Thursday's Frosty Mug
by Kyle Lobner on Aug 12, 2010 10:35 AM CDT
in Milwaukee Brewers News
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PrintSome things to read while listening to "Maneater."
In a somewhat surprising move, we have a new Brewer today. Tom Haudricourt is reporting the Brewers have placed LaTroy Hawkins back on the DL with shoulder weakness and called up reliever Mike McClendon from Nashville (FanShot).
McClendon was the Brewers' tenth round selection in 2006 and has been having a great season pitching out of the bullpen in Huntsville and Nashville, where he's posted a combined 2.06 ERA and 1.071 WHIP in 70 innings. He'll strike out some (7.6 per nine innings this season), but his control (1.9 BB/9) and ability to keep the ball in the park (just one home run allowed this season) have been the primary sources of his value. With the Brewers needing several pitchers again last night, he could be called upon to debut today.
Elsewhere in surprises, Ryan Braun made a pinch hit appearance in the eighth inning of last night's game (and struck out with the bases loaded), and is expected to return to the lineup today. Braun didn't look very comfortable during his appearance last night and didn't stay in the game to play the field, but Jordan Schelling said he looked good during BP.
That wasn't last night's only good injury news, though: Corey Hart also returned to the lineup (going 0-for-3 with a walk). Prince Fielder also appeared in his 300th consecutive game.
Casey McGehee is getting hot: He's hitting .333/.382/.600 in his last sixteen games, is currently riding a six game hitting streak and he tied a career high with four hits last night.
Another day, another note on HBPs. Prince Fielder was hit for the 20th time last night, retaking the major league lead. The Brewers' single season record is 25 (held by Fernando Vina). Dave Bush also hit a batter (the 58th of his career, extending his franchise record), and both benches were warned after Kameron Loe threw behind a batter in the ninth inning. Plunk Everyone has much more.
The HBP wasn't Dave Bush's most egregious offense, however: He also allowed four consecutive solo home runs in the fourth inning, turning a 2-0 Brewer lead into a 4-2 Brewer deficit they never recovered from. The Brewers Bar noted that Bush had been getting lucky with some fly ball outs, and credits last night's meltdown to regression. The Brewers are just the seventh team ever to allow four consecutive homers.
Trevor Hoffman pitched a scoreless inning last night, and tried to kill his replacement in the closer role. This is from Adam McCalvy's Twitter:
Seen outside Miller Park: Hoffman driving a cart with an exercise bike strapped to the back and Axford riding up top. Wish I had a pic
Other notes from the field:
- The Brewers only scored in one inning last night against Daniel Hudson, but probably had reason to expect more from the inning: After the Brewers started the second inning with four straight hits, Chris Dickerson made the first out when he fell down rounding second, and the final out was recorded on a questionable call when Alcides Escobar was doubled off following a Jonathan Lucroy lineout.
- Arizona has now won three straight games. Their longest winning streak of the season is four games. They also haven't swept a series of three games or more all season.
- Dave Bush (classy), Casey McGehee and Adam LaRoche are leading FanGraphs' Star of the Game Voting.
- Here are the MLB.com video highlights.
- The Brewers drew 29,611 fans last night, passing the 2 million mark for the season.
- TheJay reports that last night's starting outfield (Lorenzo Cain, Chris Dickerson and Corey Hart) tied a Brewer record for the tallest outfield.
TheJay also sent me this note about today's day game:
The Brewers are 14-26 (.350) in day games this season, ahead of only the Pirates (11-21, .344) and Diamondbacks (9-22, .290) in the Major Leagues.
Carlos Gomez is still doing everything he can to deny having a concussion, and is getting ready to begin a rehab appearance with Nashville tomorrow. If all goes well, he could return to the Brewers in a week. In the interest of roster expediency, though, it might make sense to wait until rosters expand on September 1 to activate him.
Gomez is one of 15 Brewers to spend time on the DL this season. This MLB.com story notes that the Brewers lead the NL Central in both players DL'ed (15) and games missed (556) this season. Adam McCalvy notes that the numbers are a little deceiving, though, because a fair number of those days have been racked up by guys like Jody Gerut, Marco Estrada, Doug Davis and LaTroy Hawkins.
If you hadn't already guessed it, here's confirmation: MLB Trade Rumors' look at the Brewers projected 2011 rotation would suggest the team could use some help out there. Rob Neyer says there will be help available on the free agent market, but says "the target for 90 wins is probably 2012 or '13 rather than '11."
The picture is even less optimistic at Baseball Reflections, where Kenn Olson says the Brewers' window of opportunity has closed, but the team has "an air of false optimism" to keep the fans from leaving.
In the minors:
- The affiliates went 3-2 last night. One of those wins came from the AZL Brewers, who beat the AZL Cubs 14-4 behind a 3-for-5 night from catcher Tyler Roberts, who had two doubles and a home run. You can read about that and more in today's Minor League Notes.
- Nashville also picked up a win last night, coming from behind in the top of the ninth to beat Las Vegas 6-4. Erick Almonte had the game winning single.
- Mat Gamel might be starting to put it together in Nashville: View From Bernie's Chalet notes that he's hitting .312/.385/.494 in AAA and joins Wisconsin Sports Tap in making the case that he should get a shot at the big leagues in 2011.
- John Sickels of Minor League Ball has a look back at his preseason Top 20 Prospect list for the Brewers, and notes (among other things) some nice seasons from Brett Lawrie, Jake Odorizzi, Lorenzo Cain and others. (FanShot)
- Wisconsin outfielder Khris Davis has eighteen home runs on the season, and is closing in on the team record of 21. Chris Mehring notes, though, that Davis still needs 13 more to tie the all time Appleton record, set in 1941.
- A friend of mine was in Davenport last night to watch the Timber Rattlers play the Quad Cities River Bandits, and sent me a somewhat troubling report on catcher Cameron Garfield. He tells me Garfield flipped off a fan in the stands, shouted obscenities after striking out and yelled at third baseman Cutter Dykstra on the field after a missed play. Garfield is having a rough season (hitting just .237/.280/.312 in 334 PAs), but is still very young for the Midwest League (he won't turn 20 until May) and apparently has some growing up to do.
Yesterday I mentioned that Tuesday was team photo day at Miller Park. John Steinmiller has a great post with pictures and video from the event.
I've mentioned before that I'll be attending Miller Park Drunk's Pants Party on August 29, and you should too. If you needed more encouragement, here's some from Carson Cistulli of FanGraphs/U.S.S. Mariner and Larry Granillo of Wezen-ball, who will also be in attendance.
Around baseball:
Cardinals: Placed Jeff Suppan on the DL with a groin strain.
Giants: Placed shortstop Edgar Renteria on the DL with a bicep strain and acquired infielder Mike Fontenot from the Cubs for a minor leaguer.
Red Sox: Placed catcher Kevin Cash on the DL with a hamstring injury.
The Cubs are playing the Giants this week, so Fontenot just picked up his stuff and changed clubhouses. This is the third time in three seasons the Giants have made a trade with their current opponent, including the Ray Durham deal in 2008.
It seems like there's a pretty good chance Ken Macha will be let go following the season after just two years on the job, which isn't exceptionally unusual in today's game. At U.S.S. Mariner, Carson Cistulli notes that the median major league manager has been in his current position for less than three full seasons.
The Brewers still haven't struck a deal with first round pick Dylan Covey, but it could always be worse: Dodgers first round pick Zach Lee says he hasn't heard from the Dodgers since draft day. Lee is expected to play football for LSU this fall, and it's believed the Dodgers knew they wouldn't be able to sign him when they selected him.
There's been a lot of talk this week about comments Brandon Phillips made about the Cardinals and the fight that ensued. It's worth noting, though, that the Cardinals got the last laugh: They swept the series to retake the lead in the Central.
In the comments of a Mug last week we discussed the possibility that Ben Sheets could return to the Brewers once he's done rehabbing from his flexor tendon surgery. I suppose that reunion is still possible, but it will have to wait until 2012 at the earliest: Sheets also underwent Tommy John surgery this week, and any effort to rehab will likely be complicated by dealing with both issues at the same time.
On this day in 1994, the Major League Baseball Players Association went on strike, ending the season.
On this day in 1999, the Brewers fired manager Phil Garner and replaced him with Jim LeFebvre. With 563 wins, Garner is still the winningest manager in franchise history.
Happy birthday today to 1953-62 Milwaukee Brave Bob Buhl, who would have turned 82.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm missing the joust.
Drink up.
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Buhl
166 wins in the majors and he’s probably most remembered now for going 0 for 70 at the plate in 1962.
Maybe he should play first base instead. That is, he should lie out there and we can step on him when we get a hit.
Missing the window
It still depends upon your definition of “missing the window.” I think the Brewers will perpetually have a good shot at a .500 season for the foreseeable future. There are only 4 NL teams that make the playoffs every year and if the Brewers can keep the seasons entertaining until 2013 or 2014 I’ll stay a fan. Then their young A-ball pitchers will be major-league ready and Yo and Braun will both be under the final (and affordable) contract years, they’ll have a 1-2 year window when everything will have a chance to click. For all we know, Parra will have his control down and the NL Central may be quaking at a 3-headed monster of Gallardo-Parra-Odorizzi rotation with Braun-Gamel-Cain as a 3-4-5 RBI machine.
Mediocre-weather fan?
Even if the Brewers lose 100 games next season, I’ll still be fan… an angry fan, but a fan nonetheless.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
You don't have to replace angry with drunk
They’re not mutually exclusive. In fact that go quite well together. I should know I’m Irish
by stempke on Aug 12, 2010 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Don't forget
heckathorn, rivas, peralta, and possibly jeffress
by ilikeburritos on Aug 12, 2010 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't understand the "window closing" argument
The Brewers have the best offense in the NL. Even if you subtract Fielder’s numbers entirely from their counting stat totals (and don’t add any for a potential replacement) they’re a top 5 offense in the NL right now. Every hitter on the team is under team control through at least 2011, and the Brewers have two of the best offensive prospects in the majors waiting to contribute. They just need to stop having unbelievably bad pitching, a large part of which has been bad luck, to be honest.
Ryan Braun: He loves it.
by SRB on Aug 12, 2010 5:33 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Wolf
Check out the pics from the team photo. For those who doubt that Wolf is not 6’ tall, look at the photos. He’s next to Counsell (who is also listed at 6’). He’s also in the same row as Lucroy (who’s also listed at 6’) and Riske (who’s listed at 6’ 2").
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
fielder trade
i have a list of teams that i think could be trade candidates for Fielder:
Rangers(for Neftali Feliz and other prospects)
Orioles(for arrieta, matusz, and/or tillman)
Giants(for bumgarner and wheeler)
Rockies(for jhoulys chacin)
any other teams possible?
oh, i forgot
Braves(for hanson and/or minor)
by ilikeburritos on Aug 12, 2010 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah thats a good one
Actually a couple of those proposals arent bad on the face of them, but they are pretty unrealistic. Its possible that that guy is Doug Melvin.
The O’s might pursue Fielder as an FA, but they arent going to give up 3 top rated prospects for him.
The Rockies and Rangers wont want to pay his salary in ’11. And the Braves wouldnt give up Hanson for him.
I am going to guess the Brewers get back 2 or 3 players, and only one of them is going to be a top rated prospect, the others wont be throw ins, but they will not be all star types for the future.
i’d be happy with one top-of-the-rotation pitcher along with other good pitchers. that would be much better than the pitching staff the brewers have so far
by ilikeburritos on Aug 12, 2010 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions
I dont think they will get a top of the rotation starter for him
At least not at this point. They may get one top prospect and a couple of other players, but probably not someone who’s in the major leagues already.
There are 2 different trades to use as guides, the first the Teixera trade to the Angels and the Halladay trade to the Phillies. Halladay got the Phillies 3 prospects, two of them top prospects, but that is only because he was signed to an extenstion as part of the trade. And Teixiera (at mid season, got the Braves pretty much nothing). If you maybe double that trade, that’s what the Brewers are going to get for Fielder.
The Braves got Casey Kotchman, who was in his 4th year already and a throw in. At that point he was a solid player and nothing more really. So if the Brewers make the trade during the offseason, and they go after pitching, and a prospect is involved, I think that it will be one top guy, or a guy in his first years of arbitration who is solid, and a few other players. The big thing for any team that acquires him is affording him. He’s in line for about a $16 million contract next year, so that eliminates a lot of teams right off the bat, and also proves DM’s “off season philosophy” pretty flawed as well.
i mean prospects that would have a top-of-the-rotation pitcher potential. not present top of the rotation pitchers like oswalt or halladay
by ilikeburritos on Aug 12, 2010 5:08 PM CDT up reply actions
btw i'm not Melvin
so please don’t kill me
by ilikeburritos on Aug 12, 2010 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Those deals don't seem unrealistic at all
Except for the Baltimore one, simply because Baltimore probably isn’t going to be enough of a contender in 2011 to make a play for Fielder.
Ryan Braun: He loves it.
I dont know if the Rangers would be willing to do that deal
If the offered Feliz for Fielder straight up, I would take it.
by BrewCrewBrian on Aug 12, 2010 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions
"the all time Appleton record"
31 home runs by Pat Seerey in 1941. I never heard of this guy, so I looked him up. He played OF a half-dozen years for the Indians, leading the league in strikeouts three times and never hitting higher than .237 or hit more than 26 HRs. He was an all-or-nothing swinger, but fielded well and drew a lot of walks. He had the everyman nickname of “Fat Pat.” He also has a fun quote attached to his bio:
“Seerey did something that I never did. He hit four home runs in one game.” – Ted WilliamsSure enough, after he’d been traded to the White Sox in ’48 he had his most memorable game against the Philadelphia Athletics on July 18. He homered twice off Carl Scheib, once off Bob Savage, and once off all-star Lou Brissie in the top of the 11th inning to win 12-11. By the following May he was out of baseball.
Neyer
Anthony Rivas and Mark Reynolds are not pitchers in the Brewers’ system any more than Anthony Witrado is a pitcher in the Brewers’ (or Dodgers’) system. Learn to use Baseball Reference, moron.
Ok, I've been thinking about this a while
And this is my realignment plan, that should take place next season to alleviate the annoyance of having 14 teams in one league and 16 in another. It bugs the hell out of me, not sure why, but it must change. So here’s what I propose:
(link goes to larger image I hope)
American League National League East East New York Yankees Atlanta Braves Tampa Bay Rays Philadelphia Phillies Boston Red Sox Florida Marlins Baltimore Orioles New York Mets --Pittsburgh Pirates Washington Nationals Central Central Chicago White Sox --Kansas City Royals Minnesota Twins Cincinnati Reds Detroit Tigers Milwaukee Brewers Cleveland Indians Toronto Blue Jays --St. Louis Cardinals Chicago Cubs West West Texas Rangers San Diego Padres Los Angeles Angels San Francisco Giants Oakland Athletics --Houston Astros Seattle Mariners Los Angeles Dodgers --Colorado Rockies Arizona Diamondbacks
Swap Philly & Tampa
Make the Pirates go 30-132 every year.
Maybe he should play first base instead. That is, he should lie out there and we can step on him when we get a hit.
I suppose my comment does not make as much sense as I thought
Given that Tampa is good and everything. Was just trying to be funny while getting rid of Tampa being so far away from everyone else in their division.
Maybe he should play first base instead. That is, he should lie out there and we can step on him when we get a hit.
Well, the problem with that
Baseball wants a second team in any market to be in a different league; the Marlins and Rays can’t be in the same division any more than the Mets and Yankees, etc.; one more reason to move the Pirates to the AL.
First Impressions - not criticisms
Pittsburgh will never have a winning season again anyway so there are no negatives to them in the AL East
StL in the AL – I can foresee a drunk TLR making a double switch forgetting he didn’t have to worry about the pitcher batting
NL Central would get even weaker and be even bigger fodder for the Kruk & the boys of ESPiN
15 teams in each league leads to a scheduling issue. Do you play intra-league games season long, or add the DH to the NL? Do you continue with an unbalanced schedule?
by Saberilliterate on Aug 12, 2010 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Scheduling is the biggest issue.
But there are already some strange adjustments in the schedule to accommodate the current setup. In June-July the Crew went three weeks without a day off, then this month they’ll get three days off in an 8-day stretch. I don’t think it’ll be a problem.
I’d do away with the DH if I had to, and spread the inter-league games out evenly from May-Aug, but no changes really need to be made there.
AL-East: NY/Bos get to market their feud in Pennsylvania, which brings them more $.
AL-Cent: Albert Pujols gets to play in the AL and transition to a DH at the end of his career, all with one team. Competition goes up, but it’s easier to sell tickets to Cards games.
AL-West: The Rockies fit in with this motley crew of one-sided teams, and give them all an exciting oxygen-free venue to play in.
NL-East: Stays the same. What’s to complain about?
NL-Cent: We lose the Pirates, Cardinals, and Astros. In return, we get the Royals, some Canadians, and only 5 teams in our division.
NL-West: The Astros seem to fit in with the west better than the central, with their spacious retractable-roof ballpark. The Eastern leg of the division trip is never rained out, and the ‘pitchers division’ will love the ridiculous no-man’s land in center field.
I like it
but its mostly because I hate structural advantages in sports (one 4 team division and one 6 team division is absurd)
Then you have to open up interleague play for the entire series.
I don’t think it would be that big of a deal to have 1 or 2 interleague games every day, though.
http://www.mlbsoup.com
Wouldn't it be easier just to move the Astros to the AL West?
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
or the brewers back to the AL?
but i thought the reason that they expanded and realigned as they did was because they wanted to limit interleague to a couple of weekends per year. with an odd number of teams in each league, you have interleague or an idle team every day.
by Capt Science on Aug 12, 2010 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chicago
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
Cincinnati
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
Houston
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
Milwaukee
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
|
St. Louis
|
0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | Lost 0 |
(updated 2.10.2012 at 1:01 PM CST)
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