Sheets, Spurling, Balfour, Parra - Latest: Partial Tear

[gregmag]

How can you possibly determine for certain that this injury was completely unrelated to other injuries.

 

Fair point -- you can't. But nobody has even suggested any credible basis for thinking there is a connection, and I would think the people who want to stick the guy with an "injury prone" label have that burden of proof. Of course . . .

 

The argument over weather or not Sheets is injury prone or not is stupid and really doesnt matter. Fact is hes hurt and he cant pitch. What does a bunch of know it all's on a message board arguing weather or not he's injury prone going to do to help that.

 

. . . so I guess we should both just shut up.

 

Sure, the youth has talent, but as tight as this pennant race is they could use some experience to stabilize them. In 4-6 weeks this 3.5 game lead could easily be a 5.5 game deficit if Capuano and Vargas don't get it together and Yo/Parra start getting tired arms. The time is NOW. Seriously, how much are guys like Moss, Escobar, Irribarren, Dillard, Nelson ever going to contribute behind Hall/Gwynn, Hardy, Weeks, Yo/CV/Parra, Hart/Fielder? Ship a couple of these mid-level guys off for a Band-Aid that can hold everything together for the next 4-6 weeks.

 

I don't quite get this. We already have a veteran rotation, so I don't see the youth of one or even two fill-ins as inherently dangerous. I agree that all the minor leaguers you named are expendable to help with the pennant race (although I'd put Gwynn at the top of that list once Hall is back, and I'd at least feel bad about losing Escobar), but everybody else knows they're expendable too. Given the premium every team places on starting pitching, do you really think any combination of those guys could get us someone who would even have a better-than-even shot of outpitching one of the kids, let alone "hold everything together"? If so, hallelujah, but I don't see it. I think two of those guys get you a Dessens or a Vargas.

 

A more plausible scenario, which others have suggested, would seem to be packaging some of those guys for relief help that would allow Villy (a kid, but not a rookie, which might make you happier) to slide into the rotation. But even relievers don't seem to be coming cheap.

 

Greg.

[Roscoe Chill]

I don't know, I think debating whether or not Sheets gets injured too often is fine, especially since people will want to talk about how he'll need to be signed for HUGE money next year. The team definitely needs to go get another quality pitcher with this news and the fact that Capuano has lost it completely.

[aracko]

Well the team can turn this into a positive. If they can keep their current pace up, then in 4 - 6 weeks they can add Benny back to the team. It will cost them nothing.

 

Losing Sheets to me doesnt compare with losing Prince or a positional player because he only plays once a week.

 

Anyone who expected Sheets to make it through the season without a trip to the DL wasnt taking themselves serious.

[badgerfan.tgf]

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Well the team can turn this into a positive. If they can keep their current pace up, then in 4 - 6 weeks they can add Benny back to the team. It will cost them nothing.

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That sounds like Brewers regimes of the past if I've ever heard it. If you're a true contender and you're ace goes down for a significant amount of time, you make a move and try to shore up that spot as best as possible.

 

We're two weeks away from the trading deadline and in first place...it's about time we make a big move to pull away from the pack.

[thebruce44]

At this point, I wouldn't even be suprised if his next injury was:

 

http://www.craphound.com/images/diedofdysentery.jpg

[PeaveyFury]

Bruce- Not to get you worried, but today Melvin tried to ford the Snake River, and his freaking oxen died.

[DHonks]

Bruce- Not to get you worried, but today Melvin tried to ford the Snake River, and his freaking oxen died.

 

As long as he has bullets, he can survive a few weeks till he can buy some oxen, then he can move at a strenuous pace

[PeaveyFury]

Too bad that Melvin can only carry 100lbs back to the wagon.

[sgtcluels]

Is that from a shirt? I'd totally get one.

[PKBadger]

Quote:

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Bruce- Not to get you worried, but today Melvin tried to ford the Snake River, and his freaking oxen died.

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Stupid Melvin.....the obvious choice in this situation is to hire an Indian to help you cross the river.

 

http://cache.boston.com/images/bostondirtdogs//Headline_Archives/4.26_CL_ap.jpg

[brewcrew00]

Personally I'd just take my chances caulking the wagon, and floating across.

[berniebrewer4life]

Sheets should have been a banker. Much easier choice.

[tigerbrew]

Didn't Mike Maddux said that Sheets is a warrior?

[MessiahRp]

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Is that from a shirt? I'd totally get one.

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Actually it's from the classic Apple IIe game, The Oregon Trail, BUT there are actually six different t-shirts for it at 80stees.com

 

http://www.80stees.com/images/products/The_Oregon_Trail-T-link.jpg http://www.80stees.com/images/products/Oregon_Trail_Future_NRA_Member-T-link.jpg

 

http://www.80stees.com/images/products/Oregon_Trail_Conservationist-T-link.jpg http://www.80stees.com/images/products/Oregon_Trail_Down_by_The_River-T-link.jpg

 

http://www.80stees.com/images/products/Oregon_Trail_Next_Rest_Stop-T-link.jpg http://www.80stees.com/images/products/Oregon_Trail_You_Have_Died_of_Dysentery-T-link.jpg

 

Rp

[RU Rah Rah]

We're two weeks away from the trading deadline and in first place...it's about time we make a big move to pull away from the pack.

 

A few things:

 

1.) The loss of Sheets hurts, no question. But, even without him, the team is still has a reasonably deep rotation. I think the Brewers can muddle through reasonably well if they divvy up his starts between Villy, Yo, and Manny (or whoever).

 

2.) #1 starters don't grow on trees. To make a deal for someone of Sheets' caliber, the team would have to give up at least a couple of quality players and/or prospects. (It's not like you're going to get Dontrelle Willis for Kevin Mench and $20,000.) I'm not sure I would do that simply for a marginal improvement in one spot in the rotation over six weeks.

 

3.) We keep saying it, but the schedule is going to get easier. There are a bunch of games coming up against the Giants, Reds, Cards, Pirates, and 'Stros. These aren't gimmes, by any stretch (there is one more trip to PNC, after all), but I generally like the club's chances against sub-.500 teams, even without Sheets.

 

4.) Billy is on the DL, Rickie is slumping to the point of getting benched, and the Brewers still have the best record in the National League, the best home record in baseball, and the second-largest lead of any first-place team. I don't know that a "big move" is really going to boost the team all that much.

[Ennder]

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It's not like you're going to get Dontrelle Willis for Kevin Mench

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And its not like Willis is anywhere near as good as Sheets anyway, he's a 4 ERA guy in a big park.

 

I dunno, Sheets getting hurt sucks but he doesn't bother me as much as it probably should. Its not related to his shoulder or back so I expect him to come back fine and it may even help him a bit to not get so many innings on his arm this year.

 

The only pitcher I think we'll get that can match his numbers is Gallardo personally.

[craigharmann]

If this happened last year (which, of course, it did), I would be more panicked, as there was NO good options until Villanueva came up from Huntsville. This year, it's different. Between Villy and Yo, there won't be much of a drop off. The bigger concern for me is the rest of the starters. Bush has been pitching well of late but at any moment, could turn into the bad Bush. Cappy and Soup HAVE to pick it up. If that happens, I'm not concerned at all.

[dlk9s]

The good news: Sheets only pitches once every five games.

 

The bad news: we now have less flexibility to replace a faltering starter. Capuano has obviously tanked the last few weeks and Vargas is looking worse and worse (although, somehow he doesn't give up too many runs). Bush has been pitching well, but we all know he can get streaky, and Suppan was looking pretty bad until his last start. Sheets was the only guy you could look at in the rotation at this point and feel reasonably confident that he'd do well. Now we have to insert Gallardo into the rotation for him, giving us one less option to replace a different starter if necessary, as well as hurting the bullpen.

 

As pessimistic as I may sound, I definitely think the Brewers can weather the storm if a couple of the shaky pitchers can right themselves. They don't have to pitch shutouts, just give the team a chance to win.

 

That all said, it is time for the bats to step up. If we can start getting some offensive production again, we'll be fine.

[CportBadger]

If Sheets is out 5 weeks and misses 7 starts they really might not miss much because Gallardo wasn't going to get back in the rotation until mid-August anyway, and he very well might pitch as well as Sheets can. Where it really will hurt them, though, is when he comes back and they have to sit Gallardo for a few weeks because he will still need to rest if they want him for the playoffs. Hopefully they can shut him down for 2-3 weeks, then bring him back mid September.

[hauser42]

This is horrible news for the team.

 

Yes we have some guys to plug in unlike last year. But Yo is a rookie and will most likely be going way over his innings and could easily wear down from all the work. Also he is a rookie and we have seen already that rookies are very up and down on the mound.

 

Suppan and Cappy are going to have to step it up for the next couple weeks so that this bullpen doesn't get fried like last year.

[naivin]

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Suppan and Cappy are going to have to step it up for the next couple weeks so that this bullpen doesn't get fried like last year.

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I was just coming here to post something similar. Gallardo, Villenueva, even Parra should certainly be able to contribute, but it will be up to Cappuano and Suppan in particular to step it up and really help fill the void. Despite his struggles, I am actually pretty confident that Suppan will do so, and will make that signging look pretty good come September 1st or so. Given the rather perplexing nature of Capuano's struggles, not sure I am am as confident with him, but he too certainly has the ability to turn it around.

 

A trade for a good, but not spectacular (above average) starter would not surprise me in the least, and I would love to see it. That could make for both a monster rotation and unbelievable bullpen once Sheets returns (which I assume will be no sooner that around September 1st).

[clancyphile]

Well, Parra is up - he could get a shot at the rotation. There is the duo of Zach Jackson and Tim Dillard in Nashville, although Dillard's in the pen, and will need to readjust to starting.

 

Call up Dillard and give him a shot.

[brewers4eric]

I like our options to replace Sheets better than last year, plus I would like to see what we have with Parra and Balfour. I'll hit the panic button when David Manning returns to the 40 man roster.

[hauser42]

trade for a good, but not spectacular (above average) starter would not surprise me in the least, and I would love to see it. That could make for both a monster rotation and unbelievable bullpen once Sheets returns (which I assume will be no sooner that around September 1st).

 

This would be similar move to the 82 Brewers picking up Doc Medich from the Rangers late in the season. It was just another arm that helped them get through the season.

[Brian the Automator]

[ This would be similar move to the 82 Brewers picking up Doc Medich from the Rangers late in the season. It was just another arm that helped them get through the season. ]

 

A lot of good that did. They lost the WS.