dlk9s

I know we need a good contact hitter (maybe in the OF or maybe at 2B) and I feel we could use a SP, but what if the Brewers just stood pat at this point? Would it be so bad? Things are obviously shaky for the team right now when it comes to making a playoff run. The bats have gone cold, the starting rotation isn't putting together quality starts, Sheets is out, and the bullpen is inconsistent. The Cubs haven't shown signs of slowing down. While the playoffs are still most definitely a possibility (heck, we could still be wild card leader if we drop into 2nd in the Central), it is going to be a tough road for the next two months. But how do we add those pieces? We don't really have much on the current roster to deal -- Graffy, Counsell, Mench, Vargas, and Bush are the only ones I see as at all possible to trade, and that's not taking into account contracts, desirability, other teams' needs, etc. We're not trading Hall, Hart, Braun, Fielder, Weeks, or Hardy. We just traded three prospects for a rent-a-pitcher, so if we dipped back into the farm system to make a deal or two, that could really hurt the big strength of this organization. Our top prospects, plus the young guys I mentioned above, are the future of the Brewers. It is not worth risking the growth and success the team will hopefully have over the next several years to try to win this year, when this team, even with another piece or two, is most likely not a World Series championship-caliber team. So, would it really be so bad to stick with what we've got, hope they can find a groove at least somewhere in between the hot start and the current funk, and see if Brewers can make the playoffs? I think part of the negativity (mine included) surrounding the team is that after the hot start, the resurgence after the horrible May, and the 8.5 game lead, we all had dreams of ticker tape parades. If, before the season, we were told we'd be 2 games up in the division at the end of July, we would've been happy. I'm not saying we should be content with the current stagnation, but I'm just not so sure if there is really a great personnel move to be made at this point. Thoughts?

I think Loretta would be a great guy to have in the lineup. The Brewers need a contact hitter who can hit around .300. This team strikes out too much and relies too much on the homer. Problem is, we already have enough middle infielders, unless we dealt one of them. EDIT: Chase Utley got hurt today. If he's done for a while, maybe there is a chance to deal one of our 2B's to Philly?

Maybe the Brewers will get a stay of execution for at least one more day.

Oh, god, is Balfour going to have to pitch?

Can someone give a quick recap of the bottom of the 9th? Gametrackers across the interwebs seem to be mixed up.

Wait, I'm confused. According to Gametracker, the pitcher led off with a single. Then Hatteberg singled and the runner scored all the way from first? Am I missing something here?

No, and how dare you for asking.

Graffanino = HR. Fielder = out. Obviously, Fielder should always ride the pine.

And if it wasn't for his cold start, we may not have been rewarded with Ryan Braun. The world works in mysterious ways.

Yost should bench Prince every game.

Even if this was true (it's not - he has taken days off), he went 0 for 5 yesterday, 0 for 4 Tuesday, and 1 for 5 Monday. Point is, you can't look at one game and use that as your evidence. Sample size, my friend.

I am so proud to be Jewish.

Why isn't Prince playing every infield position at once???!!!! Yost is an idiot for not putting him in each of the top four spots in the lineup simultaneously!!! If Prince can't break Ripken's record then he needs to seriously think about his devotion to the team.

Yeah, I think it's time to close Gametracker and play some poker.

I had never heard of Norris Hopper until tonight.

I saw Paul Molitor pull one off once. Kevin Mench is almost as good as Molitor, right?

So....Lohse or Weathers for Cy Young? BTW, I had no idea why everyone was saying the inning was over when all I saw on the Gametracker was strike three on Jenkins. Then I saw the play description and I pooed myself.

TRADE BRAUN! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

Rats. The Reds couldn't just let the numbers play out with Braun up to face a lefty.

I did not hear the conversation, but I read that Spurling's one-year-old child nearly drowned. I don't know anything else about it.

More importantly, only 1 up in the loss column, now that Chicago is winning 5-1. But I'm still holding out hope for the Brewers and Cards tonight.

2-0 Cubs. Yay.

Now pitching: Jon "I know what you're snickering at" Coutlangus.

Holy crap, Craig. Four more to go.

The offense. At least Cincy is a decent hitting team, so I expect them to score runs from time to time. I cannot, however, imagine Chicago getting 2-hit through 5+ innings against Lohse.