Episode 59 "John Axford Edition"

Breakdown of The Show:

Gomez Extension 0:00-16
Break
The Bench 16:00-28:00
Break
Most Impressive Camp Players 28:00-40:00
Break
Around The NL Central 40:00-47:00

VFBC Podcast Episode 40 "Jose Veras Edition"

Breakdown of The Show:

Final Roster Spots Up For Grabs 0:00-16:00

Break

Worried About Braun's Bad Spring? 17:00-25:00

Break

Guest Interview: Kyle Lobner of BrewCrewBall 26:00-40-00

Break

News & Notes (Uecker Statue, Marcum, Scottsdale) 41:00-49:00

Why Is Kotsay Still Here?

The Brewer world has been screaming about the fact that Mark Kotsay was used in a late inning situation as a pinch hitter, and who can blame us? Mr. Kotsay has proved to be one of the Brewers’ two automatic out players, with no pop in their bats, while perfectly good bench players remain in AAA.

I understand Roenicke’s reasoning in using him late because the numbers say that Kotsay has not been THAT bad. While no, he should not be used in a situation where a team needs base runners he has actually been formidable at the plate as a run producer. Kotsay in fact has 8 of his 9 RBI’s with runner in scoring position and he is hitting over .300 with runners on. So based on these numbers maybe it was the right decision for Roenicke to put him in, (although never in place of Jonathon Lucroy). Here’s where the numbers start to lie.

Although Kotsay has been productive with driving in runs (if you can call 9 RBI’s productive) and hitting with runners on, his slugging percentage in every situation is still far behind is average. In any situation Kotsay would need one hell of a base runner to turn his hits into scoring plays. So what is his use if he can’t hit it to the wall with runners on, and can’t hit or walk just to get on base, what asset does he serve? None.

Doug Melvin and Ron Roenicke let Kotsay waste opportunities while Brandon Boggs a switch hitter wastes away in AAA. Boggs in limited time has hit two home runs, 2 RBI’s (which compared to Kotsay and his playing time is infinitely better) and has a slugging percentage double that of Kotsays (although the two homers probably balloon that number).

For those of you that doubt, now you know, there is no reason for Mark Kotsay to be on the Brewers’ roster.

-Brad

Everything Is Going Smooth, But.....

There are two roster moves I would like the Brewers to make. First and foremost is DFA Wil Nieves. I'm sorry but he brings no defining quality to this team other than catching Randy Wolf every 5th day. He is supposed to be a defensive catcher and he would have to be with how bad he is at the plate. The thing is, I have not seen this great defense he brings to the team, have you? It's not like he blocks every pitch in the dirt and throws out runners like Pudge Rodriguez in his prime. So why is he still on the team? He's on a march to batting under .100. It's time for Doug Melvin to pull the trigger and free George Kottaras, who in my opinion is not that big of a downgrade on defense from Nieves and clearly has a better bat and some power potential. With Kottaras on the roster I wouldn't mind seeing Lucroy get a few more days off that way he can stay fresh.

The second move is a temporary one but a no brainer. When the Brewers travel to American League parks in Boston and New York in a few weeks they should recall Mat Gamel from AAA to serve as a DH in those interleague games. Gamel as usual is tearing up AAA pitching and he would be a nice left handed power bat in the lineup. This way the Brewers get a better bat than Kotsay, Counsell, Gomez or Wilson during that stretch of games and Gamel can face big league pitching and get regular AB's while he is up. It's two minor moves, but moves that I think will make the club even better then they have been over the past month and a half. Do it Doug!

-Jason

VFBC Podcast Episode 12

Breakdown of The Show:

Road Trip Woes 00:00-12:54
Break
Bench Issues 14:02-26:47
Break
Minor League Talk 27:56-49:32
Break
Around NL Central/Brewer of The Week/Preview 50:24-58:02

VFBC Podcast Episode 4

Breakdown of The Show:

Injury Updates, Serious? (Greinke, Braun, Weeks, Hart, Parra, etc.) :00-25:29
Break
Bench Spots (Who gets the final couple spots?) 26:31-45:10
Break
Bullpen (Who gets the final couple spots?) 45:59-1:02:18
Break
News and Notes (Maple Street Press, Rick Peterson, Axford Theme Song) 1:03:33-1:17:16

The Brewers Bench Needs Some "Muscle" As In Russell "The Muscle"

.373 AVG 11 HR 33 RBI's, .716 SLG .451 OBP, 1.167 OPS

Those numbers above would be the season stats thus far for 3B Russell Branyan in AAA Nashville. Now Branyan has been quite the journeymen over the course of his career and I sure wouldn't expect him to put up those kind of numbers in the big leagues since he never really has and I wouldn't want him starting everyday. But what Branyan has always brought to the table is the ability to hit the long ball, slug a high percentage and walk a lot giving him a high on base percentage. He won't ever hit for a high average and he does strikeout a lot. But with the way Bill Hall has hit against righties this season and our black hole known as power from the left side off the bench why not call Branyan up? That way you have a guy to bring off the bench late in the game who can poke one out and can give Hall a day off once in awhile against a tough RHP. If they call Branyan up you send Tony Gwynn down. Bottomline is although Gwynn can give you some speed as a pinch runner and plays a good CF he just can't hit. He is an okay left handed slap hitter but we already have one of those on our bench back up infielder Craig Counsell. Another reason we don't need Gwynn is we have two other backup OF's on the roser Gabe Kapler and Joe Dillon. I hope at some point soon GM Doug Melvin realizes this as well and we get to see Russ in a Brewers uniform once again. Branyan is a huge fan favorite at Brewerfan.net where he is known as 3TO (three true basbeall outcomes: HR, K, BB) and who could forget his 2-HR game on Opening Day at Miller Park in 2005?