Balfour DFA'd (ok, kidding before someone gets excited)

[MoneyballMan]

MILWAUKEE - July 23, 2007 (AP) - Given Grant Balfour's complete lack of big league pitching ability, not to mention is inability to throw a strike, he was designated for assignment after Milwaukee's 2-1 loss to Cincinnati this evening. Last seen, Mr. Balfour was seen in the fetal position in the corner of the clubhouse crying after manager Ned Yost stuck the game ball ... (ok, can't use a "strike" to finish that sentence).

 

In unrelated news, Milwaukee has still not acquired Adam Dunn for Matt Wise, even though several blogs have speculated about such a move.

[BrewCrewForever]

Please dont tease like that. I just hope when the real thread is started, it also says Hall activated from DL.

[MadisonBrewerBlue]

maybe the cubs will pick him up

[MoneyballMan]

maybe the cubs will pick him up

 

Then we should move this to the "Curse the Cubs" thread!

[Dragonbait]

But somehow I do feel that when Hall comes back... Balfour

is the odd man out..

Course the blame doesnt fall solely on him... but he's yet to

throw a scoreless innning... (if im wrong then im sorry)

[MoneyballMan]

Wouldn't surprise me if the real release will be out yet this evening DFA'ing Balfour and activating Hall.

[Brian the Automator]

[ But somehow I do feel that when Hall comes back... Balfour

is the odd man out.. ]

 

They've hinted loudly that they're going to stick with the extended pitching staff. He may be the odd man out, but I think it would be for another reliever in Nashville or someone via the trade route.

[MoneyballMan]

They've hinted loudly that they're going to stick with the extended pitching staff. He may be the odd man out, but I think it would be for another reliever in Nashville or someone via the trade route.

 

Probably right. Tonight's game didn't exactly ease the "8 games in 7 days" dilemma, did it?

[bork]

I'm expecting a Balfour/Thatcher swap before tomorrow's game and then a Gwynn/Hall swap Wednesday.

 

Edit: Or maybe Bray, since he can go a few innings.

[BrewCrewForever]

I hope that we get someone in a trade or try someone else from Nashville. Ive seen more then I needed to see of Balfour. I still dream of a trade for Damaso Marte.

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

Will Balfour clear waivers though?

[DuWayne Steurer]

I really hope Melvin exhausts all possibilities of getting a veteran bullpen arm or 2 that could help before bringing up more rookies to get baptized by fire in the middle of a heated pennant chase.

 

This team is really, really young, and I'm not saying you need a "veteran presence" or have some old farts around to teach the young guys "how to win", I just think if you have some guys who've been around a while, you get a known quantity, and someone you can rely on.

 

Bringing up the kids from Nashville, it's going to be hit and miss, you could get a guy come up and put up a sub-2 ERA for the last 2 months of the season, or he could get knocked around, it's just that all these young guys are not quantifiable yet.

 

I realize at some point you have to see what you have, but up 3 games in a pennant race when you're rounding the corner for the home stretch isn't where I'd like to be testing guys out.

[danzig6767]

Balfour probably has decent stuff,he looks like a guy right now that isn't able to control his emotions and just pitch.

 

I can almost picture the guy after his disaster first outing and then the leadoff walk tonight,thoughts running through his mind that i'm blowing my chance after all that time rehabbing injuries.Instead of feeling confident and throwing,he's nervous,overthinking,and trying to guide the ball sorta like a nervous guy on the free throw line late in a game that can't keep his form and bricks the shot.

[bork]

Why do a have a fear that Dessens will be that "veteran presence" in a few weeks?

[MoneyballMan]

Will Balfour clear waivers though?

 

With flying colors!!

[brettac1]

Throw the next one at the wall and see if he sticks.

 

I'm a proponent of just going through as many bullpen guys as possible until they catch lightning in a bottle. Heck, they even got semi-effectiveness out of Chris Spurling for a while there.

 

If they feel they need to make a trade, by all means go for it, but I'm not a fan of giving up anything of substance for a guy that pitches so little. They really have a solid bullpen, just not a good 7th reliever, and I don't think any team has one.

[PeaveyFury]

Will Balfour clear waivers though?

 

Probably not, since pitching starved teams like Washington, KC, whomever should take a chance on him and just let him pitch for the next two months.

 

That said, we're long beyond the point where it should matter to the Brewers. We can cover with depth.

[MoneyballMan]

Why do a have a fear that Dessens will be that "veteran presence" in a few weeks?

 

Man, you just read my mind. I just had that exact sinking feeling that it will be Balfour for Dessens swap.... not exactly excited about that possibility.

[MoneyballMan]

Probably not, since pitching starved teams like Washington, KC, whomever should take a chance on him and just let him pitch for the next two months.

 

That said, we're long beyond the point where it should matter to the Brewers. We can cover with depth.

 

I agree. I said "yes" to clearing waivers out of emotion. You're spot on with "it shouldn't matter" to us what happens to him because we either a) have or b) at least be confident that we have better depth than Balfour.

[rluzinski]

I realize he's been about as bad as you could imagine but judging a guy solely by 3 IP isn't exactly fair. He did great in AAA and I'd guess the scouts like his stuff as well. If Melvin can trade for a better guy, great. Otherwise, I can't see giving up on him already.

 

Maybe Yost should rethink his, "Yell at a pitcher if he's struggling" philosophy?

[danzig6767]

Maybe Yost should rethink his, "Yell at a pitcher if he's struggling" philosophy?

 

If a pitcher can't handle a manager coming out and telling him to throw some damn strikes,that guy likely isn't long for surviving in the majors.

[don1481]

Quote:

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Will Balfour clear waivers though?

---

 

To echo Peavey, who cares? As much of a fan as I was of calling up Balfour to see what he's got, it's evident that right now is not exactly his time. Sad, because I was really rooting for the guy.

 

At least he was able to come all the way back from all those arm problems to pitch again in the bigs. For that alone I give him a ton of kudos.

[zzzmanwitz]

I would hate to give up on this guy so quickly. I have been really hoping that he could step in as our closer next season. I still think he has that potential, let him get his feet wet for a few more times and we will see the real Grant soon.

[rluzinski]

If a pitcher can't handle a manager coming out and telling him to throw some damn strikes,that guy likely isn't long for surviving in the majors.

 

On one hand, fans make comments like that all the time, where players should be expected to handle whatever situations are thrown their way. On the other, players are constantly analyzed about what roles they can handle or not (closer mentality, clutch player, etc...). While I tend to side with the "they can handle the stress" philosophy, it can't really be both, can it?

 

The guy hasn't been in the majors since 2004, when he apparently blew out his shoulder and elbow. I guess I'm willing to give him a bit more slack than 3 innings, provided Melvin can't get someone clearly better.

[AdvantageSchneider]

Quote:

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I realize he's been about as bad as you could imagine but judging a guy solely by 3 IP isn't exactly fair. He did great in AAA and I'd guess the scouts like his stuff as well. If Melvin can trade for a better guy, great. Otherwise, I can't see giving up on him already.

---

 

He's got 70 ML innings in his career and he's got a 5.128 ERA. I think that's enough of a sample size to say he can't get it done in the bigs.