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I presume there is a reason Don Money is not at the ML-level. Most certainly there are more resources here to work with Mat 1-on-1 on a daily basis as opposed to Money who must manage that ballclub.

I've long contended that Gamel getting pre-game time EVERY DAY with Randolph/Sveum is more important than 2 plays per night at Nashville. Now, if you argue that it is hurting the Brewers, I'll agree with that, but I don't think it is hurting Gamel's development. Just the opposite, IMO.

I'm glad I'm at work where I can't watch Extra Innings at home today. Too bad the predictable has to be predictable.

Nearly $16M in 2009, and approx $8M remaining for this season for Halladay. I like the talent that would come over, but not as cheap an Ace has Hernandez, though I understand now he's the face of that franchise and seemingly unmovable. I dont know I'd want Halladay's contract. I'm looking for a budding ace that can be controlled for a couple years at a medium salary.

Since this thread is as somebody else stated, "Top Notch Starters", I'll propose a trade I'd like to see happen. Felix Hernandez (Sea) and Josh Fields for Escobar, Corey Hart, & Manny Parra IIRC, Hernandez had his first year of arbitration this past season and is earning around 3M. So the Brewers could control him for 2010 and 2011 and of course have a chance of resigning him and buying out those last two arby years. If not, expect jumps in salary to around $6-8M, which isn't bad for somebody who could be considered an Ace or Co-Ace with Yovani for 2.5 more years at a minimum. Hardy or Escobar immediately steps in at SS in replace of Jose Lopez (.255, .283, .420) or Betancourt (.250, .278, .330) when he comes back from injury and Cedeno (.117, .202, .213) can go back to sub status. Corey Hart would undoubtedly start over Guiterrez or Balentien. You obviously know what you get in Felix Hernandez. Joshua Fields is doing very well at AA, though he was a 1st round pick, so that might be asking a bunch in return. Fields is being used as a closer, has a 3.89 ERA .115 WHIP and nearly 12K/9Inn. That greatly solidifies the rotation and should the Brewers make the playoffs, helps guarantee we don't see Games #2 & #3 of a NLDS started by guys named Suppan and Looper. Does it create a hole at RF, sure. But Gamel could go to RF and Heether come up. Give Gerut or Catalanatto more playing time? Seattle is not out of it by any means. They are in 3rd place, but only 3 games back at 38-36. I think both Texas and LAA are more talented in terms of this season and a ton of teams they would have to jump for the Wild Card (The whole AL East minus Baltimore and 2nd place AL West). I think this trade definitely helps them in terms of talent to compete for the division in 2010. I'll probably get slammed for this idea, but I was bored and think something near this is doable. Perhaps overpaying a bit, but I think we need to at this point. If we wait until the deadline, another 30 games, this team could go (10-20) over that span with the rotation the way it is now and have a very slim chance of recovery.

The team is at the top of the league in scoring runs, I'm not too worried about the offense. Guys like Chris Smith and Seth McClung making 15 starts now through September has me terrified. Words like micro-tear and Manna Parra's head case don't have me convinced they are going to be back anytime soon. If it were just one of them , fine, but when they come on the heels of a 3.2IP performance by Looper and Suppan and before you know it, that's how 4-6 game losing streaks are strung together.

I agree Brewcrew. Some G.M.'s are just afraid to mortgage what could, might, aughta, there's a chance, hoping could be in 2013 for something today. Additionally some G.M.'s are so stubborn about their previous moves (See: Ted Thompson and "his guy Aaron Rodgers" & Doug Melvin and his guy "Bill Hall") It's their move and they want to prove their move is genius. That they can't just cut bait when it is time to cut bait as in the case of Bill Hall. They'd not only like to spend millions of dollars, they'd rather spend millions of dollars on a losing cause. Doug Melvin has a delicate and tough job, but sometimes, you just have to cajones and overpay once in a while. You going to hang onto JJ & Escobar until they both retire... or make a decision to help your team today?

I guess it's not a glaring need nor a gaping problem. I agree that a counter move shouldn't be done for just a move's sake. I'd argue that a pre-emptive strike should have been done, either during the 2009 off-season or the past two weeks when stopgaps in Narveson and Chris were being purchased to Major League Contracts. This type of foresight apparently was not 20/20 however. I hope they do something soon, the hitters bailing out the pitching and scoring 7 runs a night should not last in theory.

I think I was pretty clear. I didn't present any specific trade ideas. I suggested Melvin didn't do enough to fill the void at pitching and was told there were no alternatives. Take a longer gander at the thread sir. The logic was taken at face value with no leap.

He already did, he purchased the contract of Chris Smith and Narveson. Gettin er done!

Not at all, I listed several free agent options, trade options and was told none of them are feasible. It is additionally rumoured that the Cards are puting together a package for Matt Holliday with it being front loaded with Ryan Ludwick and the backup catcher. Seems this "nobody is selling" is starting to hold less water. Maybe something can be done soon?

I got told in the IGT that there is nothing Melvin can do to help this team. He's done all he can.

I just got told there is NOTHING Doug Melvin can do. His hands are tied.

I get that Ennder, but what about trading for Buchholz? You just mentioned Vazquez. There were options. There is nothing wrong with sending Parra down and having that depth. What are we going to do...hurt his feelings? The Bo Sox did it with Buchholz and now they are probably better off for it. Off-season trading could have been done to help this team. Move Dave bush, etc. I just don't think he did the best job he could have. Beating a dead horse, so barring a new point of view, I'll keep insisting on being wrong and be disgruntled about the 2009 roster that forces me to become emotionally invested all day in waiting for the Brewers game only watch Chris Smiths, Braden Loopers, Seth McClungs and Jeff Suppans go to battle for the playoffs http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

I'm not crazy with my opinions, just a bit peeved. I may not be right. But seriously, do you guys think this is the best 25 man roster DM could have assembled between Oct of last season and now? Nevermind the fact we don't have Yankee money. With $80M, did Melvin assemble the best 25 man roster for Macha to work with?

I agree. But DM has him on the roster and Macha plays him. How about DM just eat crow and move him to AAA or Siberia. That would force Macha to use players that are better. They are paying the money irregardless, so how about putting the best 25 guys on the roster and give yourself a better shot at winning?

No, not on an individual basis and not tonight's example alone, but you don't think the overall performance of the rotation putting the team behind plays a part in the morale of the lineup?

The Giants seem to have done well without without any premier hitters. No? We've got a premier offense. The manager doesn't use his men right, but that's not on DM. DM got hitters onto the MLB team for him to use. He seemed to ignore the pitching side. There may have been no "openings" in the rotation after the Looper signing, but look at Boston. They've got options such as Smoltz and Buchholz for when the starting rotation has issues. It's inevitable DM had nobody....unless you call Narveson/Smith/McClung something that'll strike fear in opposing teams. He had nobody all offseason to fall back on, now has nobody once he needed a fallback and now seemingly has no ants in his pants to blow somebody away and fix something before it gets broken. I reckon it to trying to fill a 5/8'' hole with a 9/16'' plug. Eventually the hole just gets bigger and bigger and bigger. Just fix the damn thing and lets move on. Quite trying the patch job that you've done all offseason when the leak started. Somebody out there needs a shortstop capable of playing at the MLB level, (Hardy/Escobar). Make one your SS of the future and move the other. Somebody needed an outfielder capable of starting at the MLB level, oh wait, we already gave him up for a bench player. We don't need a Jody Gerut! DM just needs to find a trading partner and quit the patch job. Nobody's selling is latin speak for "I'm not ready to get off sitting on my hands yet" Make some tough decisions regarding your SS future, etc and make some big boy decisions.

They may have been sidegrades. But it would have shown effort. Is adding Garland and a Chuck James a sidegrade to Smith and McClung starting? If Bush and Parra are lost for the season...who do you want making the starts for the last 15-20 starts of the season, Smith and McClung or Garland and James? I get your points, I totally do. But every pundit out there, National and Local stated there was going to be a glaring dropoff in starting pitching. Looper wasn't enough of an effort in my opinion. Starting pitching was a glaring need on October 31st, January 31st, March 1st, April 7th, and June 28th of this 2009 offseason/season. Depth at the minor league level shouldn't be untouchable in my opinion when the major league rosters have holes and needs. Blow somebody away with an offer and get some help in here. Bats and hitting morale are tough to get going when the AAAA starters consistently put you in a 3-0, 4-0, 5-0 holes and can't hold 1st inning leads when they the hitters do jump out to them.

I don't know that I have the answers. There were 60+ pitchers on the free agent market. Wolf, Garland, Perez, Moyer, Burnett, Lowe, Johnson. There are some still unsigned, Armas Jr, Byrd, Shawn Chacon, Adam Eaton, Chuck James, Jon Lieber, Loaiza, Mulder, Perez, Redman, on and on. Off-season trades from positions of depth, outfield, SS, 3b. I guess I'm just a bit frustrated that DM seemingly sat on his hands and thought signing Looper was enough. Who knows, maybe contracts were offered to every guy on this list and they turned the Brewers down. It just seems like management has thrown up their hands and said, "This is the best we can do". "If somebody goes down, well hell, we've got Narveson and Smith to push us to the playoffs!" There may be no easy answer, but I dont think they were as active as they could have been in the off-season for a glaring, and I mean GLARING need. It's even more evident now and still I see sitting on the hands. "Well, gee...nobody's selling." Come on DM. If you blow somebody away for an offer, they'll sell. You may have to overpay, but you put yourself in this situation when you failed to properly rectify it in January/February when you went to camp blindly thinking your rotation was strong enough to get by. If we were a 70-80 win team, I wouldn't mind. The problem is, our offense lets us be around an 85 win team with an average rotation. Gallardo, Parra, Loooper Suppan, Bush is not an average rotation, IMO. There was one glaring need and DM didn't do enough.

Stockpiling extra AAAA talent doesn't get any credit from me. But, just an opinion. The rotation was weak coming into the season, injuries and suckitude made it even worse. If you think Melvin did enough, I have to disagree.

McClung to the rotation. What a disaster decision. Thanks Doug Melvin for giving Macha these crap options for a rotation.

This thread seems to keep going round and round despite what somebody said was "three series ago". I think pretend astronaut hit on the head when he asked "Two things" 1. You don't have to cheer for him now. 2. You realize you just essentially said, "we're both entitled to our opinions, but you have to agree, mine is more correct" right? I think it is too much "holier than thou" to decide a man's character based on two "very public" incidents, but to each his own. I won't sit here and say what opinion is correct, only to add that I've witnessed Mr. Fielder on several occassions outside of baseball, away from the game, and never considered this playful interaction with the fans to be a reoccurring attitude problem or otherwise. But like astronaut said, if you don't like his character, that doesnt preclude you from having to cheer for him now. If you don't like somebody, you don't like them, don't pretend because he wears a Brewers emblem on the sleeve. But perhaps take it at more face value, that is ribbing the opposing fans rather than a downright defamation of his own character.

Just keep walking batters until the rains come. Shouldn't be too much trouble.