Senior Viewpoint

Brewers Last Stand

Posted by DICK STEINBERG on Aug. 22, 2010 | 14 comments

On September 1 the Brewers will make their last stand. It is the time that major league teams can expand their rosters. It is the time when tems decide which minor league players are in their future plans. It is the time when players are either upgraded, downgraded or traded. A few are just released. it is the time when contracts are an issue. It is the time to decide if a team is a real contender.

So let us take a look.

Right now the brewers are in 3rd place in their division about 12 games out of 1st place. Their pitching staff has not been improved enough to have 4 dependable starting pitchers. STOP THERE. HEARD ENOUGH ?

The plus factors are a team that can and should produce runs but do not do so each day. A defense that is at least even with other teams. But baseball history says that the winners are those with outstanding pitching in the final analysis.

This is no time to blame the front office or the manager. Good teams still win. This is no time to use hindsight cause foresight is proven to be better.

This is the time to make some important franchise decisions.

In my opinion the brewers must keep their lineup intact and at the same time start working on obtaining 2 or 3 frontline pitchers. First get rid of the weak links in the pitching staff : Parra, Davis, Hawkins, Bush and the pitching coach. None will makeup a championship team. It is not my problem how this is done, maybe eating some salaries, trades or outright releases. That done the front office needs to bring in any and all minor league pitchers that can throw strikes and from there take youth over experience. After that it is time to look at who is available under 30 years of age on other rosters. The trade bait are the above pitchers, Prince Fielder, Escobar (slightly overrated), Gomez, Dickerson, Gerut and Kottarus. Who stays? The entire bullpen including Hoffman for his team value and maybe pitching coach, outfielders, Braun, Cain and Hart; infielders Mcghee and Weeks and catcher Lucroy. What no Fielder or Escobar. Right. Mcghee or Hart can play  1st base and there are minor leaguers who can play shortstop and 1st base. Amongst them are Kohansky 1B, Lawrie (anywhere), Salmones C, and in spring training the entire AAA roster. Foolish ? No. There is an entire winter for these guys to improve their ability. There is an entire winter to coax JJ Hardy to come back. There is an entire winter to make decisions. Who will carry the offense. Not Fielder. Pitchers have his number. Not Escobar. A good talent but not a good bet. They are Braun, Hart, Mcghee, Weeks and Cain who I really like.

I was hoping to get Roy Oswalt and maybe next year. Lee is always available. Zambrano (Cubs) may be available.

Change Managers? Not now. Macha was not my favorite but he has proven to be a good example and a good baseball man. In the meantime. Dale Sveum and Don Money are ready and waiting.

Not a bad start the have Yo and Wolff as starters, with Narveson in the wings. Thats 3. Only need 1 more.