Dillon/Dessens Up, Linebrink to Bereavement, Weeks to AAA

[Loopee]

The biggest story line here is Weeks going down. Hopefully he'll get his groove back with a steady diet of AAA fastballs. Confidence matters in baseball, and Rickie has apparently lost it.

 

As far as Joe Dillon goes, I like that the organization is giving him some time up here. Who knows, it's always possible that he changed his approach from the last time he was up in the bigs, and it'll take a while for pitchers to figure out how to get him out.

[JohnBriggs12]

I don't think Dessens will be traded. As I posted in the Wise thread, I think Wise will be DL'd. Not only could he not find the strike zone last night, he wasn't even close and his pitch speeds: 83 77 75 83 78 76 76 87 75 75, indicate he couldn't get loose. He's normally 86-89 with his fastball and 78-81 with his change.

[Bring Back the Stein]

Maybe the team could designate Matt Wise to help his wife during her convalescence?

 

(Please, only a joke.)

 

I understand the importance of family and the seriousness of a c-section. And I like that the Brewers are a family-friendly team. But there's a reason taxpayers' paid millions for this stadium, there's a reason we've shelled out, collectively, millions of our own money, to watch and support this team. At this point, it's about winning. Not trying to pick a fight, by the way. I appreciate the opposing viewpoint, though I don't agree.

[1992casey]

I think Dessens is the perfect choice for this situation. When it comes time to do a DFA in a couple days, he's the one least likely to be useful moving forward.

 

JJHardy7, Dillon is primarily a corner infielder. But that's fine, though. He offers 3B backup while Counsell and Graffanino are otherwise occupied.

[BrewCrewForever]

It's Dessens time. Go Elmer!

[JJHardy7]

How do we know Linebrink doesn't want to be here? Did I miss something?

[1992casey]

I'm not sure what you're getting at, JJHardy7. Scott made it clear that he was thrilled to be joining the Brewers. If you're talking about the family issues, I'm sure he'd rather have seen this birth go more smoothly so he could have spent more time with his team.

[GAME05]

when personal things happen to athletes i always think of what Lombardi said to his players, that there should be three things in your life:

1. God

2. Family

3. Football

those three things, only those three, and in that order.

 

there's a point you have to let Linebrink be human and be with his wife and first child, and i think that trumps the $35 i'd pay to see the baseball game.

 

and heck, if you're trying to resign a guy, saying that he should be with the team and not with his wife in the hospital probably isn't a good start to negotiations.

[GenoSeligPrieb]

Bring:

 

This will genuinely help us get some perspective as to where you're coming from here:

 

Are you a dad?

 

You can lose your baby, have her/him born with a birth defect, you can even lose your wife, when she has complications. My wife had a very dicey final day of pregnancy with our last boy, and while everyone's fine, not only was I a zombie at the time, but so were a few of my relatives.

 

If you DO have a son or daughter, and you not only have no sympathy for a struggling first-time father, but resentment, then that would be surprising.

 

I'd bet the Brewers front office is being as supportive as possible, in what could literally be a life-and-death situation.

 

And even at a very selfish level, how focused does anyone think Scott can be for our bullpen, given this situation?

 

Migod, cut the dude some slack!

[lukevan]

At this point, it's about winning.

 

Yes, but the team can win without one of its relievers for a couple days. One could argue that you'd rather throw Spurling than a Scott Linebrink who is thinking more about his under-the-knife wife (sorry) than the next pitch he's going to throw. Plus, if you are hoping to resign Linebrink, allowing him to be by his wife's side is a good start.

 

EDIT -- yeah, what Geno said http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[chuckiehacks]

Quote:

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We know he doesn't want to be here and now it's clear that he doesn't want to sign next year

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Um, what? Maybe you missed this article.

Quote:

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"To go to a team that's playing for something to win is an exciting opportunity," Linebrink said. "The fact that you're wanted there makes it all the better. I'm looking forward to it."

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Taxpayer financed stadiums and time off for child birth are not even remotely related.

 

edit: Good Lord, I agree with Geno...

[Bruce Ciskie]

My wife had a C-section with our son. After she was hospitalized for three days afterward, she developed an infection near the incision and had to spend another week in the hospital after that. During that time, she was limited in what she could do with the boy, and I ended up working a limited schedule at the radio station so I could spend as much time at the hospital as possible.

 

(The hospital folks were kind enough to provide us with a room that the three of us could stay in for the week.)

 

So, yeah, I'm not going to rip the Brewers or Scott Linebrink. I'm glad they're helping him take care of his family, and I hope that he'll be granted an extra day or two (or whatever he needs) if Friday is too soon to come back.

[TooLiveBrew]

Quote:

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But there's a reason taxpayers' paid millions for this stadium, there's a reason we've shelled out, collectively, millions of our own money, to watch and support this team.

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It's been said, but I definitely want to say it again: Stop being so disgustingly selfish! Stupid babies! Always being born!

[Team Canada]

We know he doesn't want to be here

 

 

To pile on, please supply a quote to back that statement up, because there's definitive proof to the contrary.

[ryne100]

How does this affect Weeks' major league time/arbitration? I thought I remember that he was very close to being on one side or the other as to when his arby years starts. I could be way wrong, or it could be too late. Can someone clear this up for me?

[1992casey]

Good question, ryne100. This option might just be the difference between Rickie reaching or not reaching super-two status. We won't know for sure until MLB does its super-two bookkeeping after the season.

[bucksman4]

I'm very impressed by the organization's decision to demote Rickie Weeks. This tells me the Brewers only care about winning. To run a player like Rickie Weeks with his paltry batting average out there when you're in the thick of a pennant race would be flat out irresponsible.

 

Let's face it: Weeks is hitting .212 and was just 7-for-46 last month, and he hasn't homered since April.

 

I'm sorry, but that doesn't scream out starting 2B on a playoff team to me. I appreciate as a fan, a team playing players who produce, not just those you "hope" will produce. They hit Weeks 1st, 8th and a few spots in between this year with the same result each time: Failure. Hats off to the Brewers brass on this one...they got it right!

[bjkrautk]

Just to point it out, isn't there a ML rule which prevents a player from being called up within 10 days of his being sent down (except in the case of injuries)? I only recall this rule coming up at the beginning of the season, so I'm not that certain on the particulars.

 

In case anyone was wondering, Gross was sent down 7/21, and Gwynn on 7/25. My guess is that Dillon is getting a few days at the ML level as a bit of a reward, but ultimately as a place-holder for one of these two for a few days.

[Tbadder]

I really think this could be for the best. Letting Linebrink go to his family may be the thing that causes him to stay long term. An organization can't be too classy in my book. If both the mother and child are having problems it's more than the humanitarian to do.

 

Lets give Elmer a start and let him get shelled. Go nine innings and rest everyone up; I know it's giving one up but at this rate were gonna blow every arm in the system. And who knows, Elmer has spun some pretty good games in the past, maybe he surprises us and gives up only 3 or 4 runs. It could be just what the doctor ordered.

 

Rickie, we want you. Long term I still believe he's gonna be terriffic, but this wrist is a one or two year process. Get healthy and be great next year.

[JJHardy7]

I'm referring to what user Bring Back The Stein said on page 3 of this thread. He said that we already knew he didn't want to be here. I didn't hear anything like that, so I'm guessing this is just assuming since he's missing time to have a kid? Which to me, is understandable. I don't like it, but I get it.

 

I'd like to add it would be a lot worse if we were down a roster spot, but Melvin & Co. took care of that so we're not short at all.

[MBHA]

This Sunday Rickie Weeks will join Bob Wickman and Jeffrey Leonard as players having a giveaway when no longer on the active Brewers roster.

[PKBadger]

Quote:

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This Sunday Rickie Weeks will join Bob Wickman and Jeffrey Leonard as players having a giveaway when no longer on the active Brewers roster.

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Wrong....it's Capuano bobblehead day on Sunday. Weeks is in September.

[Fatter than Joey]

You think the other men in the pen are going to welcome him with open arms after he takes five or six days off in a period where his arm could be the difference?

 

Yeah -- I think all those guys will understand and be behind Linebrink 100%.

 

That said, I am not a "fanny-pack" dad -- When my girls were little I would carry them around like potatoes and footballs. I am not a warm fuzzies sort of person, I am all about manly men, and dudes nutting up and all that sort of stuff.

 

However -- 2 of the 3 births my wife had, we encountered complications that were not anticipated, the last my wife became toxic, and it got pretty hairy. I couldn't imagine being anywhere else, and I certainly sympathize with Linebrink, for wanting to be there for a lot of reasons.

 

From a 100% practical standpoint -- I can't imagine Linebrink would pitch worth a crap, worrying about his wife and kid.

 

The man that doesn't tend to his family first and foremost, is probably lacking in character.

[Fatter than Joey]

Lets give Elmer a start and let him get shelled.

 

Have him give Anthony Reyes a call first.

[Tbadder]

Big time ditto on that last comment Fatter! Well said.