What's next?

[Sage]

We just bolstered our bullpen by acquiring K-Rod. Now, what's left to do?

Well, the Brewers need to fix shortstop and third base. We cannot afford to let Betancourt commit anymore YunE6's while being inconsistent at best with the bat. Casey is a great guy, love him to death, but he is one of the worst defenders on this team, and his lack of range is depressing. That would be okay if he were hitting like he has in the past, but he isn't. You can no longer consider this a "slump." Players don't slump for over half the season.

As for a solution, that's tough. There's not much out there for us to trade for at shortstop, other than Rafael Furcal (if healthy). As for third base, there's virtually nothing. Maybe Wilson Betemit, if we want to sacrifice even more range and defense at third, but get someone who is hitting. Ian Stewart certainly isn't the best defender, but he also has huge potential with the bat and that could be really big for us down the stretch.

Now, I don't think we need to solve both of these situations. What I mean, is that if we fix one problem, the other will either work itself out, or be negligible. For example, if Furcal proves healthy and we acquire him, his defensive ability and range automatically make McGehee's lack thereof negligible. If Furcal proves to be able to hit well, it helps because we can put him in the two hole in the lineup and move Corey Hart to the five hole permanently, which puts McGehee's black hole of a bat this year lower in the lineup, and thus, negligible. The same situation would apply if we acquired a guy like Stewart, who, if he lives up to his batting potential, could bat fifth.

So, besides wanting to rant about this, I want to know what the rest of you think. What should the Brewers do next, what CAN they do next?

[wcs71401]

Axford is on my fantasy team as the closer. Not thrilled by this move (for fantasy reasons)

[JoshRedcay]

Axford is on my fantasy team as the closer. Not thrilled by this move (for fantasy reasons)

I've got the same problem.

And fantasy team aside, I really think they would have been better off going after 3B or SS rather than going after an overpaid closer who is actually doing worse right now than Axford. It really doesn't make much sense, I mean I know it helps the back of the bullpen, but they should take care of their other more needed positions first.

[Sage]

I've got the same problem.

And fantasy team aside, I really think they would have been better off going after 3B or SS rather than going after an overpaid closer who is actually do worse right now than Axford. It really doesn't make much sense, I mean I know it helps the back of the bullpen, but they should take care of their other more needed positions first.

Don't forget, the Brewers lead the league in bullpen losses with 20, and 7 of them from our former setup guy, Kameron Loe. Our bullpen has been very sub-par, with the exceptions of Hawkins and Axford. Besides, we've had leads to work with, regardless of our lack of offense from third and short. But our bullpen has blown those leads. We needed back-end help, desperately, and I think it was the bigger problem to address.

Also, we really aren't giving up anything of worth to get K-Rod. We still have enough ammunition in our minors to get an upgrade at third or short. The problem is really just who is going to be available.

[Mudge]

I've got the same problem.

And fantasy team aside, I really think they would have been better off going after 3B or SS rather than going after an overpaid closer who is actually do worse right now than Axford. It really doesn't make much sense, I mean I know it helps the back of the bullpen, but they should take care of their other more needed positions first.

While I think getting genuine set-up guy helps, overall I tend to agree with this assessment; the bottom of the order needs help. Furthermore, Rodriguez will do no good if the starters can't get past the 4th inning.

Unfortunately, Gallardo has just not been what this team needs this year. His last 8 games show how inconsistent he has been. Or maybe how consistently inconsistent he's been.



DATE OPP IP H ER BB K
06/04 @FLA 6.0 6 1 2 5
06/09 NYM 4.0 10 4 1 5
06/14 @CHC 7.0 3 1 2 10
06/19 @BOS 3.0 9 5 2 4
06/25 MIN 7.0 6 1 3 6
07/01 @MIN 7.0 5 3 4 4
07/06 ARI 7.0 4 1 1 6
07/14 @COL 4.0 11 6 0 2

That's 22 ER in 45 IP (4.40 ERA) in his last 8 starts, and he has surrendered 4 ER in 27 IP in half of them and 18 ER 18 IP in the other half. The weird part is that it's a perfect every other game. So beware Arizona!

At least Zach Braddock has been consistently bad -- time for him to head back to the minors (I suspect his troubles were one of the reasons Melvin went after another reliever).

[WilsonC]

Have the Brewers confirmed who's in which role? Intuitively, it would make more sense to keep Axford as the closer - he's been as or more effective in the role, and with K-Rod's vesting option certainly makes sense to designate him to the setup role.

[Baseballnum3er0]

Have the Brewers confirmed who's in which role? Intuitively, it would make more sense to keep Axford as the closer - he's been as or more effective in the role, and with K-Rod's vesting option certainly makes sense to designate him to the setup role.

K-Rod waived his vesting option so the GM has come out and said he will share the closer role. Not quite sure how this will work out, personally always believed it is best when people know their roles and then you change them when necessary, not make it a toss up who pitches in what spot on any given day. Sources below.

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8590096/30633620

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/brewers_gm_says_rod_to_share_closer_B8is8cQMrBIaoU 7Rc1UCRI

[Brew Crew]

I really like this guy Taylor Green to take some AB's away from Casey. It isn't that I don't think Casey doesn't do a good job, but the numbers with 11 HR's for a third baseman isn't up to par. Green was hitting up a storm in AAA with an average well over .300 and 22 HR's.

[RickD]

What's next....

Well it looks like some Brewers are already thinking about that EVEN with the playoffs before them.

Prince Fielder told TBS that, "I'm signed for this year, but being real about it, it is probably the last year"

While this is probably true, does it mean his focus is not on the playoffs? Will this be a distraction?

Then you have Francisco Rodriguez complaining (STILL) about his role with the team.

THis much dissension and distraction could be detrimental to their playoff run.

Or

Like the Bronx Zoo of the 70's it could cause the team to pull together despite the fact and win it all.

[Baseballnum3er0]

What's next....

Well it looks like some Brewers are already thinking about that EVEN with the playoffs before them.


I think this could change by the time the playoffs start. From the Brewers point of view they know that as long as they don't massively choke they will be in the playoffs but who they will play is still up in the air. Once it gets closer to the playoffs they may pull together more and focus on who they have to play.

[RickD]

You can only hope really. Sometimes teams implode when they get distracted, sometimes they come together despite.

Which Brewers team will we see.