NievesNoNO

I've defended Melvin before, but this is a quote is a bit disappointing. He basically just said that he takes no responisbility for the signing and tried to cite examples of other GMs who also made mistakes. Why couldn't he just say, "At the time of the signing we needed somebody to be a leader in the rotation and be a consistant starter for us. In retrospect, I may have done things differently, at this point we need to move on with somebody that can be more consistant. Jeff is a standup individual and we wish him well." I guess that's more of a blanket statement and in fairness I didn't read the whole blog to see what question he was asked, but it bothers me that he would cite other signings to defend himself instead of just accepting some criticism.

Better?? I'm not sure, but Better Off, Yes. They could not count on Suppan in ANY meaningful situation. He was a wasted roster spot. I'm not expecting the 12th or 13th pitcher on the roster to dominate each time out, but that person should be able to be used and succeed in meaningful situations some of the time. No, I don't count eating innings in a blowout a meaningful situation. If that's your only role then you don't belong on the team. A cleared roster spot will give some of our younger guys a shot. I hope Hoffman is next for the same reasons. I would really like to see Estrada back. That said, I wish Suppan the best. He seems like a decent guy who was active in the community. It wasn't his fault they paid him a bunch of money. To his credit he excelled on the biggest stage at the right time and got paid for it.

Are our pitchers just flat out stupid. 0-2 down the middle?? I just don't understand.

I give Joyce and Tigers credit for how they have handled the situation. I actually feel bad for Joyce. Did he miss a call? Yes. However, he doesn't have the luxury of 8 different replay angles with slow motion, forward, reverse, etc when he's on the field. He gets one angle and one split second to decide in real time. So those who think that was an easy call, I have to disagree. The fans need to leave his family alone. The only people that should care are Joyce and Gallaraga. Joyce has admitted he was wrong and Gallaraga has brushed it off and has moved on. Everyone else should do the same.

There are other options, but if you flat out feel a pitcher can't be used in ANY meaningful situation then they don't belong on the team. That's pretty much the case with Hoffman right now and has been for the entire season. It just really bothers me to waste roster spots. I get the money aspect and it makes you look a bit foolish as the GM or owner, but how much more foolish do you look to keep running these guys out there. If they're concerned about the money, they might consider how much they're losing at the gate when throwing these guys out there costs us wins. It'd be one thing if they were the best options, but they are not. I think my rant is done for the day now. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

Rickie hasn't been anything special. I too would like to see him moved from the leadoff spot as I think he was only put there because we didn't really have a better option. To his credit he's become a very solid lead off guy, but I think he'd do more damage down the order. I wouldn't be opposed to moving him either. As much as I hate to say it the Cardinals might be an excellent fit if Shumaker continues to be underwhelming. Probably can't get Shelby Miller out of them, but maybe some other low level power arms.

I'll pass. Can he even touch 90 mph on the gun anymore? I wouldn't want his contract on the books for next year. He's never come close to duplicating his one stellar year in Pittsburgh, yet he'll continue to get opportunities because of it. I don't want the Brewers to be the next team to give him one.

I don't think there will be any fan draw for the "chase for 600 saves". If he had pitched for Milwaukee his whole career then maybe, but there really isn't a fan-player connection there. If anything he'll be booed off the mound each time he's put in for an attempt. Quite honestly it's insutling to the fans that pay to go to the game for Hoffman and Suppan to take the mound. Any other players would've been sent to the minors or cut. Hoffman and Suppan would miss the cut on some high school teams. I'm not taking anything away from their professionalism or past accomplishments, but they are both clearly done. Please, Brewers move on.

Agreed. I also would like to see a rotation of: Gallardo, Wolf, Parra, Estrada, Butler, maybe Rogers post All-Star break. I'm willing to give potential a shot over consistency or results. Quite frankly, there hasn't been much consistency or results with Bush, Davis or Narveson so the alternatives can't be much worse at this point.

Wow, I think some of you are being a bit harsh. I agree with Sheethead, it's just much easier for the manager to say, well, we had our best hitter up. I don't like the suicide squeeze there, however both when Gomez was up and when Braun was up I don't see the harm in the runner at first trying to take second considering the speed that was on the bases. I'm not sure the catcher would've even made the throw down in either case. If that infielder does cut the throw, it's usually pretty apparent from third base what's going on. However, alert base running hasn't exactly been the Brewers strong point this season.

That's a really good story. Thanks for posting it. Sometimes people can suprise you in a good way.

I think Macha needs to go at this point even if it's just for the sake of doing something. He hasn't been dealt the best hand and has probably been a bit unlucky, but the bottom line is results. My biggest concern on Macha is the lack of focus and fundamentals that this team is showing thus far. Bad defense, poor base running, just flat out flailing at the plate at times. I know he's had a tough time with getting the starters deeper into games but running Wolf and Narveson out after they'd clearly passed a reasonable pitch count is irresponsible. Don't get me wrong, I think pitchers should be able to throw that many pitches in a tight and meaningful situation when they are dominating. Neither of those situations called for that decision though. I know the bullpen is tired, but you have to have a couple guys in there that can tough it out for a couple of innings at a time. To me Suppan and Vargas are those guys, but are rarely used in that situation. Lastly, I think he's starting to waiver with a consistent philosophy. The sacrifice bunt in the first inning the other night surprised me. Not that I don't think it has merit, but to just randomly choose a game to do it seems odd. If you're going to be a team that plays small ball, uses speed on the bases, works hit and runs and sacrifices that's fine, (I actually prefer that sort of game, although I know many of you disagree with that sort of game based on stats) but you need to do that consistently. Have that be kind of your identity then. I'm good going the other way too, just going station to station without pushing the issue and waiting for the big inning if that's what you do on a consistent basis.

Has an entire AAA team ever been promoted for a game? Put the the whole roster on the DL with sore lady parts.

Actually losing to the Brewers would be much worse at this point.

Tough to rank these guys, but I'll give it a shot. 1. Howard 2. Fielder 3. Morneau 4. Gonzalez Fielder I think has the biggest potential. Howard just flat out produces though. Morneau is consistently good, but seems to get nicked up a bit costing him stats each year. Depending what team Gonzalez ends up on will have a big impact on who he finishes.

Yes, I agree someone has to be accountable for getting these pitchers to throw more strikes/ attack hitters more. Not sure who that falls on, the catcher, pitching coach, individual pitcher?? As for the Rays, there's not doubt they're finding success right now and their GM is going to get some recognition, but the truth of the matter is this team has been 10 years in the making with a crazy amount of high first round picks.

A few weeks ago I thought it was too early. I have changed my mind. Wow, take down the banner and make Hoffman accept an assignment to triple A. If he denies then cut him. What do you say to the rest of the team if you continue to run him out there? Don't worry we don't hold you accountable for your performance. His past earned him the right to stick a few more games, but he's obviously done. They have a fourth of their payroll in two guys that might be hard pressed to make the cut on a lot of college teams right now, and I'm not just talking division 1 here. Blow this team up. Just start cutting guys. Hoffman, Suppan, Vargas, maybe Davis. I'm sure this is all very reactionary on my part, but sometimes change happens in an instant. We are looking up to every team in the league except for Houston. We're pretty much through a fourth of the season so even if there is a turn around it'll take a miracle to make the post season. Bring some more young arms up and lets move on.

Cheers to that. Really they couldn't be any worse.

New fifth starter and pitching coach!! Leave 'em in there.

Yes, some legit power arms would certainly help. However, it's a CHOICE to sit there and nibble around the plate. Plenty of pitchers without a power fastball choose to attack the hitters rather than work from behind constantly. There's not one pitcher on the Brewers staff that attacks hitters. Maybe Coffey and Villanueva, but certainly none of the starters do. Bush used to but that trait has left him as well. I've stated this elsewhere before, but it really drives me crazy. Just throw more strikes. That won't make up for lack of talent but starters will get through more innings and limit big innings on a more consistent basis. I'm starting to wonder if this is an organizational/coaching problem.

All I have to say is BOOOOOOOOO. 130 pitches is fine if your going for a shutout and it's the ninth. Although, if you're throwing well you probably don't need 130. Probably won't make a difference in the game one way or another but thats just flat out stupid. If you don't have guys in your bullpen you can trust then get some new guys in there, tired or not!! Guess I had more to say than I thought. BOOOOOOO!!!

That would actually seem to be a fair deal for both sides. The only thing that would bother me is the full no-trade clause.

Nice breakdowns Strawboss. Seeing it in that perspective certainly makes things seem more optimistic. For some reason I hadn't realized how much salary space we can potentially clear. For the most part I'd like to run with the guys you have listed. Let's see what the young guys can do. I'm not counting this season as lost yet, but at least if it doesn't turn around there are some things to look forward to. If we're not in it come the deadline I too would like to see Coffey moved and hopefully Fielder and Hawkins as well. Instead of using that freed up money to sign free agents next year maybe you keep that flexibility in hopes of extending some of your own guys if it's warranted. Weeks, McGehee, maybe Gomez and Escobar.

I'm not sure if it's the kind of pitcher he aquires or if it's an organizatioal philosophy problem. Probably some of both. I bugs the heck out of me that every single pitcher on the staff works from behind it seems. To me as a manager at the major level and through the minors guys should be taught/required to throw strikes and hit the bottom of the zone. I realize that's something that your taught in little league, but somebody has to enforce it. You don't need to throw specific pitches to use the bottom of the strike zone. I think that's one of the reasons St. Louis and Minnesota are conistently successfull. It seems to me, and I have no stats to back this up, but when I watch just about any Twins or Cards game their pitchers hammer the strike zone. They don't all throw 95, so it's not like their stuff is so great they don't think it's going to get hit. I don't really care about the home runs, although I'm sure those would drop too if more strikes were thrown. Gallardo's walk rate has increased since he first came up. Dave Bush's best attribute used to be his control, now he too is putting guys on at almost double the rate of what he used to. Obviously this is really simplifying things and by no means is simply throwing more strikes a substitute for actual talent, but when you have a limited pool of talent to work with you need to make the most of it. To me not throwing strikes is just mental, laziness, refusal, whatever you want to call it. It's really no different then getting caught trying to steal 3rd with with one out and down by 1. I'm done with my rant now. Feel free to rip me apart for comparing Little League to MLB, but there are some things I believe don't change no matter what level you play at.

I will agree with this, however I think it's only bad because management fails to make a true decision. To me a true decision is either a flat out sell with an intention to improve later and a realization that you are definitely sacrificing the present. A true decision to buy and go for it would mean definitely sacrificing some of the future to acquire impact talent now to go for it. In 2008, they make a decision to acquire an impact player in CC. Last year they acquired average players to fill some holes at the deadline, but never committed to acquiring an impact player. I'm actually of the opinion that the Brewers are only a couple players away, unfortunately those players aren't Doug Davis and La Troy Hawkins they're more like Nolasco or Verlander. (Just throwing out names for reference to ability, not saying they should/can trade for those guys.) This has to be the most difficult time for Doug since he's come to Milwaukee, also with the potential to be the most rewarding. With a city/state that supports a good team like Milwaukee I think the decision even gets tougher. Strictly from a financial point of view it makes sense to keep the Brewers competitive as long as possible each season since the fans have proven they'll continue to show up as long is the team is hanging around. The Brewers will never have the financial resources to sign a true impact player in free agency. They will either need to trade for or develop that kind of talent. I think there is also an assumption that Hardy or Hart could've brought back an elite power armed prospect in a trade. I'm not saying it wasn't a possibility, but I think that gets thrown around here sometimes like it is a fact. I will agree we need to figure out how to improve our pitching, but we still need hitting. I'm not against dealing hitting for pitching, in fact that's probably the way to go. However, you need both to win. San Francisco has had a very good staff for a few years now but hasn't won anything either because half their team can't hit the ball out of the infield. So are we stuck in neutral? I think last year could be described as keeping ourselves in neutral. It will depend what happens before/at the trade deadline this year for me to decide whether we're still there or not. To me an acquisition of a true ace pitcher would be the only thing that would make me want to buy, in the hunt or not. I also fear a Milwood type deal. If nothing has changed from now until July 31, I hope we sell and sell big.