DM and RR Jobs after the All Star Break

[brewmann04]

DM needs to first decide what Pieces are Needed to get this team to win the Division. I am looking at Relief Pitching especially a lefty, but wonder what will be out on the market with alot of teams still in contention. The other will be most likely SS and that would have to come from Outside the Team since there are no SS Prospects any where near ready to Help.RR job is basically doing a little better job with the Bullpen ( hopefully he realized Loe is a better pitcher when not pitched in every game) I think he will stay aggressive and like his platoon of Plush and Gomez in CF

especially with Gomez Defensive skill. Then Finally we have the Players we need more From Hart and Mcghee during the second half. Braun need to stay healthy for the entire second half.Letroy and Saito also need to stay healthy and show they can pitch multiple days.

[PrinceEatMeat]

It's been reported by guys like Rosenthal and Olney, among others, that Melvin is targeting infield depth(most likely SS) and relief pitching. I think he'll address both before the deadline. Stetter might be able to help as an extra lefty, as he's close to returning, but we'll see. Roenicke has already shown some improvement lately with bullpen management, and I also think that Hawkins and Saito will be used more in the second half. I think Hawkins has been held back for the second half, which probably isn't a bad idea. If Doug can get another reliever to go along with what we have, I think the bullpen will be very strong in the second half. Also, if he does get a starting SS that the lineup will look a lot better. McGehee will still be in there, but if it's just him and not him and Yuni in there it won't look as bad. Just adding that one piece will strengthen the lineup a lot in my opinion.

[brewmann04]

I agree Prince think A Good Defensive SS will go a long way and agree on your opinion on Hawkins. I also think this 11 game road trip willgo a long way to DM thinking.

[Warning Track Power]

In all honesty, DMs main job should be a SS. I would feel pretty comfortable with the pen if it is used properly. Loe, Saito, Hawkins are all good when used correctly. Axford has been outstanding. A lefty would be nice as Braddock has been terrible, but I have hopes he turns it around.

 

My main concern is where a significant upgrade at SS could come from. I was all for JJ but that looks like it is dead witht he extension talks. Furcal is good when healthy but can he be counted on to stay healthy? Reyes isn't going to happen. After those three, I feel any deal for a SS is going to be a marginal upgrade at best. I'm as down on YuBet as anyone but nobody else out there gives me that feeling of a significant boost to this team. Maybe I am all wrong, but I don't get too excited about adding a Jack Wilson, Brendan Ryan, Clint Barmes, Jeff Keppinger type as the everyday starter. Absoultely an upgrade on D and probably close to a push on O, but what is that worth? Is it worth the prospect we will likely have to deal? This is where I am uncertain as to my feelings on an SS upgrade after JJ, Furcal or Reyes.

[rluzinski]

I think the bullpen is fine. Get a SS that can field and put up a .310 OBP and left handed option at 3B and I'll be satisfied.

[The Truth]

An average SS would be an upgrade as Betancourt is probably the worst starting SS in baseball. Even just someone who can play very solid defense and have professional at-bats that work the count would be a big upgrade

[Dragonbait]

An average SS would be an upgrade as Betancourt is probably the worst starting SS in baseball. Even just someone who can play very solid defense and have professional at-bats that work the count would be a big upgrade

 

So just start Josh Wilson some more.... that solves that problem....

I know Wilson isnt a world beater, but he hasn't embarassed himself yet.

[The Truth]

So just start Josh Wilson some more.... that solves that problem....

I know Wilson isnt a world beater, but he hasn't embarassed himself yet.

Wilson is a pretty horrible MLB player too. If he replaced Betancourt in the starting lineup then he'd likely replace Betancourt as the new "worst starting SS in MLB". I'd like to see a bigger upgrade than that

[Dragonbait]

Ahhh... but he is an upgrade... LOL

[Invader3K]

I've been saying for a while that a Wilson/Counsell platoon would probably be an upgrade over Betancourt, but it wouldn't be a huge one. Melvin really just needs to find a defensively solid shortstop with even a mediocre bat. As others in this thread have said, Reyes isn't going to happen. Furcal might be a possibility if he's healthy.

[brewmann04]

I was also thinking of a Keppinger or Jamey Carroll from the Dodgers.The SS defense is the main thing especially if Hart and Mcghee hit like they should.

[TooLiveBrew]

rluzinski]I think the bullpen is fine. Get a SS that can field and put up a .310 OBP and left handed option at 3B and I'll be satisfied.

I agree on the bullpen. Guys like Tim Dillard, Mike McClendon, Amaury Rivas, Wily Peralta, & Cody Scarpetta could be called up if needed (all are on the 40-man). DiFelice is another option once healthy. Brandon Kintzler's return is targeted for late July; he began a throwing program early this month.

 

The Brewers can improve almost literally every weak spot on the roster by staying in-house. Taylor Green is probably at least as good as any 3B rental or trade Melvin could find, and he's a LHB with solid defense -- he could even play 2B in a pinch. Brandon Boggs and Brett Carroll would most likely be upgrades over Kotsay (not that Marky-Mark is going anywhere).

 

Shortstop is really the only spot where Melvin needs to bring in someone via trade. Adding another good bullpen arm isn't a bad idea, but it'd depend on what the cost to acquire said arm is.

[PrinceEatMeat]

I agree with everyone that SS is a bigger need than a pen arm, but if a good arm can be had for a small price Melvin should jump on it. Can never have too many solid arms in the pen. At this point, I'd take any upgrade over Yuni. Especially defensively it would make a huge difference. I really think that things would come together more with a solid SS in the lineup. I agree that Reyes, Hardy, and Furcal are the big names, and Furcal is probably the only possibility out of them. However, I think that a solid player like Keppinger or Carroll would make a difference. Even if they would prevent Yuni from playing everyday it would help a lot.

[FVBrewerFan]

I don't think the BP is fine. They need another LHP. Braddock is a big question mark, but even if you could sell me on the fact that he's dependable, they need another LHP, even it it's just a LOOGY.

 

I'm sure the're using the next couple days to decide what to do at 3B. McGehee, Green, or Gamel, or some sort of combination platter.

[TooLiveBrew]

If you think Stetter is dependable, you could be convinced the bullpen will be fine. He'll be back relatively soon.

[Invader3K]

I really don't see a huge need in the bullpen. They have plenty of good arms. A few guys scuffled recently, but overall our relief corps has been a position of strength this year. If Melvin can get a decent lefty without giving up much, fine. I just don't want to see another Scott Linebrink type of trade this year. It isn't needed.

[Warning Track Power]

I'd be curious to see DMs interest level in moving McGehee. Based on people's knowledge of and affinity for Taylor Green on this website, you would have to believe there are people in the Brewers front office who feel the same way. In the event they do and firmly believe he could be successful at the MLB level in 2011, DM may be able to be convinced to move McGehee and go with Green at 3B. Given that Green, based on a number of posters insights, has a better glove than McGehee, and would almost surely produce offense at least equal to McGehee in 2011, there may be an opportunity to deal McGehee in a Furcal deal. With Casey Blake hurt and the Dodger financial situation as is, a straight up deal of McGehee for Furcal may be worth investigating for both sides. In the event something like this was amenable to both teams, I believe this may answer a lot of the concerns for the Brewers in the second half in one deal. They become infinitely better on D with a left side of Furcal and Green and become more dynamic on O as well.

 

This deal would seem to make sense long term for both teams, given Furcal's willingness to stay in Milwaukee past 2011.

[pebadger]

I'm not sure you can get a major league level player for Casey McGehee at this point on a one-for-one basis. Almost certainly not a player that you'd want as an everyday player. The only way it happens is if there is a fire sale going on somewhere, but even in a fire sale the seller is still going to take the best offer. Hard to see Casey being anybody's best offer in anything.

[brewmann04]

Well i think this Road trip will go a long way to see what DN does,and still think a Pickup like Keppinger or caroll would do wonders.

[rluzinski]

I don't want another bullpen arm because it will just be some guy who's done alright in 20 IP this year or whatever. That or Melvin will overpay for a "name". They are all kind of the same so might just use our spare parts instead of someone else's.

[joepepsi]

There are only 24 on the roster right now, so I think the first move you'll see is Stetter or a trade for another reliever. Next move will be a ss. When the ss move is made Josh Wilson will be DFA'd, because there is no way Counsell isn't on this team through the end of the year.

 

I'd like to see Green up for a 3B platoon asap, but I don't see who they would send down. Betancourt probably stays on the team. Counsell and Kotsay are here to stay. Maybe Counsell starts playing more 3rd after the All Star and the team hopes Casey starts hitting.

[brewmann04]

JP you have a Point it be either Setter or Kintzer whom ever comes back first.

[bigredrobbo]

Given Seattle's move towards getting younger, and the obvious JZ connection, I could see Jack Wilson being a target. If that happens at least one player will be ecstatic - Corey Hart will no longer be "ugliest Milwaukee Brewer"!

[Warning Track Power]

Given Seattle's move towards getting younger, and the obvious JZ connection, I could see Jack Wilson being a target. If that happens at least one player will be ecstatic - Corey Hart will no longer be "ugliest Milwaukee Brewer"!

This is funny...My friend, who is a San Diego Padre fan, has Corey Hart on his Fantasy team and has taken to calling him "Captain Caveman" for his resemblance to the Geico cavemen.

 

Playing RF for the Milwaukee Brewers, so easy a Caveman can do it.

 

 

[FoxyFoxes]

I would love for Stetter to come up if that would mean Braddock would be used more frequently and for longer than one batter (once he gets back to being the player I think he is). This team already has limitations as to durability of guys and Stetter is not a full inning pitcher. The good news is should this team make it to October, Saito/Hawkins lack of durability goes out the window because there isn't too many games in a row so day offs happen more frequently.