Bernie Crewer

I do not post much, but read often. To me yesterday's game was extremely disappointing. Suppan's stat's are absolutely horrific. The thing is the Brewers rely upon their fans filling the ballpark to be able to pay players what Suppan is making. Much of Brewer Nation was shocked and disappointed with Hoffman's failures earlier, but the ship was steadied with Axford and Braddock coming up and blowing smoke by guys...then we get a rejuvenated Corey Hart and things are starting to look good again...and then comes the abyss that is Suppan. He's as classy as they come, but I would argue his performance yesterday will keep fans from coming to MP...unless something is done swiftly. It seems the Kameron Loe deadline would be the appropriate time. Otherwise he needs to accept an assignment to AAA a la Dave Bush, etc. Not sure if that's going to happen, but this Suppan story has come to a head and the Crew needs to address it.

A tough loss for the Crew today...Corey Hart really let the offense down today on so many levels with his poor approach to situational hitting. Tight ball games require thinking mans at bats...Corey failed with every opportunity he had today it seems. 1st & 3rd and grounds into a DP...runner on 2nd and not outs and cannot get the bunt down and indirectly gets Prince hanging off 2nd. Not totally CH's fault, but I lay a fair share of the blame on him for not at least making contact. Then has a chance in the 9th and doesn't get it done. I'm not ready to call CH a bust, but when you have a guy like Frank C. who gives you professional at bats all day long I think Macha needs to shake up his RF thinking. I think if Macha gave Frank 3-4 days worth of starts in RF he'd outproduce Hart's current trends...and better yet by letting Hart sit it probably would light a little fire underneath him to produce when brought back into the lineup. Big series with the Cub's and their pitching lined up...probably a lot of close, low scoring games on tap...need more professional at bats from the likes of CH, Cameron, etc.

It should be first come first serve, agreed...I'm in virtual waiting room hell as well...

I disagree with the people that have contended that we do not know the extent of Sheets injury...if we didn't then our training staff and Doug Melvin should be fired because we offered him arbitration and $9.7M guaranteed for '09. He made 12.125M in '08 and at worst could only have his salary lowered by 20%. The reason Ben Sheets will likely be a Brewer is that teams wanting to sign him are reluctant to give up their 1st round pick for a 1-2 year investment in a Pitcher coming off of injury. Same scenario why guys like Cruz and Hudson are unemployed at present as teams would have to give up their #1 or #2 pick for a short term deal...who wants to give that up in these uncertain times. I love Ben Sheets and have my fingers and toes crossed that we get him back. If Ben has a fault it's that he has not taken care of himself physically like he probably should have. I would be willing to bet that Ben Sheets is not too happy with the league for passing him up and it just may motivate him like he's never been. No one can question this guys heart, as anyone who honestly follows the Brewers knows that he would throw 200 pitches a game if they'd let him. Ever seen Yost go to the mound in the 8th or 9th when he has a lead to take him out. Ben is shooting lasers and the intensity that oozes out of him is more than any Pitcher I've ever seen who is not on steriods (Clemons doesn't count!). Injury prone? Maybe, but I think we could be getting a caged Tiger who is hot and bothered by what's transpired this offseason, or namely what has not transpired. Doug Melvin should step in and make a push and get him in under a one year incentive laden deal with an option. I'd be giddy...the only other team that scares me is New York as they do not care if they lose their #4 pick.

I guess I'm not nearly as concerned with what my leadoff hitter slugs as opposed to his average, obp, steals, and ability to make contact which I think Roberts is ahead of Cameron on all fronts except slugging and maybe a push on obp and costs $3.5m less and could probably be had very cheap. MN Brew warned me that there seems to be a strong sentiment for OPS here as that is the consistent rebuttal across the board. I think it's a very useful statistic, but more for middle of the order hitters. I want table setters with a good average, obp, speed, and making contact leading off in front of Braun & Prince as opposed to guys who have an inflated OPS due to a high slugging percentage because they run into a couple of solo HR's that boosted their OPS but strike out 100+ times. Behind them in the 5,6,7 holes, yes we should have high OPS guys...totally agree. Clearly that is where Cameron should hit, but we've already got too many righties that are very similar to him who do not make $10m per. If you're going to leave the outfield as is and focus on the inconsistent infield one can only assume you'll be saying goodbye to the only decent internal candidate (Weeks) to lead off. I'm not ready to give up on him as I think he would flourish further down in the order possibly and continue to improve defensively. The conundrum here is that lead off and two hole hitters generally come from your guys up the middle (2b, SS, & CF). At present we have three power guys with good OPS's in those slots who profile better as 5, 6, 7 hitters. Our catcher has a firm hold on the #8 slot and unless something really gives it just doesn't make sense to fill your top two spots with corner guys. Anyhow, good debating the merits of things with you all. Hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving...and get on the Dave Roberts train http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif Kidding, and I'm not really that fascinated by him, but I think it's a move that could take care of a few things and also give DM some added flexibility.

...and hits left handed, comes at a 35% discount for one year, a higher batting average, and a third of the strikeouts and slots into the top of the lineup much better. Not any better of a baserunner? how about 25 more stolen bases with a higher success rate with 560 less at bats over the last 3 years. DR is just a much better fit for the crew than Mike Cameron imho.

My comparison was Roberts to Cameron. Regardless, I'd rather pay $3.5m a year less for a leadoff hitter who hits for a higher average, gets on base more, steals more bases, strikes out a ton less, but has a lower slugging percentage. I also think Cameron proved to us he's not either a leadoff prospect or a 2 hole candidate as well so at a min. you're looking at 6 or 7 in the lineup which we have plenty of candidates for already it seems. Would you really want Cameron hitting 5 protecting Prince? Prince would rarely see any good pitches imo. Weeks is the best internal cadidate to leadoff, agreed but I'd like to see him moved down as I think he could flourish in the #6 or #7 spot where his power and strikeouts would translate better. If you keep Cameron, Weeks, Hardy, Hart, etc. you still have an unbalanced order of righties. Again, not that Dave Roberts is perfect, but I really think it could be an improvement.

Hi Fleehaw, my case for Roberts over Cameron: I'll grant you Roberts will never outslug Cameron. However, when I drilled into Dave's previous two years worth of stats with the Giants in a pitchers park some things really stood out to me. He got off to a very slow start in '07 and finally went on the DL in May after having left elbow surgery. From 7/1/07 on he hit for a .296 ave. with a .367 obp and stole 31/36 bases that year. The Giants then signed Rowand for '08 and Dave did not play much at all until Rowand got hurt and Dave put up a .369 obp after the break. His '06 year (.293 ave, .360 obp w/ 49 steals) in San Diego (another pitchers park) was very good and the reason he got a nice 3 year deal. He's also only signed for one more year at $6.5m which would free up $3.5m if we went with him over Cam and we'd not be stuck long term. My largest argument though is it potentially gives us the left handed, center fielding lead off hitter I think we so desparetly need. You could probably platoon him with Kapler if he's healthy and wants to return? I actually think Cameron is a really nice player, but he's miscast on this team imo due to the lack of a table setter at 2b or SS that would allow him to slide down in the order where he more naturally fits. Not to mention the plethora of free swinging righties that we are already blessed with. I'm not ready to punt Weeks, but the experiment leading off has to end and I just do not see any other internal candidates up for the job. I'm just trying to mine a DM nugget and one he was linked to back in the '06/'07 offseason as well. Escobar vs Hardy is fine. The more I think about this the more I want just Dave Roberts and we'd probably not need to give up much to get him with Rowand there. A lineup of: Roberts CF Hart RF Braun LF Prince 1b Hardy SS Weeks 2b Branyon/Hall 3b Kendal C You could keep Escobar on the big league team and have him spell Weeks some, and a bunch if he's struggling and also JJ once in awhile. Resign Ben Sheets (asap!), get a couple of bullpen pieces and I think we have a nice team again capable of making a run. Instead of trading for Cain maybe we coax a Brad Penny or something as a FA?

It'd be great if CC was a Brewer next year, and no one would be happier than I, but I just do not forsee it. Hope I'm wrong, but almost all signs point to that being the case. I just think it's a fantastic opportunity to get a #1 pitcher in Sheets while the market is soft on him. He started the AS game for the NL and was clipping along rather nicely. Our only shot at retaining him was for this exact scenario to unfold. I think it's worth the gamble even though his injury history is there. I'm hoping he accepts arbitration and goes out with a big chip on his shoulder...I think he'd pitch angry and win a bunch for us. The Hardy, Villy trade to Frisco proposal was in an effort to beef up our rotation (Cain), balance the top of our lineup (Roberts), and add a really nice young arm to the bullpen (Hinshaw). Roberts is intriguing to me as he's a lefty with a decent career OBP and very good speed who's offensive stats could've been weighed down by playing in pitchers parks (SD & SF) the last 5/6 years. Cameron is a decent player, but doesn't fit in our lineup unless we're ready to give up on Hart or Weeks (only two potential leadoff hitters). To me it's tough to do either as Hart was an AS and Weeks looked a lot more relaxed at the plate once moved out of the lead off spot. I realize going with Escobar is a risk. I think JJ is a really nice player and would be missed, but to obtain talent you also have to give some up. I think JJ's at or very near his ceiling both offensively and defensively and has not had a great injury history as well. Rather sell high (see Bill Hall's value from two years ago?). I'll withdraw the Wood proposal and substitute it with one for Trevor Hoffman for 2 years and $16m. I did not realize Wood was that damaged of goods. With that bad shoulder he consistently threw 96mph and had a really good save conversion rate (34/40 - 85%), and especially so if you pull out the 2 or 3 he blew to the Crew (up over 90%)? Appreciate the dialouge, and keep it nice. Sorry for missing Ayala as a FA. Pipe dream to get rid of Suppan's contract, but if there's one place he might be able to land it's the Mets maybe.

Hey guys, Not sure about you all, but with "Black Friday" (day after Thanksgiving shop fest) coming fast the females are ramping up the heat to get a Christmas list out of me...and since the amount of teams and interest is ramping up for CC it seems that our GM will be soon making some big decisions for 2009. So in order of preference I've laid out my own X-mas list for Mr. Melvin. Feel free to post your own or provide feedback on mine. Happy Holidays http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif 1. Resign Ben Sheets for 3 years $36m, with a club option for a fourth. 2. Trade JJ Hardy & Carlos Villeneuva to the Giants for Matt Cain, Dave Roberts, and Alex Hinshaw. 3. Trade Mike Cameron to the Yankees for Ian Kennedy. 4. Sign Kerry Wood for 3 years $25m. 5. Resign Gabe Kapler, Russ Branyon, & Craig Counsell. 6. Trade Jeff Suppan and Bill Hall to the New York Mets for Brian Schneider and Luis Ayala.

Guys, I love you all...I truly do, and I do not post all that much but lurk often. Today's game hurt almost as much as losing in the State basketball tournament at the Field House playing for the State Championship on a half court shot in double overtime at the buzzer with the score tied. True story, from the Division III finals in 1992. It has been a joy to watch this team come up throughout the past 5 or so years. Most of us have been here much longer. I guess what I'm trying to say is this absurdly tormenting game of baseball is just that...brutally tormenting at times, but the sun will come up tomorrow and we'll still somehow have a chance at it. I suggest you all follow theraputic routes tonight which should include alcohol, your loved ones, and maybe the office which I'm going to get to with my wife as soon as I'm done. I'd like to sacrifice a live chicken, but instead will sacrifice all the cans of miller lite in my house....you see I went to a wedding Labor Day weekend and came home from Iowa with all kinds of canned miller lite when my fridge is always dominated by bottles of the stuff. Figure out what you did on Labor Day weekend...right the wrong...and lets get these goocher's, bad karma, or anything else superstistious out of our collective houses. I remember how dead the Rockies were last year at this point...it can happen, and I'm in true hopes it will so I can realize that boyhood dream of sitting in County Stadium turned Miller Park on a cool Fall evening watching playoff baseball. There is time...we can, and we will. Cue up Braveheart, Miracle, & Hoosiers 'cause we got some work to do! I do love you guys no matter what and that's what makes us Brewer fans no matter if the sky is falling bricks or ticker tape! Peace, Bernie-

As disppointed as we all are with the last 24 hours...you stay the course. I loved Melvin's comments about people trying to take advantage of the situation, and that's not likely to happen. I would love Big Ben to be in Milwaukee past this year, but what happened yesterday has very little to do with it. Villy pitched lights out for 4 innings, and then got stung by some good big league hitters when his stuff deserted him. If this game were easy it would not be fun to follow. I for one am excited about the Crew regardless. The offense is showing signs of life, namely Braun, Cameron, Hall, and Hart. JJ has stunk at the plate for a month, but he'll get it going. We still have one more ace than the division leading Cards, and just as many as the Cub's. How would you like to watch Kerry Wood in the 9th inning all summer http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif Gagne is not a ton better, but I think the Wood experiment may end sooner than later. Anyhow, we've played a tough schedule...tougher than the teams in front of us. Have not hit that well, and yet we're over .500 on the road, our ace is 4-0 and pitching Sunday, and the better part of the schedule remains. It sucks losing Yo for sure, but this team is not a one trick pony, and I look forward to others stepping up. Once this offense gets going, it's going to be fun to watch! Bernie PS - keep an eye on that Weaver kid in AAA...it'd be nice to see him rediscover his sinker.

Rodents, No problem...I couldn't find it anywhere on Dish either http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/frown.gif What a downer. Worked a 12 hour day and only thing keeping me going was the promise of Brewer ball. Yuck to our sucky TV deal...but hey, the Bucks are on!

Rodents...what channel on Dish in Madtown??? Please help http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

I understand most people's sentiment that Big Ben in all likelyhood may not be back next year, but the one thing that gives me hope is that he is on the books this year at 11m...if he has a phenomanal year and we have to give him 63.5m over 4 years with an option for a fifth, it only means an increase of 5m or so per year, which should not kill us payroll-wise with the difference. I love Sheets, and I hope he's in a Brewer uniform for years to come if it's at all possible. If not, I really hope he goes to the AL so we don't have to face him http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

Hi guys, I'm in a pickle...my roommate and his brother in law and I are splitting a 4 person 10 pack that we bought way back when opening day tickets were included in the 10 packs. My understanding was that we'd all go to "opening day" together, and back in January my wife expressed interest in going as well. Shocked, but happy she wanted to go I asked my roommate if she could have ticket #4 in our package. My roommate did not know if his brother in law had found a 4th investor for our package (thus having the other opening day ticket I thought), but my roommate indicated he could not make the opener so my wife was welcome to his ticket. Happy times, and we've been planning on going to opening day since the first part of January (including a hotel reservation downtown). Fast forward to last Friday...long story short my roommate got opening day mixed up with the first game on the 10 pack that we had (4/21) mixed up. Yikes, now we have no opening day tickets in our seats. The brother in law has given away 2 of the 4 as a wedding gift, and is going to keep the other two to our chagrin. Anyhow, I'm typing to the BrewerFan.net bretherin to see if anyone can help my pickle with helping us get opening day tickets somehow? We'd be willing to trade another game in our seats (outfield box I believe...although that stink'n brother in law has still not mailed them http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/frown.gif We'd also be willing to pay for them and offer a premium as I know they are a tough ticket. My wife is a nurse, and anyone who knows or is close to a nurse knows that they have to have their vacation in for many months ahead of time, and she's had this planned for 5 months. Needless to say she's a little down on things. Truly a big foul up between my friend and his brother in law and we're left out in the cold presently. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Irregardless, I'm stoked for the season, and will enjoy tracking things with you all in the IGF's and watching the rumors fly, etc. hear at BF.net Take care, Bernie

Corey Hart is our best hitter at the moment...Jenks is due...

I got to the airport at 11 a.m EST....and am still here...nothing would cap a very long day than a come from behind win on my first night on the IGT...

Giddy up is right... We are the ones who make a brighter day, now lets start given.

SoCal...I'm still up in Hartford scheduled to fly in 5 hours after sitting here all day...the turning point is coming into focus...lets do this!!!

My wayward trip just got a lot better...thank you Prince...let the beating begin!!! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif ~

Hello, Long, long time lurker....first time poster due to a flight cancellation today...stuck in a hotel with nothing but the Brewers and Brewer Nation!!! I'm in hopes my exit from the proverbial Brewerfan.net closet inspires the Crew to get back on track and sweep these Law Dogs Sconnie style! There is a new Sheriff in town...and his name aint Reggie Hammond, or Jeffrey! Go Brewers!