Own the whole set!

Hurrah! Today is the debut of hopefully an ongoing series for BCS

the official 2009 Brewers trading cards

Leading off is the man everybody likes to see running from the bullpen

Todd Coffey

Hopefully this is the start of some hilarious one upsmanship before the photo deadline

Get your pictures in by July 15 for the 08-09 countdown

I will take submissions through the 11:59 on the 15th, but be forewarned, this will be more competitive than the first three years compilation. There was a lot of rage expressed from August-October.

Anonymous BCS Blogger Makes A+ Remix/Youtube Video...

...your efforts have not gone unnoticed.

To the rest of you, make sure to watch the entire thing and know that this will appear on our tailgating playlists in the future.

Straight Outta Compton

Boom goes the dynamite. Meiz, I know you're loving this one, or at least you should be. Sporting a sick flat-top and dishing out dimes like an 80's pay phone at the Mcdonald's AA game in Milwauke last year, Brandon "Straight-outta-Compton" Jennings is the newest Milwaukee Buck. Does anyone care about the NBA? Clearly not. Will I watch more than 1 week of the season next year? Doubtful. Am I loving this pick? Ah, the guy has a 2pac high school mix tape and averaged over 35 points a game at Oak Hill. Europe stats be damned: for the entertainment dollar at the very least, I think the Bucks got it right.

**do yourself a favor and check out 1:25-1:30, :48, and 3:20.

***all this AND the cat can write too: http://blog.underarmour.com/wheninrome/

Brewers summon a Titan to the rotation

Gentlemen, this is the life...

This is what we all should strive for:

"Little Mac" Braun and Prince Hippo KO the Indians

With cameos by Brewers' General Manager Doug "Mills Lane" Melvin and a guy who is his own unique person and looks nothing like Davie Nelson, Frank Francisco, Biggie Smalls, Cledius Hunt, or Wendell the High Life Guy.

Can the Brewers trade Bill Hall?

I've been searching for something to blog about for a while now. I've found myself with less time to blog at work, and frankly, I think there's genuinely less Brewers-related blogging content than in years past. The Brewers are doing well, but not so well that we're all giddy and posting constantly. Neither are they doing so catastrophically poorly that we bring out the big guns (esoteric, hyperbolic sarcasm) and rail on them. Further, we reached a veritable promised land last season, and the only subsequent goal is the illusive world series title.

However, all that doesn't necessarily mean there's nothing for us to talk about. Now, judging by the title line, you all may think I'm crazy (or racist for wanting to trade one of our black players), but I assure you that my head is screwed on just as loosely as it always has been. Hall presents absolutely no value whatsoever to the Brewers. They have a fully competent, every day 3B that has no discernible platoon splits, and an additional capable backup. There are teams that could use Bill Hall's utility (ie, not being the absolute worst option at 2B or 3B in an organization). Naturally, however, they are disinterested in his contract. The trick is that some of these teams may be able to provide a pitcher that sucks just as bad as Hall, and is paid just as much. Pitching immediately brings more value to the Brewers than Hall's thoroughly expendable ass, even if the pitcher is hopelessly injured.

Hall has about $14M left on his deal, so we're looking for roughly the same # in a return contract. Some similar options include: Jason Schmidt ($16M this year, roughly 8M for the rest of the season); Tim Hudson ($7M left this year, plus a $1M buyout on his '10 option); Jarod Washburn ($6M the rest of 09); Carlos Silva ($too much over the next three years, even for hall); Billy Wagner's expiring contract ($6M this year); Bronson Arroyo ($17 over the next two years); Jeremy Bonderman ($19M through next year); Dontrelle Willis ($17M through next year); and Kei Igawa ($10M through 2011). Obviously none of these names are ideal, and they may not work, but would you be willing to trade Bill Hall for Dontrelle Willis, just to take a chance? Frankly, I would be. The Brewers have literally nothing to lose, save for a few million dollars over the next two years. They have better in house options than Hall right now, they're gonna have to spend the money one way or another, and they could stand to at least take a chance on Willis. I think Igawa is the next best option, but Willis at least has demonstrated some history of competence at the major league level. I know I'm crazy, but I'm interested in your thoughts.

They're Making this Way Too Easy...

5 Seconds later...





I think this used to have fewer than 1,000 views until I got a hold of it.

2009 MLB Draft

Though this card has nothing to do with the draft, it's widely considered the funniest baseball card of all time.

The 2009 draft begins this Tuesday at 5:00 p.m., and it is televised on the MLB Network. As always, it's the most important date of the year for the Brewers organization. As history has so mercilessly shown, if the Brewers screw up their drafts, they will suffer decades of misfortune.

For the first time since I was zero, the Brewers are not picking anywhere near the top of the draft. The team picks 26th, 39th, 47th, 73rd, 74th and then just about every 30th pick thereafter.

This year's draft is particularly interesting because there is very little certainty between who will be selected after number 1. There are mock drafts where guys go in the top 5 in one and then not until the 20's in another. In baseball, that's pretty weird. For the Brewers, it works out well because there is a lot of parity. These are the years you don't want to be drafting 5th because you'll get a comparable player 20 picks later. Of course there is dropoff as the picks go on, but it's not as clear this year as others.

Therefore, it is hard to say who will be available when the Brewers make their first pick. Picking as late as they do, there may be some justification to select a high school pitcher. However, as is generally the case, that doesn't seem like the best option given this class. There are too many college pitchers to reach for a high school arm. Unfortunately, it is an enormously weak draft when it comes to college position players. Unlike last year, there are not a whole lot, if any, sure impact bats in this draft. There are some interesting possibilities for the Brewers with so many picks early on. I'll discuss some of the more interesting names in the comments.

Hi, I'm a Worthless Dick.

Yes folks, it comes as no surprise that 2008 Hendy award winner Bill Hall is our May HIAWDA recipient. Billy hit an impressive .136, with 5 BBs, 24 K's, for a Chris Magruderesque OPS of .424. Impressive, Billy. Don't worry, we didn't want Russell Branyan's AL Leading OBP and slugging % this year anyway. What a dick.

**Edit**

SteveWoodardRules has asked that his hall-ku be added to this post:

number two likes to swing

At pitch thrown away and at the earth

Bill Hall loses games

**Edited Edit**

Brew City Bub gives SteveWoodardRules a hand:


Billy likes to swing
At pitches low and away
Bill Hall loses games

**EDIT^3** HALL ADMITS LASIK CAUSED BLINDNESS; UNKNOWLINGLY AGREES TO WEAR BRAUN REMETEE LINE

About Fucking Time, Julio Released

His bags have been packed for months, and now finally he's gone.

I really am beginning to wonder if this was the result Ken Macha had in mind when he (1) brought Julio into a 2-run game and (2) allowed him to face 6 batters without recording an out yesterday. Most managers would have pulled the hook after 2 batters, but Julio was left in to rot.

This move had to happen. The Brewers bullpen has been overworked, and having a guy that could never come into a game that was at all close was going to kill them as the year went on (it's already probably cost them 1-2 games this year).

In return, the Brewers get Mike Burns from Nashville. This is a good promotion, compared to having Julio. What has Mike Burns proven? Well, he can throw a sub-3 ERA in Triple-A. What has Jorge Julio shown? That in no way can he throw a sub-5 ERA in the Majors. So, while Burns is probably going to be shelled, it won't be as bad as Julio. Plus, Burns, though his name isn't nearly as funny and memorable as others, can be added to the list of journeyman relievers who get a few weeks with the Brewers before being released and going back to regular people's jobs.

In the end, Burns will be replaced by Dillard or someone like that, but for now let's just enjoy the end of Julio's menacing.