Emptying My Thoughts 5/21/09

Time for me to empty these thoughts on current Brewers news out of my head.....

It totally sucks that Rickie Weeks is out for the year with another wrist injury, this time left hand. Of course all of us in Brewer Nation know and feel that way. Rickie was really putting his total game together and then it gets taken from him because of injury. I have total confidence though that Rickie will work hard to get back and be ready to pickup in spring 2010 where he left off in May 2009.

With Weeks now gone, I like the fact the Brewers are looking internally to fill the 2B void. No need to go making a trade, at least not yet. While no one can really replace the skill set Weeks brings to the park everyday, a Counsell/McGehee platoon should do just fine. If it does not I'm sure Doug Melvin can swing a trade for a veteran 2B, I know DeRosa's name has come up but the Brewers don't have the pitching Cleveland wants for him. Of course they could even sign an unemployed 2B like Durham or Grudzielanek. Hopefully it does not come to that and Counsell and McGehee can get the job done. If they don't, before a trade happens you might see Alcides Escobar get a chacne since he will now play 2 out of every 3 games at 2B for AAA Nashville. I'm not a big fan of that idea since Escobar is a SS and would somewhat be wasted at 2B.

With Counsell now set to platoon at 2B, that opens up a perfect opportunity for top prospect Mat Gamel to actually stay up with the Brewers even after the interleague series. With how bad Bill Hall has been against RHP, and he has been brutal (especially last night in the 9th, that was ugly), Gamel should now go into a strict platoon with Hall at 3B. It just makes to much sense, and if this were the case Gamel would get most of the starts and it would be worth keeping him up. However, if Macha does not feel this way I hope they send Mat down to AAA to paly everyday instead of rotting on the bench with the big club. Gamel has already shown that great bat he has, of course he has also shown how bad his glove can be. But like they old saying goes, the bat plays. And Mat has a mighty good one.

I LOVE the trade of Tony Gwynn for Jody Gerut. Let me say that again, I LOVE THE TRADE. Gwynn was going nowhere fast in the Milwaukee organization. He couldn't even beat out Duffy or Nelson to make the team this year. To me he will always be a AAAA type player who always had hype around him simply because of the name on the back of his jersey. Now hes gone where the Brewers won't be tempted to give him more chances. The Brewers get in return a solid 4th OF in Gerut who can play all three OF spots and has some pop from the left side of the plate, he has struggled so far this year though after a solid year in 2008. With Gerut meeting the team in Minnesota for the weekend series it appears either Duffy or Iribarren are going down to AAA Nashville. Let me say as much as I have ripped him, I do wish Gwynn the best. Maybe he can find something playing for his hometown team. Good luck Jr!

Reader Poll Results

"Do you want Tony Gwynn Jr. on the Brewers Opening Day roster?"

Yes: 15% (3 Votes)

No: 84% (16 Votes)

If You Have Options You May Be Punished

I got a little upset when I read this Haudricourt blog post today. It looks as though Chris Duffy and Casey McGehee are in danger of NOT heading north with the Brewers simply because they have options left. That is bullshit. So because Duffy and McGehee who have looked awesome this spring at the plate and in the field have minor league options left they may be going to Nashville while Tony Gwynn Jr. and Mike Lamb, two guys who have done nothing this spring (Gwynn hurt most of camp) might head north because they have no options and would have to go through waivers to go to Nashville. Unreal, I still stand by my comments that the only reason anyone even cares at all about Tony Gwynn Jr. is because that is his name. If his name was Tony Smith Jr. no one would think twice about him. He is not and will never be even half the player his Dad was. Duffy is a much better player overall. As for Lamb if you take him over McGehee you will have one right handed hitter on the bench at all times and that would be Mike Rivera the backup catcher. Oh and Lamb sucks, where McGehee is younger with more potential and he can play 3B, 2B, 1B and serve as an emergency catcher. Options or no options I want the best players on the Brewers I don't care if we lose Lamb and Gwynn through waivers. I guess one good thing is it seems Nelson is safe since he like Lamb and Gwynn have no options. And the Brewers know Nelson would be claimed since most teams like power hitting left handers who take walks on their bench. Maybe I'm getting worked up over nothing and Melvin and Macha will take the guys who deserve to be on the team, but it could well happen that Gwynn and Lamb make the team over Duffy and McGehee and that would be a crime.

Out Of Options

MLB Trade Rumors.com posted a list of players on teams that are out of options to the minor leagues. Brewers CF Tony Gwynn, Jr. was on the list. Who cares? Gwynn is worthless, if his name wasn't Tony Gwynn no one would even care about this guy. Besides speed and being a pinch runner what does he bring to the table? He isn't that good of hitter and has no power with his wet paper towel for a bat. He doesn't even bunt all that well or carry a high OBP. So really he doesn't do anything you would want from a leadoff hitter with no power. I really hope he does not break camp on the Brewers 25 man roster, right now Trot Nixon is my choice to be the Brewers 4th OF. Sorry Tony, but all you got his a name. That is it.

Russel Branyan Called Up, Tony Gwynn Sent Down

A move that should have taken place at least a week ago if not more finally took place after last nights win over the Nats. The Brewers called up left handed power hitting 3B Russell Branyan and sent down weak hitting, no use on the team 4th OF Tony Gwynn. I hate to be that harsh on Tony but he really brings no value to this team. The things he does bring is speed and defense neither of which were the Brewers using him for. Now what Branyan brings to the table the Brewers really need. A left handed bat with power who could be key late in the game as a pinch hitter and to start some games at 3B against RHP since Bill Hall is atrocious against righties and Branyan mashes them. Now I don't expect Branyan to be some kind of savior but I do think he will help the offense a bit. Granted he will strike out like Hall does, but he can hit the long ball and he brings a good OBP and should take a fair amount of walks. With as bad as Hall as been against RHP if Branyan hits even .250 against RHP it's an upgrade. Branyan is expected to be in the starting lineup this afternoon for the Crew against RHP Tim Redding of Washington. Let 3TO version 2.0 begin!