Matt Breen

This rotation would likely suck, but that's okay. We aren't going to the playoffs this year. Let Thornburg and Jungmann spend as much time as necessary to ensure we get them another year, then when you find a decent trade for Garza and Lohse, you pull the trigger. Do the same thing with the bullpen. Bring up Knebel when you find takers for the likes of Cotts, Broxton and K-Rod. None of it's pretty, but it's probably inevitable.

Comments like this - and from one of the team's best players - make you think players were too comfortable.

Awesome. I had forgotten about that one.

Those are great. Growing up, Mike Hegan was the color commentator for years for the Crew. I remember him saying things like, "If the club hits well, plays good defense, and pitches well, the Brewers should win." So insightful.

Counsell managed to accumulate 22.3 bWAR (17.7 fWAR) in his career. Over 15 years, that's not a huge amount - but it's nothing to sneeze at. He played good defense, was a solid baserunner and took almost as many walks (10.7% walk rate) as he had strike outs. Defense, baserunning, plate discipline - those are all things this club could use.

Counsel it is. To me, it's a clean slate. I don't know what he'll be like as a manager until I see him, so I'm just hoping he's the right guy at this time. Counsel seems like a smart guy. He seems respected in the baseball world. He made a long career out of a modicum of talent. If all those things make him a good manager - then great. I just hope that the team sets up a plan to succeed. Whether that's Melvin as GM or someone else, I just don't want these band aids applied year after year. I hope the team is willing to reboot itself, and both the front office and Counsel know there will be growing pains - and they are willing to sit through those pains. As for Roenicke, he seemed a bit lost to me. He looked tired and frustrated, and didn't have answers (which is bad for a leader - even if you're tired and frustrated you have to have the answers - or try to have them - and you can't look like you are lost). I said before that he looked like a dead man walking - he knew he was toast, and so did everyone else. It's hard to manage in that situation. No one wants to be part of a sinking ship. As a manager, I didn't care for how much he bunted - I thought he didn't value outs like he should at times. Also, I was not thrilled with the way he ran the bullpen. I realize that many players and coaches like to have 'roles' for their guys in the pen, but this obsession was a killer at times. Remember Kameron Loe as our '8th inning guy' - that kind of thing worked out real well. I respect that the players liked playing for him. That's important. But over time, it seems like he was marginalized by the players. As it has been pointed out, there weren't consequences to poor decisions, and in th end, the players just kind of ignored him. Perhaps part of that was not having strong leaders in the clubhouse - guys who kept things in line when needed. I don't know the answer - just speculating. In the end, Counsel is the guy. If they seem to think he is a long term answer, it's fine to make the move now. No use dragging out the process. And the last thing the front office wanted was Roenicke's team to win 5-6 games in a row - then it's hard to make the change.

Jimenez was an interesting pickup, and I get Milwaukee credit for at least looking at him. He had a rep as a good defensive player (which seems to be deserved), and he had some respectable numbers at AAA. However, watching him you could see his bat speed was great. Combine that with a bit of a long swing, and he was simply over matched in the big leagues. That he didn't walk much didn't help him either.

Kapler would be an interesting guy. Risky due to his lack of experience. But he doesn't seem like the kind of guy who would accept slackers.

Lou Brown available? http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/images/kabc/cms_exf_2007/on_the_red_carpet/lou_600.jpg

Whoever is the new manager, it's all his fault.

Counsel new manager. Montgomery tabbed to be GM after the season, replacing Melvin. Just a thought.

My guess as well.

If Segura keeps getting four hit games like today he's going to get someone to overpay (or maybe just pay what's fair, if my assessment is wrong). No matter, keep it up, Jean. You either make this club better, or increase your trade value.

If (and that's if) the club goes into rebuild mode, and Luc is made available, what's your thoughts on who Milwaukee could get for Lucory. Again, this is not a 'should we trade luc' thread - just an 'if we trade Lucory' thread. I would think we want to focus on acquiring younger talent, but feel free to use your imagination. You can certainly add other Brewer players into any deal. I'll start with one idea - a deal with the Dodgers: Brewers send: Lucroy Dodgers send: Grant Holmes RHP, OF Alex Verdugo, RHP Chris Anderson, 2015 Competitive Draft pick (74th overall) Why: Grandel is hitting .189, Ellis is hitting .150. I think that's enough said. While I would love to get hold of Seager, Urias or Pederson, I just don't see the Dodgers giving up any of these guys. Each looks like they could be an all-star, and it's tough to give up these kinds of players, even for someone as good as Luc. Each of these players are either in LA now, or will be by year's end. We could certainly try to get one of these guys, but I don't think LA goes for that. Thus, the other idea. For the Brewers they get Holmes, who many had as one of the potential top picks in last year's draft (but fell due to TJ surgery). He offers significant upside - but risk as well due to his youth (19) and the injury. The Brewers can afford to wait for Holmes to recover. He gives the team an arm with more upside than they've had in years. And with the Dodgers geared to win now, dealing Holmes is an acceptable trade off. Anderson is at AA this year. A former #1 pick, he's had mixed success thus far, having control issues at time (like lots of young players). How far he advances will likely be determined by how well he can refine his pitches. But he offers a quality arm with some upside. Verdugo was the Dodgers #2 pick last year. He could have been a pitcher, throwing 90+ mph. At 19, he's a project. In his initial season, he hit well (.353 on 190 ABs in rookie ball), and showed nice plate discipline (20BB and 18K). He's a young, well-rounded athlete who could be a plus OF and hit for good (probably great) power. Being at A ball, he's still very much an unknown and a risk, but I like what I've seen of him. This trade lacks a stud minor leaguer bereft of question marks. Obviously, Holmes may be that stud player, but you never know. It's heavy on lower level guys as well, which means it will take longer for things to come to fruition. Of course, we could try to get Seager or Urias, but this is an alternative to those players.

Yep. That was my 'sigh' post earlier. Although another 10 feet and Braun has an HR. This team's inability to take a walk is crippling. At times it truly feels as if they do not want to. 3-1 count, better swing wherever it is. Can't stand that approach. i feel your pain.

Tough pitch for Braun to take, but it looked low.

Yep. That was my 'sigh' post earlier. Although another 10 feet and Braun has an HR. This team's inability to take a walk is crippling.

I think you go high upside - at least with the club at this time. We simply lack big upside players in the organization.

Not much can send your heart sinking than hearing things like Matt LePay saying, "Hector Gomez trying to get something going." Three of our hitters have been in the minors this year, or could easily be in the minors at this moment (Gomez, Jimenez, Rogers). Two are back ups (Maldonado and Parra). Brutal lineup.

Basically it's Quentin's decision. Article said the injuries are just preventing him from playing the game. I think he had back issues (but not positive on this) - that can really foul up a person.

Maldonado's arm is just amazing. I know it's just one part of being a catcher, but it's fun watching him in the field.

Carlos Quentin is retiring due to injuries. Only 32. The guy looked like something special back in 2008 - hit 36 HRs, 100 RBI, .965 OPS. Lots of injuries over his career - never the same as back in 2008. Well, he made $51M in his career. Not too shabby. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/05/carlos-quentin-in-process-of-retiring.html

braunie. sigh.

Reds will lose Bailey for the season with Tommy John surgery. The joys of long term contracts. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/05/homer-bailey-to-undergo-tommy-john-surgery.html

I think there were numerous reasons they weren't going to compete. As has often been the case the last few years, this was a team that required a lot to go right to be contenders. I apologize for saying this again, but stuff happens - good and bad - usually in equal measure. For each pleasant surprise, you have something bad happen. To just assume most everything will go right is a poor way to plan. It doesn't mean it can't happen, it's just not likely. That's kind of mean, but 'negative nancy boy' is creative. Kudos. I think the 'career norms' thing is in reference to expecting aging players, or players who have struggled with injuries, to come back with their career norms when it's unlikely. Thus, having A-Ram hit 20+HR and bat .285 is probably unrealistic.