Thursday's Frosty Mug
by KLSnow on Sep 10, 2009 9:12 AM CDT
in News
74 comments
Some things to read while the sausages run the Preakness.
The Brewers are (mercifully?) off today, giving us a day to ponder Ken Macha's future. Batting Corey Patterson in the leadoff spot was the last straw for Brewers Daily, and Keep Turning Up the Heat doesn't understand his decision-making process with Mat Gamel. I'm not quite ready to call for Macha's head...but right now I wouldn't be disappointed if he were let go.
Keith Law has spent the last three days at Miller Park, and was disappointed by Macha's decision to use Gamel as a pinch hitter, then remove him before he actually got to bat. He also had some thoughts on Jason Kendall, Corey Patterson, and several interesting musical selections.
This probably wasn't the best week to watch a Brewer homestand, as the Brewers were dominated by Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright once again. With Wainwright's performance yesterday, the Brewers scored just one run in 39.1 innings pitched by Wainwright and Carpenter at Miller Park this season.
Brewer pitchers have actually only allowed 22 runs (slightly more than 3 per game) over the last seven games, but the bats have been shut down, and almost any bats could be shut down by the pitchers the Brewers have faced recently. Take a look back at the last nine days' opponents:
Joel Pineiro (14-9, 3.28)
Chris Carpenter (16-3, 2.16)
John Smoltz (1-1, 3.27 in the NL)
Barry Zito (9-12, 3.99)
Matt Cain (13-4, 2.51)
Jonathan Sanchez (6-11, 4.03)
Carpenter again
Smoltz again
Adam Wainwright (18-7, 2.59)
The Brewers have faced four starting pitchers with an ERA under 2.60 and just one with an ERA over 4.00 in the last nine games. It's probably not surprising they only won two of them.
With Derek Jeter tying Lou Gehrig for the Yankees' franchise lead in career hits, Baseball Digest Daily has a look at each franchise's active hits leader. Prince Fielder leads all current Brewers with 649, good for 21st most all time. If he picks up 19 more hits in 2009, he'll pass Dave May, Ted Simmons and Bill Hall for 18th place.
In the minors:
- The Pioneer League season continues through the end of the week, and in what might be his final rookie league start, Eric Arnett pitched his longest professional outing yesterday, allowing two earned runs in 5.2 innings. He'll likely start 2009 in Wisconsin, but could feasibly be fast-tracked to Brevard County if he gets off to a good start.
- Speaking of Wisconsin, Brock Kjeldgaard wrote himself into the Timber Rattler record books this season by striking out 172 times, most in team history. He also finished in the all-time top ten in games, home runs, RBI, total bases and walks. Kjeldgaard set a Pioneer League record by striking out 113 times for Helena last season.
The Brewers dropped two spots to 20th in MLB FanHouse's Power Rankings.
Around baseball:
Giants: Designated reliever Osiris Matos for assignment.
Phillies: Released Rodrigo Lopez.
Rockies: Designated Adam Eaton for assignment.
Joe Posnanski stumbled across a pretty fascinating stat this week: David DeJesus, who leads the Royals in walks, would be ninth on the Dodgers. A little plate discipline goes a long way.
A little water damage goes a long way, too. Less than one year after completing construction, the Mets are already battling water damage in suites at Citi Field, along with a host of other constructional and structural issues. Some franchises stretch their curses out over decades: The Mets are getting it all in 2009.
On this day in 1973, Jim Colborn pitched a complete game and led the Brewers to a 6-5 victory over the Tigers. It was the Brewers' 70th win, the first time in the franchise's five year history they'd reached thay mark. They went 4-15 the rest of the way to finish at 74-88.
I don't have any birthdays today, unless it's your birthday: In that case, happy birthday to you.
Oh, and the next time you're trying to take a family photo, you may want to check the background for donkeys.
Drink up.
0 recs |
74 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
i still can't believe that patterson is on a big league roster
i can only hope this is a just world and that act of mercy bought us some karma for next year.
"I'll be glad to have Ryan help if he wants to. I'll give him a badge and he can be my deputy."
-Sheriff Melvin
by sowingwildoats on Sep 10, 2009 10:04 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
David Dejesus
He would be fourth on the Brewers behind Fielder and Cameron and only five behind Braun. But Prince has 33 more walks (93) than the top Dodgers (Ethier, Loney – 60) do, and Cameron has nine more walks (69) then the top dodgers.
by NoahJ on Sep 10, 2009 10:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think Cameron hates swinging.
Earlier in the season, BCB did a look at how he is at the top of the league in not swinging at balls. He’s also known for the backwards K. I thought maybe it all meant that he truly waited for his pitch. So I checked his BABIP, thinking it’d be pretty high. It’s only .314.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Sep 10, 2009 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I didn't realize (until now) that his backwards K percentage was that high.
36% of his strikeouts in his career are looking; 33% this season. League average is 25%.
by Rubie Q on Sep 10, 2009 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think I'm a little closer to calling for his head.
When I think of reasons to fire a manager, lineup decisions in September when your 17 games out isn’t really high on the list. That said, there’s no reason that Gamel shouldn’t be starting 2-3 times per week instead of jamming him into a pinch hitting role we’ve already seen him fail in. Between that and Corey Patterson, I’m starting to wonder if Macha’s hoping he gets canned instead of coming back next year to manage this train-wreck of a pitching staff.
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Sep 10, 2009 11:35 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
how do you explain gamel starting 2-3 times a week to the guy who earned the full time job, and himself is fighting for a job next year?
by Mykenk on Sep 10, 2009 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think McGehee needs to do anything more to prove his worthiness for next year.
Unless, of course, you’re referring to Counsell
It is what it is.
by coolig on Sep 10, 2009 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, but he wants a starting job, not to be a super-U guy. No one wants that.
by Mykenk on Sep 10, 2009 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If McGehee is a starter next year
I don’t want it to be for the Brewers.
Unless, again, you’re referring to Counsell who I think is happy with a super-U role.
It is what it is.
by coolig on Sep 10, 2009 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It doesn't really matter what YOU want.
McGehee’s earned at least the right to fight for a starting job somewhere, and shoving him to the bench improves his value to no one.
by Mykenk on Sep 10, 2009 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not advocating benching McGehee for the rest of the year, just let Gamel get in there once in awhile.
I just don’t see what kind of impact on his own value McGehee could make over the last few weeks. There seems to be a general consensus that his value is probably already at its peek. I just don’t see the point of letting one of your top prospects waste away at the end of the bench.
It is what it is.
by coolig on Sep 10, 2009 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Waste away?
In the last few weeks of the season, I seriously doubt he’s going to get any more valuable experience over what he got when he was up with the team earlier this season and what he’s going to get during spring training.
If he’s not ready for MLB now, a few weeks of playing isn’t going to make much of a difference. The Brewers FO knows what they’re doing to do with McGehee and Gamel next season… it’s just a matter of time before we know what that is.
by sjlee on Sep 10, 2009 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"The Brewers FO knows what they're going to do with McGehee and Gamel next season."
I bet they don’t, actually. I bet that they’ve got an idea but that they’re willing to change their minds depending on what’s available via trade (if anything) this offseason.
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Sep 10, 2009 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You don’t think 80+ PAs can help Mat Gamel’s development going into next year? Most rookies don’t light the world on fire like Braun did and benefit from getting constant MLB ABs.
I think there are also positives to letting him play 20+ games in the field while working with Willie Randolph.
Gamel needs to play every day and I hate what they are doing with him right now.
by Supertramp on Sep 10, 2009 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He definitely doesn't need to play every day.
by Mykenk on Sep 10, 2009 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
IMO he should at least get the majority of starts
If not every day, at least 4-5 times a week.
Winning games isn’t a top priority, getting ready for next season is. Why not get one of your top prospects ready to hit the ground running next year?
by Supertramp on Sep 10, 2009 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I totally agree.
Macha’s handling of Gamel is my biggest problem with how he’s managed. If they were going to keep him in the majors, he needed to play everyday. Otherwise, they should have returned him to Nashville after Interleague was done. Macha set him up to fail by using him mostly as a pinch hitter and sporadic starts. I think his confidence suffered and as a result, much of his season was a waste.
by Brew Believer on Sep 10, 2009 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Last time Gamel was up...
the Brewers were still a playoff contender, and they had plenty of options for 3B.
I’m sure DM had his input as well.
by sjlee on Sep 11, 2009 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Two reasons... and both relate to McGehee
1. He’s in the hunt for ROY.
2. If they do plan on trading McGehee during the offseason, having him continue to build up his stats as well as win ROY will go a long way to adding to his value.
by sjlee on Sep 11, 2009 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
fighting = auditioning
I think it was KL that pointed out McGehee’s value as trade bait is at an all-time high. Not letting him hit in September could drop his value a little.
We already pretty much know what Gamel can provide from his time earlier with the team 8-9 starts for Gamel might be worth less to the team than keeping McGehee on the field.
by ecocd on Sep 10, 2009 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"We already pretty much know what Gamel can provide from his time earlier with the team..."
Seriously?
You know me Al.
by TheJay on Sep 10, 2009 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm with Jay.
We haven’t seen what Gamel can do with consistent playing time.
by Rubie Q on Sep 10, 2009 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's akin to saying we know what Corey Patterson can do solely based on his time in Nashville
You know me Al.
by TheJay on Sep 10, 2009 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Okay, so that was an exaggeration
Assuming (for the time being) he’s going to be the starter at 3rd next year, I should have said, it doesn’t matter what Gamel can provide. Brewers will have him at 3rd base to start the season next year, anyway.
by ecocd on Sep 10, 2009 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Along those same lines though,
wouldn’t you want to showcase Gamel a little for potential trades?
It is what it is.
by coolig on Sep 10, 2009 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not unless the Brewers are planning on trading him.
by sjlee on Sep 10, 2009 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well it's probably going to be one or the other
There really doesn’t seem to be much room for both.
"You have no honor!" - McClung to Fukudome
by zsxander567 on Sep 10, 2009 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Depends...
On how Weeks is. Seems like everyone is assuming that he’ll pick up where he left off this season… but I have my reservations. Particularly since the last time he had this surgery he still wasn’t 100% the following season.
That being the case, McGehee would be used at 2B. Granted, I’m assuming they don’t try to keep Lopez.
by sjlee on Sep 10, 2009 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gamel is a top
50 prospect in the game. You have to get him in there and get as many at bats and starts at 3B while the season is still in progress. This is his time to show the team what he can do with consistent playing time. Nothing more valuable in the evaluation process than MLB, starting games, results. I dont think you can break his confidence with 20 or 30 starts even if he does poorly. If anything you let him learn, and then work on things over the winter, and come back
Similar guys in his class include Andrew McCutcheon, Brian Matusz, Elvis Andrus, Chris Tillman…and all of these guys are being given big time looks (or even full time assignments) so that their organizations have a chance to see what they are working with.
The organization owes it to Gamel and itself to get this kid into as many games as possible until the season ends.
by backtocali on Sep 10, 2009 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Brewers already know what they're going to do with Gamel next season.
They don’t need to see what he can do in the few weeks we have left of the regular season. Wrong or right… the Brewers didn’t do that with Braun, so it’s not completely out of the question that they’ll follow the same approach with Gamel.
by sjlee on Sep 10, 2009 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How do you know that?
Are you in the front office? Because I don’t think the plans for next year are cast in stone just yet.
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Sep 10, 2009 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nothing is set in stone... never said it was.
They have plans, but obviously those may change depending on injuries and trade possibilities.
by sjlee on Sep 10, 2009 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok.
But that sort of destroys your earlier argument, doesn’t it?
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Sep 10, 2009 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nope.
I stated that the Brewers already know what they’re going to do with Gamel next season, so that they don’t need to evaluate him.
Obviously if another team starts dangling a ridiculous offer for Gamel, the Brewers will consider it, but that’s true for anyone on the team.
by sjlee on Sep 11, 2009 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So now "trade possibilities" means "ridiculous offers"?
I’m sure it doesn’t matter much, but it seems that you’re changing your position with every reply. You think they already know what they’re going to do, so they don’t need to play him. The options essentially are to deal him or play him next year. Not playing him now might delay his further development and contribute to a slow start next year, and it certainly robs him of repetitions defensively, if the plan is to play him next season.
If the plan is to trade him, then it wouldn’t take a “ridiculous offer” to get them to pull the trigger. Not playing him now, if trading him is the plan, only makes sense if they’ve concluded that he’s not very good and they don’t want everyone else to figure that out before and offseason deal. I doubt that’s the circumstance, but it’s the only way the decision to let him ride the bench makes sense based on your position that they don’t need to play him because they already know what they’re going to do in 2010.
I’m sorry, but that argument doesn’t make any sense to me. While I disagree with Mykenk’s position that you have to play McGehee because he’s earned it, I can at least understand the logic behind it.
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Sep 11, 2009 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How am I changing my position?
Again, I stated that I think the Brewers already know what they have in mind with Gamel and that letting him play 20 or so games isn’t going to change their mind. Period. Would those plans change due to an injury or trade offer? Of course. I never said that their plans wouldn’t or couldn’t change.
I also think there are more than just two options for Gamel. A third option would be to have him start the season in Nashville again… particularly if they decide to start McGehee at 3B.
My “ridiculous offer” was an example… not a criteria.
As far as playing McGehee, not only has he earned it, but he’s also in the running for ROY. If they do decide to start Gamel at 3B, finishing the season strong with the ROY award will inflate McGehee’s trade value even more.
by sjlee on Sep 11, 2009 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, if you want to make the McGehee argument now, ok.
I don’t agree (and the only way McGehee’s in the ROY race is if his family members have the only votes), but I can see the logic of saying he deserves to play every day based on his production.
That still leaves the fact that McGehee doesn’t play 3rd every day at issue, since Counsell’s getting some starts there over both McGehee and Gamel, but I’ll let the pass.
My point is that if, as you suggest, they already know what they’re going to do with Gamel in 2010, then they should play Gamel because it’s good for Gamel and the team long term, not because playing him for 10-15 of these last 20 games will change their mind. It’s about either developing him as a player or showcasing him for a deal, neither of which purposes is served by letting him rot on the bench (again) and jamming him into pinch hitting duties he’s ill-prepared to fulfill.
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Sep 11, 2009 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
McGehee is in the ROY race...
but he’s not likely to win under any circumstances than the one you mentioned.
That being said, I’m still not convinced that having Gamel start 10-15 games will make much of a difference in his development, because after that he won’t see MLB pitching again for about 5 months.
I will agree, however, that Counsell shouldn’t really be starting any games from here on out.
by sjlee on Sep 11, 2009 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's an interesting quote from DM regarding this topic...
Plenty of fans have wondered why the Brewers, who won’t be making a return trip to the postseason, aren’t playing prospects like Gamel and shortstop Alcides Escobar every day to help make decisions clearer for 2010. But Melvin insisted he didn’t need to see those players because, “I know their abilities.” Melvin has left the day-to-day baseball decisions to Macha.
“I haven’t ordered Ken to play anybody,” Melvin said. "There may be a point where I say, ‘I would like to see somebody play every day.’ I’m not there yet.
by sjlee on Sep 11, 2009 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm in Doug Melving planter
I’ve got the inside scoop on all the latest Brewers action.
Doug just took a sip of his coffee. 8:05am.
Doug waxed his mustache at 8:15am.
Doug sharpened all his penciles in his office 8:25
Doug talked to Mark A.
by SgtClueLs on Sep 10, 2009 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
who's Doug Melving?
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Sep 10, 2009 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ah, but what did he talk to Mark A. about?
Getting a new parking space?
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Sep 10, 2009 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Apparently, you tell him its either that or we can play Counsell at 3rd a couple of times per week.
If that’s justifiable, then so is playing Gamel.
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Sep 10, 2009 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought this was a joke. You meant to tell me this is really happening?
Christ.
by Mykenk on Sep 10, 2009 12:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That the "Melvin bobble" actually exists?
by Mykenk on Sep 10, 2009 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Clearly
He’s drunk off his mustache’s lust for power and adoration.
"You have no honor!" - McClung to Fukudome
by zsxander567 on Sep 10, 2009 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Only thing dumber than that would be a bobble head of the sausages.
wait… dammit.
by Mykenk on Sep 10, 2009 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
no you're stupid!
chorizo bobblewurst owns and i will hear nothing to the contrary >:[
by warwick5s on Sep 11, 2009 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Technically, those aren't really bobbleheads...
since their body (not just their head) bobbles?
by sjlee on Sep 11, 2009 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I want a Gord Ash bobble
It would be shiny.
You know me Al.
by TheJay on Sep 10, 2009 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Gotta love the JS comments
Tom brought up the list of Brewers that are free agents, and opened it up for discussion. Right away, somebody suggested that if the Crew can’t resign Cameron, then Patterson can play CF.
Then, MilwaukeeBrian says this:
Counsell’s $1 million = BEST VALUE in all of baseball
While Counsell’s contract sure is a nice one, Ryan Braun makes 75% of what Counsell makes.
It’s nice to know that at BCB we can at least have an intelligent discussion about baseball.
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Sep 10, 2009 5:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
In fairness
Braun’s shouldn’t really count since it’s pre-arb dollars. (Or would be, if he hadn’t signed the long-term deal with has similar salaries.)
If we don’t distinguish between pre-arb, arb, and FA, yeah, of course pre-arb guys are the best values. They have been for years and barring major changes in the CBA, they always will be.
So that commenter probably should’ve footnoted his claim (ha!), it’s not that outlandish. I’m sure anybody could come up with a half-dozen better FA contracts, but it’s certainly a good deal by that standard.
Now, Corey in CF…
Also, cheese.
by Jeff Sackmann on Sep 10, 2009 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Talking with a friend the other day
Whom I really respect on most sports matters. And he said, "I’ve been reading on the message boards — and I only spend time at the big-time websites, I don’t mess around with the little blogs — but they’re saying … "
Seriously? You have fun at your “big-time websites,” and I’ll enjoy some sports discourse that’s actually coherent.
by Cheeseandcorn on Sep 10, 2009 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm more amazed he can actually read those message boards.
I get to my third: “Cory Patersen is definitly an option in CF next year, he’s as fast as Kamron and doesnt strike out nearly as much” comment and I have to stop. There might be intelligent conversation in there somewhere, but I’m not gonna look for the needle in the haystack.
by Rubie Q on Sep 10, 2009 5:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
They ought to add the version from your quote.
by Zeyes on Sep 10, 2009 8:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is no intellegent conversation in there
E: George 4 (5, throw, throw, throw, throw).
by Jordan M on Sep 10, 2009 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Louis
|
91 | 71 | .561 | 0 | Lost 6 |
|
Chicago
|
83 | 78 | .515 | 7.5 | Lost 1 |
|
Milwaukee
|
80 | 82 | .493 | 11 | Won 3 |
|
Cincinnati
|
78 | 84 | .481 | 13 | Won 2 |
|
Houston
|
74 | 88 | .456 | 17 | Lost 3 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
62 | 99 | .385 | 28.5 | Lost 2 |
(updated 11.20.2009 at 4:30 PM CST)
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
