Tennik

per Rosenthal: "#Brewers cool on #Dodgers' Furcal, Carroll. Looking for utility IF/OF type. #tradedeadline #MLB" Who fits this description that is available?

Doug Melvin indicated in a recent interview that the team addressed their "biggest need area" in the acquisition of K-Rod. Is it possible that Melvin is done making moves, and ready to ride out the rest of the year with the current infield? Would you rather Melvin take a hard line since teams are obviously asking too much, or give up Gamel, Peralta, Thornburg etc for rentals like Carroll/Furcal to go all in this season? I'm torn to be honest. Obviously it's in the long term best interests of the team to keep their best prospects, and ride out the season....but part of me wants to be short sighted and trade the farm for as much talent as they can get.....

The Pirates have been playing the Nationals and Astros for a month-look at their upcoming schedule: Reds, Cardinals, Braves, Phillies. That stretch will tell us if they are for real. After this road trip the Brewers schedule eases up for the rest of the season as well: Cubs Astros (twice), Pirates, Dodgers. This team is poised for a big August.

Where is Hawkins....I thought he was getting more "high leverage" situations?

Overall this was a rough series....terrible offensive display on Monday, bullpen implosions Tuesday, and our starter has a rough outing today.

So much for going into Boston with some momentum.

To be fair, the middle relief pitched 4 scoreless before the 8th inning debacle. This one is on Randy Wolf.....going 3.1 bad innings hurt an already tapped bullpen.

I know it's early in the season, but this next 4 series may be the defining moment in the season. The combined record of Brewer opponents in the next 4 series is 47-56 as they play the Padres (twice). Pirates, and Dodgers. The end of the month gets brutal as they get the Nationals, Giants, and Reds. June is equally brutal, as they have series against the Marlins, Red Sox, Rays, and Yankees. Records aside those will be tough series. The Brewers need a winning record these next 4 series to set themselves up for a chance at a .500 record by the all star break. The late season schedule gets easier, but if they are too far out at the break Prince will most certainly be gone, and there will be no move for a replacement shortstop. The Brewers are now at full strength, and need to take advantage of some weaker opponents by making a run NOW. Anything less than 7-3 in the next 10 will be a significant blow to the Brewers chances moving forward.

Plush Nation=the new bucket-head brigade?

Well this is getting ugly in a hurry.....

I don't think he's hurt. Marcum just looks rusty after an uneven spring......he'll settle in eventually.

Has anyone heard a return date? I know with this type of injury there is a little bit of ambiguity, but I feel like we've been hearing he's "one week away" for like three weeks now.....

The more I hear from Lucroy, the more I like the guy. He strikes me as a "career Brewer". I wonder how effective his offense will be without any spring training swings though?

Even if the injury is not serious, my concern at this point would be whether or not his arm will be ready for April 2nd? His limited pitch count to date suggests he'll need a couple more starts to build it up. He still has time, but one more setback and he won't be ready.

I agree they are headed in the right direction. Whereas, you look at the Brewers and there doesn't seem to be any direction. Unless treading water in a sea of mediocrity counts as a direction. Maybe there's some light at the end of the tunnel in a couple of years with some young pitching coming up, but it would be nice if Melvin would start making moves with that in mind. I just don't see the Brewers making a run next year with Gallardo+garbage for a starting rotation.I can't help but feel like the plan is this:1. Tread water with our current hitting stars the next year and 1/2 (2010-2011) in order to keep attendance numbers as steady as possible even though we know we can't truly compete for a championship. 2. Bring some pitching prospects up (Rivas/Jeffress) in 2012 in order to try to keep some interest. 3. Bank on our young pitching making us contenders again in 2013.