Author Archives: akschaaf

Rosiak Chat Winners and Losers

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Before we get into this weeks’ winners and losers, a quick “get well soon” to Haudricourt from the RRSMB crew. He is a role model to us all. JS and Twitter won’t be the same while he’s out.

Here are your winners and losers from this week:

WINNER: Q: Derek, Superior, WI – Are relief pitchers allowed to throw more than one inning? It sure would be nice if they were. Then maybe some guys would be rested instead of using everyone all the time.

Derek, we love you.

LOSER: Q: craig, brookfield – is it accurate to characterize what you and haudricourt do with the brewers as journalism? it seems like you guys hardly do more than serve as a mouthpiece for the organization.. relaying the desired narrative. considering journal communications and the brewers are long standing business partners, is it unrealistic for fans to think the beat writers will do anything beyond soft peddle the coverage?

Oh jeez Craig, its sports, what exactly do you want them to do? And Haudricourt is awesome, how dare you.

WINNER: Q: Brad, Jackson, WI – Todd thank you for these chats, it’s great to have this type of forum available. With Axford’s continued failures, is sending him to AAA an option. And if they did would bringing up Tyler Thornburg be an option?

A question that needs to be asked.

LOSER: Q: Tom, Milwaukee – Todd, Bigger disappointment for the Brewers, Jason Arnett or Mark Rodgers? Both must frustrate the heck out of mgtm!!

I hope this is Haudricourt trolling Rosiak from his hospital bed, because neither of these players are real.

WINNER Q: Ben, Farmington Hills, MI – It is encouraging that we finally have some pitching depth in the minor league system. My question is about impact bats. Are there any prospects that project to be everyday players by the end of 2014?

This is an OK question. I’ll put this here because there are no other winners from today’s chat. The rest are all losing questions.

LOSER Q: Mateo – Good Morning Todd, It’s been tough to watch the Brewers collectively the first six weeks of the season. But it has been fun watching Carlos Gomez and Jean Segura. I know Gomez worked out with Manny Ramirez in the offseason, and Segura follows Braun’s workout regimen. Do you see anything that fans don’t in terms of preparation that has contributed to their offensive success thus far? If both keep it up, they’ll be starting in the All-Star game in July.

Even though Rosiak missed it, what a lame steroid troll attempt

LOSER: Q: Bill, DePere – As crazy as it sounds would the Brewers consider trading Gallardo? He cannot beat two division rivals (Cards & Reds) and his velocity has dropped the last three years. Personally I do not believe he has the mental toughness to be a no. 1 starter.

Mental toughness! In 2011 Gallardo Went 8 innings of 1 hit ball in Game 1 of the NLDS, then followed it up by going 6 innings of 1 run ball in Game 5 to lead the Brewers to one of their best wins in franchise history. Is it his velocity drop or his mental toughness? Pick a lane Bill!

That will conclude this week. Get well soon Tom.

Ron Roenicke is not the Problem*

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Maybe its just that I follow the @JSComments feed, Haudricourt’s weekly chats and catch the occasional bit of Bad Sports Radio, but I feel like I need to say that this season isn’t really Roenicke’s fault. Or, its as much his fault as 2010 was Ken Macha’s fault.

People who are calling for Roenicke to be fired – stop it, you’re making people who have legitimate gripes and still get the shakes when they think about Mark Kotsay playing CF look like idiots.

We started this blog in 2011 after this game in which the Brewers lost 1-0. In this game Ron Roenicke had Yuniesky Betancourt at 3rd base with one out in the 5th inning, and Randy Wolf at the plate. He decided to put on the squeeze play. Wolf didn’t make contact with the next pitch and Yuni was hung out to dry.

Read that again: he attempted a squeeze play with Randy Wolf and Yuniesky Betancourt in the 5th inning.

To top it off, Wolf doubled on the next pitch and the Brewers would go on to lose 1-0.

That actually happened and is the stuff that drove/drives me nuts and makes me question RRR’s sanity.

But I digress, here are some numbers:

  • 3.53
  • 4.70
  • 5.40
  • 6.05
  • 6.86

Those are the ERAs of the starting staff. You’re not wining many game with those numbers. It really is that simple. All the other stuff is just noise.

Sure he still struggles with basic baseball stuff like the fascination with having an 8th inning guy, and the bunting is still confusing, albeit as Disciples of Uecker point out, slightly less this year (I think its random SSS as bunting varies greatly from month to month for every team) and whatever he’s trying to do with John Axford.

So if you’re mad at Roenicke for playing Rickie Weeks, think the team isn’t fired up enough or blame him for Gallardo and the rest of the dumpster fire SP rotation being bad, google Ron Roenicke, find this site and think we agree – we don’t. Go away.

*This year

JS Chat Winners and Losers Part III

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Haudricourt is back!  And he took like 500 questions. Good rebound from Rosiak and his 16 question performance last week.

Away we go….

WINNER

Q: Joan Brayer, Janesville, Wisconsin – Dear Mr. Haudricourt, My question to you sir …………….How do I purchase two autograph copies of your book? I saw your interview on FSN and your book sounds awesome!! I would like to compare some of the things in your top 100 list as to what I have done thus far with the Brewers! Just a few…….last Thursday night for the 5th year in a row I obtained Bob Uueker’s autograph. This time it was on his nestling doll! I have had his book signed, a ball, a Brewer tee shirt with his name and number on it and stories and pictures to prove. This is done in a very quiet manner as I try to obtain items for breast cancer, raffles, silent auctions etc. I have the items myself and obtain all my autographs. Done with preparation, timing, luck and with God’s help! One of your books will go towards that purpose! Plus the other I am most anxious to read. That night I tried to get Y. Molina’s autograph on a small pink bat to no avail. We watched his brother Jose come up in the minors in Rockford Illinois! I got to see Johnny Damon at Miller Park when Brewers played Tampa. We also watched him come up in Rockford. At that game he autographed his book and a Rockford program that had his cover on the year after he was there. In that program is a picture of my husband, our daughter Sarah and myself with a sign I made. Caught his eye coming off batting practice! Have you ever saved a person’s life or administered first aid at a ball park? Being a RN, I ‘ve done it too many times!!! Have you sat at the very top of Miller Park with a sign that reads “Down in front?” I know you have sat in Brewers dugout………..I have too with my Dad, Husband and sister……On a Brewer caravan through Beloit I won the greatest door prize!!! Ben Sheets, “the Rock” and Gorman Thomas was the one who drew out my name!!! To sit in the dugout was part of the package! I would give anything for a baseball(s) that my dad signed that day to some little boys. Their mom was with them……we come out of the dugout…they see my dad with white hair and cane and think he is some baseball player. The mom asked if he played and he replied during WWll. He never played baseball but he is very much responsible for the love I have of the game!!! Dad put Johnny Acco for an autograph! That in itself is a long story! Have you won a 50/50 or picture up on Jumbotron for winning last year US Cellular picture with cut out with John Axford and one of my infamous signs? I won the 50/50 in the early part of the season last year and on the Jumbotron in late September of last year! Have you had a fan from opposing team want to buy your Brewer baseball cap because the way you had it made up? Have you won bets or dares going to a ball game at Miller Park and pull it off? Someone dared me to go to Miller game wearing a Boston baseball cap and a New York Yankee jersey! I did and the Alzheimer’s organization received the payout. Have you been in charge of a family tail gate at Miller Park? You see I love baseball!!!!! I am 62, night before birthday this year 4/3 was at my first game of season! Earlier stated I am a RN and I am also a 3 1/2 years breast cancer survivor. During my cancer surgeries and appointments I would take a baseball bat and wear a jersey. The bat was sign by the most important people I have ever obtained autographs from during my treatment! I have 4 large bats and two small ones with the goal of taking them to Cooperstown as I have never been there and definitely on my “Bucket List!” I love baseball movies with one of my favorites “A league of Their Own!” I plan on going to the 70th anniversary of the AAGPBL as I volunteered to do whatever they needed help with and my services as a RN. Miller Park use to have gals come but I don’t believe it has been years. Plus many of these gals are no longer with us………..Pepper Paire-Davis passed away this past February. I think this just might be the longest question you have been asked! Sorry about that………….I just love baseball and would like to know how to get your book. I cannot make your signing there tomorrow. I thank you! Play Ball! Joan Brayer 4502 Hearthstone Drive Janesville, Wisconsin 53546 (phone number redacted, but she actually posted it, and did you really read this whole thing? Kudos). 

This is an insanely long question. Joan seems like a nice woman and I wish her the best.

WINNER:

Q: Simba, Fond du Lac – All the attention getting paid to Weeks struggles, is anybody concerned with Lucroy and how he has looked this year. Might be time to get Maldonado a few more starts. He is by far the better defender and they would not be losing much with the bat right now. Do you agree?

Nice of Ted Simmons to pop in. Lucroy has looked terrible this year. I don’t know if I’d give Maldy the “by far” better defense (especially pitch framing), but Lurcoy has not been good and it seems like no one cares/notices.

LOSER:

Q: Greg Underwood – Do you see any player down on the farm that will help the big league club this year? I know injuries usually dictate moves, but I am thinking of a Ryan Braun type of player.

A Ryan Braun type player? Like a guy on a HOF type track? I think you would have heard of such player had he existed. To answer your question though – yes they do, his name is Scooter.

WINNER:

Q: Ben, Unity, WI – Is there a noticeable change in Gomez’s approach at the plate that is allowing him to hit so well this year?

Sure

LOSER:

Q: Carl “Lazagna” Swenson, De Pere, Wisconsin – Tom: in your years covering the Brewers, do you recall the Famous Racing Sausages ever joining in a bench clearing brawl, or a race suddenly turning into a fist fight that precipated a bench clearing brawl? Or have the races always been controversy-free? Thanks for clueing me in and doing such a good job.

WTF. If you’re going to troll Tom, be better please.

WINNER:

Q: – A few relief pitchers at Nashville have been throwing well, Hand, Wooten, Sanchez and even Olmsted has been throwing well. He has too many walks though. If the team needs help, which pitcher is most likely to be called up?

I like this question, something I’ve been wondering too.

LOSER

Q: George, Appleton – I think part of Gomez and Yuni’s success to start the season is due to them batting in tandem specifically Gomez ahead of Yuni for most of their hot streak. Yuni hardly saw the field for the first 2 weeks of the season and Gomez struggled. Gomez and Yuni really took off starting with the last game of the Cardinals series and you will notice they have batted in tandem almost daily since then. Do you think these two batting in order has had a significant impact on their success thusfar?

You know the Yuni love has jumped the shark when people are crediting his presence in the batting order for Carlos Gomez’s hot start. Jeez.

WINNER:

Q: Steve, Cedarburg, WI – Who is in charge of the replay at Miller Park? There is never a replay of a close play–ever! Is this a Brewer or a MLB decision? Is this common practice at other stadiums? The Bucks and Packers replay all the action

I’ve also noticed this and wondered what MLB’s comment would be. Its frustrating to be at the game and not have close plays shown.

LOSER:

Q: wiscal – What do you think Billy Bean would do if he were the GM and R&R keeps Weeks batting 5th and Axford pitching in close games?

This response would actually probably be a good Badgernoonan post.  I’m going to go out on a limb and say that “Bean” has played guys who are struggling before.

LOSER

Q: Appleton Fox, Appleton/WI – Do you think Mark Antanassio is wearing blinders in thinking Doug Melvin and Ron Roenicke actually know what they are doing? Melvin had made so many costly personnel blunders it borders on being criminal. Roenicke is completely lost when it comes to making rational managerial moves. Are the Brewers stuck with these 2 losers because Antanassio can’t see their incompetence?

Step off the ledge Mr. Fox.

JS Chat Breakdown, Week 2

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A JS Online Chat without Mr. Haudricourt is ok, but its not the same. The questions aren’t as good, the responses aren’t as witty, the atmosphere isn’t as heavy, the water has this weird taste, its just not the same.

This biggest concern here is that Mr Rosiak only answered 16 questions! This is probably a result of Mr Haudricourt emptying out the inbox last week and readers being too intimidated by Derek from Superior to send in questions, but it leaves me lacking for material.

With only 16 questions, here is a brief winners/losers rundown from this week:

WINNER: Q: Tom B, Madison, WI – You always do a great job keeping us updated, so thank you. Can you give us some possible return dates for Ramirez, Hart, Narveson and Rodgers?

This gets docked a little for the “Rodgers” thing, but decent question, get the updates out of the way.

LOSER: Q: Seth “The Monster” Jones, Fort Wayne, IN – Hey Todd, thanks for the chats and great coverage so far this season. Any word on what former Brewers Pitching Coach Rick Peterson is up to? Is he still teaching or training that biomechanics stuff? Ever been to Jeff Suppans bar/restaurant in CA? How disappointing was that for you? Bar Rescue needed

So Seth wants to know:

  1. What a former pitching coach is up to
  2. A follow up question to what the pitching coach is up to
  3. A question about a bar in California owned by a crappy former Brewer

Is Seth actually in 2010 and emailing the future? /mindblown

WINNER: (Bunch of questions about Segura/Ramirez/Rickie that weren’t offensively bad or really that interesting)

LOSER: Q: Ted , Milwaukee – What a job Yuni Betancourt has done! I don’t want to jinx him but he’s on a pace to hit 34 HR’s and drive in 135 RBI’s. From your dealings with Yuni does he like playing in Milwaukee? I liked Yuni the first time we had, it’d be nice to see Melvin sign him to a multi-year contract he can play multiple positions, he does have limitations* but he seems to know his.

Well we knew this was coming.

Ted Ted Ted TEDDDDDDDDDDD. Yuni’s been great, he’s had a crazy good 91 PAs with the Brewers and helped them win a few games along the way. He’s also had almost 4,000 PAs in his career that were pretty terrible. He’s not really doing anything different at the plate and still swings at everything. There’s no swing overhaul at work here or new approach he learned in the offseason. He’s in perhaps the best stretch of baseball in his career and still has a sub-300 OBP. One out of 5 fly balls he hits are leaving the park, its been fun, enjoy the ride, go crazy…but the idea of giving him multiple year contract because of this start is mind blowing.

Again, Yuni is awesome right now and we’re all having fun with the #voteyuni campaign, but let’s just all settle down a little.

*I’d like to address “but he knows his limitations” as I see this a lot with Yuni. What exactly does this mean? Yuni knows he has terrible plate discipline, so his swinging at everything is OK because he knows he’s bad at it? He doesn’t improve on defense, but since he knows he’s bad at it is OK? Its all very confusing.

 

On Progress, Or The Illusion Thereof

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No internet access, no problem. Rubie Q on RRR with an afterword by myself:

A couple days back, Ron Roenicke offered some (relatively) amazing* insight when asked about the way he’s been using John Axford since Ax was removed from the closer’s role a couple weeks back. Quoth Ron:

“The way (pitching coach) Rick (Kranitz) and I have been talking  about it, we’ll have [Axford] in the eighth inning unless the seventh calls  for it. Sometimes, if somebody says this is your set-up (guy) and this  is your closer, and yet the game is on the line in the seventh and you  don’t bring in one of your best two guys, and you give up three or four  runs, you never get your best guys in. It doesn’t make any sense to me.

“A lot of games are won or lost in the sixth or seventh innings, and  yet your two best guys are sitting there waiting to go in the game in  the eighth or ninth. You’re putting in your third- or fourth-best  pitcher and not even getting to those guys. It goes against the way you  should be playing the game.”

Saints be praised and hallelujah.

Maybe Ron’s finally realizing the folly of managing your bullpen as if it’s populated by highly-specifically-programmed robots who can only pitch in designated innings and whose CPUs would burst into flames if asked to pitch in a one-run game in the 7th inning instead of, say, a 3-run game in the 9th inning. Good for you, Ron. That’s real progress.

Oh. Wait.

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke was asked Wednesday what it would take to re-install John Axford as his closer.

“Probably not much,” replied Roenicke.

Alright: since he’s planning to return Ax to a ninth inning role, maybe we’re not witnessing a sea change in Ron’s thinking. “But at least he knows what he should and shouldn’t be doing,” you say. “Isn’t that a good first step?”

Here’s the thing: when I eat Indian food, I get terrible gas. Like: pets trying to burrow out of the house, 14-month-olds being outfitted in hazmat suits, this must be what mustard gas smells like-type gas. I know that Indian food gives me terrible gas. I’ve known for a long time. This hasn’t stopped me from eating Indian food, of course, since I love Indian food. So the next time Mrs. Q gets hot-boxed by one of my overwhelming, curry-fueled farts, I’ll try saying to her: “But at least I know that Indian food gives me a righteous case of the toots. Isn’t that a good first step?”

* By “amazing,” of course, I mean: “completely non-revolutionary stuff that baseball folks held as dogma 30 years ago, but was distressingly lost in the rise of the ‘closer’ and the gradual shift towards managers doing everything in their power to avoid managing.”

__________________________________________________________________________

An afterword by akschaaf:

Saturday the Brewers were up 2 going into the top of the 6th - Ron went with Kintzler, who pitched an easy 1-2-3. The Brewers got 2 runs in the bottom half to go up 4, so he brought Kintzler back for the 7th inning. Still with a 4 run lead Ron used Mike Gonzalez, then Bradenhop to close out the game, Brewers win by 4.

Tuesday the Brewers were up 3 in the top of the 7th when Gallardo ran into trouble and loaded the bases, RRR brought in Gorzelanny for a clutch 3 pitch strikeout and the threat was ended.
After Gorzelanny threw his three pitches he was relieved as John Axford threw 11 pitches to clear the side in the 8th and then fini…was taken out of the game, and Jim Henderson was brought in to end the game.
Both worked, and there are obviously workload issues involved, but RRR’s behavior in a 3 run game (save situation!) is still completely different when its a 4 run game.

Power Rankings 4/25/13

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We’ll start with the bad and work our way to the good:

10. FSN Wisconsin Brewer hashtags - This season the FSN crew has been jumping into 2009 by embracing Twitter hashtags.  They’ve had hashtags with an & in them, dumb questions about Carlos Gomez, but really if you’re asking your fanbase to tweet #Milfingers for anything you should probably stop

9. Bill and Brian not knowing the Petco ground rules - Bill ranting like a crazy person was pretty fun, until 15 minutes later when we find out the rules. As a broadcaster, shouldn’t you try to know the park rules so you don’t sound like an idiot on air?

8. Ryan Braun’s 3TO streak – This was kind of cool, because it was like having a Super Branyan! But also kinda of a bummer, because a Super Branyan is fun for a while, but MVP Ryan Braun is fun all the time.

7.  Yovanni Gallardo drunk jokes when he pitches bad – I’ll admit, sort of fun for a while, but I hope we get them out of our systems

6. Ron Roenicke!  When you win every game its hard to nitpick (though even I’d move Rickie down in the lineup). I’ll take it.

5.  The Jean Segura era - .356/.397/.493, 6 SB with a jaw dropping defensive play every couple days. Sure, regression is probably on its way, at least a little, but he’s been a revelation to watch.  Mike Olt is hitting .147/.247/.250 in Round Rock. Small samples of course, but I think most people are very excited about the Greinke return right now.

4. I live in Chicago so every time the Brewers play the Cubs MLB.tv is blacked out and I’m forced to watch the Cubs feed on TV. This year it was actually tolerable thanks to NO BOB BRENLY.

3. Yuni Betancourt – He’s hitting  .316/.325/.658 the last 11 games. Its reached the point where he came up on Tuesday with guys on 2nd/3rd and I was reasonably sure he was going to drive both of them in. Madness

2. The Brewers winning a bunch of games in a row, that was awesome.

1. Derek from Superior – Was sort of a obvious pick to put the Brewers winning number one on the list, then Derek commented on a post. To the top spot he goes.

Breaking Down the Haudricourt Chat

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Look, I understand if you have better things to do than read Tom Haudricourt’s weekly chat on JSOnline. The thing about it is, I don’t.

Your winners and losers from the Haudricourt chat.

WINNER:

Behold, the greatest Haudricourt question in the history of questions. I have read this question 4,309 times this afternoon:

Q: Derek, Superior – Do you think there is anything football coaches could learn from Captain Ron’s pitching substitutions? For instance, instead of studying the opponent and tailoring specific situations to use Randall Cobb – maybe Mike McCarthy could just use Cobb as his “2nd Quarter Guy”. Then he wouldn’t have to go through all the trouble of watching film, trying to figure out the best spots to use him. Then if Cobb failed to score he could just shrug his shoulders and say, “what can I do? Cobb is my 2nd quarter guy. I can’t help it he didn’t score any TD’s.”

Derek from Superior, if you’re reading this let us know – we want you to write for us. We pay nothing and you get a bigger audience writing Tom questions on JS, but there is probably some benefit to ranting here if you look hard enough.

LOSER:

Unfortunately, not all Dereks are created equal:

Q: Derek, Neenah, WI – Carlos Gomez is the fastest person I have ever seen in person. I’m curious how he compares to other world class athletes. With his speed, would he be fast enough to qualify for the olympics in the 100M or 200M?

Derek from Neenah, go to a track meet, or a football game, or whatever minor league game Billy Hamilton is playing in.  Gomez is fast, he ain’t Carl Lewis.

WINNER: 

Q: Kyle – Have you heard whether Ramirez will require a rehab stint in the minors before returning?

Kyle – I wouldn’t let JS know where I’m from either, and this is a solid question.

LOSER: 

Q: Monteee – Hey Tom, Put Jean Segura and Aaron Rodgers at the 20-yard line @ Lambeau Field. Who throws the football farther

Montee – I’m all for asking Tom dumb questions too, but did you really expect an answer from Tom on this?

WINNER: 

Q: Bob, Hartland – How long is the Roenicke going to keep Gonzalez in the lineup? He’s the instant out machine. He can’t even get a walk. Going into last night’s game his on-base percentage was below .200. With the exception of his brief appearance last year with the Brewers, he hasn’t had an on-base percentage above .300 for a full season since 2007. Tom, please talk to Ron today

I mean, this is completely crazy, especially the “talk to Ron today” part. But man, I admire this guy’s passion and he is correct – Alex Gonzalez should send Rickie a thank you card for taking the meatball pressure off of him.

LOSER (Unrelated to anything category)

Q: steve, milwaukee – tuesday was warren spahn’s birthday. the paper said he was named after pres. warren harding. the brewers had a pitching coach, a former pitcher named cal mclish, who was named after calvin coolidge. what was up with parents naming their future pitcher sons after 1920s republicans? at least herb score wasn’t named after herbert hoover- i think.

Q: Nick, Readstown, Wi – Tom, I have an unusual question. Thinking about the Greinke/Quentin saga, there’s no question that Quentin could have been arrested and charged with an “assault.” Is there some kind of unwritten rule that neither baseball, football, or basketball players won’t hold each other legally responsible for each other’s actions? 

Nick and Steve…I just…I just don’t know anymore.

WINNER:

Q: Harcourt Fenton Mudd, Gamma Triangula 4, Wisconsin  - has anything happened so far that has surprised you, or caused you to change your season prediction(s)?

I assume by the name this person works at Fremulon insurance, but it’s a solid question I guess.

LOSER (Ricky Weeks category)

Q: Tom B, Madison, WI  - If we are sellers, can we see a team looking for a Ricky Weeks?

Q: Steve Cywinski – How bad does Ricky Weeks have to play to get replaced?

Q: Steve, Manitowoc, WI – About Ricky Weeks. Why are we so in love with this guy??

Q: Quentin Olson, La Crosse WI – Ricky Weeks is in a slump much more often than hes right and his defense even struggles at times. Why is he the only player (except Braun, rightfully so) that the will never be pulled from the lineup because hes struggling?

Steve, Steve, Tom and Quentin, you are on our list. We here at RRSMB are watching you.

2013 Brewer Preview

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(I didn’t think this article trolled hard enough, so here you go)

It’s not technicality, the Brewers are primed for a struggle in 2013.

Slugger Ryan Braun may have lawyer’d his way out of a steroid suspension the first time, but there may be not “technical” reason he gets off this time once MLB is able to successfully sue the Biogenesis Clinic for their records. Even if he avoids a season long suspension, you have to wonder if his numbers will suffer as increased scrutiny from drug testers and fans will be at all all time high.

Leadoff hitter Rickie Weeks has a .251 career average and strikeouts in almost a quarter of his ABs, and he’s batting leadoff!  He refuses to bunt, rarely steals bases and misses long periods of time with “ankle” and “wrist” injuries, you have to wonder how much longer his act will play in Milwaukee, I’m guessing it will wear thin in “Weeks” if not days.

Surprise Rookie Nori Aoki was one of the lone bright spots last year, but don’t fool yourself folks, he’s more Nishioka than Ichiro, his numbers may say sayonara in 2013.

Other lineup stalwarts like Corey Hart and Jonathan Lucroy both have missed time in the past few years with mysterious injuries. Hart somehow got hurt even before Spring Training started, and Lucroy missed a chunk of 2012 hurting his hand on, wait for it folks, a suitcase!  More like a headcase!

A couple weeks after CF Carlos Gomez signed a contract extension, he reported a back injury which he blamed on the mattress. Someone should tell him sleeping on a bed of money is a bad idea!

While the position is called Shortstop, the Brewers seem to be selling their fans short by signing Yuniesky Betancourt to man the position this year. His .266 average is respectable, but boy his defense sure isn’t! Having to bargain bin shop for the such an important position this close to the season is sure a red flag, and not what yuni, oops I mean, you need at this point.

The pitching might actually be worse. The “ace” of this staff is Yovani Gallardo, who didn’t have one complete game last year! It makes me yearn for the days of Jack Morris, where pitchers finished what they started.

Kyle Lohse signing was the lone bright spot of the off-season and gives them some hope, but the Brewers are really relying on a bunch of green rookies in the other spots. Perhaps GM Doug Melvin will regret letting veteran leaders like Jeff Suppan and Randy Wolf walk.

Manager Ron Roenicke and his aggressive style may be the biggest bright spot with this team. He worked a miracle in 2011, getting the team to 96 wins after only winning 77 the year before with Ken Macha. He’ll need another miracle this year, its hard to see the Brewer team winning more than 60 games this year, technicality or not.