I've seen numerous comments both from baseball analysts and (especially) posters on Brewers forums, like the fine one we have here, that have indicated that an upgrade at Short-Stop was and/or still should be the Brewers #1 priority before the trade deadline and the playoff push.  I find this assertion to have its foundations in an unusually simple-minded basis, especially when contrasted to hard facts and recent evidence to the contrary.  Please compare the statistics for these two players, who I will reveal after the stats:

PLAYER A - .237 BA, .598 OPS, 20 extra base hits, 30 RBI

PLAYER B - .241 BA, .601 OPS, 19 extra base hits, 25 RBI

I think it would be fair to say that those sets of statistics are fairly identical.  Now, if you follow the Crew as closely as I do, I probably don't need to tell you that PLAYER A is good ol' Yuniesky Betancourt.  PLAYER B is the starting Short-Stop for the San Francisco Giants, Miguel Tejada.  Now, the reason why I compare these two players is I want to illustrate that, while I would not be opposed to an upgrade at SS, it is far from the top priority for this team.

Betancourt and Tejada are almost identical in their value (or lack thereof) to their respective teams.  The records for those teams are 49-43 (Brewers) and 52-40 (Giants).  The following is certainly just my opinion, but the Brewers have three position players (Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, and Rickie Weeks) who could be considered absolutely more valuable than the Giants most valuable position player this season (Pablo Sandoval).  After that, I would argue that the Brewers have two more position players (Corey Hart, Nyjer Morgan) that are more valuable than any of the other position players on the Giants roster.  My point is that even though the Brewers have a far superior group of eight starting position players, the Giants still have a better record.  Thus, it can be argued that the problem most in need of an upgrade lies elsewhere.

While I hate to admit that I would still take the Giants starting rotation over the Brewers, this is an area that has been a strength for both teams, and according to some stats might even go in the Crew's favor.  While the Giants starting 5 has a higher quality start percentage (64% to 58%) and have given up fewer runs per 9 innings (3.8 to 4.5), the Brewers rotation has a much more impressive W-L record, sitting at 37-23, compared to the Giants 32-28.  Not to take anything away from some of the fine starts we've seen this season from the Brewers rotation, but I find this discrepancy another indication of the Brewers far superior offense.  Not very often do you see a SP with a 5.45 ERA and a 7-3 record (looking at you Zack Greinke), or a SP with a 3.87 ERA and a 4-9 record (poor Madison Bumgarner).

So what do (now did, after the K-Rod trade) the Brewers need to upgrade?  What is (was) the #1 priority for this team to get better before a playoff push?  I should only have to cite one statistic: 20 bullpen losses.  The Brewers bullpen alone has lost 20 games for this team already.  The Giants bullpen has only lost 12 games, which is actually very bad for them (they only lost 15 games all of last year).  If you want more statistics, how about the Brewers save percentage (63%) versus the Giants (73%), despite the fact that our official closer's percentage (John Axford, 92%) is superior to the Giants closer's percentage (Brian Wilson, 87%).

While it might seem arbitrary that I chose the Giants as the team to compare the Brewers to, I did it for two reasons.  First, as addressed above, they are an excellent example of a team with an awful offense and a good record, which is due to a pitching staff that features an above average rotation and an above average bullpen.  The other is that their blueprint clearly works, as it led them to last year's World Series title, which might have surprised the same simple minds that think upgrading a more than sufficient lineup is the top priority.

Allow me to officially congratulate Doug Melvin on addressing, well before the trade deadline, the team's #1 concern and priority in putting them in place for this year's title.  And I know we can all agree that it will be a delight to never again see Kameron Loe in the 8th inning.

So I was there for a meeting, when at the very end of the meeting, who do I notice sitting down for some Miso Soup and sushi but none other than Carlos Gomez himself.  He was by himself and completely innocuous.  So of course I went up to have a chat.  I said "Carlos" and offered my hand for a shake, told him I was a big Brewers fan and that I was going to the game that night.  He replied, "Cooool.  We gonna put on a show."  Right.  Anyways, I asked him about his offseason plans and he told me he was going to "relax in Dominican" and that he was going to play winter ball (he better).  Then I reminded him about when he scored from first on a bunt to win a game, and he laughed and went back to lunch.  It was an overall funny experience for me, because, like many of you, I'm sure, I don't particularly like Carlos Gomez as a member of the Brewers.  As I attempted to think of things to say, I kept thinking things like "so, Lorenzo Cain is better than you" or "you should be traded".  But it was still fun being the only person in the place who knew who he was, and at least he was a nice guy.  I almost called him "Slugger" too, which is my brother and mine's nickname for him, since he went deep on opening day and thinks he is a power hitter.

As of this writing, the Bucks still have not signed either of their 2010 Second Round Draft Picks (Darington Hobson and Tiny Gallon).  Perhaps it has been addressed here before, but why is this the case.  Obviously there is not going to be a lot of minutes to go around, as the Bucks are one of the, if not the, deepest teams in the NBA.  So I'm not suggesting that both these players need to be part of our 12 man rotation, or even our 15 man rotation.  The point I'm trying to make, is why does it seem like Hammond is so opposed to sending guys to the D-League?  I feel like this could have helped out immensely in the development of both Joe Alexander and Jodie Meeks.  We all saw that they couldn't cut it when they were thrust into NBA games before they were ready, but it is possible that their development would have taken a different, more confidence-building arch, had they started in the D-League.  Even now, Meeks is starting to show some promise, while Royal Ivey and Primoz Brezec are thankfully nowhere to be found.

Can anyone offer me any insight as to why Hammond won't just sign these guys and stick one, if not both, in the D-League?  Frank, perhaps you may be able to help.  Thanks.

I'm trying to figure out why I'm seeing so many people make comments about Jeff Suppan being a “good guy”.  Is it because he smiled a lot? Or because he claimed to have Christian values? I don’t know too many people who truly follow the words of Christ that think they should be paid 40 million dollars to do ANYTHING, let alone completely suck ass at it the way Suppan did (god it feels good to use the past tense).

Based on all I know about him, he is a greedy bastard who didn’t care one bit about his team or its fans. If he did, he would have quit baseball a long time ago and given the Brewers and their fans their money back.

Obviously, I don’t really think that Suppan should have done this, as no professional athlete is that generous or honest. But I also don’t think we should spend one second feeling bad for him, especially since the Brewers through away a handful of games and valuable experience that players with a future could have used, just to gently keep him on the roster for a couple of months.

And we wonder why the Brewers aren’t winning games. Winning is obviously not the most important thing on the organization’s agenda. And the worst part is the good players can sense it.  Why is Trevor Hoffman still on this team?  He has proven for two months straight that he cannot pitch to major league hitters without giving up home runs.  But we won't cut him because "oh, he has the most saves ever" and "he was good before".  Why is Rickie Weeks still leading off?  He's within striking distance of being the first leadoff hitter ever to lead the league in strikeouts.  But no, "Rickie likes to bat leadoff" or "he'll have to adjust."  When the Brewers organization decides to make decisions based on winning, and not on the pride or feelings of the players, we'll start to win games again.

And don't even get me started on why Ken Macha should have been fired a month ago.

So I know most of you watched the Vikings lose, which was a joy in itself.  I also enjoyed watching Favre crying on the sideline, ala Jay Cutler, after he threw the game-losing interception.  What I really enjoyed, but was also angered by, was Favre's pitiful attempt to cheat and slide-tackle Fox as he returned the interception for a touchdown.  Watch again so you can see what I'm talking about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZhS95PFMD4

Of course all the Favre apologist announcers haven't said a word about it, probably because he was too weak to even go through with the slide-tackle and ended up falling lamely instead.  It sort of looked like some guy running down a road and a car driving by and opening the door into him.  Anyways, I just wanted to point out that Favre tried and failed to be a dirty player, which to me is worse than being a dirty player.

So I'm moving to San Francisco, and of course I need to know the best place to watch the games!  I'm not going to fork over my hard-earned money to Jerry Jones and the NFL Network, so my next best option is, of course, a sports bar. So if there are any ACME Packing Co. members in San Francisco or the Bay Area that know of a good place to watch the game, among other Packer fans.  I hope to be watching the Packer games with you soon, starting September 13 when they pound Cry-baby Cutler and the rest of his chumps into the ground. GO PACK!

On ESPN.com today, I noticed this little blurb: GM Thompson won't rule out Vick.  Now I completely understand that Ted Thompson is the kind of guy who doesn't know the words "no" or "yes", so I would say the Packers have as much (or as little) interest in Vick as every other team that hasn't given a downright "no" thus far.  I guess I'm a little intrigued about other Packers fans' thoughts about Vick joining the team.  Personally, I want the Packers to field the best team, and I know that Vick is better than Flynn and Brohm combined.  I know there is more of a concern with Vick being a cancer for a team than there is with just about any other player in the NFL (until the 2010 Bills' season, when TO's traditional one-year honeymoon is over).  I feel, however, that Green Bay is the kind of place that could show Vick how to be a teammate, and more so, a man.  Thoughts?

I only mention this because there was some talk last month that the Bucks would trade ridnour for stackhouse. If the raptors were to trade stackhouse to the bucks for ridnour, what implications would this have on the bucks salary cap? Maybe clear up enough space for J.Chill? Could someone who knows how these things work out please inform? Do you think the signing of J.Chill would propel the bucks into the top 8 teams in the east? Seems like quite a few other teams in the east are getting better (raptors, wizards).

Why the hell not? He couldn't cost more that 2 - 3 million.  He has the ultimate combination of experience and veteran savvy.  I don't think he's going to be unstoppable, but he is such a smart pitcher that he still has some upside, and I could see him having a final renaissance year.  At the very least he'll be better than Manny Parra.  I'd love to see Glavine and Hoffman hanging out together in the dugout, wearing the M.  Go get'em Doug.

I'm sure you guys have heard the news that Memphis, John Calipari, and an unnamed player who played there in the 2007-2008 season only (Derrick Rose is the only player that meats this criteria) are involved in quite the cheating scandal.  Apparently Derrick Rose couldn't handle the SAT, so he had someone take it for him.  Pretty cool.  Now, I think that players should be able to go straight to the NBA, not because it's the best thing for them, I just think it's bullshit that the NCAA automatically gets to make money off all these players, who in any other system would be able to do whatever they choose, as they are free citizens with rights.  Still, letting someone take your SAT is about as blatant cheating as it gets.  Shows sincere lack of character, which explains to me why Rose fit in so well on the Bulls. Please Bucks, next year put those obnoxious SOBs in their place at the bottom of the central.

As pointed out by KLSnow in his daily roundup, Mark DeRosa is now an option.  I think it would be a good idea for a new poll to see how us BCB's feel about Rickie's replacement.  At the time of the previous poll, a player of DeRosa's caliber was not an option.  Just imagine him getting his revenge on the Cubs - with us! Rotoworld says that the Indians want ML ready pitching.  Do the Brewers have anything available?

I was talking to my brother the other day, and I proposed the idea that the Brewers may have the worst bench in baseball.  Now first let me say, I am extremely familiar with the entire MLB and all it's players, however, I do not know what every MLB bench looks like.  I also want to say that I appreciate all the Brewers' bench players and know they are there for a reason.  That being said, when Craig Counsell is your best pinch-hitter, you do not have a good bench.  I was stoked to see that the Brewers signed Frank 'The Cat' Catalanatto.  He's a great lefty bat and a total OBP guy, which is exactly what we need. 

But we need more.  I guess my biggest gripe is that we had more, in Mike Lamb.  He is another solid lefty hitter, who has hit well everywhere.  Now I have to admit, as much as I keep track of the Brewers, there may be some sort of contract/monetary reason why the Crew couldn't keep Lamb on the roster.  If there is, I would like to know what that is.  If not, how could they think that Nelson/McGehee/Duffy were better options?  I pray it was defense they were hoping for, because the offense from these guys has been abysmal, not Major League caliber.  Are you guys ready for this: so far this season, those three players are 6 for 63 (.095 BA), 1 extra base hit, and 22 strike outs (which should never happen to a pinch hitter).  Please, somebody give me some excuses for this horridness! 

Anyways, I like Counsell, he's proven himself over these many years, he's a two-time champ (with different teams), I like Rivera and think he should play much more, and I can't wait until the Cat joins the team.  But I think it is on the Brewers to find better bench players ASAP.  I almost want them to say bah to development and bring Gamel up and just give him a pinch hit at bat every game, often leaving him in for a second through a double switch.  Your thoughts?

must be the steroids...

So has anyone read Jeff Passan's column at Yahoo! Sports about banning Manny Ramirez and others who have tested positive?  I agree with him that we don't need any individual player to make baseball a fun and exciting sport for fans - the game itself is what perseveres. However, wouldn't that be opening a huge can of worms, and do we go back and ban all the guys that have tested positive, like Arod for example.  I can't remember where I read the quote or who said it, but just imagine if the next guy exposed is Chipper Jones or Pujols.  What would we do then, as fans?  At least we know Prince isn't on roids...