Smart, not Selfish Move For Rickie Weeks to Decline Outfield Opportunity

Ask most Milwaukee Brewers' fans opinion on Rickie Weeks, you will hear pretty much the same thing. Weeks is a frustrating player to watch as he tends to strike out too much for people's liking and doesn't have the defense, some would like at the second base position. But despite all of the negative fan reaction, rarely do we ever see Weeks react against the fanbase. He never made comments about how he 'hates the booing' or didn't want to be in Milwaukee because Scooter Gennett took his job. Overall, Weeks rolls with the punches and knows he will get an opportunity again.

Over the weekend, Ron Roenicke let the media know Weeks was asked if he wanted to learn left field to get some more playing time and he declined. Many people saw this as a selfish move by Weeks. The Brewers second baseman responded with a huge weekend.  It is really hard to understand the frustration of the fans with Weeks not wanting to learn another position at his age. Left field would have been a terrible idea for Weeks, but now an opportunity presents itself to have Gennett and Weeks both in the lineup.

Weeks is not a left fielder or an outfielder, let's clear that up right now. I might be mistaken, but management whether it be Ken Macha, Ned Yost or Roenicke asked Weeks to try out center field or it might have been a hot topic with the fans. Weeks either declined or it never actually happened. The thing with Weeks is he understands his defense isn't very good. At times, he can be instinctive and make some nice plays, but nothing at second base would make you think Weeks could play another full-time position. He feels the most comfortable at second base, and Weeks will probably not move positions unless it was an absolutely need. It is not about being lazy or selfish, rather knowing and playing to their strengths versus trying to do too much.

One thing people might not be considering about Weeks in the outfield would be the amount of shit he would get from the pinheads in the bleachers. Fans would assault Weeks in left field thinking they could finally give the much criticized player a piece of their mind. Some people believe this wouldn't happen, but Brewers fans are a fickle bunch with insanely high expectations at times. I don't think they would handle having Rickie in left field well despite him playing well in the last week. Weeks knows left field might not be good for his strength of play, but also for him not hear from the fanbase up close and personal.

If Aramis Ramirez goes on the Disabled List before Tuesday night's game, an opportunity presents itself where Weeks and Gennett could get on the field at the same time. Both are hitting over .275 right now, and with the Brewers' injury concerns, they need to be in the lineup. Weeks might not be comfortable in the outfield, but why couldn't he play third base or Gennett for that matter?  Range needed is limited, and I could see the struggle of fielding bunts yet that's about it. Mark Reynolds moved to first base to have all three in the lineup with Lyle Overbay on the bench is the way to be in the next couple of weeks with Ramirez out. Roenicke has shown a little more creativeness this season and hopefully he will think about this in the following couple weeks.

Who knows when Weeks redemption will end, but right now, it is enjoyable to see how well Rickie is excelling. My assumption would be Weeks is on the trading block right now, and they are just waiting for the rest of the team to get healthy, or maybe Brewers are happy to have two strong second basemen.

Charlie.