grill?

But this is a decent move. Could Zach Jackson be removed from the 40-man?

[mothershipconnection]

I absolutely LOVE this move as long as we're giving up very little. King can still neutralize lefties, he just HAS to only be used against them, as righties have a 1.044 OPS against him this year. That's better than Ryan Braun. Of course, it's only .801 for his career vs .591 for LHB, but he hasn't been better than awful against righties since 2004.

[Weirdos19]

Well, here's my rationalization:

 

With the addition of King, a LOOGY, the Brewers have added a much needed LH reliever to their pen. Now, Brian Shouse and Linebrink can be used soley as 7th inning set up men. They can use either, maybe even using Shouse in the eighth or ninth against teams with alot of left handed power hitters (Cincinnati). Remember, the Cards have Duncan, Edmonds, and Branyan.

 

Then, if we do make the playoffs, King is not on the roster. But, with a 3 or 4 man rotation, there will be a natural progression of depth. And, with the possibility of Manny Parra being in the pen then, the need for King isn't as great.

 

I really don't think a top prospect was used to make this deal. Prediction: Aquino for King.

[dadofandrew]

Um, they have been using Linebrink and Shouse as 7th inning set-up men.

 

A PTBNL cannot come from the 40 man either.

[jaybird2001wi]

People are also forgetting that along with this move, they also called up Mike Rivera from AAA Nashville. Could this mean Estrada or Miller's roles will be greatly reduced?

[Weirdos19]

I realize they have been doing that. But now, they don't have to save Shouse for when a big lefty is up there, his original role.

[Weirdos19]

People are also forgetting that along with this move, they also called up Mike Rivera from AAA Nashville. Could this mean Estrada or Miller's roles will be greatly reduced?

 

Jaybird, I think watching Estrada's baserunning has prompted this move. With the deeper bench, they will pinch run for either late in a close game.

[lumberrule]

Jaybird, I think watching Estrada's baserunning has prompted this move. With the deeper bench, they will pinch run for either late in a close game.

That's why Vinny Rottino was called up. Rivera is up only because Miller is going to be out for a few days, and the Brewers don't want to have Rottino as the top backup should Estrada get hurt for more than a couple of games. I think once Miller is deemed fit and healthy, Rivera gets sent back down.

[dadofandrew]

Miller is probably only a half-step faster than Estrada. They might PR for both of them in the same game. Nashville barely has any games left, so I doubt Rivera goes back.

[biedergb]

"Nashville barely has any games left, so I doubt Rivera goes back."

 

Al -- do you follow the minor leagues at all. Nashville is about to start their playoff run - along with 4 other Brewers affiliates (Huntsville, Brevard, West Virginia and Helena). So roster space for all minor league teams is at a premium. Sure it's not the biggest issue for management, but they do have a responsibility to have 5 teams with a complete roster out there.

[pogokat]

the ptbnl is gonna be someone ike kenny holmberg...or a low level starting pitcher...i wouldnt expect it to be anyone of great value

[brewerjamie15]

I just got home and read over the thread and all in all, I'd have to say that it seems like a solid move. One thing I didn't see though was how long King has on his contract. Does Milwaukee just abuse the snot out of his arm and let him go at the end of this season? I don't know but I'm rather hoping to see King back next year if he's able. Cheap, solid, and a left handed bullpen arm. I liked that guy when he did his last tour here and I'm glad he is back.

 

The Brewers are picking him up too late to include him on the playoff roster if they make it.

 

That sucks. I guess though, we're sort of in the playoffs already. King comes in, saves some crucial situation which in turn allows the Brewers to win a playoff spot and then he gets kicked to the curb. Bummer.

 

 

[dadofandrew]

Nashville is about to start their playoff run - along with 4 other Brewers affiliates (Huntsville, Brevard, West Virginia and Helena)

 

AAA playoffs mean exactly nothing. Rivera as a 4th C, especially if Miller is not 100%, is infinitely more important than a minor league game. The Crew has made this clear as they have a third of their pitchers in AAA who were on the waiver wire a week ago.

 

The postgame spread in MIL means more than how the AAA playoffs end up.

[brewerjamie15]

AAA playoffs mean exactly nothing.

 

I must admit I agree with Al's line of thinking here. While it's nice that the farm teams have been successful, it is their job to supply the Major League with the talent it needs to succeed. IF that means a sacrifice to their own post season play, that's unfortunate, but the nature of the farm system in the first place.

[JoeHova]

If Ray King actually eats Greg Aquino whole before the playoffs start, can he pitch for him?

Nice, I told my wife this and she got a kick out of it.

 

[DHonks]

sweet, great acquisition. When Ray was with Milwaukee before, he was anything but a LOOGY, but I guess his numbers have declined...still he's someone I wanted us to sign last offseason

[djoctagone]

dennis sarfate has been designated for assignment according to foxsports.com to make room for ray king.

[iluvlamp]

I like it the addition very much. Hai!

[hawing]

http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_150037.jpg

 

My lord, he's got a large face. But whatever, I'm open to another bullpen option.

 

Also, I'm not sure I'd mind his eating Greg Aquino. There, I said it.

 

 

 

[iluvlamp]

"Also, I'm not sure I'd mind his eating Greg Aquino. There, I said it."

 

Gagged with laughter!