Hoffman new Brewers Closer

by NebraskaCubsFan on Jan 8, 2009 11:22 AM CST Comment 81 comments

Just read this on ESPN that Trevor Hoffman will be the Brewers closer next season. I still think that we're the solid #1 for the NL Central, but what do others think this does for the Brewers and for the weak central.

Hoffman has always been a Cubs killer when the Padres were leading in the 9th, but hopefully our Cubs will be leading in our games with the Brewers this upcoming season and we will not have to see him

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3818472

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Those who don't learn from history.....

by Flatley on Jan 8, 2009 11:25 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

meh.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jan 8, 2009 11:27 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah,

I don’t like it.

It sounds and looks good at first glance; getting the best available closer that you can afford, and a Hall of Famer to boot. But leaving Petco is going to hurt him, and I really think that you have to miss bats as a successful closer in the NL Central, given the launching pad-like ballparks.

Should have gone after Fuentes.

by Damen Jackson on Jan 8, 2009 11:31 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

And considering how he struggled at PETCO...

…yeah, it looks like Gagne redux to me.

by Flatley on Jan 8, 2009 11:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Also to note,

the parks in the NL West are pitcher friendly, the parks in the NL Central are much more offensive friendly.

One thing to watch is how the rest of the Brewers bullpen shapes up. One of the factors in Trevor’s remarkable success as a close is the strength of the rest of the Padres bullpen which allowed him to exclusively pitch the 9th inning in only save situations.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Jan 8, 2009 11:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

except

he’ll keep his shirt tucked in.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on Jan 8, 2009 1:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Do they still have Gagme on their roster?

Aren’t they about the same player? As a Cubs fan I like this move…

by LT on Jan 8, 2009 11:38 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Nope, he's a free agent.

BTW, he’s rumored to be considering returning to the Rangers.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Jan 8, 2009 11:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Will the Rangers even take him?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 8, 2009 5:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They've already got Turnbow

and with Mike Maddux running the pitching show, maybe he’s vouching for them.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Jan 8, 2009 5:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

For all of Mike Maddux' reputation...

… he couldn’t help that Milwaukee staff much. The good ones (CC, Sheets) stayed good (well, Sheets did when he wasn’t hurt), and the mediocre ones stayed mediocre.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 8, 2009 5:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder how he and Nolan will mesh

Ryan has gone on record saying he wants his pitchers managed with more of a “feel” – leaving them in the game if they’re pitching well – pitch counts be damned in many cases.

I’d agree, for all of the hype around Maddux, I don’t really remember a pitcher who was “elevated” to be better under his tutelage – maybe Capuano prior to injury.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Jan 8, 2009 5:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ryan's the team president.

If he interferes with his pitching coach on a day-to-day basis, I’d think the pitching coach (and manager) wouldn’t like that much.

If Ryan wants pitchers managed that way, he should be field manager, not team president.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 8, 2009 5:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know how much Madduz will like it

but here’s what Nolan had to say:

“A lot of these kids never have thrown a complete game in their lives,” Ryan said Tuesday, during baseball’s winter meetings. “They’ve never gone nine innings. They’ve never been asked to.
"To me, it’s a matter of physical conditioning, and then you get into the area of mental toughness. That’s what we’re trying to address now.”
Ryan is ordering the Rangers pitchers to run against the tide. First, he wants them to run, or least sprint more. He also will have them throwing live batting practice during spring training, and he already held a conditioning camp last month.

Here’s the article.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Jan 8, 2009 5:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He's old, but...

was still a very, very good pitcher last year. At that age, he could break down at any moment but when you look at what he’s done the last few years, you can’t call this anything but a good signing.

by kanderber on Jan 8, 2009 11:55 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure I'd call it a "good signing"...

…but it’s not necessarily a bad one either. Well, not yet anyway. His numbers were actually pretty decent last year (1.037 WHIP, 9:46 BB:K ratio). He didn’t pitch all that many innings, though: only 45.3. Compare that to Kerry Wood, who pitched 66.3 – and that’s with the “blister stint.”

RIP Ron Asheton (1948-2009)

by dat cubfan daver on Jan 8, 2009 12:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Part of that...

is because the Padres stunk, whereas the Cubs won a bunch. When you’re a closer, you don’t get work unless the team wins.

That said, I think it’s kind of irrelevant. Getting Hoffman won’t address the holes in Milwaukee’s rotation. And since the closer is only useful if you can get to the 9th with a lead, that strips Hoffman of his value.

by SouthernCub on Jan 8, 2009 1:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, IIRC, the Brewers bullpen blew a lot of leads before the ninth.

Still, I could see Hoffman working out much better for them than Gagne.

RIP Ron Asheton (1948-2009)

by dat cubfan daver on Jan 8, 2009 3:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I've always like how Trevor conducts himself.

I think he has conducted himself with the utmost class throughout his career.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Jan 8, 2009 4:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yucko

Brewers will be competing with Pittsburgh for last place in the NL Central in 2009. So much for Mark Attanasio’s commitment to winning. The Brewers have horrendous pitching once you get past Yovani Gallardo and maybe Manny Parra. Hope they plan on winning lots of games 13-10.

by BLou on Jan 8, 2009 11:57 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'm happy they brought him in.

It’s not as if he stinks or anything, but he’s just not all that good anymore. Their bullpen hasn’t really been solidified(does anyone think that Hoffman will have a better 2009 than Torress’s 2008?).
This doesn’t make their team any better. What would worry me is if they signed Derek Lowe.

by dakoose on Jan 8, 2009 12:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Huh?

Hoffman was better than Torres last year. Significantly better. And as for the “he’s just not that good anymore” comment… he’s surely not as good as he was during his prime years, but both his WHIP and his K:BB ratio last year were lower than his career numbers. Hoffman is still a good closer. This is a good pickup by the Brewers.

by kanderber on Jan 8, 2009 12:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He's a pretty decent closer, thats it.

Torres and Hoffman had similar years last year, with Hoffman posting a better save percentage and Torres producing a better ERA. I know ERA isn’t a good tool, but they are trying to replace Torres’s production, and Hoffman had a worse ERA while pitching for San Diego. Hoffman has a solid K-Rate but gives up a ton of fly balls and he’s going to bet punished for that when he pitches in Miller Park. Hoffman posted a 3.99 FIP last year, which just isn’t that good. It’s solid, but 91 relief pitchers with at least 40 IP had better ERA’s. Even when you (somehow) factor in his experience his performance wasn’t too impressive.

by dakoose on Jan 8, 2009 1:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know why you're looking at ERA.

Look at their respective WHIPS and K:BB ratios.

WHIP
Hoffman – 1.037
Torres – 1.350

K:BB
Hoffman – 46:9
Torres – 51:33

So Hoffman allowed far fewer baserunners, barely walked anyone, and struck out almost as the same number of guys in nearly half the innings. Hoffman was far, far superior to Torres last year. Now, can you make the case that due to age that maybe Torres would be a better bet in ’09 had he not retired? Sure. But statistically speaking, based on past performance, this is a very clear upgrade.

by kanderber on Jan 8, 2009 1:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not arguing who's better.

They need to get someone that can replicate Torres’s production, not the means with which he achieved that production. At the end of the day, the two were probably close to equally productive, and that’s with Hoffman pitching in Petco. Hoffman put up better peripherals, no doubt, and he is the more skilled pitcher, but I’d be surprised if he is a good closer for Milwaukee next year, mainly because he couldn’t keep balls in play on the ground.

by dakoose on Jan 8, 2009 2:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You know, while I'm won't dispute the facts..

here, I think it means little in ’09. Hoffman pitches to contact, for better or worse. So when:

1) Fly balls that died in Petco are suddenly clearing fences in Milwaukee
2) He’s forced to pitch in front of a bunch of defensive butchers
3) He’s no longer getting the bulk of his save opportunities in NL West parks.
4) Your division opponents are more potent offensively

This looks like another bad bullpen move by the Brewers.

An upgrade ? Maybe. But I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Hoffman ’09 looks like Torres ’08.

by Damen Jackson on Jan 8, 2009 2:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Excellent points

You are very accurate in your description of things. Trevor Hoffman is going to miss the spaciousness of Petco Park and the defense that San Diego provided him. With the exception of JJ Hardy and Mike Cameron the Brewers are a real, real bad defensive team. They will instantly regret the moment they wasted $6 million plus of their limited resources on Hoffman. Which leads me to the following 2009 predictions for the NL Central.

1. Cubs
2. Cardinals
3. Reds (on the definite rise)
4. Astros
5. Brewers
6. Pirates

by BLou on Jan 8, 2009 2:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And Mike Cameron may yet..

get shipped out of town, compounding the problem.

That said, I do agree with your standings, as of right now.

by Damen Jackson on Jan 8, 2009 2:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

why are the Reds ...

on the definite rise? Willy Taveras doesn’t really do much for me.

by elgato on Jan 8, 2009 2:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Pitching

And lots of it.

by BLou on Jan 8, 2009 2:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

How about

Johnny Cueto, Joey Votto, Jay Bruce just to name a few.

BTW, Joey Votto put up very similar stats to Geo last year.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Jan 8, 2009 2:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sadly, I have to agree..

I did a recent Power Rankings piece for my site, and the Taveras signing alone was enough to knock them down about seven spots.

But I think they’ll wise up on that deal before his at-bats get completely out of hand.

by Damen Jackson on Jan 8, 2009 2:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think the Reds

are the team to keep your eye on. They could stay mediocre or really take off. With the young talent they have, it’s hard to say which direction they will go.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Jan 8, 2009 2:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

is Patterson

still leading off?

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on Jan 8, 2009 2:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No,

but if they get past the idea of wasting at-bats on Taveras, and lock down that middle relief a bit better, they can definitely make some moves.

I’d really look for them to gel later in the season as Jocketty starts putting his fingerprints on the team.

by Damen Jackson on Jan 8, 2009 2:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Taveras wasn't a bad move for a franchise with financial limitations

Willie Taveras is great defensively and runs like a deer. The Great American Ballpark is also a hitter paradise. Taveras will never be accused of being a great ballplayer but I think he might deliver a nice return on investment for Jocketty and Dusty.

by BLou on Jan 8, 2009 2:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This is where we'll disagree...

Until Dusty proves that he can restrain himself and keep Taveras under 350 at-bats a season, it’s a counter-productive move.

by Damen Jackson on Jan 8, 2009 2:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

KPatt signed a minor league deal with the Nationals.

RIP Ron Asheton (1948-2009)

by dat cubfan daver on Jan 8, 2009 4:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

What's crazy

is that with the horrible bullpen and horrible starting pitching and a team full of defensive butchers, they gave up so few runs – not much different than the Cubs.

by ol Pete on Jan 8, 2009 4:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I never said they had...

bad starting pitching last year, and in fact, from a scouting perspective I found it quite good.

I’ve never really thought about it much, but their staff last year strikes me as missing a lot of bats, especially with Sheets having been reasonably healthy. So, I can’t say I’m surprised if what you say is true.

by Damen Jackson on Jan 8, 2009 4:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So they have a terrible defense, but the starting pitching saved them by missing so many bats? Is more of this analysis available on your site?

by ol Pete on Jan 8, 2009 8:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well,

as I said, I’ve never really sat down and thought about why they gave up so few runs last season, so I doubt it.

But yes, I do think that some of that was about trotting out power pitchers in Sheets and Sabathia. I just don’t see the Brewers sustaining those stats with say, even a Brandon Webb pitching in front of them.

Do you have a different take?

by Damen Jackson on Jan 8, 2009 9:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You can add up all the innings that Sabathia and Sheets pitched and it isn’t some overwhelming number that it would skew the number of runs allowed. They also didn’t amass some extraordinary number of strikeouts. Remember other starters included Suppan, Bush, McClung and other not so hot guys.

If the Brewers are only very slightly different in runs allowed than the Cubs and the Cubs had superior pitching overall, then other than claiming that the Brewers were very lucky for a season, the only logical conclusion I can think of is that their defense is superior to the Cubs defense.

by ol Pete on Jan 9, 2009 4:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

True.

Per UZR, the Brewers did have a (slightly) better defense, with an edge of of 1.5 runs.

by dakoose on Jan 10, 2009 1:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Make that UZR/150, not pure UZR.

by dakoose on Jan 10, 2009 1:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow .... $6 million PLUS incentives ?!?!

For an ancient soft-tossing Trevor Hoffman. This after shelling out an insane $10 million on a thoroughly washed up Eric Gagne last season.

Doug Melvin’s next move will be to acquire Moses to serve as ace of the Brewer staff.

by BLou on Jan 8, 2009 12:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wrong.

The giants already signed him.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jan 8, 2009 12:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Then hello Luis Tiant !!!

by BLou on Jan 8, 2009 12:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Good Pickup by Brewers

Hoffman’s past his prime, but he can still pitch. He should help the Brewers in 2009. I don’t know how many games he will have a chance to save with Sabathia and probably Ben Sheets leaving. Hoffman will have a nice swan song in Milwaukee.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jan 8, 2009 12:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Clever.

Games require a lead before they can be saved. For the good of the Cubs lets hope that situation doesn’t present itself too often.

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Jan 8, 2009 1:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Their bullpen is so bad

Adding anyone is almost certainly an improvement.

by salparadise23 on Jan 8, 2009 1:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

The Brewers could bring back Derrick Turnbow and it would represent improvement over what they have.

by BLou on Jan 8, 2009 2:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Then why did you just say

For an ancient soft-tossing Trevor Hoffman. This after shelling out an insane $10 million on a thoroughly washed up Eric Gagne last season.

Doug Melvin’s next move will be to acquire Moses to serve as ace of the Brewer staff.

Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Jan 9, 2009 10:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Nice to see this happen

It was irritating, worrying about the Brewers. I’d rather just worry about the Cardinals.

The natural order of the NL Central has been restored!

Now, if they sign Randall Simon like they are thinking about, I might get worried…

The worst beer I had was pretty good.

by Worf on Jan 8, 2009 1:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'll be legitimately worried about the Cardinals when / if they acquire another starter

I wonder if Jon Garland signs on with the Cardinals to be Dave Duncan’s latest smashing success story???

by BLou on Jan 8, 2009 2:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

we should ALWAYS be legitimately worried about the Cardinals

With Tony and Pujols, we should never discount them — even if we are definitely stronger on paper.

by elgato on Jan 9, 2009 10:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Like a Check Engine light.

It keeps popping up regardless of whether it makes any sense or not.

make*art

by neverAcquiesce on Jan 9, 2009 11:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Really?

So the Cubs suck again?

I have an unreasonable dislike of Bill Hall.

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Jan 8, 2009 9:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Touche!

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Jan 9, 2009 12:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I see, did there, what you

RIP Ron Asheton (1948-2009)

by dat cubfan daver on Jan 9, 2009 12:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

save opps

are not indicative of good a team is, i.e. good teams will not have more save opps than bad teams… possibly because good teams generally score a lot of runs, they win a lot of games often also by a lot of runs. there are extreme cases like the angels this year, but it is varied overall. the MLB average in Save opps was 61 in 2008.

by scarymonsters85 on Jan 8, 2009 2:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Meh,

"Dad gum right this games gonna be played under protest. . . I guarantee this is gonna be one protest that's upheld." --Hawk Harrelson, 6/24/07

by RynoHoF on Jan 8, 2009 3:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

oops, hit return a little too early.

They don’t have the starters to give him a lead to save. They should have spent the money on acquiring another starting pitcher.

"Dad gum right this games gonna be played under protest. . . I guarantee this is gonna be one protest that's upheld." --Hawk Harrelson, 6/24/07

by RynoHoF on Jan 8, 2009 3:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Gallardo

I believe he will end up being the Brewers’ ace with Sabathia going to the Yankees and Sheets likely going elsewhere.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jan 8, 2009 4:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

There's an article about this over at Fangraphs.

Here’s pretty much the main point of the whole article, but read the whole thing if you have time. It’s really good:

Trevor Hoffman got $6 million, and could earn up to $7.5 million if he pitches well. Bob Howry, our Not Hoffman for this exercise, got $2.75 million, and could earn up to $3.65 million if he pitches well. Hoffman got, essentially, twice as much money for the same skills because he comes with the proven closer label.

Even in a depressed economic market, the closer markup is still ridiculous.

I’ve always like Hoffman, for one, and I hope he has a good stay at Milwaukee. I lived in SD for 11 some-odd years, so I had the opportunity to watch him over here from time to time. His leg kick is awesome.

by NittanyCub on Jan 8, 2009 4:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Bob Howry isn't really like Trevor Hoffman in any way I can think of

Its really a stretch to even call that an article. You also have to swallow the proposition that pitching middle innings, a fair number of them garbage, is the same as closing in the ninth.

by ol Pete on Jan 8, 2009 4:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Even in a depressed economic market, the closer markup is still ridiculous.

by NittanyCub on Jan 10, 2009 2:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

After Tango, there seems to be competition to see who can be more bombastic. All he really needs to add to his “article” is to say “there is a study.”

by ol Pete on Jan 10, 2009 10:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think

it was a decent signing on their part. Personally, I would’ve gone after Brandon Lyon at a cheaper price, but really, at the end of the day, their season is going to ride on the development of Parra/Gallardo and if they can find one more starter. They have the back end of the rotation set – you can live with Bush/Suppan.

by toonsterwu on Jan 8, 2009 5:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Good signing, much better than the Gagne one

However, they are a much weaker team than last season, without a doubt. I think this move won’t help their chances. Its more of a way of temporarly filling in a hole

Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..

by Chanman25 on Jan 8, 2009 6:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Usually the only real measure of a player is stats

but in this case, the anecdotal evidence from watching Hoffman last year makes me think that this is a terrible move the the Brewers.

Hoffman was successful because that changeup was so brutal, but last year it looks like the bloom is way off that rose.

At this point, if I’m the Cubs, I sit only the change, knowing that at this point in Hoffman’s career he may be terrified to ever throw his “fastball.”

*Synth intro to "Jump"*

by SouthsideCub on Jan 8, 2009 8:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Hoffman

has always been one of my favorite non-Cubs. Love the Hells Bells when he comes into games, he’s a classy guy and a definite Hall of Famer.

I won’t root for him when he plays against the Cubs, and I won’t root very hard for him at any other time. But I bet he’s got something left — even if it means saving 30 games for a team that likely won’t win more than 80.

by elgato on Jan 9, 2009 10:40 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Any decent reliever should be able to scrape together a thirty save season.

Hell, Kevin Gregg had 29 last year and 32 the year before, and he’s not that good of a reliever. George Sherrill had 31 last year and he should never, ever face a right handed hitter. 30 saves is not at the least bit impressive. Think about it: Assume that a closer gets 40-50 save opportunities per year, on average. 30 saves calls for nothing more than 60-80 percent save rate, which isn’t too good in my book. A closer should be good enough to lock down at least ninety percent of his save opportunities.

by dakoose on Jan 9, 2009 12:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Amended quote

George Sherrill had 31 last year and he should never, ever face a right handed hitter.

a right-handed hitter not named Ronny Cedeno. Bases loaded and Ronny swings at three Sherrill offerings nowhere near the plate.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Jan 9, 2009 1:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, that was indeed painful to watch

and was exhibit A of why Ronny will never be a good major leaguer.

*Synth intro to "Jump"*

by SouthsideCub on Jan 9, 2009 2:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh man...I remember that.

IIRC, that’s when I started thinking Onedec had gone back the other way.

RIP Ron Asheton (1948-2009)

by dat cubfan daver on Jan 9, 2009 4:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Forgot about that one.

It was pretty awful.

by dakoose on Jan 10, 2009 1:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hoffman is a dumb move by a franchise that is getting dumber by the minute

Why invest $6 million plus on a 40-something closer when you have a pitching staff that shapes up like THAT ?!? Jeff Suppan, Dave Bush and Chris Capuano are various forms of retread, human batting practice and God-AWFUL. But it is that threesome who shall round out the Brewer rotation. Manny Parra? Meh. Seems to me that he is Latino version of Sean Marshall at best. And arent’ the Brewers putting an extraordinary amount of weight on the young shoulders of Yovani Gallardo, a player who spent most of 2008 on the DL?!?! And have you taken a gander at the rest of the Brewer bullpen?!? Yuck, yuck, yuck.

Brewers lose 90 games in 2009. There, I said it.

by BLou on Jan 9, 2009 3:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs