Tuesday's Frosty Mug
Some things to read while getting ready for your photo shoot.
The Summer of Rickie Weeks was suddenly and abruptly canceled yesterday, leaving many of us wondering where we go from here. Willie Randolph, who spent most of the spring working with Weeks to improve his game, called the news "depressing", and Cory Provus notes that the news came just a week after Ken Macha called Weeks "his kind of player."
So where do the Brewers go from here? Adam McCalvy lists five internal options to fill in the void at second base. As of this writing, about 30% of voters in the poll on your right think Craig Counsell should take over, with 22% voting for Bill Hall and 18% hoping Doug Melvin is on the phone with Ray Durham. Casey McGehee is expected to start tonight and tomorrow, as the Astros send lefties Mike Hampton and Wandy Rodriguez to the mound. The Brewers are also expected to call up Hernan Iribarren from Nashville, but the move has not yet been announced.
How valuable was Weeks this season? On top of already having nine home runs and being on pace for 100 RBI, he was also the second most valuable defensive second baseman in baseball, according to FanGraphs. Mike Cameron is still the most valuable defensive center fielder, but the Brewers as a team have dropped from second to fifth.
Last night's game had a couple of milestones in it: Of course, Mat Gamel hit his first major league home run, but Jason Kendall also picked up his 2000th hit, becoming just the eighth catcher to do so. Baseball Reference looks at the eight catchers who accomplished the feat, and one stat jumps out: each of the other seven catchers hit at least 248 home runs, and Ted Simmons is the only one with less than 300. Jason Kendall has 73 career homers.
We've known for a few days now that Brad Nelson would not be back, but now we also know where he's headed: Nelson has signed a minor league deal with the Mariners and will report to AAA Tacoma. Hopefully Brad can rebound from a tough start to 2009 and have a nice major league career in the AL, where the Brewers won't have to face him very often.
Down in the minors, Taylor Green is off to a hot start in his rehab assignment with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. He's expected to be called up to Huntsville soon, but Rattlers manager Jeff Isom is hoping to dodge that phone call.
Elsewhere in the minors, the Astros have released former Brewer Lou Palmisano. Cap'n Lou was picked in the Rule 5 draft by the Orioles, traded to the Astros, and then offered back to the Brewers. The Brewers decided not to take him back.
On power rankings:
- Whatifsports has moved the Brewers up from tenth to fifth in their rankings.
- Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star has moved the Brewers from eighth to third.
Here's one more way you can help the Brewers own Pittsburgh: The Racing Sausages are up against the Racing Pierogies in Home Run Derby's Mascot Challenge. Head on over there and vote for the sausages.
Around the league:
A's: Reliever Dan Giese has been placed on the DL with irritation in his ulnar nerve.
Mets: Carlos Delgado will miss at least two months after undergoing hip surgery, Alex Cora has been placed on the DL with a sprained thumb ligament and, once again, Nelson Figueroa has been designated for assignment.
Nationals: 26-year-old reliever Ryan Wagner, who had been pitching in AAA, has decided to retire.
Phillies: Signed Paul Bako to a minor league deal.
Pirates: Claimed reliever Steven Jackson off waivers from the Yankees.
Rockies: Designated reliever Steven Register, who had been pitching in AAA, for assignment.
Twins: Placed starter Glen Perkins on the DL with elbow inflammation.
I believe I've mentioned before that home runs are way up this season, although I haven't seen it reported recently. On the other side, though, Baseball Reference notes that there has not been a single three-HR game in 2009, and this is the farthest into the season we've gone without one since 1993.
Oh, and I don't have my new house yet (and won't for another month), but I already have a gardening idea.
Drink up.
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38 comments
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Comments
I bet Prince goes yard
3 times against Hampton- to break that streak!
The designated hitter rule is like letting someone else take Wilt Chamberlain's free throws.
by Kyguy922 on May 19, 2009 9:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
obviously unlikely with the lefty on lefty matchup
The designated hitter rule is like letting someone else take Wilt Chamberlain's free throws.
by Kyguy922 on May 19, 2009 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The numbers don't totally back that up...
3 HR vs. lefties in 40 ABs
6 HR vs. righties in 88 ABs
not that I completely disagree
by hamburgular17 on May 19, 2009 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Racing Sausages
should win in a landslide.
Winning with 89% at the moment, but we can do better
by hamburgular17 on May 19, 2009 10:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yes – but that is a super small sample size… only 101 votes as of my vote…
by Saberilliterate on May 19, 2009 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, there were 12 votes in when I posted the Mug. :-)
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
by KLSnow on May 19, 2009 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
2nd base
I’m not sure what to do about 2nd.
I think I agree with Macha that Counsell needs to stay in a utility role. He will probably play more than he would have, but I think his role is still as a bench guy.
I think Iribaren will be called up. We need an everyday 2nd baseman and I just don’t see Casey (with his 8 games at 2B in Majors/Minors combined) as the guy.
I like the idea of Escobar coming up, because he could possibly lead off too, I’m just not sure how practical it is.
Personally I think Hall is done as a starter. Or should be. He just can’t hit righties. I would just do a straight Hall/Gamel platoon. Close my eyes and just live with it.
McGahee and Iribaren can platoon 2B, with Counsel backing up the 3 positions.
by grant76 on May 19, 2009 10:25 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Re: Brad Nelson
I remember watching him when I lived in Huntsville back when he was touted as the Brewers #1 prospect and tearing up the Southern League. I thought he was a sure thing then, so I guess that just shows how much things can change in this sport. I’m rooting for him to finally find his way and succeed, just not against us, lol.
"If Woody were Captain of the Titanic, he'd argue the boat sinking speaks to how effectively they put rich people in life boats and lock the poor folks below."
-jrauch commenting at Hoopinion on Woody's (non)logic in his post-game comments
by Jesse28 on May 19, 2009 10:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Appleton
Moving in sometime in the third week of June.
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
by KLSnow on May 19, 2009 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That means that we will start to get regular updates from the T-Rats games then right?
by Saberilliterate on May 19, 2009 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nelson Figueroa
how’d he do this call-up?
In any case, why does he put up with this crap. He should become a free agent, IMHO.
by PagsBrewCrew on May 19, 2009 11:27 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
He did become a free agent last time, but ended up re-signing with the Mets.
There’s probably not a team that wants to hand him a rotation spot at present, so his best fit may be with the Mets, where he’ll continue to make fill in starts and eventually probably get an extended look.
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
by KLSnow on May 19, 2009 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Interactive Advertisements"
KL: what’s with the ads with audio? Make it stop. I know I COULD install 3rd party software, but I’d prefer to not.
by PagsBrewCrew on May 19, 2009 11:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
dude, Firefox + Adblock
it will make the entire internet better
by warwick5s on May 19, 2009 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ads with sound?
I have yet to hear one. Which ad is it?
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
by KLSnow on May 19, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
dish detergent, i think?
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on May 19, 2009 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Alright
Now that a position player is hurt and a lot of discussion has been put in to how to fill the void, who is the first pitcher to miss significant time and how will it be handled?
I am confident with the depth of pitching the Brewers have, so I am not too worried, but if I had to guess, Bush seems due for an injury…No pitching staff stays healthy the entire year and pitch 36 games each. I am guessing the first option is McClung and call up Swindle, and then probably Chase Wright and Nick Green if others get hurt.
The designated hitter rule is like letting someone else take Wilt Chamberlain's free throws.
by Kyguy922 on May 19, 2009 12:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Haven't seen it mentioned yet..
Jayson Stark just mentioned Mark Grud… Gruz… (checks mlb.com) Grudzielanek as an option.
It is what it is.
by coolig on May 19, 2009 12:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think you mean...
Milwaukee native Mark Grudzielanek.
"I didn't realize his velocity was that high," said Macha, noting that radar readings aren't flashed during exhibition games.
by battlekow on May 19, 2009 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Buster Olney:
A baseball source made it clear Monday night that the Brewers will first examine internal options. First and foremost of those is Craig Counsell, whose chances of keeping the job might improve if Mat Gamel upgrades the Brewers’ offense with how he hits at third base, and Gamel mashed a homer Monday night. The Brewers, the source says, “are not looking outside yet.”
"I didn't realize his velocity was that high," said Macha, noting that radar readings aren't flashed during exhibition games.
by battlekow on May 19, 2009 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If that is true, that is stupid.
Haven’t they been examining their internal options since…well…as long as those internal options have been in the org? So, at least since February?
Now is the time for Doug, or an underling, to say: “Hey you, BB ops dude, your job is to evaluate every cheaply available 2B in baseball, and have the report on my desk tomorrow by 9am.”
Maybe Olney has it wrong, or I’m misinterpreting “examine.” But…now is the time to “examine” every option that is remotely feasible.
Also, cheese.
by Jeff Sackmann on May 19, 2009 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I read "BB ops guy" as "walks/OPS guy"
I thought, “That’s kind of oblique way to reference Craig Counsell.”
"I didn't realize his velocity was that high," said Macha, noting that radar readings aren't flashed during exhibition games.
by battlekow on May 19, 2009 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Olney better be wrong
Ray Durham/Mark Grudzielanek
Signing one of those two is a no-brainer. They’re both fairly reliable (even considering age) and big improvements over any internal replacements.
If the organization isn’t willing to shill out $1 million or less for a team that was (is) on pace for 100+ wins, then that is just outrageous.
Ryan Braun: He loves it.
by SRB on May 19, 2009 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, Ray Durham turned down $850k from the Nats
So I don’t think $1 million or less will cut it.
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
by KLSnow on May 19, 2009 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Time to ask Suppan to take one for the team
"I didn't realize his velocity was that high," said Macha, noting that radar readings aren't flashed during exhibition games.
by battlekow on May 19, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gagne bought the fans tickets
Suppan can buy the fans a second baseman
Ryan Braun: He loves it.
by SRB on May 19, 2009 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions 5 recs
It may have had more to do with it being a minor league deal (and the Nationals). Unless he is set on retiring, I imagine he would be more willing to resign with Milwaukee for a reasonable amount.
Ryan Braun: He loves it.
by SRB on May 19, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was my take, too.
More of a respect thing than anything else. He didn’t want to compete for a job.
Also, cheese.
by Jeff Sackmann on May 19, 2009 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah – but it was the Nats… you almost need a salary mulitplier written into the contract to play for them… like if player A gets 800k to play for Oakland – they get 1.6M to play for the Nats. Or it could be written into their contract as part of a no-trade clause… if player A gets traded to Washington, their salary gets mulitplied by a factor of 3…
by Saberilliterate on May 19, 2009 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Personally
I hope the Brewers are dusting off Durham’s old jerseys and marking up the marked down Durham t-shirts in the gift shops.
by drezdn on May 19, 2009 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope not
Part of the reason (I think) the team’s performing better is the defense, and Durham isn’t so good with the glove. I thought everyone complained about that last year, but my memory could be selective. Grudz is good defensively, and he gets on base, so I’d prefer that option.
Personally, I’d like to see Gamel get some PT. Put him at third and sub out for him late in games. Move CousHall over to second (CC’s fine there and Hall’s been adequate in the past). If Gamel falters, then try an aged vet (so it’s a matter of whether you want to sign a guy like MG now or later and start him now or later).
by Capt Science on May 19, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bernies Splash Zone

Weird, looks like people in the bleachers will get wet.
by SgtClueLs on May 19, 2009 1:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I've decided to start a new thread on internal/external options for second base.
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
by KLSnow on May 19, 2009 2:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
so funny kyle...
i was getting ready for a photo shoot this morning when i read this…
PLEASE BUY COKE ZERO!!!!
by Jamie in LA on May 19, 2009 4:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs



























