Selling off Crusty Veterans

General Manager Adam Burnett’s cardinal rule of baseball is that if you’re out of contention at the trade deadline, no player over the age of 35 should be on the roster.  The reason is because if we’re losing with you, we certainly can lose without you.  Also I feel that everyone deserves a chance to play in a pennant chase.  Trevor Hoffman has kept his mouth shut since being yanked from the closer’s role.  Hoffman has given up 6 earned runs in 17 appearances since June 1st.  Jim Edmonds is fighting father time to produce for the Crew.  Edmonds is batting .423 with 4 HR and 8 RBI in his last 10 games.  LaTroy Hawkins got hurt so his value could come in the waiver deadline period.  Craig Counsell could help a Senior Circuit club with his ability to play 3 infield positions.  David Riske is under 35 but could possibly be moved to a team that misses out on higher profile relief help.  While these players haven’t been a problem in the clubhouse, what’s the point of blocking a younger player?  Top flight prospects won’t be sent back in return, but it’s the organizations job to pick diamonds in the rough.

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Tags: Brewers, Craig Counsell, David Riske, Jim Edmonds, LaTroy Hawkins, Trevor Hoffman

Padres acquire Tejada, could Brewers have given up more?

The Padres have acquired 3B Miguel Tejada from the Orioles for minor league pitcher Wynn Petzer. This year Petzer is 6-9 with a 4.20 ERA in 22 games, including 18 starts, with the San Antonio Missions in Double-A .  He’s a decent pitching prospect that may not have enough pitches to be in a big league rotation.  The Padres improved their club without hurting their major league rotation or giving away a top flight pitching prospect.    

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Tags: Aaron Poreda, Brett Lawrie, Brewers, Casey McGehee, Miguel Tejada, Padres, Rickie Weeks, Simon Castro

Brewers drop 2 of 3 to Reds

This series with the Reds is the perfect reminder of what the 2010 Brewers are just as the trade deadline approaches.  Dropping 2 of 3 at home in blow out fashion isn’t a surprise.  I would trade off the farm for the right price.  We don’t want sell our players for less than market value excuse is B.S.  I’d love to have those pieces at my disposal to reshape the organization.  For Doug Melvin to turn over the roster would be to admit failure.  It doesn’t matter how many games are remaining with the Cardinals and Reds.

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Can Brewers take advantage of sellers market?

Entering play on July 26^th the Brewers sit at 8.5 games back in the division behind the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds.  The Brewers have 5 games remaining with the Cardinals 2 on the road and 3 at home. This year the Crew has gone 4-6 against the Red Birds.  While the Brewers are set for 12 more games with the Reds 6 at home and 6 on the road. So far the Crew has lost both games against the Red legs.  The non-waiver trade deadline is fast approaching on Saturday July 31st.  17 games remaining against the top two teams in division give Milwaukee hope.  The Brewers are just one hot streak from climbing back into the race.  Turning over the roster would be a public admission to mistakes. Brewers general manager Doug Melvin has to be honest with himself about this roster. Great GM’s know when to sell and reload.

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Tags: Brewers, Casey McGehee, Corey Hart, MLB Trade Deadline, Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks

Brewers sweep Nationals

Coming back to Miller Park, the Brewers respond with a 3-game sweep of the Washington Nationals.  The Strasburg tour wasn’t scheduled to appear in the Brew city. 

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Tags: Adam Dunn, Brewers, Corey Hart, Mike Morse, Nationals, Rickie Weeks, Ryan Braun

Brewers pitching reaches new lows vs. Pirates

The Brewers split their 4-game series in Pittsburgh.  Having back-to-back starting pitchers allow over 10 runs should be the officially sanctioned nail in the coffin on this current roster.  I can notorize any  necessary paperwork.  Some fan favorites must get traded for major league ready pitching.  This series served as Pedro Alvarez national coming out party with back-to-back appearances on MLB Tonight on the MLB Network.       

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Tags: Brewers, Dave Bush, Neil Walker, Pedro Alvarez, Pirates, Prince Fielder, Randy Wolf, Rickie Weeks

White Sox don’t have enough for Fielder

If I had the task of dealing Prince Fielder, the White Sox wouldn’t be on my short list of potential suitors.  White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams is very aggressive in turning over his roster.  The problem is that the Sox don’t have what I’m looking for in return.  I want major league ready pitching. 

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Tags: Brewers, Clevelan Santeliz, Daniel Hudson, David Holmberg, Dayan Viciedo, Gordon Beckham, Prince Fielder, Santos Rodriguez, Tyler Flowers, White Sox

Mr. Baseball to return vs. Nationals

Bob Uecker will return to the radio booth on Friday’s home game against the Washington Nationals.  Uecker underwent heart surgery on April 30th with a recovery time of 10-12 weeks.  Friday afternoon Uecker will hold a press conference to discuss the details of his surgery and return to the booth.  Cory Provus and Davey Nelson did the radio broadcasts in Uecker’s absence.  Both men were put in a difficult situation because there’s just no way to replace Mr. Baseball.  For me this has been the most significant injury to the Brewers this season.  Uecker is a master entertainer that is able to make the broadcast entertaining despite bad baseball.

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Tags: Bob Uecker, Brewers, Nationals

Candidates for Cubs managerial post

With Lou Pinella’s retirement coming after the season, the Chicago Cubs are in the market for a new manager. The push for Ryne Sandberg has already begun.  Joe Girardi played for the Cubs, but it wouldn’t make sense to leave the Yankees.  Bobby Valentine is a big name manager that’s linked to every job.  Valentine took the Mets to the World Series and had success in Japan.  The Cubs are a big market franchise that’s probably looking for a big name manager.  At some point all big time managers were unknowns.  Here are a couple of candidates that I would interview for the Cubs job. 

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Tags: Bobby Valentine, Brewers, Cubs, Dale Sveum, Joe Girardi, Lou Pinella, Pat Listach, Ryne Sandberg

Brewers split series with the Braves

The Brewers split a 4 game series with the Braves.  Atlanta has the best home record in the National League at 32-12.  The bats came alive after the All-Star Break; however one spot in the starting rotation may have been lost in this series.    

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Tags: Brain McCann, Braves, Brewers, Jair Jurrjens, Manny Parra, Matt Diaz, Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks, Ryan Braun