Part 3: Steps to a tasty Brew
Casey Olbrantz
Issue date: 10/22/09 Section: Sports
Since we embarked on our three part Brewers 2009 recap and offseason preview, much has happened in the world of Brewers baseball.
Head Coach Ken Macha has been brought back for a second season, closer Trevor Hoffman has been re-signed, about 25 players have had minor surgery to clean up injuries sustained during the season and the search is on to find the next scapegoat to fire when the pitching staff underachieves (the next pitching coach).
According to my offseason checklist, step one and two are already completed (or can no longer be).
Step one was to fire Macha. The reason he was brought in was to develop young players. He was successful in Oakland where the small market resulted in a similar style of personnel and player development.
Oakland is similar to Milwaukee in many respects- except they have always been known for stellar pitching with subpar bats, and Milwaukee has been known for poor pitching and great hitting. Macha brought his bland, old school, pitching- first style to accompany that dumb, blank expression on his face at all times. I would prefer Dale Sveum or Willie Randolph to Macha in a heartbeat, but this topic is over, as he has already been brought back for next year. If I'm still watching the Brewers in October next year, then my view will be different, but, as of right now, I have no faith in his leadership.
Step two was to re-sign Hoffman. If I have to explain why to you, you're not really a Brewers fan, are you? He is back next year, with a mutual option for 2011.
Step three is to let Mike Cameron go. His line for 2009 was a .250 batting average, 70 runs batted in, 24 home runs and 156 strike outs. He has been paid $10 million for his work. He is 36 years old and is only going to get worse. If you can re-sign him to a one-year deal for $3-4 million then do it but that's not going to happen. He projects as a class B free agent and should be able to do well for himself on the open market. Do not offer him arbitration, thank him for his efforts the last two years, and cut ties. If minor leaguers Logan Schafer or Lorenzo Cain are not ready to play center field next season, put Weeks there till one of them is ready.
Head Coach Ken Macha has been brought back for a second season, closer Trevor Hoffman has been re-signed, about 25 players have had minor surgery to clean up injuries sustained during the season and the search is on to find the next scapegoat to fire when the pitching staff underachieves (the next pitching coach).
According to my offseason checklist, step one and two are already completed (or can no longer be).
Step one was to fire Macha. The reason he was brought in was to develop young players. He was successful in Oakland where the small market resulted in a similar style of personnel and player development.
Oakland is similar to Milwaukee in many respects- except they have always been known for stellar pitching with subpar bats, and Milwaukee has been known for poor pitching and great hitting. Macha brought his bland, old school, pitching- first style to accompany that dumb, blank expression on his face at all times. I would prefer Dale Sveum or Willie Randolph to Macha in a heartbeat, but this topic is over, as he has already been brought back for next year. If I'm still watching the Brewers in October next year, then my view will be different, but, as of right now, I have no faith in his leadership.
Step two was to re-sign Hoffman. If I have to explain why to you, you're not really a Brewers fan, are you? He is back next year, with a mutual option for 2011.
Step three is to let Mike Cameron go. His line for 2009 was a .250 batting average, 70 runs batted in, 24 home runs and 156 strike outs. He has been paid $10 million for his work. He is 36 years old and is only going to get worse. If you can re-sign him to a one-year deal for $3-4 million then do it but that's not going to happen. He projects as a class B free agent and should be able to do well for himself on the open market. Do not offer him arbitration, thank him for his efforts the last two years, and cut ties. If minor leaguers Logan Schafer or Lorenzo Cain are not ready to play center field next season, put Weeks there till one of them is ready.
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