Warning Track Power

I am with everyone else when it comes to Hiura. It just doesn't make sense to deal him. However, with the Brewers historic lack of success in developing SP, I think it behooves them to try and acquire an elite talent like Thor and any and all bats outside of Hiura in the minors should be available. I would like to hang on to Turang but would be willing to sacrifice him in order to get Thor. He is my only hitter in the minors I would be really hard pressed to deal. Anyone else is up for grabs. What is the likelihood of the Mets accepting Ray, Lutz and Freddy Peralta as the main pieces with a low level lottery ticket thrown in?

I know, right? Acquiring All-Star players in Moose and Grandal. What was he thinking? Thames has done nothing but perform while he's been here outside of the final 2 months last year (also had an injury prior to his bench role rest of that season). Aguilar was very good in 2017, excellent first half 2018, decent second half 2018, struggled hard this April and has had a solid BA/OBP for May/June was just missing his power and it appears that's starting to come back now. Shaw was very good in 2017/2018 and has hit a wall this year. I just recently joined the site and have followed here and there for a bit previously but I'm guessing there was no fake outrage at Stearns prior to 2019 for acquiring the wrong type of player when all these guys were performing. My point in stating that Stearns has acquired multiple redundant players isn't to criticize them individually. As you have pointed out, Moustakas and Grandal are both All Stars and that is great! However, when you have a team that is completely dependent on HR and slugging to win games, you will go into the tank when the power inevitably disappears for periods of time. This is why guys like Cain 2018-vintage are so valuable. A professional hitter is quite valuable when the power goes out. Thames/Aguilar & Moustakas/Shaw are essentially the same type of player, heavily dependent on HR and slugging. I would gladly take a Lucroy/Overbay type hitter, high AVG/doubles power, at this point in time. If Cain returns to form and the Brewers simply pepper in another Cain-type player or two (perhaps its Hiura), I think it will go a long way to avoiding the offensive slumps we are seeing. Because quite frankly, they don't have the pitching to withstand the power outages they have been encountering.

I stand by my statement in an in game thread. This is easily my least favorite Brewer season in memory. I’m 37 and remember the early 2000s quite vividly. The NL was supposed to be jammed packed and very competitive but the lack of effectiveness of Chacin, Burnes, Peralta, etc... and the regression of Shaw, Cain and Aguilar (even though he’s showing signs of improvement) have made for expectations that haven’t been met and they should have reasonably been expected to continue. I hope I am wrong but this team looks dead. And for all you Stearns defenders (I am one of them) he’s greatly at fault for his hirings of the pitching/hitting coaches and the way he’s built this team with multiple redundant players (Thames, Aguilar, Shaw, Moustakas, Grandal).

A microcosm of coaching this season in today’s game... 1st and 3rd 1 out, Hiura and Thames swinging for the downs instead of putting the ball in play. Pirates man on 3rd 1 out, Newman goes with pitch to RF to drive in run. 1st and 3rd 1 out, Musgrove, a pitcher, lays down a bunt to get run on board. This team this year could use more situational hitting rather than trying to hit HR constantly.

This a question to start a discussion. Taking a step back from last year and the successes that were had. If Counsell weren’t from Whitefish Bay, would he be on the hot seat? I understand that he’s an amazing manager for the most part, however his coaching staff leaves a ton to be desired. I think you can sum up 2019 frustrations in two words...Hook and Haines. You have to assume he had a big hand in hiring these guys and they have been tremendous busts. We rarely talk about Counsell being responsible but should be shoulder more of the blame from us fans? His entire team has regressed for the most part. I’m just worried we give him a free pass because “he’s one of us.”

No, this is exactly the same team from last year with all of the same flaws just without a good bullpen to mask the starting pitching problem. The Brewers offense is about as good as it was last year maybe a bit better with the addition of Grandal. Losing Coles has had no impact on the Brewers offense. Though some on here had the opinion of losing Cole and replacing him with anyone would improve the Brewers offense. Reality is that Aguilar, Shaw and others are the same players as they were last year no difference. We obviously have a difference of opinion there. I think the stats back my opinion

the explanation is the Braves and Cubs have more resources than the Brewers. I know that's not an explanation people want to hear, but that's the explanation. And that is why baseball continues to lose popularity compared to the NFL and NBA.

I'm pretty sure almost everyone on this board wanted Coles fired at some point last season. I don't see what Johnson would have done with the Brewers pitchers that would help this year. It is entirely possible Burnes and Peralta are the same pitchers with Johnson as the pitching coach. The narrative just changes then to is Johnson just a one year wonder. Coaches are scapegoats and nothing more in baseball at least for fans. Ok so your thought is that the players were simply not that good to begin with? As Cincinnati has gone on to become one of the best staffs in baseball since Johnson’s arrival. Or as Aguilar and Shaw have become lesser hitters than Woodruff. There’s only one difference.

Reality is what has changed from last season? It’s coaching. Plain and simple. Coles and Johnson have been replaced by absolute dumpster fires of coaches. Small markets like Milwaukee can’t blow their window which is happening currently because of poor decision making.

I’m so tired of this team. Stearns sitting on his you know what. Fire Hook.

Brewers drop a ball...Reyes 3 run HR Padres drop a ball...Perez K Breaks are beating the boys this stretch too.

It’s not. It’s just expecting something and not seeing it happen. Many had way too high of expectations and it’s ruining a time in Brewers history for them. Maybe some re-runs of the early 2000’s would help during rain delays or something. I don't think this is accurate. Burnes, Peralta and Chacin weren't expected to pitch to sub 3 ERA but certainly weren't expected 8.69, 5.54 and 5.60 ERA. Shaw and Aguilar should have been expected to hit 25-30 HR given their past two seasons. No one expected this drop off. There have been no answers and let's not start talking about the bullpen. Put simply, this team isn't even meeting averages let alone expectations.

This I don’t understand why you guys watch with this type of attitude. I get being upset that they’re losing to some extent but I don’t quite get how watching baseball isn’t enjoyable. Baseball is enjoyable almost all of the time. However, when you watch your favorite team that you live and die with daily play with a complete and total lack of fundamentals it becomes quite aggravating. If this were the Athletics making these mistakes playing against the Indians, I wouldn't care at all and would thoroughly enjoying the game.

Like I said earlier today, this team just isn't fun to root for this season. Too many stupid things like that Machado pop up and terrible ABs with RISP (looking at you Orlando) and poor pitching. The talent is there but the execution is significantly lacking this season.

This is quite simply the least fun 1st place team I can remember. I am so frustrated watching this team this season. Yes they are in 1st place but man I do not enjoy watching them play. I can't put my finger on it...it's hard to say they are underachieving as a team with being in first but individually it seems as if 90% of the roster is underachieving individually (Cain, Shaw, Aguilar). Is there any one on the team actually overachieving this year? Seems like this might be a reflection on coaching (not Counsell).

I don't know what to feel about this. I think he's a great pitcher but will he be the same without Spring Training and a "normal" offseason. Would I prefer the Brewers sign him? I don't really know that answer either. I see him being the true definition of absolute boom or incredible bust in 2019.

Can we do this trade right now? Dubon for Will Smith sounds amazing.

Absolutely terrible fundamental baseball with 2nd and 3rd no out. Arcia has absolutely no situational awareness at the plate. Then a safety squeeze and Gamel out by 10 feet. Lousy decision by Counsell.

Rosenthal said Shaw to IL could be a possibility with right wrist/hand issue.

Seems like a good day to turn Uecker off early.

I seriously cannot remember any other player in Milwaukee other than Manny Parra that did less with as much talent as Barnes has. He drives me insane.

I don't think you move Chacin, Davies or Gio. The only ones who should be considered are Woodruff and Anderson and Woodruff just pitched maybe his best game of the season. Maybe go with a 6 man rotation?

Assuming health (a big ask), I think the rotation by the middle of the season will be Nelson-Gonzalez-Davies-Chacin-Anderson, with Woodruff and Burnes strengthening the pen. That rotation combined with a pen of Woodruff, Burnes, Hader, Claudio, Jeffress and Guerra in the pen, the pitching staff becomes quite good on paper. If they only can perform to their abilities...

I was thinking more like 2009 when they threw out Looper, Parra, Suppan and Bush for 112 starts and the lowest ERA and FIP between the four of them was 5.22 and 4.88.

I know it is the state of the game currently with 3TO teams, but it really does wear thin. 51 HRs is great through 25 games however a general lack of situational awareness and hitting really stinks.