Brewers Need a Cautious Trade Deadline Approach

In life, there are times where we do things just because society tells us we are supposed to do it. For example, most Saturday nights are when people go out and get drunk off their minds during the college stages of their life. Fear of missing out on a good time sets in and even if a person doesn't want to go out, they end up spending money and getting drunk because they would be judged otherwise by their friends. That next morning might feature a hangover, maybe a 'I'm Sorry' text to a person from the opposite sex and the last thing you are doing is checking the bank account. This can happen in sports too. Milwaukee Brewers need to avoid FOMO and only make a trade if the player will vault Milwaukee into the playoffs. 

There are multiple needs for the Brewers right now. First base is still a nightmare even though Lyle Overbay has been an adequate option for a left-handed platoon. Brewers could use some more help off the bench in other regards as well. They also could really use a bullpen pitcher whether it be a middle reliever or an eighth inning guy as Will Smith's regression train continues to motor on in July. There are obvious needs for the Brewers team, but honestly, they shouldn't make a move just to say to the media and fans, 'Hey!  We did something before July 31st, check it out!!!'  

If Milwaukee doesn't make a move, many people will be upset at management, but where the frustration should be is with Major League Baseball's parity. Eight teams are within eight games of the American League Wild Card's second spot with Houston and Texas really being the only two officially out of the race. The National League is a complete mess with all three divisions featuring ties at the top of their standings with Miami and New York still hanging on by a thread.  Parity also means there will be many more teams wanting to be sellers when it comes to making trades. They aren't going to be many fire sale teams, and the one team who might do it, Philadelphia, doesn't have the greatest deal of parts. 

Currently, the two names brought up for the Brewers so far have been Jake Peavy and Ryan Howard which is like feeding me a well done steak. Both do not add much value to the Brewers current team plus they both cost a great deal of money even though it is likely to acquire either player will not take much.  Either of those players would be moves just to show their fans and media they are making a push towards the playoffs. It is likely Peavy is off the table given Boston becoming red hot of late which also means Koji Uehara is off the table making me a sad teddy bear.  If Milwaukee wants to talk about acquiring Steve Chisek or Ryan Dunn from Miami, I am more interested in a move like that versus a sexy, high-profile name. 

The other thing that needs to be recognize is the trade deadline is really at the end of August. They do the waiver claim situation at the end of August where teams can claim players for the long haul. There is a chance Milwaukee might not make a move in July, but could end up still adding a player or two in August.  People will be ready to raise their pitchforks at Melvin for not making a move, but in all honesty, the making moves process is not over until September 1st. 

Milwaukee's name will come up in plenty of trade talks in the next two weeks, but it doesn't mean every single one of them is coming to Milwaukee, good and bad.  Trade deadline season is here and it is much more fun to be buyers than sellers. 

Charlie. 

DON'T FREAK OUT: Milwaukee Brewers Edition

It was time. I told myself if the Brewers lose to Cole Hamels on Monday night, I would provide a little voice of reason talk. I realize there are people that will go with the sky is falling technique over the blind optimism, but I want to believe. It didn't help Milwaukee lost a game that pisses you off to the core and makes you wonder why do I care so much about this team?  Regardless, it is time to put on some happy music and think about what's ahead for the Brewers meaning yes you shouldn't worry about their recent scuffles.  

 Losing Streaks Happen - I realize Milwaukee isn't technically on a losing streak, but I am trying to provide perspective here. I am also not saying Milwaukee will win the World Series, but four of the last five World Series Champions had one losing streak five games or longer. Every good team has a rough patch in their schedule. May wasn't really that bad with Milwaukee ending .500 for the month. That still can happen with July as well. No team is perfect, and skids happen like this to every baseball team. They will bounce back.   

Marco Estrada isn't going to start all season - Milwaukee's management, both front and clubhouse, are stubborn without any question. Brewers Twitter is taking the pitchforks to Estrada right now and wants to see Jimmy Nelson whose dominating Triple A right now. Estrada isn't a good starting pitcher right now, and maybe, he needs a change of scenery. Further, there is nothing to think Nelson will be a much better pitcher than Estrada although I agree watching Nelson struggle is far different than seeing Estrada puke on his shoes every five days.  

They are going to make a move - I have no doubt in my mind Milwaukee will have a new Brewer before the trade deadline is over. Brew Crew Ball did a great job at looking at the three Boston Red Sox's players the Brewers might be interested in. Currently, the three Boston guys are the only ones rumored to be a possible Brewer. Doug Melvin downplayed a major trade which I have to think stands for "No, we are going to make a move at some point yet I have no idea what it will actually be ."  Milwaukee will not go quiet into the night with three teams nipping at their heels. 

Carlos Gomez will find his swing again - He is going through a slump which should be almost expected at some point. This guy has been completely on fire for months, and he had a bad week a his job. Haven't we all honestly. Sure, we don't get paid like Gomez, but he will find his stroke again. I wouldn't be surprised if Ron Roenicke changes the order if Ryan Braun ends up playing again tonight. I would go for a lineup of Scooter-Braun-Lucroy-Ramirez-Gomez  or Gomez-Braun-Lucroy-Ramirez-Scooter (Yes hitting Scooter fifth is not ideal, but hey, he gets hits so why not at this point?)  

Ryan Braun will go on a 'Ryan Braun' streak - I felt like we were so close to having that happen after the Toronto series, but he ended up hurting his back which made him miss most of Saturday's game and all of Sunday plus he had to leave Monday night from running after a lead-off double in the eighth inning. Although Braun is still stinging the ball despite the bad back issues. I am telling you this becomes a different team without question. The thumb will always be an issue for him, but Braun will come fresh at some point soon. 

A part of me still believes in Jean Segura - I am not saying he will end up being an All-Star in the second half, but I refuse to believe he is only a .240 hitter. I refuse to believe the numbers of him July 1st 2013 and beyond are Segura's true ceiling. He is going to figure this thing on offense. That's going to happen at some point, and when it does, Milwaukee becomes a more dangerous team. 

This isn't part of my whole "Don't freak out", but the fact, Milwaukee finishes the year by playing the division for the entire month except for a home series against Miami is what you want as a fan and player. They control their own destiny. If they want to bury the rest of division and we as fans are celebrating in mid-September, hell yeah, let's do it. If they want to screw around and Milwaukee fights for a division title to the final game of the year, welp better give me all the alcohol in the world.  

To quote the great Alfred from "Batman Begins", 'Why do we fall Master Wayne?"   "To pick ourselves back up again."  Everything will be fine, y'all. 

-Charlie.