Sabathia and Sheets possibly gone?

The Brewers have made a pretty good offer to Sabathia, but it seems that the f***ing Yankees are putting obscene money down.

And with Ryan Dempster signing for four years, $52 million, the market for Ben Sheets now has a floor figure.

In a sense, it's looking tough for the Crew.

They have to lay out $152 million over five years... which means that Weeks and Fielder would be likely to walk in free agency. Or, they try to keep Weeks and Fielder... and have questions in the rotation, where the top guys would be Parra and Gallardo, who have problems staying healthy.

Even sports looks to be a downer this winter. [sigh]

Interviewing to be the Brewers manager...

OK, so Dale Sveum won't be back as manager.

Over at Al's Ramblings (Octobr 18, 2008, 10:24 AM), some interview questions have been placed.

I'll put down my answers here.

1. Coaching-wise, what do you think can be done to get Rickie Weeks to fulfill his potential? And I'd extend the question to the likes of Hart, Parra, etc.

In Parra's case, I think the big issue was hitting the wall due to a lrge increase in innings pitched. For Weeks, Hart, and Hall, I would probably want to compare their hot streaks to their cold streaks as a start, and try to get a baseline. In the case of Hall, I'd try to see if he's done anything different in 2007-2008 than he did in 2005-2006.

2. What's your theory on bullpen management? What's the strengths and weaknesses of the current group and what would you want the GM to do?

Strengths: The current bullpen tends to be reasonable strong in terms of getting the job done. Some relievers have ugly end-of-season stats (like Riske), but that is arguably distorted by 10% of outings where they got pounded. There are plenty of guys (Torres, Villanueva, Shouse, McClung) who can handle the middle innings. There is young talent (Dillard, Stetter, Pena). Mark DiFelice might also be able to contribute.

Weaknesses: Lack of a dominant closer. Gagne didn't do the job, and while Torres was a fill-in, he was kind of miscast. Also, some pitchers (Torres in particular) got overworked,and that dropoff will be a major concern if the rotation loses Sheets and Sabathia. The best thing the GM can do for the Brewers bullpen, if he entrusts me to be manager, is to keep one or both of those starters in the fold.

3. How do you evaluate Tony Gwynn Jr.? (And the candidate that thinks he should be handed the centerfield job and made the leadoff hitter is going to set off all kinds of alarms in my head.)

Ideally, Tony Gwynn Jr, is the 5th outfielder, the team's top pinch-runner, and a defensive replacement in the late innings of some games (usually a blowout when I would want to give a starter a rest). If he ends up in the lineup (and hopefully he is NOT starting games), he bats eighth.

4. What are your beliefs in bench construction? What's the role of the backup catcher?

I believe that the bench's primary purpose is to provide a manager with the tools to win a game despite unforeseen events. Ideally, the players are to be versatile, able to play more than one position, and able to hold their own at the plate. On the present 40-man roster, my 2009 bench would consist of Mike Rivera, Alicides Escobar, Joe Dillon, Vinny Rottino, Tony Gwynn Jr., and Gabe Kapler. The backup catcher's role is to be ready to fill in - ideally so that he and the team's pitchers do not miss a beat - should the starter be injured or need a day off.

5. Lineup construction, what's your general ideas?

Leadoff slot: High OBP, lots of speed. Power is a bonus. #2 spot: Someone who hits a lot of doubles, draws walks, and who gets on base. #3 and #4 hitters: The two players who will likely have highest OPS totals. Braun and Fielder. The #5 hitter will be someone who racks up a high SLG, OBP less relevant. #6 and #7 hitters will be a lot like the #2 hitter, although I am flexible on the #6 hitter - someone with a lot of power may take that spot. The #8 hitter needs to be an OBP/speed guy - if for no other reason than to get to the pitcher's spot, so the next inning starts with the leadoff man.

This is a team that is built around the long ball. While "small ball" is not this team's forte, I will at least try to get the team to be competent at it, if only to have greater flexibility.

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Well, we get to see if I get the job. :)

Been away, I know...

Much has happened.

The Brewers made the playoffs - then didn't get past the first round. Still, it's good to make my brother say "Wild Card."

It does speak volumes, though. It took a lot of work to make it happen. Only eight out of 30 major-league teams make the playoffs. It's nice to see the Crew near the top.

Also, some promising news has turned a bit tougher. I hope that I can work out something that could lead to a dream happening after a bit of a setback earlier this year.

Weeks goes O-fer...

But there are O-fers... and there are O-fers...

Three walks, three runs scored... is an O-fer that can be lived with.

A few hot streaks later...

And the Brewers now have a three-game lead for the Wild Card.

26 years is a long time to wait...

Laurie in the fold...

Brett Lawrie is now in the fold. This is a good sign.

Not so good, the apparent meltdown in the dugout.

If you think dating is tough, try rooting for the Brewers.

7-0 on the road...

My job doesn't give me the time I used to have to post here.

That said, I would be remiss if I didn't pump my fist and celebrate the Brewers 7-0 road trip. They're leading for the Wild Card now. If the Cubs had been kind enough to lose, they'd be T-I-E-D for the NL Central lead.

Damn, it's good to be a Brewers fan.

Sabathia a Brewer!

The Brewers have acquired CC Sabathia for Matt LaPorta, two minor-league pitchers, and a player to be named later.

As a rental - it's a good deal. The Brewers offense leaned heavily to the right side of the plate, and so, in a sense, LaPorta was too much of a good thing (being a right-handed hitter, albeit a very good one).

If the Brewers make the playoffs, they win this trade, no matter what happens in LaPorta's future (which I hope is a good one).

The only question will be whether Sabathia and Sheets sign with the Brewers, or if they give Jack Zdurinek and Doug Melvin the chance to pick up four more players in the first 60 picks than one would otherwise expect (due to major-league baseball compensation system for free agency).

If Sabathia and Sheets re-sign, the Brewers will be in the driver's seat of the NL Central for a long time.

Braun signs!

NL Central pitchers beware! Ryan Braun has apparently signed a big extension.

Now, if they can only get Prince Fielder signed to a similar deal...

To explain any loud screams around the Washington Post newsroom...

Going back to my earlier post on the possible change at Miller Park, I have mentioned that I would like to be a fly on the wall of George Will's office when he finds out about their consideration of artificial turf.

Here's why:
From his April 3, 2005 column (see page 2):

This season, for the first time since the Astrodome opened in 1965, every National League game will be played on real grass.

Mr. Will seems to have spoken too soon.

I have already sent the Brewers an e-mail expressing my support for the considered change.

I strongly support the installation of artificial turf in Miller Park, not only for the better appearance,but also because I believe it would be a superb fit for the skill sets of a number of the players on the Brewers (Rickie Weeks, Corey Hart, Tony Gwynn Jr. Bill Hall, Ryan Braun, and Mike Cameron), giving the team a bit more of an edge in Miller Park.

Call it getting the Brewers a bit more home-field advantage.

Artificial Turf at Miller Park?

The Brewers are apparently considering replacing the natural grass at Miller Park with artificial turf. This could be very good news.

With players like Rickie Weeks, Ryan Braun, Bill Hall, Corey Hart, Tony Gwynn Jr., and Mike Cameron, this would be a huge benefit for the Brewers. Why? Because the ball goes faster and bounces higher on artificial turf.

Adding artificial turf would give the Brewers a bit of a home-field advantage.

UPDATE: Not like they need it when they polish off a sweep, but I want to be the fly on the wall of George Will's office when he finds out.

2-0

Man, it's gotta suck to be a Chicago Cub. When you can hear "Let's go Brewers" get chanted on the broadcast AT WRIGLEY FIELD.

But it's sweet for a Brewers fan.

Opening Day...

The four sweetest words in the English language:
Brewers win, CUBS LOSE!!!!

OK, Ryan goes back to third, then...

Bill Hall got hurt this morning fielding grounders.

He wants to play today. I like the spirit, but I'd sit Hall, move Braun back to third, and stick Gabe Gross or Joe Dillon in left for today.

The Brewers start Cactus League baseball today. May they treat Athletics pitching like a bunch of baby seals... CLUB `EM!!!

ARRGH!!!!

How can Ned Yost NOT have the heart of his order decided?

It's really simple:
Weeks leads off, Hardy bats second, Ryan Braun hits third, Prince Fielder bats cleanup, Corey Hart hats fifth, Bill Hall bats sixth.

It's not that hard... unless you want Hall to bat fifth and Hart sixth...

Plenty of pitching...

The Brewers have a surplus of starters as we near spring training for the 2008 season.

It's a good spot to be in. Someone's gonna need a starter - and the Brewers can easily afford to part with Claudio Vargas... maybe for a good backup catcher.

The 2008 Brewers...

OK, let's get away from politics and go to what is important.

Baseball.

The Brewers have a good lineup, and the future looks bright, too. The second and third items are very exciting. The first item also speaks volumes - they are looking to make the post-season and win it all.

On the one hand, it's a pain. On the other, it's nice to see the Brewers get ready to kick some serious ass this year.

Brewers get a whole new bullpen...

The Brewers have picked up a higher-end bullpen at the winter meetings.

Note, this was a team, that when they were putting together a bullpen with castoffs, still managed to pretty much have a game in hand when they were up after seven innings.

Don't believe me? Look over their relievers for the past decade. Bob Wickman was good enough to bring Richie Sexson to the Brewers. That ultimately gave the Brewers a bunch of good players. In essence, it was buying low and selling high.

Now, they have a contending team and have lined up a bunch of relievers who aren't castoffs. They have a lineup that can make any National League pitcher feel like a baby seal on any given day. And with pitching and offense like that, I can like with Ryan Braun at third base. Especially when it's even money whether he or Prince Fielder will lead the Brewers in homers.

Schilling to Milwaukee?

If this report is anywhere close to true, then Doug Melvin needs to talk with the guy ASAP.

Sheets, Schilling, Gallardo, Villanueva, and Suppan would easily be the best rotation in the majors.

Can Brewers fan hope?

Sheets out... the season is in doubt.

If Ben Sheets is gone for the season, the Brewers have probably had it. Other than dealing with some taunting - call it being persecuted for my team's sake - it's not so bad. There was a lot of progress made this year.

Just last year, some injuries sent the team below .500. This year, the injuries knocked the Brewers only out of first place and turned what should have been the NL Central title in a runaway to a loss in the last 1/16 of the season.