Why Do Some Want to Fire Melvin?

[logan82]

Melvin built the Brewers the best way if you want to assure some success. He drafted high ceiling hitters. Hitters, even if they disappoint, are likely to contribute something. High ceiling pitchers flame out at a very high rate. He built the Brewers talent back up to a respectable level after starting with almost nothing. Now he has to try and build a balanced team. Link

[PeaveyFury]

I would give him two more years if we're not really close then it's time to move on.

 

I think that is very fair regardless of how people feel about Melvin. I'm thrilled with what he has done and would be pretty angry if they let him go this offseason like some seem to want, but if we take another step back in 2010, I think it's very fair to be exploring other options in a year or two.

[logan82]

Depends on the goals for next year. Of course as a fan I want the Brewers to be good and compete every year. They might not think that is possible and might decide to build towards 2011 or beyond. If they are planning on taking a step back to get better for 2011 then it shouldn't get him fired.

[CheezWizHed]

Gabe Gross to Rays for Josh Butler

Boy, is Gabe Gross missed in 2009. If the Brewers don't make this deal, they don't need to deal for Gerut. F.

 

Hmmm... Gross would have helped last year when Hart tanked. But since Gerut and Gwynn's OPS are beginning to converge (Gwynn coming down, Gerut going up) and Butler's ascension to fill the chasm that is our starting pitching depth, I think we need to revisit this grade... Its at least a B+. If Butler makes it to the starting rotation, its an A+

[sgtcluels]

Well FDM.com is up and starting to get some content (Even though stat research needs to get going). But if you haven't ranted enough about DM, you can win his bobble by doing it now.

[trwi7]

If this happens and it sounds like it has a better chance of happening than not, then I would look for another GM.

 

 

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin isn't ready to announce whether he intends to exercise his half of the mutual option on right-hander Braden Looper's contract.

But he appears to be leaning in that direction.

"I think he's what we thought we would get," said Melvin, who signed Looper to a free-agent deal for $4.75 million in 2009 and a mutual option for 2010 that has increased to $6.5 million with a $1 million buyout.

"From our standpoint, I think it has been (more good than bad)."

Looper, 34, certainly has endured his ups and downs. He has posted a 13-7 record but as his 5.12 earned run average shows, much of that has been due to nice run support.

Looper has surrendered 37 home runs, by far the most in the major leagues. But he also has made all 32 of his starts and leads the club with 182 2/3 innings.

"One thing is he takes the ball," said Melvin. "That's very important. He gives you innings. He's been a victim of some big innings and he's had good run support. But he has 13 wins. That's pretty good."

Really? You think spending $5.5M on a below replacement level starter is a good investment? You can't find a better value for that $5.5M than Looper?

[Postseason2006]

Obviously, they missed his last two starts.

[Postseason2006]

He drafted high ceiling hitters. Hitters, even if they disappoint, are likely to contribute something. High ceiling pitchers flame out at a very high rate. He built the Brewers talent back up to a respectable level after starting with almost nothing. Now he has to try and build a balanced team. Link

He drafted Prince, Corey, and JJ?

[Invader3K]

I'm sick of seeing this team spend so much money on losers like Looper. May as well just take that $5.5 million and flush it down the toilet.

 

I'm starting to think I won't be renewing our 9 pack plan if most of these "moves" come to fruition.

[bklynbrewcrew]

Melvin sounds like Macha when he mentions that Looper has 13 wins. So now he is taking W/L record as something in Loopers favor. I was on the fence regarding Melvin but the last few weeks have clinched it for me, its time to let him go. Dan O'Dowd has a contract that runs out after this season and he has done great things in Colorado with a lower payroll than we have. If Mark A were smart he would spend money on O'Dowd because Melvins time needs to end.

[sgtcluels]

We touched that very article over at FDM.com

[Invader3K]

If Looper had gotten the same run support as Gallardo did this season, his record would be flipped. No joke.

[wibadgers23]

So if Looper is resigned, we will have virtually the same starting rotation next year. Gallardo, Parra and Suppan for sure. Now it sounds like Looper will be given his mutual option. Bush could be traded I guess, but that seems unlikely. Melvin will use the injuries to Bush and Suppan as excuses to the miserable pitching this year and 2010's starting rotation will be the same, imo. Yikes.

[DougJones43]

I imagine if Steve Phillips or somebody had made the comment about a pitcher being good because of wins, he would be mocked and called an idiot by a certain group. When the moustached one says it about his crappy acquisition though, it is easily overlooked by many.

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

Melvin might just be defending his move of acquiring Looper, but inside he knows it was a mistake. Half of what Melvin says to the media is just posturing so I wouldn't read into it too much.

[MickeyDavis]

Defending his move of acquiring Looper is one thing, wanting to bring him back is another.

[DougJones43]

Half of what Melvin says to the media is just posturing so I wouldn't read into it too much.

Posturing for what? He isn't trying to trade Looper or anything. What could he possibly have to gain by talking about Looper's win totals and leaning toward picking up the option? It's not like there's some kind of leverage at stake. Either you pick up the option or you don't.

 

That means the only "posturing" this could be is Melvin trying to defend his own move, which isn't really posturing for anything except Melvin's own image. And at some point, when you say dumb things AND get poor results, it is time to read into what he's doing.

[sgtcluels]

Melvin might just be defending his move of acquiring Looper, but inside he knows it was a mistake. Half of what Melvin says to the media is just posturing so I wouldn't read into it too much.

I don't buy it. He can always go back to the standard "Loop will be evaluated in the off season like the rest of us" line he's been saying all season. Say that, and we won't be having this conversation. Say you are going to extend a sub average, sub replacement player is asking for us anonymous nerds on the internet to rag on you.

[Invader3K]

Exactly. This is such garbage if Melvin is just going to renew Looper with no thought at improvement at all. Unless Attanasio is suddenly deciding that next year's payroll is going to be over $100 million, there is just no room to pay such a lousy pitcher $6.5 million.

 

I'm thinking more and more I'd like to see Melvin and Macha both go. Get someone who can think outside the box and go for it. We basically have two years before Fielder is almost certainly gone. Enough screwing around.

[giffted1]

Say you are going to extend a sub average, sub replacement player is asking for us anonymous nerds on the internet to rag on you.

But he didn't say that. Haudricourt, not Melvin said that he was leaning toward bringing back Looper and Haudricourt only said that it appeared that way. Melvin said nothing as to whether Looper would be brought back, gave some token compliments about him, and left it at that.

[trwi7]

But he didn't say that. Haudricourt, not Melvin said that he was leaning toward bringing back Looper and Haudricourt only said that it appeared that way. Melvin said nothing as to whether Looper would be brought back, gave some token compliments about him, and left it at that.

But this is like the fifth time Haudricourt has mentioned that it's likely that Melvin will pick up the option and McCalvy has mentioned it a couple times as well. They have to be getting that from someone.

[Ennder]

Looper is not a below replacement level pitcher. I mean if you are judging him by ERA he is above replacement level, if you are using peripherals he is above replacement level. The only stat I can find that puts him below replacement level is WAR and for pitchers that stat is just horrible.

 

I don't really care if he is back next year or not, I'd hope we can find an upgrade. I'd much rather get rid of Suppan than Looper though.

[PeaveyFury]

But this is like the fifth time Haudricourt has mentioned that it's likely that Melvin will pick up the option and McCalvy has mentioned it a couple times as well. They have to be getting that from someone.

 

I think Haudricourt also publicly stated multiple times that they wouldn't keep Hardy down to add an extra year of service time....

[logan82]

Maybe Melvin has already looked at the likely free agent pitchers and decided keeping Looper may be the best option. The pitchers who look to be available in free agency are not really all that exciting. There is no sure bet we could even sign one. I would prefer he didn't count on a trade either. I am sure we could trade for a pitcher, but who knows what the cost would be. It could very well be more than we are willing to pay.

[Baldkin]

5.5 million for depth in the rotation next year?

 

Even if we make a trade?

 

Yes, please.