FVBrewerFan

Sure they can. Look at how many walks Fielder has this year, right ahead of McGehee. They are pitching around Prince to get to McGehee, which usually means runners at 1B and 2B, runners at the corners, etc. Now a pitcher can't afford to walk McGehee also, so they have to throw him strikes. And for a lot of pitchers, it means they have to rely on their fastball to throw strikes. That means more fastball strikes for McGehee to hit. I'm sure this could be statistically proven or discredited if someone wanted to take the time. But any analysis would have to be based on individual situations. The Brewers line-up is different than the Reds, etc., and they are each handled differently by opposing staffs.

Quite frankly, we won't know how much rebuilding is needed until the season plays out. There are far too many guys who are question marks. Virtually every position player other than Braun is a question mark. I'm not talking about whether they'll be entrenched or not, but the production you can expect. Escobar, Lucroy and Gomez? Face it, any one of those guys could hit .220. They could also hit .280. I love McGehee, but I'm just not sold he can keep hitting like this, especially without Prince for protection. Gamel? Who knows? Even Weeks...is that really someone you pencil in and feel great about? I don't. Same thing for the pitching staff. Parra, Narveson, Capuano, etc. ,etc. A lot of these guys we just need to let the season play out and see if they can be meaningful pieces to the puzzle next year or not. While I"M NOT PREDICTING THIS, what if Parra and Capuano pitch great the rest of the year? Suddenly the rebuilding doesn't look so daunting. On the other hand, if the season ended today, looks more like ac omplete rebuild.

Yea, I agree with that to a point. But, as we all know, the Brewers have had more than their fair share of injuries and other "issues" with top pitching prospects. Now perhaps that has something to do with how they're developed, but that's impossible to prove one way or another. That's why I wouldn't be so quick to pull the trigger on Melvin. He's certainly not a "bad" GM. My point was that IF he is going to be replaced, it better be by someone who has proven the ability to identify pitching talent, and have guys to bring with him who have proven the ability to develop that talent. After all, that's really the only way this team can seriously contend. Maybe Melvin has the people in place to do that, I have no idea. I do know this team won't contend with a rotation of Gallardo, Wolf, and Davisbushnarvesonsuppanparracapuanoestrada. (I made that one word for a reason, all 4-5 type SP AT BEST) Heck, Wolf is barely a #3, and certainly wouldn't be on the true contenders this year. Thing is, Melvin isn't stupid, he knows that. He was just hoping to have enough arms to keep them in games and hope the offense and bullpen could win enough games. I guess the question becomes how long does Melvin have to prove he can find and develop top line starting pitchers?

I'm sure that's one of the options being discussed, probably option #1 if Prince is traded. Either could play 1B, both are challenged defensively at 3B so I'm not sure who would be moved to 1B. Probably McGehee is my guess.

Well, I don't agree we're necessarily 3-4 years away from competing again either. Could be that long, or even longer. Then again, if the right moves are made, it could be much sooner than that. With that said, I think you're seriously under-valuing how Prince affects the rest of the line-up. Even though he hasn't hit 15 HR this year, or driven in a bunch of runs, just having him in the line-up helps Braun, McGhee, and even Hart. So they haven't proven to have a formidable offense without Prince. He has been in the line-up all year.

Well, two reasons waiting COULD pay off. First, Melvin believes better trades can be made during the hot stove league. I know he's not alone. Secondly, Prince isn't having a bad year, but he isn't tearing it up either. You could argue that his trade value could go up next year if he really starts pounding the ball out of the yard again. Don't get me wrong, I would move him ASAP for the right deal. But if that "right deal" doesn't present itself in July, it won't necessarily mean that "right deal" won't present itself in the winter or next season.

You can stand by it, as long as you realize this is your OPINION. I have not heard or read anything about any resentment towards Jeff Suppan in the clubhouse. Further, while I fully support the move to DFA him, I don't have any ill will towards Suppan. It's not his fault he was offered the contract. He has never jaked an injury to just sit back and collect a paycheck. He tried his best, and that's all we can ask for out of any player. He was simply, well....bad. But by all accounts he is a good guy and a good teammate. The guy is gone, and should be. But why make it so personal?

I agree Melvin doesn't suck, but sometimes change can be a stimulus for better things to come. I used the word "arguably" better, because it's impossible to state outright that a new GM would be better. Only history would prove that one way or another. I'm in Melvin's corner, just saying if there were someone in the Dodgers front office (for example) that is expecially talented at identifying pitching talent, and has guys he can bring along who have proven they can develop pitching talent, that would be a GM candidate you would have to seriously consider.

With all the roster moves, I got lost somewhere along the line. I thought the Suppan move corresponds with Riske being activated? How does Smith come into play, doesn't that put them at 26 players on the MLB roster?

You may be right, but I think they'll start by DFAing Suppan tomorrow. That would be actually seen as a positive by the fans. Attendance will be very strong through August, always is in Milwaukee. September may be hurt by a sell-off, but if they're not in contention attendance will be down anyhow. 2011 season ticket sales (incl partial) will be interesting.

Where do we go from here? 1) Cut bait with anyone who will not/ should not be on the roster next year, and has no trade value. Suppan Davis Hoffman 2) Try to trade others that don't fit criteria #1. These guys don't have much trade value, but you may get a little something in return. Gerut Edmunds Bush Counsell 3) Entertain serious offers for: Weeks Hart McGehee (Sell high concept) Fielder Virtually anyone else not named Gallardo, Braun, or Escobar 4) Give Parra, Narveson, and Capuano plenty of starts to see who can be "counted on" for the rotation next year. 5) Figure out where Braddock, Axford and to a lessor extent Loe and Estrada fit into the pitching staff. (I may be forgetting someone.) Are they starters, relievers, or closer? Do you stretch out Braddock and put him in the rotation? Or is he the closer next year? Or does Axford stay in that role? Are Loe or Estrada a candidate for the rotation? These are all questions that need to be addressed in the next 4 months. 6) Fire Macha after the season, unless, of course, they make an amazing comeback. And there is still time for a miracle. But as things stand now, there SEEEMS to be a collective attitude problem (for lack of a better word.) Fire Melvin too? I don't think so, but if they replace him with someone who is arguably an improvment I'm fine with it. 7) At the end of the year, hopefully you have identified 2 starters to join Gallardo and Wolf in the 2011 rotation. Plus, a couple guys who could start if necessary. The mission then, as always, is to find a top of the rotation starter. Salary should be way down, especially if they deal Fielder. Could be the year they could spend the $ it takes to bring in a big arm, if they can't get one in a Fielder trade. That's where I would start, no time at the moment to get into position players.

I understand they won't DFA him. Just stating what I would like to see. And of all the moves I listed above, Riske for Hoffman is the one that's the closest call for me.

This might be for the Cappy post, but at any rate, would it be possible for the team to cut Riske while he is injured if he agreed? I'm pretty sure that's not the case, but it would be nice if they had some kind of injury agreement like the NFL has. I don't see Riske having any value whatsoever to the team at this point anyway. Why doesn't Riske have value? Three great outings in Nashville and counting. This is an opportunity for them to really change the pitching staff around if they want to take that opportunity. Add Capuano, Loe, Riske, and Hawkins. DFA Suppan, Hoffman, and Bush. Or maybe even see if Bush would be willing to be reassigned to Nashville. Then keep extending Davis on the DL so you have some options later. I just believe is Hoffman isn't closing, may as well go with Riske. A guy who could be a real effective one inning guy if his arm is right. If anyone "deserves" a chance to start it's Capuano. Loe is worth a shot in place of Bush. These aren't easy moves to make, but I do think they are the right moves.

Funny how things change. Remember when the Brewers didn't have any LH pitching? Now, after Gallardo, the next 5 best candidates for the rotation are all LH.. Wolf, Narveson, Parra, Davis, Capuano. Not to mention emergency options like Wright and Waters. That's why I sure hope Bush can turn it around, because otherwise they have no choice but to have a rotation with 4 lefties. Unless, of course, anyone is fantasizing about Suppan being an option.

Funny. I'm a glass half empty guy when it comes to the Brewers this year, but I was going to submit a similar post. I have not looked at the standings for probably 3 weeks, I just didn't want to know. So imagine my surprise when I finally had the courage to look this morning and the Brewers were only 7.5 behind! I was really expecting it to be 12 games for some reason, even knowing the Cards have been struggling. Do I think this team will end up competing for a playof spot? No, I do not. But I do think there are signs of optimism. I can see the bullpen transitioning from the greatest weakness to possibly the greatest strength. Addition of Ax Man and Braddock, if Hawkins can return with full arm strength, plus Riske could help out at some point. I think Capuano could help stabilize the rotation- and what a pleasant surprise that would be. On offense, I don't think anyone is performing at a level they can't maintain all year, with the exception of McGehee. Hart is capable of continuing the year he's having. So is Gomez, although his avg may take a bit of a dip. Other than that, everyone else has the ability to raise their OPS. Not saying they all will, but it's reasonable to assume some will. The way I see it, it puts the formula of success for this team back into play. Most nights they'll score enough runs to win. Just have the starter give you 6-7 innings and the bullpen can close out most games. They have blown what 7 saves? Take back 5 of those and they're over .500. Problem is, I think Hoffman will continue on this roller coaster if he keeps getting 2nd chances as closer. Let Ax or Braddock close games and I would feelmuch better about a turn-around.

I have no idea why Macha hasn't moved Weeks down in the line-up while he's struggling. Why wouldn't you put Gomez/Escobar in the top two spots? Escobar hit very well in the #2 hole while he was there. Gomez needs to walk more if he's going to lead-off, but it's worth a shot at this point. Put Weeks down in 7th or 8th hole and let him get his swing back.

Except that Hoffman has been lit up by the bottom of batting orders already this year. Those are the games you have to win. A lead in the 9th with their bottom of the order up. i want to leave no doubt. Let Ax Man or Braddock blow those guys away and win the game. For that matter, Chris Smith has been outstanding in the closer's role in Nashville, yet he's mot ever even mentioned as an arm that could help out in the Brewers' bullpen. And then there's Riske...

I agree. I don't think either Lawrie or Cain are at the point where they should be penciled into the line-up for the 2011 season or any season. Moving Hart to 1B would create a production problem in the OF. Other than Braun and Gomez, who else would you want playing out there for a significant amount of time? Edmunds? He can't. Gerut? He shouldn't. If Fielder is dealt during the season (which I don't think is very likely) the most likely scenerio would be Gamel at 1B, or Gamel at 3B and move McGehee to 1B.

He had a save in San Diego, and the wheels fell off after that. So I wouldn't get too giddy about one good performance. I actually think an 8th inning role for Hoffman would be a nice fit if he embraces that. He'll still get some save opportunities throughout the year. It's a long season, maybe he gets the closer role back at some point, but I don't think he should close just because he has two or three solid outings in the 8th.

I don't know about that. If he's going to re-injure his arm, does it matter if it happens in Nashville or Milwaukee? I don't know how much more "ready" he can be. He's a vet who apparently has control of all his pitches, and his arm seems to be sound. And yea, there's plenty of threads about Melvin's ability or inability to make good trades. This topic is abut Cappy. Please stay on topic.

Move Sharpie to the 60 day DL ,problem solved. That buys you some time to see how everything shakes out. Not sure what they do with the 40 man roster though.

I'm demoralized because the Twins are going to kill the Brewers with or without Lucroy or Braddock.

And that may happen at the end of the month. For now, there's no reason to rush into a decision. I like the idea of having Cappy make a couple more starts in AAA. If his arm is right after that and has good results, then you bring him up. By then, who knows if someone else is hurt or blows up? it's not like Stetter has been stellar either, but his name never comes up.

No, I like the phantom 60 day DL better

Could be they didn't want Braddock to start his MLB career by facing Mauer and Morneau. Not that this excuse would be any less lame.