Majority of BCB Tracking Poll Voters Think Brewers Should Be Building For 2011

by Kyle Lobner on Jun 16, 2010 7:08 AM CDT in Events

This week's poll was open from noon Monday to noon Tuesday and received 215 votes. Here are the most notable results:

51% of voters think the Brewers' primary focus at this point should be attempting to position the team to rebound for 2011. Just 18% think the team's main goal should be winning as many games as possible in 2010.
A plurality of voters (47%) think the Brewers should split time evenly between Jonathan Lucroy and George Kottaras. 40% think Lucroy should be the primary catcher.
Doug Melvin's approval rating (53%) is above 50% for the first time since May 5.

Follow the jump for the full results.

Should Rickie Weeks be batting leadoff for the Brewers?

Response	Votes	%
Yes	132	61%
No	68	32%
Undecided	15	7%

Who should be the Brewers' primary catcher?

Response	Votes	%
George Kottaras	27	13%
Jonathan Lucroy	87	40%
50/50 split	101	47%

How would you grade the Brewers' 2010 Draft?

Response	Votes	%
A	8	4%
B	79	37%
C	37	17%
D	6	3%
F	0	0%
Undecided	85	40%

Do you approve of the job Doug Melvin is doing as General Manager of the Brewers?

Response	Votes	%	Prev	Diff
Yes	111	52%	46%	+6%
No	66	31%	29%	+2%
Undecided	38	18%	24%	-6%

Do you approve of the job Ken Macha is doing as Manager of the Brewers?

Response	Votes	%	Prev	Diff
Yes	41	19%	16%	+3%
No	144	67%	67%	n/c
Undecided	30	14%	18%	-4%

Do you approve of the job Rick Peterson is doing as Pitching Coach of the Brewers?

Response	Votes	%	Prev	Diff
Yes	35	18%	11%	+7%
No	112	52%	53%	n/c
Undecided	68	32%	36%	-4%

What should be the Brewers' primary focus for the remainder of the season?

Response	Votes	%
Trying to win as many games as possible in 2010	39	18%
Attempting to position the team to rebound in 2011	109	51%
Making moves to rebuild for the long haul (2012 and beyond)	67	31%

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Comments

Hmmm

The pitching staff seems to be figuring things out (4.20 ERA/1.37 WHIP/.249 BAA since the epic Memorial Day meltdown), and we’ve finally been able to win some close games. Halfway through the road schedule, we’re 17-18. And most importantly, from the looks of those walk-off wins over the Cubbies last week, this team seems to really believe they’re still in the race.

Call me crazy, but if this team splits these next four road games (at least we don’t have to face Jimenez) and puts together a 7-2 or 8-1 homestand (which will be very doable against Minnesota-Seattle-Houston), we’ll be right back in the race, probably only 5 or 6 GB, going into a monumental 4-game set in St. Louis. As far as I’m concerned, in this division this year, if you’re within 5 games by the trade deadline, you are a serious contender. There isn’t a 100-win team in the bunch, and it’s possible 83 or 85 wins will do the job, just as they did in 2006 and 2007.

I’m not willing to give up on this year just yet.

by Vee Sanford's Next-door Neighbor on Jun 16, 2010 8:10 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Even bad pitchers have good days

Its going to take 91 wins to win the Central outright, and maybe 92 for a shot at the Wild Card. The Brewers have to play about .660 ball from here on out to do that, and this pitching staff just isnt good enough to do that.

I agree that they have been playing more impressive baseball the last 2 weeks or so, but this teams pitching staff, over the long haul is just not built for a playoff run.

I know that these polls have to be very specific with its questions, but I’m curious to see what the people who voted for a 2011 rebound think is going to be the solution to turning this team around. As everyone knows, I’m all for the 2012 and beyond rebuild with trades of Hart and Fielder, and building for a more long term success. I am just curious to see what the solutions are that other people have outside of a rebuild for 2012 and beyond.

by backtocali on Jun 16, 2010 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions

Reply fail

In addition, by saying “focus on 2011”, I dont necessarily mean sign a bunch of 34 year old pitchers to 1 year deals and swing for the fences. I think there can be a good middle ground that does not concede that 2011 isn’t the year.

by LosinCatmansLove on Jun 16, 2010 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions

IMO it is dependant on when Fielder gets traded.

Fielder gets traded now, 2011 is a possibility. Melvin waits until the off season, 2011 is a wasted year.

by BrewCrewBrian on Jun 16, 2010 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions

fact

by LosinCatmansLove on Jun 16, 2010 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions

I'd argue the opposite

If he gets traded mid-year it is only going to be for prospects since contending teams won’t give up players who can contribute in the short term — so you’re more likely to be “playing for 2012” or whatever.

If he gets traded in the offseason there is a much better chance that players already in the majors or really close are involved in the deal.

Get a ife broseph

by Supertramp on Jun 16, 2010 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions

When Fielder gets traded, it should be for a pitcher who can contribute "next year"

I would rather have the comp picks than trade Fielder for something like Gross, Bush, and Zach Jackson (like the Overbay trade) – Bush being the one that helped “that year.”

by BrewCrewBrian on Jun 16, 2010 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions

2011

Fielder is due probably about $15 million next year, so if they hold onto him up to the trading deadline, thats a lot of money to have to swallow on a guy who wont be on the roster on August 1st.

And if you trade him during the offseason the price for the acquiring team comes up as well. I guess the point of that is that I cant see a team giving up a mlb ready pitcher for one year or less of a player making $15 million and maybe 5 wins.

My whole contention is that the proper Fielder trade fills 3 or 4 holes on the team for 2012 and beyond. Where a Fielder trade during the offseason or next trade deadline maybe fills 1 or 2 holes and diminished returns if you go for the big time prospect in a one for one or one for two deal.

by backtocali on Jun 16, 2010 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions

I think it is highly unlikely we

get a pitcher or player that will contribute much in 2011. Maybe a pitcher who could be called up late in the 2nd half or a bench player. I think our best expected return for Fielder would be 2-4 pitchers who are in A+ this year. I wouldn’t be opposed to trading Fielder for a impact bat+ since we don’t exactly have much in the way of impact bats in the minors either.

Give him an offspeed pitch down and in. He will swing and miss.

by cooper82 on Jun 16, 2010 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Why do you expect a 90+ win team in the NL Central?

The division favorites have Jeff Suppan in their rotation…

Ryan Braun: He loves it.

by SRB on Jun 17, 2010 12:55 AM CDT up reply actions

I voted for 2011, but would be ok stretching it out

I just can’t explicitly swallow, as a fan, a write off of the 2011 season. Therefore I am naturally inclined to focus on that. Being an eternal optimist when it comes to the Brewers, I just think the talent is there to compete now. 2011 jumps out because of the big windfall savings from the expiration of the Suppan and Hall contracts.

While it is only one year off, I think the a fundamental difference between the two camps lies in what should be done with Hart and Weeks. A lof of the 2012’ers would like to see Hart and Weeks moved (and of course Fielder) and just focus on building around Braun, Gallardo, Escobar, McGhee, and to a lesser extent, Gamel and Lawrie. While I would be perfectly fine with that, I would rather see Hart and Weeks stay put. The entire model of a small market team is built to focus on those years when you get youngish players for affordable prices all at the same time. While 2011 isn’t necessarily the perfect storm of all of that, it certainly is a great candidate. Bypassing it to focus on 2012 is just a wasted year of the team friendly contracts, in my opinion.

by LosinCatmansLove on Jun 16, 2010 9:27 AM CDT reply actions

2011?

I guess I don’t understand the sentiment. So…what? You have to keep Fielder if that’s the plan, so you’re hoping to get type A compensation. You basically have to keep Corey Hart, since you can’t ‘build for 2011’ by selling off pieces and hoping some rookie can fill in.

I guess folks who want to ‘build for 2011’ are hoping that The Mustache will NOT make an idiotic pitcher signing? That he’s somehow going to make a wise decision and buy some b- grade starting pitcher to really make that push in 2011?

I just don’t see it.

"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."

~Doug Melvin

by Charlie Marlow on Jun 16, 2010 1:52 PM CDT reply actions

I agree with you, but I had been beat on so heavely

for giving up on 2011 I figured I must be wrong, so I voted for ‘11. I have written of ’12 almost as well. It’s not like Wolf is going to get better with age. Maybe it is just the hopelessness that goes along with being a lifelong Brewer fan. Or, maybe I am sick of signing average pitchers on the decline for 10 mill a year. I think that has more to do with it.

by Braunstalker on Jun 16, 2010 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions

"You have to keep Fielder if that is the plan"

I disagree. There is a difference between building for 2011 and being irresponsible regarding the long term future. Melvin wouldn’t keep Fielder to get us a World Series next year, he would keep him because he (stupidly) would think we have a shot to resign him or would be afraid of the fan backlash. Or he is ratarded.

When I voted for a 2011 rebuild, I didn’t do it hoping to spend $100 million for a one year run. There is a way to focus on 2011 while keeping the long term potential of the franchise intact, and that is done by trading Fielder today for maximum value, keeping Hart and Weeks, and bringing up Mat Gamel.

This doesn’t mean I’m right, but I think its at least a valid point.

by LosinCatmansLove on Jun 16, 2010 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Fielder has been pretty pedestrian so far

He’s picked up the HRs lately, but before this week he was contributing less extra bases than Rickie Weeks, and our offense has not been the problem. We need quality starting pitching to win.

by nullacct on Jun 16, 2010 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Playing DH today

Showcasing him for those AL teams.

"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."

~Doug Melvin

by Charlie Marlow on Jun 16, 2010 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions

I guess

I still don’t see it. Without a major pitching overhaul, this team won’t win significantly more games in 2011 than it will in 2010. And I think this is a 78-82 win team.

If you subtract Prince Fielder from the lineup, add Mat Gamel, and expect the same production, I think you will be disappointed. So, basically, you’re probably looking at scoring less runs, with the same pitching staff, minus Doug Davis and Dave Bush, and plus someone like Jorge De La Rosa or Jeremy Bonderman—two guys The Mustache will probably think will give the team a great run in 2011. He’ll spend $5-7MM on JDLR for a one or two year deal, and probably $3-5MM on Bonderman for a one or two year deal, plug them in behind Gallardo, Wolf and Narveson, and think they’re good to go. Parra will be banished to the bullpen, and people at the JSonline will be SO MAD that Doug didn’t sign Cliff Lee for the 2011 season, or at least try to make a run at Ted Lilly and Javier Vasquez. Also, they’ll praise the signing of Jon Rauch for $6MM to close games, and Pedro Feliciano will get a 2 year+1 deal for $8MM.

Yuck.

"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."

~Doug Melvin

by Charlie Marlow on Jun 16, 2010 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Pretty specific

2 things. You didn’t touch on whatever return we get for Fielder and (2) the main plus the 2011 team has is ~$40+ million dollars without Suppan, Hall, Hoffman, and Fielder. Sure, other costs will go up so that isn’t net $40 million, but to say JDLR and Jeremy Bonderman for $10 million is “going for 2011” is pretty weak.

by LosinCatmansLove on Jun 16, 2010 5:54 PM CDT reply actions

I think assuming "3 Million Fans" a year is pretty ridiculous

I don’t believe payroll can stay where it is, I think its unsustainable. I also HIGHLY doubt there is MLB ready pitching talent that comes back in a Fielder trade. Why would you trade him for position players?

Also, if you’d like to point to the quality free agent pitching signings that would invalidate the notion that Melvin will sign two more duds to stupid contracts, I’m all ears.

Spending now for 2011 with some sort of misplaced notion that getting 87 wins is going to be awesome is just something I’d prefer to NOT see out of baseball’s smallest market team.

"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."

~Doug Melvin

by Charlie Marlow on Jun 17, 2010 1:21 AM CDT up reply actions

They should just forfeit every 2011 game

And use the savings on the draft.

Failure is just success rounded down.

by TheJay on Jun 17, 2010 7:16 AM CDT up reply actions

I get the hyperbole

But that wasn’t even implied.

"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."

~Doug Melvin

by Charlie Marlow on Jun 20, 2010 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions

I slightly disagree with this.

I also HIGHLY doubt there is MLB ready pitching talent that comes back in a Fielder trade

By most accounts, LaPorta was going to be “MLB ready” the year after he was traded for CC. He wasn’t going to be a world beater, but most scouts thought he should hit at least .250 and 20 HR with regular playing time.

If the Brewers trade Fielder now, they should be able to get a guy to put up a ~3.8 ERA and 160 innings and 140 Ks next year with upside (think almost as good as YoGa his rookie year). But if they would get a guy this good, the surrounding package will suffer.

by BrewCrewBrian on Jun 17, 2010 8:12 AM CDT up reply actions

Who?

"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."

~Doug Melvin

by Charlie Marlow on Jun 20, 2010 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions

and can we do without the knee injury the next year?

please??

"The Milwaukee Brewers' line score is starting to resemble an international phone number" - Pittsburgh Pirates Radio during 20-0 shutout - 4-22-10

by MadtownTim on Jun 28, 2010 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions

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