What are the Brewers doing?

Question

I'm a casual fan, I'm happy if they win, but I don't beat the kids if they lose. I was checking on them, and I'm seeing them get rid of some big names (i.e. Jenkins, Sheets...) My question being, Are these guys crazy, or am I missing the bigger picture?

Answer 1

The Brew Crew is one of about four teams in the National League who appear to be going in the right direction. I would not knock their strategy. And trading anyone over thirty is not a bad thing. They still have value to the team where they are going, but they will be out of gas in three years when the Brewers are primed for their run. I would watch out for this team in 2010, and smart management would clear out anyone who could not start for that team. They are still two outfielders short. Hart is the real deal. Bill Hall needs to go. Too many strikeouts. He reminds me of Juan Samuel. Lots of talent, no place in the lineup for him. Jenkins needs to go. Mench needs to go.

The biggest problem they have is Ben Sheets is the only pitcher with real trade value, but there is no "ace in waiting" on the staff behind him. (not Bush, not "three walks a game down the stretch Gallardo").

Maybe a free agent pitcher will see the young offense and want to pitch with that support, who knows.

If they can get better tablesetters, another outfielder, and two more starting pitchers between now and 2010, they will be the favorites in that division.

Answer 2

This is the first I'm hearing about them trading Sheets, but its not that bad of an idea. Hes somewhat brittle; I'll say this, you cant count on him making his 30 starts per year. If they can get good value for him in a trade, why not? As for Jenkins, hes solid, but not spectacular. Hes also not the most durable guy around-hes not terribly brittle, just not terribly durable-and hes gonna want a lot of $$$$. The Brews are willing to go with younger and cheaper alternatives.

Answer 3

They're talking about trading Sheets only because he'll be a free agent after 2008 and they're concerned about re-signing him. He's a great pitcher, and he'd likely land them some excellent prospects if they dealt him to a big-market club this winter. It's tough to give him up, but their chances of getting him under contract next year seem minimal.

As for Jenkins, they only decided to decline his option for next year because it would mean a lot of money ($9 million) for a guy whose peak has come and who's likely heading on the downside of his career. He had some big power numbers a few years ago, but his .320 OBP last year was much lower than usual and probably signifies a guy headed downwards. Considering he'd likely be gone after 2008, they're probably better off saying goodbye now and turning that money towards other spots.

Answer 4

Sheets is injury prone so you can't really say they're losing him when half the time they don't have him anyway (a la Mike Hampton with the Braves). But outside of the Sheets issue, I like what they're doing. I still think they're a year away, but they have the pieces in place to contend for a while if they take care of business

Answer 5

Commissioner Selig has always been about the cash upfront first. When was the last time the Brewers won anything? With Yount? There will be no parades in Milwaukee for a long time (over Baseball).

Answer 6

They have brought up a slew of young talent that has power, speed, and fielding ability. In the weaker NL where the wild card and division in most cases is always within reach, I expect them to loosen the purse strings a little and get a couple veterans to take this team deep into the playoffs for the next couple of years. They are looking really, really good right now. Scary good, given their age. Gallardo is going to be better than Sheets.

There could be 2 50HR guys and 2 20 Win guys coming off that team the next few years. OUCH!!

Answer 7

Golfing!!!!!!!!!