Ken Macha-Formerly, Macha was the manager of the Oakland A's. He is high energy and has experience managing a young, low payroll team. However, he was fired. What should make Doug Melvin think he'll do any better in Milwaukee?
Bob Brenly-Former D-Backs manager. What's the advantage of Brenly? Sure, he rode Schilling and Johnson to a World Series title, but he doesn't sound all that intelligent when broadcasting Cubs games.
Davey Johnson-He seems to be a bad fit for the Brewers. The Brewers have a young team and Davey Johnson is an old type of manager. Could the players relate to him?
Mike Hargrove-Same as Johnson. Could the players relate to him?
Willie Randolph-Former Mets manager and Yankees third base coach. Interesting candidate on racial lines. The most African-American baseball club could have an African-American manager. However, Randolph's experience is with big market teams. How does his knowledge translate to Milwaukee?
Bobby Valentine-Former Mets manager and current manager in Japan. Bobby Valentine is a colorful guy. He would likely keep the Brewers loose in a way Ned Yost could not. Also, he comes with a different perspective now that he has had experience in Japan.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
MU is Jamil Wilson's Final Four
Jamil Wilson has cut down his possible list to four schools: Michigan State, Marquette, Texas, and Oregon. However, indications are that Michigan State currently leads. Wilson plays for Racine Horlick and was once rated as a top 20 player in the nation. Although his ranking has dropped to top 100, he would augment a tremendous 2009 recruiting class for Marquette. Marquette already has top 100 verbals in wingmen Erik Williams and Jeronne Maymon and point guard Junior Cadougan, in addition to JUCO standout guard Dwight Buycks. Currently, the recruiting class is considered top 10 or possibly even top 5. If MU locks down Jamil Wilson, it could be looking at top 3. Also, MU is still on guard Michael Snaer's radar, which could vault the MU recruiting class to the top in the nation.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
A Preview of the Brewers Off-Season
The Brewers will likely bring back Jason Kendall (team option), Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks, JJ Hardy, Bill Hall, Ryan Braun, Corey Hart, Yovanni Gallardo, Manny Parra, Jeff Suppan, Dave Bush, Seth McClung, Carlos Villanueva, David Riske, and Salomon Torres (team option). The Brewers have a $10 million option on Mike Cameron, which may or may not be picked up. There aren't many great free agent alternatives in CF and the Brewers do not have any internal possibilities unless Hart or Braun is moved to CF.
Due to a combination of raises and salary off the books (Gagne, Sheets, and possibly Cameron), the Brewers look to be around $15 million under this year's payroll if they do not pick up the option on Cameron. Indications are that the Brewers were operating at around break-even this year, so it's questionable whether they'll be willing to increase payroll given current economic conditions.
Maintaining current payroll, the Brewers have about $15 million to work with to fill their needs. One of those needs be be in starting pitching. Although the Brewers bring back six pitchers who started for the team this year, they may look to sign a free agent SP to bolster their rotation. That would leave McClung and Villanueva in long relief, ready to fill in for any injuries in the starting rotation.
Gallardo, Parra, Bush, Suppan, McClung, Villanueva, a free agent SP, Riske and Torres are 9 of the 12 pitching spots on the roster. Look for Mitch Stetter to be a situational lefty and DeFelice to provide middle inning support. That leaves one spot for Capuano and other pitchers GM Doug Melvin picks up off the scrap heap to compete for the last spot in the bullpen.
The Brewers will likely also look at the third base position to see what to do for next season. With a lack of options in free agency, the Brewers could look for a lefty to platoon with Hall.
It should be an interesting offseason. Who is the free agent SP going to be? Owner Mark Attanasio has said he is interested in resigning CC Sabathia, but after his great second half of the season, CC looks to be a $22-25 million per year pitcher. If the Brewers sign him, it could push the Brewers payroll to over $10 million more than this year and CC's share of the payroll would approach 25%. If CC were to get hurt, the Brewers ability to compete would be crippled.
Ben Sheets is another interesting question mark. He almost made it through a whole season without serious injury for the first time in four years before tearing a muscle near his elbow in the last month of the season. It will be interesting to see if he'll have long-term suitors at his asking price given his injury history. It's possible Sheets will agree to arbitration with the Brewers in the hopes of proving he can stay healthy a whole season.
Another interesting impact on the offseason could be the American economy. This year, baseball's attendance was down 1.1%. As a businessman, Mark Attanasio is surely conscious of how more unemployment and rising gas costs will impact attendance. Are people going to be less likely to drive in from Park Falls if gas prices continue to increase? Can the American consumer afford to spend money on game tickets when he or she can watch the games on TV without transportation costs or ballpark prices?
This offseason could be a big turning point in the history of the Milwaukee Brewers. Are they now a middle-market team worthy of a middle-market payroll? Or is it time to keep payroll in check and rebuild through the minor league system like the Minnesota Twins and Oakland Athletics?
Due to a combination of raises and salary off the books (Gagne, Sheets, and possibly Cameron), the Brewers look to be around $15 million under this year's payroll if they do not pick up the option on Cameron. Indications are that the Brewers were operating at around break-even this year, so it's questionable whether they'll be willing to increase payroll given current economic conditions.
Maintaining current payroll, the Brewers have about $15 million to work with to fill their needs. One of those needs be be in starting pitching. Although the Brewers bring back six pitchers who started for the team this year, they may look to sign a free agent SP to bolster their rotation. That would leave McClung and Villanueva in long relief, ready to fill in for any injuries in the starting rotation.
Gallardo, Parra, Bush, Suppan, McClung, Villanueva, a free agent SP, Riske and Torres are 9 of the 12 pitching spots on the roster. Look for Mitch Stetter to be a situational lefty and DeFelice to provide middle inning support. That leaves one spot for Capuano and other pitchers GM Doug Melvin picks up off the scrap heap to compete for the last spot in the bullpen.
The Brewers will likely also look at the third base position to see what to do for next season. With a lack of options in free agency, the Brewers could look for a lefty to platoon with Hall.
It should be an interesting offseason. Who is the free agent SP going to be? Owner Mark Attanasio has said he is interested in resigning CC Sabathia, but after his great second half of the season, CC looks to be a $22-25 million per year pitcher. If the Brewers sign him, it could push the Brewers payroll to over $10 million more than this year and CC's share of the payroll would approach 25%. If CC were to get hurt, the Brewers ability to compete would be crippled.
Ben Sheets is another interesting question mark. He almost made it through a whole season without serious injury for the first time in four years before tearing a muscle near his elbow in the last month of the season. It will be interesting to see if he'll have long-term suitors at his asking price given his injury history. It's possible Sheets will agree to arbitration with the Brewers in the hopes of proving he can stay healthy a whole season.
Another interesting impact on the offseason could be the American economy. This year, baseball's attendance was down 1.1%. As a businessman, Mark Attanasio is surely conscious of how more unemployment and rising gas costs will impact attendance. Are people going to be less likely to drive in from Park Falls if gas prices continue to increase? Can the American consumer afford to spend money on game tickets when he or she can watch the games on TV without transportation costs or ballpark prices?
This offseason could be a big turning point in the history of the Milwaukee Brewers. Are they now a middle-market team worthy of a middle-market payroll? Or is it time to keep payroll in check and rebuild through the minor league system like the Minnesota Twins and Oakland Athletics?
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