Value of Current Brewers

With all the trade talk surrounding Prince Fielder and Corey Hart, it got me to thinking this question: Which players are most valuable to the Brewers right now? I'm thinking about which players are going to be the core for the future, the players that they want to build around from 2011 on. I took into account the current roster, as well as a few of their top prospects (I essentially looked at their 40-man roster).

The Top 10

1. Ryan Braun

2. Yovani Gallardo

3. Rickie Weeks

4. Corey Hart

5. Mat Gamel

6. Brett Lawrie

7. Alcides Escobar

8. Casey McGehee

9. Carlos Gomez

10. John Axford

This kind of tells you what direction I think the Brewers are heading. I do think we need to unload Prince Fielder at some point, for someone that can compete/develop into a #1 or solid #2 pitcher, much like what Yovani Gallardo is right now. If you look at the list and ask yourself, would I rather have Player A or Player B for the next 5 years, I went with who I would pick and ranked them ahead. Using this concept, that is saying that I'd rather have Casey McGehee for the next 5 years than Carlos Gomez.

Braun is the obvious #1, followed by Gallardo at #2. The next three are tough, but I think Rickie Weeks is coming into his own as a second baseman with some power, Gamel has shown flashes, and I think Corey Hart will be serviceable for years to come.

Brett Lawrie cracks the list at #6, even though he hasn't played a major league game yet. He is leading our AA affiliate, and will be up in the major leagues soon enough. It's still uncertain where his future lies on defense, but he could be a 2B like he is in the minors if Rickie is shifted to the outfield.

Escobar is going to be our SS for years to come, and I think McGehee will have a role with this team too, due to his versatility. Gomez will develop into a solid National League centerfielder, just as Axford has shown that he can close out games for the Crew.

Hopeful lineup for 2011 Opening Day, assuming we trade Fielder for pitching:

1. Gomez - CF

2. Weeks - 2B

3. Hart - RF

4. Braun - LF

5. Gamel - 3B

6. McGehee - 1B

7. Lucroy? - C

8. Escobar - SS

9. Pitcher

Bench: Joe Inglett, George Kottaras, Lorenzo Cain, (Lawrie brought up at some point)

Rotation: Gallardo, Jonathan Sanchez (trade), Randy Wolf, Manny Parra, Bush/Capuano/Narveson

Bullpen: Coffey, Stetter, Loe (set-up), Axford

NBA Eastern Conference Power Rankings

I wanted to avoid the whole LeBron situation, but I just can't. I will take a slightly different angle, creating my power rankings for the Eastern Confernce (nothing big has happened in the West). I also want to go on record saying that the Miami Heat will absolutely not win the title in 2010-11.

The East

Top 3

Orlando - I think this is the year that Dwight Howard develops a little bit of an edge. He doesn't really have a peer in the Eastern Conference. Joakim Noah will put up a fight, Andrew Bogut will challenge when healthy, and Amare Stoudemire doesn't believe in defense. The key for the Magic may be resigning JJ Redick, because I can see him being a crucial component to a deep team.

Boston - They remain in the conversation until proven otherwise. KG is entering his twilight years, but Boston has a very solid assortment of big men to give The Big Ticket plenty of rest. Pierce and Allen were important to re-sign, Rondo will look to stay in the upper echelon of active point guards but it's going to be how the role players and subs (Tony Allen, Nate Robinson, Glen Davis, Avery Bradley, Luke Harangody) complement the Big Three that determine how far this team will go.

Miami - I'm going to call the 2010-11 Heat the LeDwyosh experiment. Will DWade and LeBron really be able to check their egos at the door? Will Bosh be better by osmosis? They are going to need a few things from their minimum contracts: a veteran point guard, a consistent 3-point threat, and a center who can play defense and shoot free throws.

Side note: LeBron is not the alpha dog on this team by any means. That player is Dwyane Wade. He'll be the one taking the shot at the end of the 4th quarter. I guarantee this.

Next 3

Chicago - They would have been phenomenal with LeBron, but they aren't too shabby how they currently sit. I can see Derrick Rose making a jump this year (hard to believe how good he might be), and the front line of Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah is quite talented. Underrated part of the Bulls? Signing Kyle Korver and possibly JJ Redick. Deadly 3-point shooting is always a plus.

Milwaukee - Don't want to be a homer, but the Bucks were phenomenal in their off-season moves, and that doesn't even include the draft. We added a complement to Bogut in the post (Gooden), added a solid 6th/7th man (Maggette) and re-signed our leader from the postseason (Salmons). If Jennings avoids a sophomore slump and Bogut comes back at the level he was at last year, the Bucks will not only be a playoff team but a solid contender in the East.

Atlanta - Joe Johnson received the most money of any free agent this off-season. He led his team to a second-round sweep. Atlanta is solid, but won't be great any time soon.

Fringe Playoff Teams

Cleveland - It's hard to imagine the Cavaliers without LeBron. It will be interesting to see if they can get any decent free agents, or if they'll have to play with the "complementary" parts that they have that are used to playing second fiddle. Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison and an aging Shaq as your core? That screams 8th seed to me.

Charlotte - I don't know. They didn't add anyone in the draft. (Literally, no one.) A few talented pieces. Could be a repeat of their first-round sweep last year.

Knicks - Adding Amar'e sure helps, but then again they lost David Lee. Gallinari looks promising, and I like the addition of Anthony Randolph. But a team with Raymond Felton as your only point guard? I'm not sure.

World Cup Thoughts

I'm glad Brazil got eliminated. My whole life, I've hated really good teams. I despised the Bulls, hate the Yankees, can't stand the Patriots. Brazil kind of feels the same way to me. Sure, I can respect Jordan, Jeter, Brady, and Kaka, but I sure as hell don't want them hoisting a trophy. I think no matter what happens from here on out in the World Cup, I'll be pleased.

Uruguay: Wow. Improbable? Sure. Luck? A little bit. However, Uruguay has seemed composed the entire tournament. Diego Forlan is resurrecting the storied history of soccer in this South American nation, and he's probably the player that will benefit most from his performance in South Africa. He'll land a high price transfer to an EPL squad most likely. Anywho, I really like their chances against Netherlands.

Netherlands: Congratulations on beating Brazil. Wesley Sneijder has played admirably. Dirk Kuyt is a stabilizing force in the midfield. They are going to need a spark to get past Uruguay, but don't count the Dutch out. I can easily see them turning up the heat in the semifinals.

Germany: A surprising offensive juggernaut, but they have the players in place who know how to finish. Led by Klose and Podolski, the Germans have to be the favorites from here on out. Manuel Neuer has also been spectacular in net.

Spain: Riding David Villa's heroics for most of the tournament has propelled the Spaniards into the semifinals. Does their run end here? Perhaps. Iker Casillas has come up big time and time again to keep opponents off of the scoreboard, but can he, Puyol, Pique and the rest of the Spanish defense contain the bloodthirsty German forwards? I'm hoping they can. If Fernando Torres and Andres Iniesta can give Villa some support up top, look for Spain to push through to the finals.

Predictions:

Netherlands 2, Uruguay 1

Spain 3, Germany 2

We'll see how my predictions hold up after this week's matches.

Identity of the 2010-11 Milwaukee Bucks

The only news seeming to pop up about the Milwaukee Bucks of recently is seemingly good news. So many (hopefully) good acquisitions via trade and free agency leave the Bucks with lots of talent and a limited number of roster slots. This post is mostly for me to try to figure out in my mind who will be on the Bucks 15-man roster, 12 of which are active slots. I'm no GM (but I do play one on TV). I know Johnny Hammond and Scotty Skiles will make the right calls when it comes down to it.

Locks (who return from last season)

PG Brandon Jennings

SG John Salmons

G/F Carlos Delfino

F Ersan Ilyasova

F Luc Richard Mbah a Moute

C Andrew Bogut

Ok that's 6. Half of the active roster.

Locks (Draft picks or new acquisitions)

F Larry Sanders

F Drew Gooden

F Corey Maggette

G Chris Douglas-Roberts

F Tiny Gallon

Ok, we're up to 11. That leaves us a few more slots. Here are some options.

G Luke Ridnour - I'm definitely an advocate to resign Ridnour. We need some veteran guards, and I really like the idea of Luke running our second team.

G/F Darington Hobson - Might see some time in the NBDL, which is a better option that stashed on the inactive roster. Like his potential, and he should see minutes....in 2012.

C Kurt Thomas - Played admirably down the stretch last season, but would have to accept a minimal role. I'd love to have him, but I can see him getting poached by a contender.

C Jerome Jordan - Probably going to be traded for picks or cash, which I'm ok with.

Primoz Brezec/Royal Ivey/Darnell Jackson - One or all or whatever if we have room.

This brings us to Michael Redd. The best thing he's got going for him is his expiring contract. The only way he sees time in our rotation is if he accepts a role off the bench. His style of play doesn't fit in with the winning basketball the Bucks played last season to get them into the playoffs. I can see us keeping him for a while, only to deal him towards the deadline for picks or a pair of socks.

So in my mind, our starting 5 is Jennings, Salmons, Delfino, Gooden, and Bogut. I like Maggette as the matchup guy/6th man, leading the second team which also consists of Ridnour at point, CDR at the 2, and Ilyasova and Mbah a Moute at the forwards slots. Larry Sanders and Tiny Gallon will get worked into the rotation when they are ready, which hopefully will be soon. I like our team with zero production from our draft picks, so anything we get from them this season is all gravy, baby.