Confidence in Melvin

[Fatter than Joey]

Pointing to Weeks as an example of why we should not move Braun is standing on shaky ground. In fact Weeks defense at 2B is a big part of the problem

 

I agree -- Evolution has taken faster tracks than Weeks' improvements.

 

We have to remember Weeks has been at it for 3 season's -- are we really willing to wait 3 seasons?

[Invader3K]

Again, Brewers have to quit taking a square peg in a round hole approach with their defense *cough* Bill Hall *cough*. Move some guys around if need be...they're big boys, they can handle it.

[Tbadder]

I have faith in Melvin if he continues to do two things: 1) rescues guys from the scrap heap or find guys who are buried who turn their careers around in Milwaukee, and 2) pull off the occasional rip off trade. I see the latter happening less and less. In fact the Doug Davis trade has to be a major hit to his reputation, on the other hand I think the former could continue. God knows it needs to.

[Fatter than Joey]

I expect us to lose more games by still having Ned around, than Braun can cost us with some errors.

 

I don't know about this -- It's certainly a good topic for debate though.

 

My confidence in DM took a major hit in 2006. However, keeping Yost on for 2008 with a "short leash" has done it for me.

 

Here is what I am afraid will happen.

 

1.) Ned has worn out his welcome with a lot of the fanbase -- and like Forrest Gump said -- Stupid is as Stupid does,

 

2.) The Brewers will not enjoy a 24-10 start, or the Cubs floundering in April as they did in 2007 -- I am not saying that the Brewers

will suck -- I am just saying that I doubt the chips will fall in the same fashion as they did in 2007.

 

3.) The Brewers fanbase (fairly or unfairly) will assume that the Brewers are going to have a "second half meltdown" -- so

a lot of the fans will think that we need to get all the wins we can in April, so we can weather a 2d half meltdown.

 

4.) When this doesn't happen, Milwaukee will become emotionally unstable, however beer consumption will rise leading to

a scenario much like "28 days" at Miller Park. I have a hard time believing a mid-season manager replacement will be able

to stem the tide -- Brewers end up with 73 wins and DM gets fired.

 

It is beyond me that DM can't see this writing on the wall.

 

It's almost like he took his son to bet on the ponies and his son asked him:

 

"Which horse do you like Dad?"

"I like this pony named 'Yosted'"

"But Dad, the media guide said that Yosted had a stroke last year, and pulls really bad to the left"

"I know son, that is why I have bet your entire college fund on this horse"

[brettac1]

I was 100% behind him until last offseason. Then came the Suppan signing and the Davis/Estrada deal. And the Linebrink deal. I guess that it probably really started with the Lee deal, though. And actually WANTING Kevin Mench and Laynce Nix. Now, hearing the names Jason Kendall, Pedro Feliz, etc. is making me pretty scared. I still think he's an upper-half GM, but not top 5 liked I used to think he was.

[Brian the Automator]

I was 100% behind him until last offseason. Then came the Suppan signing and the Davis/Estrada deal. And the Linebrink deal. I guess that it probably really started with the Lee deal, though. And actually WANTING Kevin Mench and Laynce Nix. Now, hearing the names Jason Kendall, Pedro Feliz, etc. is making me pretty scared. I still think he's an upper-half GM, but not top 5 liked I used to think he was.

The problem is that when the Brewers were at rock-bottom, Doug was free to experiment with trying to catch lightning in a bottle. One of the luxuries you have as a bad team is giving players a chance to play instead of being in "win now" mode. As you move up the expectation chain, you're sort of stuck in a routine where you can't take as much risk, hence hearing names like Kendall and Feliz (hopefully as reserves, not as starters).

Now, the proof is sort of in the team win/loss record, not individual stats. This is where Doug will really have to earn his keep to prove that he's more than a "nugget miner".

 

[Big Reed]

I have a lot of confidence in melvin. Although i was somewhat dismayed he didn't make a big push last year to acquire some additional vets for the stretch drive. But it also appears as if no other GM wanted to acquire any big name players for the stretch drive either. Last year was one of those years when big name players like Piazza stayed on their respective teams after the deadlines. perhaps a lot of GMs were putting in claims to prevent teams from trading their players.

 

I like the names Kendell and iguchi. I trust the brewers are not considering either as a starter. kendell has to be as good as Miller. He would make a great bullpen catcher. Iguchichi has to be as good as graffy.

 

What I have never liked about melvin is his love for the smokescreen. Sometimes he sends too many mixed signals to the public. Larry harris of the Bucks is exactly the same way. Sometimes it would be nice if melvin was a little more candid and honest to his fan base. I'd like to know what melvin really feels is the brewers' weekness, and if next year is going to be a rebuilding year, or if next year is the year that he forgoes the fuuture and tries to actually win a pennent. his stand pat posture last year was a little depressing as most brewer fans knew we were going to come up short if we failed to make a move in July/August.

 

What's also depressing is melvin's stance on Cordero. Does he want him to stay? Did he say thanks for the memories? With melvin, you never know what he's thinking or planning to do. i will admit he has talked to the media. but his past track record would indicate that whatever he said publiclally, he's going in an opposite direction. based on some of his previous comments followed by his actions, one would expect to see Braun starting at catcher next year!

 

I don't think melvin has to be as secretive as he is. The Yankees' GM said his top priorities were to resign Torre, Rivera and Posada. he didn't say his top priority was to sign a reliever and catcher. he was very specific. And then he followed through on what he said. he also said he's not going to trade his top three pitching prospects unless it involved acquiring a stud starter. What the Yankees brass says is very believable, because they are specific and follow through on what they say they are going to do. They don't always get their man, but they are very public and honest with what their intentions are. The Yankees hate Boras just as much as every other GM does.

 

With Melvin, who knows?

[colbyjack]

I didn't think the Suppan and Estrada deals from last off-season were that bad. I do think Melvin panicked when he made the trade for Scott Linebrink, but that issue has been beaten to death.

 

One of my biggest problems with Melvin came with how he handled the 3B/CF situation a year ago. This time last year we kept hearing about Hall was likely to move to the OF to make room for Braun at third base, but that Hall would move to LF because Melvin himself said he didn't think Hall had enough speed to play center. They missed on Dave Roberts (thankfully) and they suddenly changed their approach, having Hall as their CF and Braun as the successor at third, while also deciding to move forward with either Counsell or Graffanino receiving regular playing time at third.

 

All of that was so troubling because we knew that Hall was a natural infielder and we also heard tons of reports from the minors that Braun was having a lot of troubles defensively, and many felt his future was in the OF. It just seemed so incredibly logical to move Hall to third and plug Braun into LF where his defense would not have been an issue (clearly there would have been a learning curve in LF, but the time between Braun becoming a decent LF vs. the time for him to become a decent 3B seemed to be shorter, and more likely).

 

So now this offseason Melvin has already stated they are sticking with Hall in CF (although I wouldn't be surprised to see Hall dealt) but he is considering moving Braun to LF. So many of the teams needs right now on offense could have been addressed last offseason.

 

And who knows, with a few different decisions, decisions that seemed more logical to most of us around here, maybe Braun starts the '07 season in Milwaukee, maybe Hall doesn't slump so badly while learning CF and the team uses their first round pick on someone else since they don't have to try and find their LF of the future (not that I have anything wrong with the selection of LaPorta, but LF suddenly seems to be somewhat crowded in the organization).

[Big Reed]

Colby - you hit the spot.

 

melvin publically says one thing. and then moves in a totally opposite direction. it's hard to know if this is because he was throwing up smoke screens as to what his real plans were, or if he's just shooting from the hip and hoping it works out for the best.

 

I can understand a GM wants to have some secrecy as to his plans and ongoing activities. but it's very hard to ascertain if melvin is going overboard in his secrecy of hiding his true plan/intentions, or if he just doesn't really have a plan.

[sweepscc]

I will admit the Linebrink trade made me have my first "whoa, wait a minute here" moment with Melvin.

[endaround]

The Estrada part of the deal was ok. The Brewers needed a catcher, Davis had one year left, Estrada two. Not great, but it filled a need. The Eveland for Vargas part still upsets me though.

[bklynbrewcrew]

I think that Melvin has done a pretty bad job since last offseason. Signing Suppan for that kind of money wasnt smart and the Davis trade wasnt exactly a good one either. Linebrink was a rental for 3 good young pitching prospects and now hearing names like Kendall, Feliz, Iguchi as well as below average relievers like Herges and Hawkins is really worrying me. Melvin also decided to stake his and the teams fututre with Yost which was another mistake in my opinion. Add it all up and the bloom is definitely off the Melvin rose.

[jwill535]

I have a lot of confidence in melvin. Although i was somewhat dismayed he didn't make a big push last year to acquire some additional vets for the stretch drive. But it also appears as if no other GM wanted to acquire any big name players for the stretch drive either. Last year was one of those years when big name players like Piazza stayed on their respective teams after the deadlines. perhaps a lot of GMs were putting in claims to prevent teams from trading their players.

 

I like the names Kendell and iguchi. I trust the brewers are not considering either as a starter. kendell has to be as good as Miller. He would make a great bullpen catcher. Iguchichi has to be as good as graffy.

 

What I have never liked about melvin is his love for the smokescreen. Sometimes he sends too many mixed signals to the public. Larry harris of the Bucks is exactly the same way. Sometimes it would be nice if melvin was a little more candid and honest to his fan base. I'd like to know what melvin really feels is the brewers' weekness, and if next year is going to be a rebuilding year, or if next year is the year that he forgoes the fuuture and tries to actually win a pennent. his stand pat posture last year was a little depressing as most brewer fans knew we were going to come up short if we failed to make a move in July/August.

 

What's also depressing is melvin's stance on Cordero. Does he want him to stay? Did he say thanks for the memories? With melvin, you never know what he's thinking or planning to do. i will admit he has talked to the media. but his past track record would indicate that whatever he said publiclally, he's going in an opposite direction. based on some of his previous comments followed by his actions, one would expect to see Braun starting at catcher next year!

 

I don't think melvin has to be as secretive as he is. The Yankees' GM said his top priorities were to resign Torre, Rivera and Posada. he didn't say his top priority was to sign a reliever and catcher. he was very specific. And then he followed through on what he said. he also said he's not going to trade his top three pitching prospects unless it involved acquiring a stud starter. What the Yankees brass says is very believable, because they are specific and follow through on what they say they are going to do. They don't always get their man, but they are very public and honest with what their intentions are. The Yankees hate Boras just as much as every other GM does.

 

With Melvin, who knows?

i find it funny that people want the GMs to be more up front with they're plans, thats not how things work. They use the media to possibly manipulate other teams decisions. As to say publicly that it is a real building year or going all out takes all of your bargaining power away. If a team knows that you are rebuilding or going all out they will low ball offer you knowing that you are going to be desperate either way.

 

[Big Reed]

I think you also have to take into account the brewers' new ownership. When first hired, melvin was asked to put together a team with limited financial resources and to try to make it at least competitive. . Now he is being given those resources and being told to spend money and generate wins.

 

Many brewers fans are not accustomed to their team actually spending big money on mediocre players. melvin had an owner that wanted him to spend $12 million on a starting pitcher. Was Melvin suposed to say no boss, I think we should just save that money for 2009? melvin tried spending the money on other mediocre free agents as well. I think the Suppan signing was a good signing. he acquired a decent bat in Estrada. Evn i knew estradea was a lousy defensive catcher, so i must believe melvin did as well. and he gave up part of the future to acquire linebrink. But giving up the future is what play-off teams do!

 

i think part of the problem here is that brewer fans have been in a rebuilding mode forever, they don't know what GMs of winning teams are supposed to do. Fans are questioning melvin because he's spending too much money? Winning teams trade away prospects for veterans all the time , and then draft wisely to obtain more prospects. The Braves and Yankees have as many prospects as the brewers do, and never drafted in the top ten. the power ball way of doing business hasn't netted oakland any championships. but overpaying for talent has given the red Sox two world series in the past 5 years and netted the Cubs a divison championship this year.

 

melvin has changed. But so have the brewers. melvin's agenda is not as much towards saving money and acquiring future prospects. it's now geared towards winning and winning now. I'm sure if we want to go back and trade expensive veterans like Sheets for AA prospects, that Dean Taylor can be rehired. Dean had a keen eye for prospects.

[jwill535]

The Estrada part of the deal was ok. The Brewers needed a catcher, Davis had one year left, Estrada two. Not great, but it filled a need. The Eveland for Vargas part still upsets me though.

Vargas - while gave up he gave up alot of runs he did end up with over 10 wins

Eveland - fat and lazy and was pretty much useless to the Diamond backs last year

I dont see where the Brewers came out behind?

 

[Brian the Automator]

I think that Melvin has done a pretty bad job since last offseason. Signing Suppan for that kind of money wasnt smart and the Davis trade wasnt exactly a good one either. Linebrink was a rental for 3 good young pitching prospects and now hearing names like Kendall, Feliz, Iguchi as well as below average relievers like Herges and Hawkins is really worrying me. Melvin also decided to stake his and the teams fututre with Yost which was another mistake in my opinion. Add it all up and the bloom is definitely off the Melvin rose.

It wasn't Linebrink for 3 good young pitching prospects.

It was Linebrink, a sandwich pick, and a first or second round pick for 2 good young pitching prospect, a decent non-drafted free agent pitcher with upside.

 

 

 

[dpapo]

I still have confidence in Melvin. Even good GM's are going to make mistakes, but they still keep trying to make moves and improve the team. I agree with Reed that many Brewer fans are not use to the team spending money, so whenever they do sign someone, many fans won't like it because of how much they spent.

I also think you are going to see Melvin spend less time going after, "nuggets" and trying to get players that may have less potential upside, but also less risk. So, names like Kendall, Iguchi and Feliz come up. They are trying to win now and not just build for the future. Really, they are trying to do both. But, they are also trying to win now, so they can't spend as much time hoping that a player they pick up on the cheap who may not have been giving a chance elsewhere turns out to be a "nugget". Melvin won't stop trying to find those types of players, but they just can't afford to give that type of player much time to try to develop.

They have a solid group of players and are trying to fit in pieces here and there, so it makes sense to look at adding veterans who are solid, but maybe nothing special. Once again, less upside, but also less risk. Plus, this is a really weak free agent class, so unless Melvin just doesn't talk to any free agents, the names we have been hearing are just what's out there. It doesn't mean the Melvin is serious about going after them, just talking. I think he himself has said it doesn't hurt to just talk. Maybe they'll sign to start, maybe as bench or platoon players and maybe he's just talking in case plan A or B falls through.

I still think Melvin is one of the better GM's and it wasn't too long ago when we had Bando here. Now there is an example of a bad GM.

[valpocrewsader]

If he truly is about to sign Kendall, while meanwhile passing up on good offers for Hall who has no position or purpose on this team, then consider my confidence lost.

[bklynbrewcrew]

The signing of Kendall would be just another example of Melvin's performance falling off a cliff. The guy hasnt made a solid move in more than a year now. When you hear names like Kendall, Feliz, Iguchi and scrub relievers like Herges and Hawkins you really have to wonder if Melvin has lost his mind completely.

[patrickgpe]

I think the Suppan signing has to be considered right now a mistake. I supported it when it happened but when you see he was 3-8 against winning teams, its not the results you want from a pitcher on a staff trying to make it to the playoffs. To trade away a serviceable starter for a catcher that you want to scrap after 1 season with someone who is of about equal talent is also questionable. I also question how he handled the pen last year, you can blame Ned for some of it, but he forced Ned to bring out pitchers like Seth McClung and Chris Spurling in key situations. Therefore id say my confidence is weaning just a little. He seams to be able to make big trades (something taylor was bad at) which still gives you hope on him.

[TooLiveBrew]

Hall who has no position or purpose on this team

How'dya figure here? If this is the main reason your faith in Melvin is shaken, I'd stop worrying so much. With even a modest bounce-back year from Hall in 2008, it's going to be tough to find an offense that can hang with the Crew - including looking in the AL.

[SoCalBrewfan]

The signing of Kendall would be just another example of Melvin's performance falling off a cliff.

 

To me, willingness to cut bait with Estrada and move on is a good sign. It's tempting for a GM to stick with a guy he acquired, waiting for him to turn things around so the GM's wisdom is validated. Melvin is at least contemplating admitting that Estrada wasn't the answer.

 

That said, the devil is in the details, of course. If he signs Kendall to the deal that Torrealba was hoping for, then Melvin surely has lost his mind.

 

The Doug Davis deal as a whole is one I wasn't sold on, and losing Davis hurt, but we needed a catcher and were ready to move on from Davis. I still though Eveland had some value but I'm not so sure of that any more. Like so many deals, that one might be more minor in the end that we all originally thought. Though I am sure that AZ is happy with Davis...

 

We shouldn't count the Linebrink draft eggs too soon, by the way. There may be some reluctance by teams to give up a pick for him if/when the Brewers offer arbitration. (Though SF at least always seems willing to shed draft picks, and they've been mentioned as a suitor.)

[Big Reed]

I liked the trade for estrada. he isn't the greatest defensive catcher, but he was better than what we had. the Suppan deal was also a pretty good deal. Would you have rather had Washburn? Suppan led the brewers in quality starts. While he didn't wi n 20 games, he was a reliable starter almost every time out. Nobody expected Suppan to be a beckett. The question wit h Suppan is can he pitch the same way next year and the year after as he pitched this year. Suppan was a lot better than jason Schmidt and Zito who received a lot more money! I guess Melvin should have acquired meche? it was kind of obvious the brewers needed a catcher. It was also quite obvious the brewers had severeal young pitchers on the farm that melvi n thought were ready to start at the major league level. that made Davis expendible. Without Davis, the brewers were able to allow gallardo to start. if Davis was still on the team, gallardo may have been forced to stay at AAA for the entire year. I liked the addition of linebrink as well. if capuano was half the pitcher he was supposed to be, this would have looked like a very shrewd trade.

 

I will admit i cried and whined and protested for almost an entire 2 months for melvin to claim somebody off waivers and all he could come up with was Mc Clure. After trading for linebrink, melvin decided to stand pat and not overpay for any more players. I' m quite certain Melvin could have acquired another veteran before the trade deadline if he would have been willing to part with Parra or Viluenuava. Garland and crede were both there for the taking at last year's trade deadline if melvin wanted to give away more of the brewers' young pitching prospects. Piazza was available. Some people say he can catch.

 

I like what melvin has done. his moves seem logical. The Suppan, Estrada and Linebrink deals may not have brought the brewers a championship, but they were not busts either. however, i just wish he was a little more forthcoming and less smoke screen oriented. it was quite obvious to the entire world that melvin wanted to trade one of our outfielders last Winter. he didn't have to lie about it. Unfortunately, he never received an offer for gross, mench or jenkins that he liked.

 

jeffris was a good draft pick. but I now wish we hadn't drafted him. laponte seems like he could be a nice player although he's better suited to play in the AL. While i may not have agreed with melvin's choices, they were good solid choices. perhaps a "college" pitcher next time ? hopefully? If linebrink and Cordero sign elswhere, I'm quite confident melvin will use the draft picks wisely.

 

maybe the new owner could petition to get the brewers back in the Al. Then Prince could be a DH. perhaps the Royals or twins would be willing to swap with us. that new open air stadium in Minn ST Paul is crying for an NL team. maybe we could convince them how much more revenue they'll make with the potential rivalries of the Cardinals and Cubs. Bud bought that line of BS. The brewers would generate just as much revenue having rivalries with the twins and chi Sox as they do the cubs and cards. I think the twins games sold just as many tickets as the cubs games did.

 

melvin looks like he's a busy man this off season. i' m willing to cut him some slack.

[trwi7]

I' m quite certain Melvin could have acquired another veteran before the trade deadline if he would have been willing to part with Parra or Viluenuava. Garland and crede were both there for the taking at last year's trade deadline if melvin wanted to give away more of the brewers' young pitching prospects. Piazza was available. Some people say he can catch.

Garland was just traded for a 33 year old SS who is also in the last year of his deal. Why would you want to give up a young pitcher for him? Especially Villanueva who kept us in the race down the stretch. Also Crede was on the disabled list from early June on. Why would you give up anything for him?

Piazza was terrible last year as well and is only a DH at this point.

 

 

[Fatter than Joey]

If he signs Kendall to the deal that Torrealba was hoping for, then Melvin surely has lost his mind.

 

I'd be interested to hear other poster's idea's of where DM's "lucidity line" with regard to Kendall's contract is.