Let's see, the Brewers have a utility infielder playing center field, a manager that thinks he's Earl Weaver, and a pitching coach that acts like Barney Fife, a bullpen that would make Buttermaker start drinking scotch. The positives are they have a great nucleus of young talent. This would be a great 1 - 6 lineup. Gwynn Jr., Weeks, Braun, Fielder, Hart, Hardy, that way you have speed up top, power in the middle and hitting to back them up. Find a catcher and a left fielder and that's a pretty potent lineup. Let Bill Hall give the infielders a rest when they need it.

Pitching is their downfall as everyone knows.
1. Sign Cordero and teach him how to pitch inside with authority.
2. Cut Turnbow
3. Sign a catcher that will take control of the staff.

4. And tell Sheets to layoff the crawfish and beer during the offseason. I'm getting flashbacks of Rick Reuschel.

116 K's vs. 78 BB's in a little over 400 AB's is not going to get it done at the lead-off. You can deal with a low batting average from the one position if the guy's taking walks or putting the ball in play. Rickie seems to be unable to do either. I think it may be more unwillingness. Not much glory in taking a walk. The Crew needs that guy. Watch four, force an error, lay one down, GET ON BASE! Let the 2-5 get the run in. Win by two instead of losing by one. Is Linnebrink worth resigning? Probably not,but again lack of depth in middle relief is probably going to mean paying too much for mediocrity.

That was maybe a bit excessive. As you can tell I've had that discussion about 20 times.

As far as relief pitching, Cordero is a must. I would lean toward keeping Linebrink, the others I'm not so sure. Definitely don't give them a lot of money.

Rickie does strike out a lot, but one thing that works to his benefit is that strikeouts are not very important for a leadoff hitter. You could actually argue that strikeouts are less important in that spot than any other spot in the lineup. This is because he is often batting with no one on base, or with two outs. In both of these situations, a strikeout is no worse than any other type of out.

One obvious reason is that he leads off the game. The second reason is that the pitcher will make an out probably 80% of the time. If there are two outs when the pitcher comes up, Rickie will likely lead off the next inning. If there is one out when the pitcher comes up, Rickie will likely be batting with two outs. Also, if there is no one on base when the pitcher comes up, Rickie will most likely be batting with the bases empty.

The most important stats for a leadoff hitter are on-base percentage, steals and runs scored. Rickie does all of those things very well. Although strikeouts can negatively affect on-base percentage and runs scored, the end result is what you want to focus on.

Sorry, forgot Will Inman was traded in the Linnebrink deal.

I am unsold on Rickie Weeks as a lead-off. He seems to lack the discipline needed and strikes out too much(I know he's young,but that needs to stop being an excuse for him). I'm less concerned with him than I am about the pitching. Notably, middle and short relief. Cordero's a free agent, Wise and Turnblownsave inconsistent at best. There are some great arms waiting in the wings(see Will Inman), so maybe a few will emerge to bring up the lack of depth (the free agent market is dead this year, unless your looking for overpriced, overaged pitching). There's ALOT of young talent the organization, but will they pan out? Or should they be traded for proven talent?

Rickie Weeks will continue to lead off. He has the makeup to be one of the better leadoff men in the league.

They could use a right-handed bat and left field is the spot for it. But I find it hard to believe they'll find one at a reasonable price. Unless they make a blockbuster signing, expect a Gross/Mench platoon in left.

O.K. Let's dissect the Brewers. Where is their greatest need(besides a manager who can pull a pitcher before he gives up 3 runs in a one-run game)? Middle relief? A lead-off? Cory Hart did admirably,but is he patient enough to be the no.1? Ben Sheets apparently can't be counted to stay healthy enough to be the number one starter, so a decision may need to be made there. Right-hand power? Let's toss it around.

Mench is actually very respectable against lefties, batting .314 with a .558 SLG% in 2007. He just needs a platoon mate, which Gabe Gross can fulfill very well.

So, what planet are you living on? 2 40-plus year old guys who will command 15+ million a year and Bartolo "don't put me on the DL" Colon...another 15+ million a year. Do you really believe an organization would potentially put 20% of their salary on aging pitcher? Note to the Gazette: Keep this guy off the business page beat.