you don't have to watch many brewers games to realize that carlos lee has been the brewers offense in the first 11 games. the stats going into this afternoon's game at shea confirms it:

BA: .333 (team rank: 1)
HR: 4 (1)
RBI: 9 (1)
R: 8 (1)
TB: 26 (1)

etc. etc. arguably the biggest reason why the brewers are 7-4 right now.

however, it's also important to point out what else this does for the brewers - it gives them a lot of flexibility come july 31. it is speculated that this could be lee's last season as a brewer, as his price tag will likely be too much for the brewers' pockets, and also with guys like corey hart and nelson cruz waiting in the wings.

continued numbers like lee's been putting up and the brewers are going to win some games and have the possibility to greatly improve at the trading deadline. i know it may seem kind of weird to think like this, especially because carlos is such a fun player to watch, but i really believe that lee will not be a brewer in 2007 and melvin could really stack the ballclub for a major run toward the pennant in '07.

but then again, if lee could start getting some help from the rest of the lineup, the brewers might want to keep lee for help in their 2006 playoff chase...